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Best Sedona Hiking Trails

Sedona Hiking Trails

We have visited Sedona, Arizona, for extended stays over the years. One of the best parts about Sedona and the surrounding area is that there are endless adventures and things to do. Our favorite activity is hiking! We love how accessible the hiking trails are and the range of difficultly. Below are highlights from some of the best Sedona hiking trails.

Bell Rock and Courthouse are the first two iconic formations that you see as you drive into Sedona coming north on the Bell Rock Scenic Byway/SR 179. The Courthouse Butte Loop is a moderate 4.3-mile trail. This area is very popular so depending on the time of year, it’s best to go early morning (plus it’s the best time to beat the heat). We normally visit in January when it’s not quite as busy or too hot.

There are pay machines for parking that take credit cards. Parking can sometimes be a challenge but if you wait a few minutes, turnover usually happens quickly. Another option is to purchase a Red Rock Pass to display in your window or America the Beautiful passes are also honored.

Dog-Friendly Sedona Trails

Almost all the trails in Sedona are dog-friendly as long as your dog is on a leash. Please make sure to clean up after your pup. #LeaveNoTrace

If you love climbing rocks, Bell Rock Trail is the hike for you! Look how small all the people look in the picture below. You can see all of Sedona as you make the climb. This hike is considered moderate but if you’re afraid of heights, you might find it difficult.

Little Horse Trail tends to be our go-to hike. We love the views. This is a 3.8-mile moderate hike. You can make it easier by not going as far, the view below is less than a mile on the trail. It’s incredible to hike this trail at sunset, the rocks turn a beautiful orange.

I was super excited to hike Soldier Pass and see the Seven Sacred Pools. They are easy to walk past, so keep an eye out for them. There’s also a large sinkhole on your way called Devil’s Kitchen which is very cool. This trail is considered moderate but we felt like it was a little more difficult especially beyond the pools. We ended up turning around on our first hike (which was still an amazing hike).

Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon Picnic Site is another go-to spot for us. This is a great area to relax, picnic, leisurely walk, swim in Oak Creek, or play with your dogs. There is a lot of open area with grass, picnic tables, and benches. All of this with the beautiful backdrop of Cathedral Rock. This is also a vortex site and a sacred area in Native American history.

My favorite thing to do is to visit after it rains and take pictures of all the reflections in the puddles. You have to find the perfect angle to see them.

ALWAYS be careful after a rain, pay attention to the news, and ask questions before you go. Even when the rain stops, the runoff can be very dangerous and catch you by surprise.

The staff and owners at The Hike House are super helpful. They will answer any questions and make sure you are geared up correctly for your hike. It’s important to be prepared even if you think the hike will be short.

Another great resource is the Sedona Hiking App. This app gives you all the details of each hike, directions to the trailheads, and a map to follow as you hike. You can also search by the difficulty of the hike. For more details about Sedona, visit the official Sedona Tourism Site – visitsedona.com

If you’re looking for other fun things to do besides hiking, visit my blog post HERE.

Enjoy your travels!

Please don’t hesitate to email me with questions.

©What Stirs Your Soul Media

January 1, 2022
Luxury Picnics In Minneapolis Minnesota
Luxury Picnics in Minneapolis

I love the luxury picnic trend because it’s a relaxed and intimate way to get together with friends in the beautiful outdoors.

Recently, I attended a luxury picnic alongside fellow travel bloggers, photographers, writers, and content creators at B.F. Nelson Park, located on the historic Mississippi riverfront. Miko Picnics, a new local company, set up this gorgeous luxury picnic.

Until this event, many of us only knew each other through Instagram, and this was our first time meeting in person! That, together with this incredible setting, made for a night to remember. Not to mention connecting, laughing, sharing stories, and bouncing ideas off each other. It was a great night of women building up women.

These delicious and pretty charcuterie boards were created by Board at Home – Minnesota.
RachCakes Vegan Baking made these yummy cookies for the event. Her vegan treats are fresh and made to order.

Sip and Bloom provided a floral arrangement class. The class was so fun; I highly suggest checking them out! We enjoyed working on a creative project and having something to bring home to remember a fun summer night.

Thank you to Shelby (Marketing Manager for @BloomingtonMN) and Sara (Planet with Sara) for planning a great event and bringing us together.

Did you know this area is actually part of a National Park – learn more here: Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

Life is short, never stop search for what stirs your soul. ❤️

©Tracy Blowers
September 10, 2021
Top Resort In Duluth, Minnesota
Pier B Resort Hotel in Duluth, Minnesota

Pier B Resort Hotel is a top resort in Duluth, Minnesota. The location, amenities, and service are unbeatable. Recently, we stayed for one night on our way up from Minneapolis to explore the north shore. Pier B is situated on the edge of Lake Superior on 7.4 acres! This is what we liked the most, there is plenty of space to play and hang out without feeling like you’re right on top of the other guests. And, the fact that Pier B is dog-friendly.
Allen loved all the different areas to explore, walk, and meet other dog friends.

