Cathedral Rock

Cathedral Rock is a natural sandstone formation in the red rock landscape near Sedona, Arizona. The formation consists of multiple peaks connected by saddle points that create the distinctive silhouette visible from many viewpoints.

Early mapmakers originally marked this formation as Court House Rock, a name that later caused confusion with other rock formations in the area. The name Cathedral Rock eventually became standard to distinguish this location clearly.

The red sandstone formation draws photographers and artists who want to capture the natural beauty of Arizona's landscape. Many people visit to document the shifting colors and shapes as light changes throughout the day.

The trail to the summit begins at the Back O Beyond trailhead and follows marked paths through the red rocks. The route involves scrambling over rock and requires sturdy footwear and careful footing throughout.

Black basalt dikes run through the rocks, creating dark streaks that tell a geological story. These features mark where ancient sand dunes were once buried beneath the Pedregosa Sea millions of years ago.

Location: Arizona

GPS coordinates: 34.82002,-111.79321

Latest update: December 6, 2025 22:02