With its incredible red rock landscape, abundance of beautiful trails and unique arts community, Sedona attracts travelers from all over. Whether you’re a hiker, mountain biker, art lover, nature photographer or seeking spiritual enlightenment, this one-of-a-kind desert town has something for you.
Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Sedona, Arizona!
When to Visit Sedona
Sedona is a year-round destination but the most popular times to visit are between March through May and September through December. March through May will likely be the busiest time to visit but also brings mild temperatures ranging from the 60s to the 80s — perfect for hiking, biking, and jeep tours!
If you plan to visit during this time, make sure to book your hotel, restaurant and tour reservations in advance!
Mid-September through mid-December also offers mild temperatures and, during September / October, you can experience Sedona’s beautiful fall foliage. Summer can definitely be hot with temperatures in the 90s. However, because of Sedona’s elevation, it’s generally cooler than many other places in the state (like the Phoenix area!) so the summer months are mostly popular for in-state visitors escaping their 110-degree summer weather! Lastly, if you want to see snow in the desert, the winter months are your best bet. Sedona’s winter weather still reaches relatively warm highs in the mid-50s and 60s so its still totally doable to visit… just pack some warm layers and enjoy having the trails to yourself!December and January see the fewest crowds of the year but the red rocks look absolutely beautiful dusted with snow.
How Long to Stay in Sedona
After spending a couple of days in Sedona, I felt like I was able to get a taste of all Sedona has to offer. From the Pink Jeep tour to hiking Devil’s Bridge to relaxing at Enchantment Resort’s beautiful spa, it was a great introduction trip to Sedona. That being said, there are still plenty of activities and hikes I would love to do but plan to go back again soon!
So, if you have a long weekend and you want to spend a couple of nights in Sedona, I would say that’s a great place to start! But if you want to really check off all the hikes and activities in the area, you may want to plan for 4 – 5 days.
Many people include Sedona on a larger southwest trip with stops like the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon. If you’re planning a southwest trip, definitely reserve a few nights for Sedona on your itinerary!
How to Get to Sedona
Located in north central Arizona, Sedona is a two hour drive from Phoenix, 5 hours from Las Vegas and 7.5 hours from Los Angeles.
The closest airports are Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX), 2 hours south of Sedona, and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG), about 45 minutes north of Sedona. While Flagstaff’s airport is closer to Sedona, there are limited direct flight options. Currently, Denver and Dallas are offered as direct flights so if you’re visiting from one of those cities, you may be in luck!
From Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, you can either rent a car and drive to Sedona or use the Sedona-Phoenix-Shuttle that operates several times daily between the airport and Sedona.
How to Get Around Sedona
The best way to get around Sedona is by car. There is an Enterprise car rental office in the area but it’s always a good idea to make an advanced booking because there is a limited amount of rentals and they can get booked up during the busy months… and you don’t want to be stuck without a ride!
The Verde Lynx bus service is a useful option for getting around downtown, however, many of the trails are located off the main roads so you’ll need a car to get there.
Ride sharing apps like Uber or Lyft can be spotty in the area, however, there are a couple of taxi companies (like Sedona Cab Company or Sedona Quickrides) if you need a taxi service.
What to do in Sedona
- Go Hiking: Most visitors to Sedona come for the stunning outdoor beauty and one of the best ways to take it all in is by exploring the many hiking trails! Some of the most beautiful and popular hikes are: Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge, Birthing Cave, Bell Rock, Soldier’s Pass Hike (where you can see the 7 Sacred Pools), and Airport Mesa.
- Visit a Vortex: Sedona is known to have vortexes, or swirling centers of energy, that are thought to support reflection, clarity, meditation and be re-energizing. Sedona has four main vortexes: Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock and Boynton Canyon.
- Pink Jeep Tour: Ready for an off-road adventure but don’t want the hassle of renting a 4×4 or would rather have a professional guide show you around?! The Pink Jeep tours will take you through the gorgeous terrain of Sedona’s backcountry with incredible vistas. I absolutely loved this tour and learned so much about the Arizona desert!
- Slide Rock State Park: Escape the heat and cool down in the waters of Oak Creek at Slide Rock State Park! The creek is open for swimming, floating, and sun bathing — or you can slide down the natural water chute into the pool below.
- Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village: Designed to look like an authentic Mexican village, this shopping center offers one-of-a-kind art pieces such as ceramics, glass, weaving, painting and jewelry.
- Wine Tasting: Did you know there were vineyards in Arizona?! Just outside of Sedona are a couple of small production vineyards along Oak Creek where you can stop by the tasting room and try some local wines. Some of the popular estate vineyards include Javelina Leap Vineyard, Oak Creek Vineyards and Page Springs Cellars.
- Chapel of the Holy Cross: This architectural marvel was built directly into a red rock butte and was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright.
- Go stargazing: Being located in Arizona’s vast desert, Sedona has a pretty magnificent night sky! There are several guided tour companies that lead stargazing tours at night guided by professional astronomers.
Where to Dine
- Che Ah Chi: Located at the gorgeous Enchantment Resort, Che Ah Chi is their upscale restaurant concept that features sweeping red rock views and serves modern American cuisine with Native American influence. We visited for dinner one evening while staying at the hotel and were totally blown away by the incredible food and service!
- Mariposa: Perfect for a nice evening out with a view, Mariposa is an upscale, Latin inspired restaurant with an outdoor patio and panoramic views. Make sure to book a reservation in advance and go around sunset if you want to catch those incredible views!
- Elote Cafe: After a tiring day of hiking, sometimes you just need a delicious, hearty meal! Elote Cafe serves delicious Mexican food featuring seasonal and locally grown ingredients.
- Creekside American Bistro: Aptly named, Creekside American Bistro looks over beautiful Oak Creek! This casual spot is perfect for a relaxing breakfast or lunch and they’re dog friendly (they even have a “Doggie Menu” with items like Beef Tartar, Venison Stew or a Chicken Jerky Cookie!).
- The Hudson: This American eatery features a patio with some epic red rock views, plus they have a daily happy hour from 3 – 6pm!
- SaltRock Southwest Kitchen: Located at the Amara Resort & Spa, SaltRock serves Southwest dishes like street tacos and ceviche on an outdoor patio overlooking a stunning view that is perfect for watching the sun go down.
- Dahl & DiLuca: This Italian restaurant is a staple of Sedona’s fine dining scene! With delicious homemade pastas and a romantic atmosphere, Dahl & DiLuca makes a wonderful date night spot.
Where to Stay
With visitors coming from all over, this desert town has a variety of lodging options for every type of traveler.
Luxury
- Enchantment Resort: About a 15 minute drive from Uptown, Enchantment Resort is set beneath the dramatic red rocks of Boynton Canyon with plenty of hiking trails accessible straight from the hotel.
- Amara Resort & Spa: If you’re into infinity pools with a view, this is your spot! Looking over the red rocks and Oak Creek, you can’t beat the views… plus it’s a quick trip to plenty of restaurants in Uptown.
- L’Auberge de Sedona: Set on the banks of Oak Creek, this upscale resort is very close to Uptown but still feels very private and secluded. The resort also features a pool, creekside restaurant and spa.
Mid-Range
- Southwest Inn at Sedona: This southwest inspired hotel overlooks Boynton Canyon so you’ll have beautiful red rock views! The rooms include a gas fireplace (so cozy!) and there is an outdoor pool on the property as well.
- Las Posadas of Sedona: Located in a quiet area but with shops and restaurants just a short walk away, this hotel is quaint and convenient. The red rock views and outdoor pool are a bonus too!
- Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Piñon Pointe: All of the cleanliness and comfort that Hyatt is known for with a southwest vibe! There are plenty of room options to fit your needs — whether its a balcony, kitchen, red rock view or multiple bedrooms, you can select the best room for you at Hyatt.
Budget
- Star Motel: Located a short distance from Uptown, the motel features small but clean and nicely decorated rooms with mini fridges, microwaves and electric coffee pots.
- Oak Creek Terrace Resort: This highly rated lodge has different room options for various family sizes and is located right on Oak Creek! Enjoy your morning cup of coffee while relaxing in the hammock by the river!
- Sedona Village Lodge: You can’t get much closer to Bell Rock than Sedona Village Lodge! With red rock views and adobe style lodging, this lodge is a solid choice for your Sedona trip.
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