With good cause, Sedona, a gorgeous location in Arizona, has become the #1 domestic vacation destination on many people’s bucket lists this year. Sedona is a pleasant place to visit and has lots of things to do. It is most known for its red rock panoramas and fantastic hiking trails, which have amazing formations that make for great photos.
Sedona remains delightfully chilly in the north while Phoenix is scorching hot; hikers will especially appreciate the welcome temperature change. If you want to unwind after a day of touring Sedona, there are lots of fantastic attractions and places to get a bite to eat or a drink. Therefore, what should you know before visiting this wonderland of red rock? Our top picks for things to do in Sedona are these.
How to Getting to Sedona
Just 45 minutes separate Sedona from Flagstaff, or two hours from Phoenix. How can you travel to Sedona for less money? After landing at Phoenix (PHX), drive up. Flagstaff (FLG) might be closer, but the flight is usually far more costly.
Every U.S. airport has flights to Phoenix that are frequently under $200, even under $100! For travel later in the year, we’ve recently seen round-trip tickets as low as $58 (and no, that’s not on discount airlines!).
Weather in Sedona
Choosing the ideal time to visit Sedona involves careful consideration of both the weather and the number of visitors. Using the Wikipedia article on climate to determine the ideal weather for your upcoming trip is another of our top recommendations.
Spring in Sedona
Families on spring break visit Sedona’s attractions most frequently in the spring. Conversely, before the summer heat sets in, the weather is ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. With average highs in the mid-60s (°F) and lows in the 30s, March is still a somewhat cold month in Sedona. It will be fairly chilly on morning treks, so dress appropriately. With 2.5 inches of rain on average, it is also one of the wettest months. Although average highs in April are in the low 70s (°F), they still drop to the low 40s (°F) at night. May saw average highs in the low 80s and nighttime lows in the high 40s.
Summer in Sedona
Sedona’s summer heat is intense while being milder than that of Phoenix, to the south. Thus, hiking in the early morning and lounging by the pool or indoors in the afternoon are the ideal activities to do in Sedona. There are also many air-conditioned activities available, such as shopping and wine tasting.
June is known for lows of about 60°F and highs in the low 90s (°F). In Sedona, July is the hottest month, with record highs of 110°F and average highs of 96°F. With average highs in the low to mid-90s and lows in the 60s, August marks the beginning of a slight cooling-off period.
Fall in Sedona
It’s still rather hot in Sedona in early October. However, by November, the daytime high returns to the mid-60s. September is known for its mid-80s (°F) highs and high 50s (°F) lows. With highs in the mid-70s (°F) and lows in the mid-50s (°F), the temperature decreases by 10 degrees on average in October. In November, the temperature drops to mid-60s (°F) and mid-40s (°F).
Winter in Sedona
It all comes down to temperature, but December, January, and February are the quietest months for Sedona attractions. There are lows in the 30s (°F) and highs in the 50s (°F). It’s still worthwhile to travel to Sedona if you’re planning a winter vacation in Phoenix! Just be careful when packing layers.
Where to Eat in Sedona
While there are many restaurants in Sedona, a handful caught our attention.
Uptown Vault
With excellent food, beer, and cocktails, The Vault Uptown is a family-friendly pub and grill. This Sedona restaurant’s patio with a view of the red rocks is its outstanding feature. Reservations are essential, especially for outside seating, since the restaurant fills up quickly after 6 p.m.
The Hideaway House
Come to Hideaway House for the food, and stay for the breathtaking views! Nestled on the side of a building with two floors of terrace seating, this fantastic location in Sedona is amazing. To guarantee a table with a view, make sure to make a reservation by calling in advance.
They erect an insulating barrier on the colder days, but you may still enjoy breathtaking vistas of the rock formations. This location is ideal if you have any form of dietary restrictions. Along with a wide selection of vegetarian meals, they also provide gluten-free pasta, sweets, sandwiches, and pizza. Snack on some “Kat’s Way” pizza! Sedona is full of excellent places to stop for a bite to eat.
Sedona Paths for Hiking
That is the reason you visit Sedona. One of the most well-liked activities in Sedona is hiking. Hiking routes abound in and around Sedona, offering enough opportunities to get up close and personal with the red rock formations. Make sure you have all the information you need in advance, including an idea of how long it will take and how tough each terrain is. With hiker reviews available, All Trails is an excellent resource for finding the best trails in Sedona.
