From the moment you drive into Sedona, you feel an undeniable surge of energy. The towering red rocks and evergreen vegetation provide a breathtaking backdrop at every turn. Sedona is a true oasis found in the middle of Arizona’s arid desert. It is not only known for its awe-inspiring natural beauty, but also for its spiritual healing and wellness.
While in Sedona, you can find spas, resorts, hikes through the Red Rocks, and plenty of thrilling and relaxing activities for all travelers. Stay for a while and experience all that this city has to offer!
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Tips
When to Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
Things to See and Do
Top Experiences
*Hike Devil’s Bridge at sunrise or Cathedral Rock at sunset
*Enjoy a spa treatment at Enchantment Resort
*Meditate at one of the four main vortexes
Tips
- Purchase a Red Rock or Interagency Pass: You can purchase your Red Rock 7-Day pass ahead of time for only $15.00. Another great option would be to purchase the interagency pass, otherwise known as the “America the Beautiful” pass for $80.00/year. It is so worth it, especially if you plan to visit a few of the national parks outside of Sedona!
- Check out our “What You Need to Park for Your Hiking Trip” article
When to Visit
Sedona is a great destination all year round, so you will be happy whenever you choose to visit.
The most popular time to visit is between March and May and September through November when the temperatures are warm, but not extremely hot.
The temperature in the summer can reach above 100 degrees Fahrenheit ( 30 degrees Celsius), which can make some daytime activities too hot and unenjoyable. December through January averages are between 56 and 61 degrees Fahrenheit (13 and 16 degrees Celsius), which is great hiking weather!
Where to Stay
There are tons of lodging options for all budgets and interests. Depending on if you are looking to be near the city center, at a resort, or close to the Red Rocks, you will easily find an accommodation that is perfect for you.
Here are a few fan favorites for all different budgets:
$$$: Enchantment Resort (
), L’Auberge de Sedona Resort and Spa (
), Amara Resort and Spa ()
$$: Sky Rock Inn of Sedona (), Sedona Real Inn and Suites (), Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa ()
$: Cedars Resort (), Wildflower Inn (), The Sedona Hilltop Inn ()
Where to Eat
Sedona is full of great restaurants, most of which have amazing views of the Red Rocks and delicious food! If you can, check out some of our favorite eateries:
Mariposa: Latin inspired cuisine, Reservation Only, $$$
Elote Café: Mexican inspired cuisine, Reservations Recommended, $$
The Hudson: American bistro, Reservations Recommended, $$
The Vault Uptown: American bistro, Reservations Recommended, $$
Hideaway House: Country Italian cuisine, Walk-In/Reservations, $$
Rotten Johnny’s Wood-Fired Pizza Pie: Pizza, Walk-In, $$
Creekside Sedona: American bistro, Walk-In/Reservations, $$
The Coffee Pot: American/Mexican breakfast, Walk-In, $
Things to See and Do
Indulge at a Resort / Spa
Sedona is known for its renowned spas and resorts. With its energy vortexes, this is the perfect place to indulge in spa treatments or to treat yourself to some relaxation at one of the many resorts. You can’t go wrong with any spa, however, these are some fan favorites:
Although costly, these treatments are certainly worth the splurge!
Hit the Trails for a Hike
Sedona is known for breathtaking red rock hikes for all experience levels. Whether you prefer sunrise, daytime, or sunset hikes, these trails will not disappoint. Our recommendation is to download the All Trails App to read reviews and check out some of the popular hikes in the area. These are a few hikes that we enjoyed and plan to do in the future:
Devil’s Bridge Trail
Devil’s Bridge is the largest sandstone arch in Sedona. The trail will differ in length depending on where you park and what type of car you have. Check out our Devil’s Bridge article for all of our tips for this hike! The majority of the hike is fairly flat with a bit of a climb towards the last 0.5 miles.
The line to take a photo on the bridge can get quite long, especially during peak season, so we recommend waking up bright and early to enjoy the bridge all to yourself! We began our hike from the Mescal Trailhead at about 5:00 A.M. and were one of the first people at the bridge. It’s not easy to wake up that early, but it is 100% worth it.
Cathedral Rock Trail
Cathedral Rock Trail is a 1.2 mile, moderately rated trail. This is considered one of the four main vortex locations in Sedona, so it’s a great place to meditate and manifest. Although this out and back trail doesn’t look too long from a mileage perspective, you are gaining a decent amount of elevation. At some points, we felt like we were rock climbing up the trail, so make sure you step carefully and wear shoes with traction! Again, this is also an extremely popular trail so we recommend making the trip either during sunrise or sunset when the crowds have dispersed. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking and cannot be missed if you are in Sedona!