Best Location in Duluth for Ship Watching

The views from the rooms are amazing. I took the below photo of the kayakers from our room! Pier B is the best location (even from your room) for watching the ships come into the harbor and under the iconic historic aerial lift bridge. The Lakeside Patio gives you front row seats to listen to the ship horns and the aerial bridge. Plus you can watch the kayakers, sail boats, fishing boats, birds, and more.

We enjoyed drinks on the patio while listening to live music. Then, we ordered dinner from Silos, the onsite restaurant, to take to our room. The Mushroom Swiss Burger with grilled mushrooms, caramelized onions, garlic and chive sour cream, and Swiss and Gruyere cheese is delicious. Terry had the Parmesan Herb Walleye, a pan-fried, parmesan panko crusted walleye, served with lemon caper aioli, wild rice pilaf, and seasonal vegetables, that he said was one of the best he’s ever had.

They offer a great new system for ordering breakfast (due to COVID) that the front desk thoroughly explains at check-in. It’s super easy, just checking off on a paper menu what you want to eat the next morning. Then, you pick it up at your designated time. We really liked this option. Our food was hot and tasty.
Best spot for sunrise photos of Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge

Another favorite amenity at Pier B Resort Hotel is all of the patios and decks, each offering an incredible view and all are easily accessible. They are great locations to eat breakfast and take in the sunrise. An up-close and intimate view.
Because we were only there one night, we didn’t have time to check out all the amenities. There are so many fun things to do including the outdoor sport court, lawn games, electric scooters, biking, paddle boards, and boat rentals. Plus, the surrounding area offers endless recreation. There is shopping, breweries, Canal Park, museums, or driving up the north shore for scenic views and hiking like we did.

Visit the Pier B Resort Hotel for more information www.pierbresort.com.

Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

© Tracy Blowers
August 24, 2021
The Gunflint Trail – North Shore, Minnesota

Gunflint Trail Minnesota

I can’t believe that I grew up in Minnesota and never experienced the Gunflint Trail! Anyone else? We spent most of our time in the Crosslake/Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota because that is where my grandparents lived. So, this was an exciting adventure after reading and hearing stories about the Gunflint Trail over the years. We had a blast exploring and can’t wait to go back.

The Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway is one of three nationally designated highways that wind through the Superior National Forest. The drive is filled with views of lush trees, wildflowers (fireweed is my favorite), and breathtaking overlooks. The trail is about 57 miles long, starting in Grand Marais, and runs along the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Pincushion Mountain Overlook – Views of Grand Marais

Our first stop was the legendary Trail Center Lodge (Home of Camp Chow). I had the BEST gluten-free salmon burger slathered in the perfect amount of tartar sauce. Thank you, ladies! As well as being a great spot for lunch, you will find groceries, gifts, gas, and firewood. The Trail Center’s history goes back to the 1930s. You can read about it here http://www.trailcenterlodge.com/history.html.

Traditions carry on in this small beautiful community on Poplar Lake.

After lunch, we hiked Honeymoon Bluff. This is a short hike (1 mile) but with a lot of stairs. The stairs are worth the views of Hungry Jack Lake. That small speck in the photo below is a pontoon boat – doesn’t that look amazing?

Lodging and Restaurants

Then, it was time to check into Poplar Haus! We stayed in the Northern Gnome Cabin. This dog-friendly historic log cabin, built in 1927, has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and is adorable. In addition, you have your own personal dock, fire pit, and picnic table. There is a full-service onsite restaurant, liquor store, and free use of kayaks and canoes. Plus, fishing and pontoon rentals. All of this, coupled with the Poplar Haus being located just outside the Boundary Waters Wilderness, means enjoying a little piece of heaven.

We took full advantage of the peace and quiet and panoramic views at the lake.

How cute are all the gnome decorations? Every day, I found a new one.

There’s a perfect spot to hang your hammock right by the water.

On the whole, this is a great spot to lodge if you want to be close to some modern conveniences or it’s your first time experiencing the Gunflint Trail. For example, if you’re in urgent need of ice cream. 😉 The Trail Center Lodge is only one mile down the road. After eating the Poplar Haus burger (which was excellent), we went back to the Trail Center for one of their malts. They have a ton of flavors and are HUGE. I suggest the rhubarb.

Allen loved hanging out by the lake and watching all the little animals, bugs, and butterflies. Thank you for being dog-friendly, Poplar Haus.

Last, there is so much more to do with endless trails, lakes, and nature to enjoy.

This is a tiny peek and I look forward to many more Gunflint Trail adventures. Visit the Cook County website for more information – https://www.visitcookcounty.com/.

A Poplar Haus sunset.

Before our Gunflint Trail adventure, we drove up the North Shore and stayed in Grand Marais for a few days. Read more about Grand Marais here: https://solsiteco.com/2021/08/09/north-shore-grand-marais-minnesota/.

