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Sedona’s Airport Mesa Vortex is one of the most popular vortex sites in Sedona. And for good reason. The Airport Mesa Vortex offers stunning views of both “sides” of Sedona and is super easy to reach.
In fact, this is one of our favorite Sedona sunset locations.
But what is Airport Mesa, and what in the world is a vortex?
What Is Airport Mesa?
A mesa is a flat tabletop mountain right in the heart of Sedona. Sedona’s airport sits right on top of the mesa, or tabletop.. hence the mesa being called Airport Mesa.
There are three different trails on Airport Mesa that you can hike, and a handful of sunset locations.
We’d say that Airport Mesa offers some of the easiest hiking in Sedona, with the most rewarding views for the amount of effort put into hiking the trails. While the hikes from Airport Mesa don’t make our top Sedona Hikes post, they are still good!
READ MORE | 3 Airport Mesa Hikes
What is a Vortex
A vortex is an area on earth where energy is either entering or leaving the earth. Some people believe that you can feel the energy, and find healing and peace at vortex sites.
Airport Mesa is one of seven different vortex sites in Sedona and is the easiest one to access.
While we didn’t experience any sort of energy specifically at the Airport Mesa Vortex site, that’s not to say there isn’t any. We fully believe that you and the people surrounding you are what makes experiencing the vortex site what it is.
How Do I Get To The Airport Mesa Vortex?
From the main trailhead, the “hike” to the summit of the vortex is short and steep.
- From the Airport Loop Trailhead parking lot, head up the red rock steps.
- Turn left at the end of the steps (you can look at the overlook first, but make sure to head left).
- Walk along the slick rock, keeping an eye out for the “Summit Trail” sign.
- Turn right on the “Summit Trail”, it goes up along a wire handrail.
- Walk along the handrail up some rock steps and slick rock, until the trail flattens out at the top!
Experiencing The Vortex Force
We 100% believe that the feelings you experience in any situation, are felt from the energy and “vibe”, if you will, of the people around you.
Our first time visiting this vortex, there were people yelling back and forth to each other, and kids running around making the experience far from relaxed.
The next time we visited the Airport Mesa Vortex, the mood was mellow and relaxing. There were even people there meditating.
While we didn’t feel any strong forces, we believe the views of Creation and the mood of those around us the second time really did make it a calming and relaxed experience.
With that said, whether you believe there are vortex forces and energy or not, be respectful of those who wish to visit to feel the energy.
Airport Mesa Vortex, along with the other Sedona vortexes, should be visited in a quiet manner. Respecting the other visitors you share the Sedona vortex space with.
Guided Vortex Energy Tour and Jeep Ride
This tour has some amazing reviews from over 1,500 attendees about how informational the vortex tour is! It’s a small group of up to 10 people taken to multiple vortex sites via a jeep! S
uch a great way to learn more of the history of the vortex site and even place yourself in a more intimate position to experience the energy of the vortexes. Book your Vortex tour in Sedona here.
Best Time to Visit The Airport Mesa Vortex
After visiting the a couples of times, we think the best time to visit the vortex is for sunset. From the top, you can see both sides of Sedona.
You’ll have views of the sun setting over the famous red rock formation, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte, while also having views of Thunder Mountain, the big mountain behind west Sedona, and even colors of the Munds Wilderness Area lighting up too.
You won’t actually see the sun set from the vortex, but the other views make up for this.. especially because the sun sets behind mountains anyways!
Airport Mesa Vortex FAQs
How Long Is The Hike?
Hiking to the summit of Airport Mesa Vortex is only .2 miles one way and takes about 5 minutes from the main car park at the base of the vortex. However, there are only spots for 10 cars in this parking lot, so the hike can be more than a mile long if you have to park at the other lots on and around Airport Mesa.
What Kind of Vortex Is Airport Mesa Vortex?
This is a masculine vortex, meaning it is an upward flow vortex where the energy emanates from the earth.
Where Exactly Is The Vortex?
Sedona’s vortex on Airport Mesa is about 200 feet from the Airport Loop Trailhead off Airport Road. The exact coordinates for the vortex summit are 34.855773, -111.779207. It’s believed that vortex sites aren’t in a geo-pinned location, but rather a feeling in a general area. So, by making your way to the top of Summit Trail, with the geo-tag above, you’ll be in the general area to have the chance of feeling the vortex energy.
Parking At Airport Mesa Vortex Sedona
Main Airport Mesa Vortex Lot
- Airport Loop Trailhead Parking | Free at Airport Loop Trailhead | 34.855725, -111.780269
The main parking lot for the easiest access to the vortex is the Airport Loop Trail parking on the left side of Airport Road.
This parking lot only has 10 spots, and we witnessed people getting a ticket for parking outside of the designated parking areas. So be sure to only park within the white lines.
In our experience, we never ran into an issue parking here. People are coming in and out so quickly because the hike to the vortex is so short, that the turnover of parking spaces is frequent.
With that said, do not block traffic to wait for a parking spot. If there’s space for you to wait in the parking area without blocking the road, do so for a few minutes and then move on if you can’t see anyone walking to their car.
To avoid the chaos of this small parking lot, avoid getting to the vortex right at sunset, or use the alternative parking areas listed below.
Alternative Parking Lots
Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout Parking Lot
- Parking | $3/day Airport Parking Lot | 34.853073, -111.789599
This is the next closest parking area for the Airport Mesa Vortex. However, from this location, you have about a .8 mile hike downhill to the vortex, and then a .8 mile hike uphill back to the parking area.
Just before sunset, a line begins to form to get into this parking lot, so definitely take that into consideration!
Sunset Park Parking Lot
- Parking | Sunset Park Free Parking | 34.85532, -111.79587
If visiting Airport Mesa during the busy season, you may want to consider skipping driving on Airport Road altogether. Instead, park at Sunset Park and walk up the trail, 1.3 miles uphill, to the Airport Mesa Vortex.
This trail is very gradual, and offers great views of Sedona on the way to and from the vortex! Just remember, you’ll have a 1.3-mile return hike if staying for sunset.. so don’t forget a flashlight!
What To Pack For Hiking In Sedona
Rechargeable Headlamp | Planning to watch sunset from the vortex? Be sure to pack a flashlight or better yet, a rechargeable headlamp with you! It gets really dark super fast after the sun goes down, and you definitely need to light up the trail to avoid tripping over the red rock steps!
Grippy Trail Shoes | You should have grippy shoes for all the hikes in Sedona, as often you’ll be hiking on slick rock, and as the name suggests, it’s quite slippery!
With how short the Airport Mesa Vortex hike is, you could wear other shoes, however, when I wore my Crocs, I was slipping around, and super thankful for the hand railing for support.
Check out our COMPLETE Packing List for Sedona Here.
More On Sedona!
We spent multiple months in Sedona finding the best hikes, sunset locations, sunrise spots, and more. We even made complete guides for each trail that wasn’t so easy to find.
The Subway Cave | This is a very famous cave in Sedona, but should you skip it? Check out the post to see!
Short Hikes in Sedona | Airport Mesa isn’t the only place for short hikes in Sedona, check out these other 17 short hikes!
Sedona 1 Day Itinerary | The absolutley perfect day in Sedona, from a sunrise hike to secret caves, breakfast spots, and sunset recs too.
7 Sedona Vortexes | Yes, a look into all seven vortex sites in Sedona and how to reach each one
5 Family Friendly Hikes in Sedona, Arizona | Visiting Sedona with family? Check out these fun and friendly family hikes!
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