Soldier Pass Trail
Soldier Pass Trail is another moderately rated 4.5 mile hike. Along the way, you can spot Devil’s Kitchen (a sinkhole formed by underground caverns), Seven Sacred Pools, and finally the Soldier Pass Cave and Soldier Arch.
Take a Tour
Tours are a great way to see Sedona and the Red Rocks up close, or even from above!
By Land
- Pink Jeep Tours: You will find these iconic pink Jeeps all throughout Sedona as they have become one of the top tours for visitors. Check out their popular Broken Arrow Tour for an off-road adventure that is sure to thrill!
- Safari Jeep Tours: Another great (and slightly cheaper) option is the Safari Jeep Tour. Similar to Pink Jeep Tours, you will be taken on an exciting off-road adventure.
By Air
- Sedona Air Tours: If you’re looking to see iconic views of the Red Rocks from above, consider taking a helicopter tour! They range from 15 – 35 minutes and will cover a lot of ground throughout Sedona!
- Red Rock Balloons: If you’re looking for a unique and magical Sedona experience, a hot air balloon will not disappoint. Rise with the sun (literally), and spend 3-4 hours gliding over the beautiful Red Rocks.
Drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway
This amazing, picturesque drive is a must-do when in Sedona, especially if you do not plan to do much hiking. This drive offers breathtaking views of the Red Rocks. The drive is 7.5 miles long with many designated parking areas to encourage visitors to stop and take in the close-up views of the Red Rocks.
Go for a Swim at the Crescent Moon Picnic Site
The Crescent Moon Picnic site is a great place for families to come to fish, swim, picnic, and enjoy the spectacular scenery. You can spend an afternoon at the creek on a hot day and even stay to watch the sunset with a view of the famous Cathedral Rock. This area is a photographer’s dream, especially at sunset when Cathedral Rock reflects in the water and looks like it is on fire.
Be careful when entering the stream as the rocks are quite slippery! Also, keep in mind that there is an $11.00 entrance fee per vehicle.
Head to the site via the breathtaking and scenic Red Rock Loop Road!
Go Slipping and Sliding at Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock, a 43-acre historic apple farm in Oak Creek, is a wonderful place to cool down on a warm day. The park is famous for its 80 foot-long slippery sandstone chute that is used as a natural waterslide – pretty cool!
If you do not want to slide or swim, you can walk around and observe the Historic cabins that are on the land.
Meditate at an Energy Vortex
Sedona is known as being a place of healing. It is often referred to as a cathedral without any walls. Visitors come from near and far to experience Sedona’s cosmic forces, otherwise known as the energy vortexes. These centers of energy are beneficial for meditation and healing.
All of Sedona is considered a vortex, however, there are a few sites where the energy is a bit stronger:
- Airport Mesa
- Cathedral Rock
- Bell Rock
- Boynton Canyon
Don’t be surprised if you come across people meditating, doing yoga, or other spiritual rituals or activities at these vortex sites. Chances are you will leave Sedona feeling a bit better than when you arrived!
Enjoy an Afternoon at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Sedona’s very own arts and shopping village, Tlaquepaque (pronounced: T-la-keh-pah-keh), is a must-visit spot! Modeled after a traditional Mexican village, Tlaquepaque has been around since the 1970s and is a Sedona staple. Tlaquepaque means “best of everything” and it truly stands by its name!
Walk around, enjoy a meal, listen to live music, explore the galleries, and find a one-of-a kind piece of art to bring back home!
Spend the Night Stargazing
An International Sky Community is a prestigious honor given to a town or city that has shown dedication to preservation of the night sky. Sedona was the world’s eighth International Dark Sky Community!
Head out after dark and just look up at the stars – you might even get lucky and spot the Milky Way!
Some great places to view the night sky are the Jordan Trailhead Observing Area, Crescent Moon Picnic Site, Baldwin Trailhead, and Two Trees Observing Area.
Have a Spiritual Moment at Chapel of the Holy Cross
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a true sight to see. Built into the Red Rocks, this Roman Catholic Chapel was constructed in 1956 by a local rancher.
This little Chapel is a great place to visit, even if you are not religious, as it is another one of Sedona’s spiritual vortexes. There are spectacular views of all of Sedona, and if you truly love the view, you can even choose to get married here!
Drive Up Schnelby Hill Road
Schnelby Hill Road is a steep, twisty, and unpaved scenic route in Sedona. It is recommended that you have a high-clearance vehicle to drive this unpaved route.
Make sure to stop at the Schnelby Hill Vista to take in the views such as Munds Mountain and Airport Mesa.
Pick Up Quirky Souvenirs at Son Silver West Gallery
Check out Son Silver West for some unique Southwestern and Traditional Art that you can take back home!
We hope that you enjoy your time in the magical Sedona! Comment to let us know what you are excited to see and do!