Life is short, keep searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

©Tracy Blowers

August 9, 2021
Montana Camping Near Yellowstone

Montana Camping Near Yellowstone National Park

Are you looking for Montana camping near Yellowstone National Park? We really enjoyed the Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA Holiday.

The campground was the perfect stop on our way back to Minnesota. It is nestled on the Yellowstone River with 500 feet of frontage and beautiful mountain views. It is also a great base camp while exploring Yellowstone National Park.

Livingston, Montana KOA Campground

The campground was really busy during our stay but we felt tucked away in the deluxe cabin by the river. We really liked that there was an Albertsons grocery store down the road (about 11 miles) and other conveniences (a coffee shop 😁). The store at the KOA also offered groceries and pretty much all the essentials that you would need.

The KOA offers deluxe cabins, camper cabins, RV sites, and tent sites.

We loved listening to the river flow, it was awesome for sleeping especially after filling our bellies with s’mores.

The cabins and campground are dog-friendly including a dog park. Allen loved going for walks by the river, watching people fishing, and just chilling. Other amenities include a pool, wifi, pavilion, fishing, basketball, playground, laundry, and bike rentals.

As the sun set, the views of the river and mountains were breathtaking. Nothing better than the golden hour.

More Montana Camping

This stop was on our way home after exploring Montana. Read about our Glacier National Park visit and West Glacier KOA stay here: https://solsiteco.com/2021/06/27/glacier-national-park-and-west-glacier-koa/.

We were only here for one night on our way through but next time we plan on exploring historic Livingston. There are museums, fine-dining, live music, and a pro rodeo. This time, it was nice just to enjoy the campground and a quiet night by the fire.

Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

©Tracy Blowers

August 5, 2021
Bigfork and Flathead Lake, Montana

Bigfork and the Flathead Lake Area

Are you planning a trip to Glacier National Park? Then, Bigfork and the Flathead Lake area in Montana is a must-add to your itinerary. Take a beautiful 45-minute drive from Glacier National Park and hang out in the eclectic small town of Bigfork. As Flathead Lake appears when driving into town, it will take your breath away. Not to mention, the area is filled with excellent restaurants, breweries, fun shops, local music events, parks, and genuine people.

Flathead Lake State Parks

Sculpted by the Glaciers, Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River in the United States. Six (yes, six!) state parks surround the lake, including Wild Horse Island State Park, which is only accessible by boat. The 2,160-acre island is home to a band of wild horses, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and more. The other five state parks are as follows: Wayfarers State Park, Big Arm State Park, West Shore State Park, Finley Point State Park, and Yellow Bay State Park. The state parks offer camping, picnicking, hiking, and endless water recreation.

Our first stop was Wayfarers State Park for a short hike on the rocky cliffs along the shoreline. Then, lunch to-go from Flathead Lake Brewery and a picnic at Everit L. Sliter Memorial park right next to the Swan River and historic bridge. This is a lovely dog-friendly park with picnic tables right next to the water.

Bigfork Lodging

We found the sweetest lodging at Mountain Lake Lodge. The rooms are very spacious with local art decor, spectacular views, and two on-site restaurants; Schafer’s Restaurant and Riley’s Pub. We loved the wood-fired pizza (gluten-free crust available) at Riley’s, along with their made in-house desserts and their dog-friendly patio. Additional amenities include an infinity pool overlooking Flathead Lake, a fire pit, lawn games, hot tubs, and putting green.

On the second day, we drove to the quaint town of Lakeside, Montana, to check out Tamarack Brewing Co. and West Shore State Park. This was one of my favorite meals! You have to try the Huckleberry Salmon. Delicious! Also in Lakeside, is a really nice city park. The city park isn’t dog-friendly, but the state parks are, and Allen had a blast. He wanted to swim out and meet the kayakers.

On the third day, we headed to Finley Point State Park to skip some rocks. This is one of the smaller state parks with a secluded campground. The drive from Mountain Lake Lodge offers gorgeous views of the lake and cherry orchards. I can’t wait to go back someday in early August to buy from the cherry stands around the lake.

Then, in the evening, we went to Max’s Market to hear live music. This local organic market is AMAZING! The market offers organic groceries, wine, beer, kombucha, unique gifts, healthy lunch/dinner/snacks, and live music. Plus, they are dog-friendly! Including, their adorable dog named Charley, who lovingly greets all the guests.

Last, our favorite restaurant in Bigfork is Echo Lake Cafe. This iconic family-owned restaurant has been serving homemade food since 1960. We ate there four times during our stay because the food is so good. 🙂 They have a wonderful patio and also offer gluten-free options. The gluten-free french toast, pictured below, was crazy yummy!

Follow along on Instagram at @whatstirsyoursoul for more photos and videos.

Read our Glacier National Park blog post here: https://solsiteco.com/2021/06/27/glacier-national-park-and-west-glacier-koa/.

Enjoy the road and keep searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️

©Tracy Blowers

July 19, 2021

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