Courthouse Butte
Village of Oak Creek, AZ
Courthouse Butte is a massive sandstone butte standing 5,451 feet tall, located adjacent to Bell Rock south of Sedona. The formation's steep vertical walls display distinct layers of the Schnebly Hill and Supai geological formations. A 4-mile loop trail circles the base of both Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock.
Photography Guide
- Best Time
- golden hour
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Shot Types
- landscapewidedetail
- Best Seasons
- springfallwinter
Gallery
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Village of Oak Creek, AZ
Bell Rock
Bell Rock is a prominent butte named for its bell-like shape, visible from SR 179 south of Sedona. The formation rises to approximately 4,919 feet and is one of Sedona's recognized vortex sites. A network of trails circles the base and climbs partway up the formation.
Sedona, AZ
Chapel of the Holy Cross
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic chapel built into the red sandstone buttes of Sedona, designed by sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude and completed in 1956. The modernist structure features a 90-foot cross integrated into the facade and is built between two red rock pinnacles at an elevation of approximately 4,400 feet. The chapel was inspired by the Empire State Building and designed with consultation from Frank Lloyd Wright.
Village of Oak Creek, AZ
Munds Wagon Trail to Cow Pies
The Munds Wagon Trail climbs from the Village of Oak Creek through a series of sandstone terraces known locally as the Cow Pies due to their rounded, stacked formation shapes. The elevated rock platforms provide 360-degree views of Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and the distant Mogollon Rim. The smooth sandstone surfaces create natural leading lines and foreground texture for compositions.