This is one of the most enticing outdoor destinations I have ever had the pleasure to explore; in fact, I literally return to this place all the time. Some say it is an energy vortex, like it has healing powers. While I can’t really comment on that, I can say that this place feels magnetic to me, and in some sense I can agree that visiting is a very spiritual experience. There’s just something so incredibly special about the red rocks! I’m obsessed.
As a popular tourist destination close to the city of Flagstaff and a couple hours away from the Grand Canyon, Sedona can be extremely crowded during peak season because the city was not designed to have so many people there at once. Highway 89A consists of four lanes (two in each direction) and runs through the middle of the western side of town as its only vein. The shops, restaurants, hiking trails, hotels and homes basically branch off both sides of this road for several miles. The northeastern side of the city is a bit more hectic, get used to navigating a roundabout if you plan on driving! This is where most of the shops and restaurants are located.
When to go and how long
Summer seems to be the most popular time to visit Sedona, but I would argue literally any other time of year is better. Since this place is the actual desert after all, the temperatures are going to be extremely high and you will be sweating as soon as you step outside. Heat stroke is a real risk and I would not even recommend hiking some days unless you go first thing in the morning (like before sunrise).
Shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are the best in Sedona because you will get milder weather and less crowds (except on holiday weekends). Spring can be a little greener with an occasional wild flower here and there, and in the fall there are even some leaves changing colors near the bases of the canyons. Winter can be extremely cold, BUT if you end up getting a little bit of weather, Sedona blanketed in snow is one of the most spectacular sights you will ever see, although you will have to leave the comfort of your living space to actually experience it. Remember to bundle up!!
Regardless of the time of year, a good sunrise or sunset is an absolute possibility.
Two or three days is probably plenty of time to spend here, but if you love the outdoors as much as I do, you could easily spend and thoroughly enjoy an entire week here.
Money
Sedona can get expensive depending on what you do. If you are going on tours you can expect this experience to cost a pretty penny.
Hotel prices are higher than average, and camping can also cost you bit of dough since spots are in high demand. Overnight parking in the city isn’t really available either (except hotel parking of course). With that said, there are plenty of free camping options outside the city, and slightly cheaper hotels can sometimes be found on the south side of town or about a half an hour down the road to the west in Cottonwood.
What to eat
Food prices are also somewhat higher than average. There are not a lot of chain restaurants so you will have plenty of opportunities to support the locals and their small businesses! (Shoutout and love to Sedonuts because I am obsessed.)
A great option for saving a little money during the day is to pack a lunch and bring it with you on trail. 😉
What to do
There is a lot more to do in Sedona than just go hiking, and I’ll get more into that shortly.
There are all kinds of day tour companies that offer various outdoor activities such as touring the breathtaking red canyons in a jeep or ATV. Jeep tours are generally accompanied by a guide who will narrate the adventure with facts and stories about the area. It is also an option to rent a bike (with or without a motor) or your own jeep or ATV and go back into the canyons on your own.
If you aren’t afraid of heights, make a reservation for a sunrise hot air balloon ride! Note that the weather may or may not force you to reschedule though. (Very specific weather conditions are required to safely operate these.)
A wildly popular summer activity is spending a morning or afternoon at Slide Rock State Park. (Admission varies upon time of year and the number of people in your group.) Submerge yourself in the refreshing cool water and slide down the rocks to the pool at the bottom on your bum. This is a natural river where the rocks are so slippery, you can literally slide down them. Please be careful as when I say slippery, I mean it. You will more than likely get a bruise or two from this adventure. Refrain from running near the water if you don’t want to get more hurt than you already might just from sliding down the river. Pro tip: pack a lunch, and don’t forget your towels!
Explore the history of the area by connecting with its Native American roots at the Honanki or Palatki Heritage Sites. (Tour reservations are required.) Here you will find some old cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and a small museum of information on the people that used to call this area home. Note that the roads to these sites are not paved the entire way and so you must be comfortable driving on dirt roads. In the city, you will find a lot of art and souvenirs related to these indigenous roots.
