A lighthearted guide to the red rock shapes that look like everyday objects — perfect for families, photographers, and anyone who loves a good game of "what does that look like?"
Sedona's red rock landscape is spectacular on its own, but look a little closer and you'll start to see familiar shapes hiding in plain sight. A sleeping beagle here, a coffee pot there, even a submarine surfacing from the desert floor. These whimsical "lookalike" formations have been delighting visitors for generations and have become some of the most photographed landmarks in Arizona.
The shapes are carved by millions of years of wind, water, and erosion working on layers of sandstone, limestone, and basalt. To learn more about the fascinating geology behind these formations, check out our Red Rock History & Geology guide.
Below, we've gathered 10 of the most famous formation lookalikes in Sedona. Grab the kids, pack some binoculars, and see how many you can spot on your next visit.
Looks like: Snoopy lying on his doghouse
Perhaps Sedona’s most beloved formation, this red rock silhouette looks remarkably like the famous beagle napping on his doghouse. The “nose” and “ears” are most visible in afternoon light when shadows sharpen the profile.
Where to see it: Best viewed from Matterhorn Inn area on AZ-89A
Fun fact: Look closely and you can even spot Charlie Brown’s buddy Woodstock perched nearby on a smaller spire.
Looks like: An old-fashioned percolator coffee pot
Rising above the rooftops of West Sedona, this formation is hard to miss once you know what to look for. The distinctive “spout” is a resistant fin of sandstone that juts out at just the right angle to complete the illusion.
Where to see it: Visible from West Sedona; Sugarloaf Trail for a close-up
Fun fact: Coffee Pot Rock has become such a landmark that an entire neighborhood is named after it.
Looks like: The bow of a large ship cutting through the desert
This massive formation looks like it sailed right out of the ocean and ran aground in the red rock desert. The steep, angled prow gives an uncanny impression of a steamship pushing through waves of juniper and pinyon pine.
Where to see it: Visible from AZ-89A near Midgley Bridge
Fun fact: Steamboat Rock is part of the same geological layer as Snoopy Rock — the Schnebly Hill Formation.
Looks like: A submarine surfacing from the earth
This elongated, dome-shaped rock really does look like a submarine emerging from the red desert floor. Unlike many formations you admire from afar, you can actually hike right on top of Submarine Rock for sweeping views.
Where to see it: Near the Broken Arrow Trail area
Fun fact: Mountain bikers love riding on the smooth slickrock surface around Submarine Rock.
Looks like: A rooster’s head and comb
This spire features a jagged crown of sandstone that looks strikingly like a rooster’s comb. The “beak” faces south, and on a clear morning the silhouette is unmistakable against the blue sky.
Where to see it: Visible from the Dry Creek area
Fun fact: Rooster Rock is near several other named formations — it’s like a whole barnyard out in Dry Creek.
Looks like: A slender chimney or smokestack rising from a rooftop
One of the most photographed formations in the Village of Oak Creek, Chimney Rock is a narrow spire that stands apart from the mesa behind it. The Chimney Rock Trail is a popular moderate loop that circles its base.
Where to see it: Great views from AZ-179; Chimney Rock Trail gets you close
Fun fact: Chimney Rock is a popular vortex site and many visitors report feeling a strong energy at its base.
Looks like: A giant bell sitting in the desert
One of the most symmetrical formations in all of Sedona, Bell Rock’s nearly perfect bell shape makes it instantly recognizable. It’s visible from miles away and is one of the first formations visitors see entering from the south.
Where to see it: Along AZ-179 in the Village of Oak Creek
Fun fact: Bell Rock is one of Sedona’s four famous vortex sites and draws spiritual seekers from around the world.
Looks like: A lizard’s head tilted upward
This smaller but distinctive formation has a pointed “snout” and a sloped “skull” that give it an undeniable reptilian profile. It’s one of those shapes that once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
Where to see it: Visible from parts of the Dry Creek area
Fun fact: Real collared lizards are common in Sedona — keep your eyes peeled for the living version too.
Looks like: A giant mitten or hand
This broad ridge features a prominent thumb-like projection that gives it the appearance of an oversized mitten resting on the horizon. The formation is best appreciated from a distance where the full shape comes together.
Where to see it: Visible from West Sedona
Fun fact: Mitten-shaped formations are famous in Monument Valley too — Arizona loves its mitten rocks.
