06/15/2026
Sedona's famous red rocks weren't always red.
Millions of years ago, this region was covered by ancient deserts, rivers, and shallow seas. Over time, layers of sandstone formed and became rich in iron minerals.
When those minerals were exposed to oxygen, they rusted—much like metal left outside in the rain.
That natural process gave Sedona its signature red and orange hues, creating the landscapes that draw visitors from around the world today.
So the next time you're admiring Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, or Courthouse Butte, you're looking at a landscape shaped over hundreds of millions of years by water, wind, and a little bit of rust.
Nature had a lot of time to perfect the view.