With its ethereal red rock beauty and inexplicable vortex energy, it may come as no surprise that Sedona does spooky well. Beneath the surface of this serene desert paradise lies a darker, more mysterious side. As cooler autumn air starts to drift through the canyons and Halloween is just around the corner, Sedona blurs the line between physical and supernatural. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy the spooky legends, haunted history, and mystical energies of Sedona.
Haunted Legends of Sedona
Sedona may be best known as a haven for artists and healers, but first, it was a rugged frontier town. And some will say that the spirits of the town’s early miners, ranchers, and pioneers, who forged new lives amidst harsh conditions, never left.
The Jerome Connection
Just a half-hour drive from Sedona, the old mining town of Jerome is considered one of the country’s most haunted towns. It was a bustling copper mining hub in the early 1900s, and home to thousands of workers—the very workers who endured dangerous conditions and deadly accidents. Take a day trip to the Jerome Grand Hotel, formerly a hospital, where you can walk through the hallways and listen for ghostly footsteps and mysterious voices, and watch for flickering lights.
The Spirit of Tlaquepaque Arts Village
Closer to home, Sedona’s beloved Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village—with its Spanish-style courtyards, cobblestone walkways, and vine-covered arches—holds stories of its own. Some say the property was built on ancient Native American land. See if you concur. Past visitors have said they’ve felt sudden temperature drops, heard whispers, or sensed unseen presences in quiet corners. As you browse the art galleries and boutiques, notice the timeless, otherworldly aurora of the characteristic village. After sunset is even more interesting, with flickering lanterns and shadows dancing along stone walls.
The Haunted Bridge at Midgley
Another local legend centers on Midgley Bridge, a dramatic steel arch spanning Oak Creek Canyon. The bridge was built in 1939 and ever since, there have been reports of ghostly figures along the span, including the apparition of a woman in white said to have leapt to her death decades ago. Whether it’s imagination or something more, the bridge’s stunning views come with an undeniable chill. Stop at the overlook to see if, you, too, feel as if you’re being watched or hear faint cries carried on the wind.
Ghost Tours & Paranormal Adventures
For those who want to experience Sedona’s spooky side firsthand, we recommend these guided tours that blend local history with ghost-hunting adventure.
Sedona Spirit Journeys and Haunted History Tours
Take an evening walk through Sedona’s most legendary sites with guides who are eager to share stories of unexplained sightings, tragic tales, and ancient myths. They’ll point out Sedona’s famous energy hotspots, where you might feel tingling sensations or sudden mood shifts.
Sedona UFO & Vortex Tour
For a deeper dive into the paranormal, a UFO and vortex tour combines ghost lore with celestial mysteries. You’ll be given a set of night-vision goggles so you can scan the desert sky for strange lights and UFOs—sightings that are surprisingly common in Sedona’s wide-open skies.
The Mystery of Sedona’s Vortexes
No exploration of Sedona’s mysteries is complete without mentioning our famous energy vortexes—natural sites believed to emit powerful earth energies that can enhance meditation, healing, and intuition.
The most well-known vortex sites—Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, and Boynton Canyon—have long attracted spiritual healers and those seeking some emotional clarity. Some describe feeling intense energy surges; others claim encounters with spirits, visions, or even time distortion. Skeptics may call it the power of suggestion, but you may leave convinced you’ve touched something beyond the ordinary. Whatever you feel, whether geological magnetism or something supernatural, Sedona’s vortexes are charged with mystery.
Come for the ghost stories or the spiritual awakenings, or simply to watch the stars shimmer above the silent canyons. However you experience it, Sedona constantly stirs the imagination. Discover the mysteries and the secrets, then return to the comfortable luxury of The Arabella, where the only ghost stories are the ones you might tell around the firepit.