Capitol Butte is a prominent 6,355-foot red-rock mountain just northwest of Sedona in northern Arizona, rising sharply above West Sedona within the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness managed by Coconino National Forest. Its pale Coconino Sandstone sits atop the reddish Schnebly Hill Formation, creating the striking color contrast that defines the area’s landscape. Water from the butte drains toward Oak Creek in the Verde River watershed. Officially named Capitol Butte in 1971 by the United States Board on Geographic Names, it has also been known by several earlier names, especially Thunder Mountain. Its dramatic form and protected setting make it a defining feature of Sedona’s skyline.