Watch a sunrise or sunset. A fantastic option that does not require a hike to get to is from the Sedona Airport scenic lookout (parking here is $3 as of 2023). If you’re lucky, you might even get some live music playing in the background!
At night, the sky is dark both in the city and outside of it. Sedona is recognized as an International Dark Sky Community, which means they are making significant efforts to reduce light pollution by using bulbs that are not intensely bright. Make a drive out to the canyons on a clear night and go stargazing!
Sedona is also a very popular destination for spiritual retreats, so if you’re looking to relax instead of increase your heart rate, there’s plenty of meditations and spiritual healings you can participate in solo or with your loved one(s).
I’ve also found there to be a lot of forest service roads and other dirt roads back in the canyon if you just want to pull over, go hang out and stare at the rock faces off in the distance. Pack some food for the day and stay til sunset where there is no cell reception. Read a book. Meditate for free. It’s actually very relaxing the deeper into the Coconino National Forest you go. Enjoy the solitude!
Hiking
This is a list of some of the hikes in the area that you can choose from, and the first three are my favorites (so far!). You can also look up other local hikes with more reviews on your favorite outdoor hiking app (there are a lot of trails in this area, and I haven’t discovered them all yet). Most trails in Sedona tend to have some walking through the flat part of the desert, followed by some sort of rock scramble to reach the cave or viewpoint.
- Birthing Cave (easy, but you have to climb up into the cave at the end, you can choose how high you want to climb, great sunrises, about 2 miles)
- Subway Cave/Boynton Canyon (moderate, but cave at the end requires some easy rock scrambling, about 6 miles)
- Devil’s Bridge (moderately difficult, lots of rock scrambling and climbing, good sunsets, about 4 miles)
- Fay Canyon Trail plus Fay Canyon Arch (moderate, some minor scrambling, about 2.5 miles)
- Cathedral Rock (moderately difficult, some rock scrambling, good views at sunrise and sunset, about 1+ mile)
- Doe Mountain (moderate, some rocks to climb along, good sunset or sunrises, about 1.5 mile)
- Keyhole Cave (difficult, trail is not used often and may require bushwhacking, some more technical scrambling at the end, about 2+ miles)
- Bear Mountain (moderate, lots of elevation gain, good sunrise or sunset, about 4.5 miles)
- Cibola Pass (easy, but have to drive on an unpaved road to access parking lot, can add additional miles but about 2 mile loop minimum)
I will continue to update this list as I embark on future hikes, but some other destinations in the area I have yet to visit include (but are not limited to):
- Tea Cup Trail/Coffee Pot Rock
- Snoopy Rock
- Bell Rock
- Seven Sacred Pools
- Devil’s Kitchen
- Merry-Go-Round Rock
- Robber’s Roost Cave
- Soldiers Pass Caves
- Chimney Rock
Trailhead parking is limited in many areas, and sometimes costs a few bucks depending on which one. You would think that with so many great hiking options parking wouldn’t be a problem, but you would be wrong. It gets super crowded out there, especially at the famous spots like Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock. To ease the problem, the city of Sedona offers a FREE SHUTTLE to get to some of the trailheads, so please check the website ahead of time to see if taking the shuttle is necessary to reach the trailhead you desire or if you can get there on your own. It varies by time of year and day of the week.
Dogs
Unless specifically noted at the trailhead or somewhere online, most hiking trails in Sedona are dog friendly! (As long as they are on a leash.) One of my favorite things about hiking Sedona is getting to say “hi” to other people’s doggos since I don’t have one of my own. However, if you have a dog that doesn’t do well around other dogs, this is NOT the best place to bring them as you will encounter A LOT of other fidos out on the trails. Additionally, some rock scrambles can be difficult for pups and may require you to give them a lift.
Red rocks rock! How could anyone not be obsessed with this place?
Have you been to Sedona yet? What did you think? Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below. 😊
Happy traveling!
(And always remember to follow #leavenotrace principles!)
Laura the explora: the blog 
Leave a comment