Looks like: A procession of nuns in habits
A series of slender spires standing side by side near Cathedral Rock, The Nuns look like a row of robed figures in quiet contemplation. The way light plays across their surfaces throughout the day adds to the reverent atmosphere.
Where to see it: Near Cathedral Rock, visible from the Red Rock Crossing area
Fun fact: The Nuns are part of the same geological formation as Cathedral Rock, one of Sedona’s most sacred sites.
Our vacation rentals put you right in the heart of Sedona's famous formations. Step outside and start spotting from your own patio.
Explore Our Sedona RentalsTurning rock formation spotting into a family activity is one of the best free things to do in Sedona. Here are some tips to make it even more fun:
Early morning and late afternoon light creates the sharpest shadows, making formation shapes much easier to identify. Midday sun flattens everything out and washes away the details you need to spot the lookalikes.
A good pair of binoculars transforms the experience. Details like Snoopy's nose and the Coffee Pot's spout snap into focus, and kids absolutely love scanning the horizon for new shapes.
The same formation can look completely different at sunrise versus sunset. Shadows shift, colors deepen, and new shapes appear. Visit the same viewpoint twice in one day and you'll see two different landscapes.
Print the checklist below and challenge the family to find all 10 formations during your stay. Award bonus points for spotting shapes that aren't on the list — kids are especially great at finding new ones.
You don't need to be a hiker to enjoy Sedona's famous formations. Many of the best views are right from the road or from easy-access overlooks. Here are the top spots to park and gaze:
The panoramic overlook at Airport Mesa gives you a 360-degree view of nearly every major formation in Sedona. You can spot Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Coffee Pot Rock, Chimney Rock, and more — all from a single vantage point. It's the ultimate rock-spotting destination, especially at sunset.
Driving along Dry Creek Road takes you past Rooster Rock, Lizard Head, and several unnamed formations that are fun to identify. Pull off at any of the trailhead parking areas for unobstructed views of the Dry Creek basin's dramatic spires and buttes.
This scenic highway between the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona proper offers jaw-dropping views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, Cathedral Rock, and Chimney Rock. Multiple pullouts let you stop safely and enjoy the views. It's considered one of the most beautiful drives in America.
Driving AZ-89A through West Sedona gives you prime views of Snoopy Rock, Coffee Pot Rock, Steamboat Rock, and Mitten Ridge. Continue north toward Oak Creek Canyon for views of the dramatic canyon walls and the Wilson Mountain massif.
A short, easy hike leads to the top of Sugarloaf, which delivers an incredible close-up view of Coffee Pot Rock and panoramic views toward Capitol Butte (Thunder Mountain) and the Dry Creek area. It's one of the best effort-to-reward ratios in Sedona.
Can you find all 10? Print this page or screenshot the list below and check them off during your Sedona adventure. Families who complete the full list earn serious bragging rights — and some truly unforgettable memories.
Bonus challenge: spot a formation that isn't on this list and give it your own name!
Many of Sedona's famous formations have trails that take you right up close. Hike on top of Submarine Rock, circle the base of Bell Rock, or scramble up toward Chimney Rock for unforgettable perspectives.
Explore Sedona Hiking TrailsSnoopy Rock is best viewed from the Matterhorn Inn area along AZ-89A in West Sedona. The profile is most visible in afternoon light when the shadows define the nose, ears, and body of the famous beagle lying on his doghouse.
Sedona has dozens of officially and unofficially named rock formations. The most famous include Snoopy Rock, Coffee Pot Rock, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Chimney Rock, Submarine Rock, and Steamboat Rock. New lookalikes are spotted by visitors all the time.
Yes, many formations have trails nearby. You can hike the Bell Rock Pathway, Chimney Rock Trail, Broken Arrow Trail (near Submarine Rock), and Sugarloaf Trail (near Coffee Pot Rock). Some formations like Submarine Rock can even be climbed on.
Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light for photographing Sedona’s rock formations. The low sun angle deepens the red and orange hues and creates dramatic shadows that help define the shapes of formations like Snoopy Rock and Coffee Pot Rock.
Most roadside viewpoints are completely free. If you park at a trailhead for a closer look, you’ll typically need a Red Rock Pass ($5/day or $15/week). Many formations like Coffee Pot Rock and Snoopy Rock are easily visible from public roads at no cost.