More than 3 million tourists flock to my small hometown of Sedona, Arizona each year. Many of them are hikers hoping to climb rock formations made of iron-rich sandstone that give the place its world-famous red hue, or spiritual seekers hoping to have a mystical experience in an energy vortex.

Also known as Red Rock Country, Sedona is also a playground for foodies and spa enthusiasts. But there’s another side of Sedona that gets less attention: one that honors a rich and vibrant history of Native American cultures dating back 1,000 years.

In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, celebrated each November, Sedona is a great place to connect with this history – a history shared by the Sinagua, Hopi, Navajo, Tonto Apache and Yavapai for thousands of years. ‘years. . What makes visitors’ interest in the Native population here particularly poignant is that of the nearly 4.5 million people living in the United States who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native, just 0.1 percent live in Sedona, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Bonus: Several sites require walking on trails. This is good news for older adults who can benefit from staying active. According to a 2023 study in the international journal GeroScience, walking decreases the risk or severity of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, cognitive impairment and dementia, and more, while improving longevity, mental well-being and sleep.

So why not walk amidst the beauty and scenery of this desert oasis? Here are seven places to introduce you to the history and know-how of the Native American peoples of the region.

Historic sites

Petroglyphs and pictographs adorn the walls of the Honanki heritage site.

Courtesy of Brady Smith

Honanki Heritage Site

I took a guided tour to Honanki Heritage Site in the Coconino National Forest. Once there, we followed a loop trail of about a half mile to reach the immense cliff of Red Rock Country – the ancient mud and stone home of the southern Sinagua people, considered the ancestors of the Hopi tribe. Along with the other tourists, I marveled at the petroglyphs (scraped or carved images) and pictographs (symbols created by pigments rubbed into rock) that tell stories about Native American culture, religious beliefs and daily life. approximately 1150 to 1350.

“It was a lot of fun and the course wasn’t bad at all,” said Carla Brooks, 62, vacationing in Olive Branch, Miss., who was also on the tour. “I fell back several times, but the guide stopped enough times to (allow me) to regroup with everyone else.”

A Red Rock Pass ($5 for a daily pass; $15 for a weekly pass at www.recreation.gov or select locations around Sedona) is required. If you hire a guide from one of Sedona’s many tour companies, you won’t need a high-clearance vehicle (highly recommended) to maneuver the incredibly bumpy, unpaved roads, and you’ll hear loud noises. Interesting facts, anecdotes and myths about the city and its landscapes along the way.

The guides, however, will not have an answer as to why the Sinagua disappeared from the archaeological record around 1400. It remains a mystery.

The preserved cliff dwellings at the Palatki heritage site were built around 1150 by the people of southern Sinagua.

Courtesy of Danika Thiele

Palatki Heritage Site

Honanki’s sister site, Palatki Heritage Sitefeatures exceptionally preserved cliff dwellings, built around 1150 by the people of southern Sinagua, who prepared their meals, raised their families and made tools here.

Choose from one of two trails to admire the homes. One takes you directly to the spring, but be prepared to climb 60 uneven and arduous steps. The other leads to a view of the houses. A third path leads to alcoves housing rock art, including ancient pictographs and petroglyphs.

On-site hosts and volunteers offer interpretive information, a visitor center is located near the parking lot at a 1920s ranch, and there is a gift shop operated by the Arizona Natural History Association.

The site closes in case of bad weather. Reservations for free tours (includes a $1 non-refundable fee per ticket) and a Red Rock Pass ($5 for a daily pass or $15 for a weekly pass at www.recreation.gov or select locations around Sedona ) are mandatory. Road conditions are difficult; a high clearance vehicle is recommended.