Ascertain that you are carrying water, some food, and sturdy shoes. If you’re going to be there in the summer, you should hit the trails first thing in the morning to avoid the heat. Starting early is the best opportunity to find a nice location because parking near trailheads can grow challenging. There are often relatively few parking spaces directly at the trailhead; you might have to park on the road and walk.
Cathedral Rock Pathway
One of the most well-liked walks in Sedona is to Cathedral Rock. Great views can be had from this reasonably short climb, which is suitable for all ages. Though the trail is only 1.2 miles long, some steep and challenging sections need some careful navigation.
Bell Rock & Butte Courthouse
In search of two breathtaking sights in a row? Courthouse Butte is also visible if you travel to Bell Rock. If you’re searching for a short hike or stroll, this is a fantastic choice. From the parking area, it’s a short stroll to this overlook. To get closer to (or even atop) these rock formations, continue hiking.
Devil’s Bridge
You have a few options for getting to what is arguably Sedona’s most famous hiking destination. Your hike can be 3.6, 4, or 5.8 miles long, depending on the path you choose. In our instance, it was 8 miles long with a few unintentional turns.
You will eventually arrive at the well-known Devil’s Bridge if you make it to the trail’s end. We didn’t cross the bridge ourselves because it was pouring when we ascended and the rocks were extremely muddy and slippery. However, this brave person moved a few paces away.
Slide Rock State Park
Don’t overlook Slide Rock State Park! This jewel is located on the extreme north side of Sedona. We assure you that it is well worth the $20 entry fee per vehicle. You can see to the bottom in the glistening, pure water that flows past magnificent red rock formations! Take a hike beside the lake, or go swimming if summertime is your visitation month. Spread a picnic or lounge on the rounded rocks in the sun. This place is perfect for spending a few hours exploring and relaxing!
Sedona Vortex
In Sedona, one cannot visit for too long without learning about the Sedona vortexes. It’s true that the term “vortices” is valid, although it’s not very common. Furthermore, Sedona is filled with stores offering alternative medicine and spiritual goods. A vortex, then, is what? An energy hub known as a vortex is said to facilitate healing and meditation. All of Sedona is a vortex, according to Visit Sedona, but some areas are said to have significantly more energy than others. These locations are popular for yoga and meditation.
Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Airport Mesa are the top four Sedona vortexes. Because of the breathtaking views, these hiking trails are also very well-liked. Although you can visit these locations independently, guided trips are available. The Sedona visitor center offers free maps of vortex areas.
Sedona ATV & Jeep Tours
ATV rentals and jeep tours are two of the most well-liked activities in Sedona. You can do this for a little… or a lot, depending on what you book and with whom. Sedona Jeep trips and Pink Adventure Tours are two of the most well-liked guided Jeep trips. The majority of the tours are two to three hours long and cost between $70 and $200 per person. Depending on what you want to see, the majority of firms provide a variety of routes.
We advise renting an ATV yourself if you’re looking for something more independent. Take an exploration ride on an ATV for one, two, or four people for four hours or eight hours. Though you can also enjoy some exploration off the map, most ATV providers offer a few suggested itineraries with maps!
Cottonwood Arizona Wine Tasting
Slightly under half an hour’s drive southwest of Sedona is the town of Cottonwood. It’s also worth going there. A modest, historic downtown area of Cottonwood is home to several wine-tasting rooms, eateries, a brewery, and retail stores. There’s a little walking track called the Jail track that leads to the Verde River just at the end of Old Town.
This is a wonderful area to explore and have dinner in the afternoon. It’s more affordable than Sedona and has calmer dining and drinking options. A wonderful place to sample Arizonan wine and enjoy homemade pasta is Merkin Vineyards. For burgers, sandwiches, specialty cocktails, and beer, The Tavern Grille is a great family restaurant.
Jerome, Arizona
Cottonwood is just 15 minutes away by car, while Sedona is 45 minutes away. Jerome sits in between. With stunning views of the Sedona Red Rocks and even the mountains close to Flagstaff, this unique village is carved into the side of Cleopatra Hill. Jerome, a copper mining town, has a reputation for being the “wickedest town in the west.” Ghost tours and mine visits are now available. Restaurants, art galleries, and wine-tasting rooms abound as well.
Visit the Grand Canyon on a day trip via Sedona
A little over two hours can be spent traveling to the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon from Sedona, making it a manageable day trip. To avoid the lengthy line that can last for hours, it is essential to depart early. You should arrive at the Grand Canyon gate by 9 a.m. The early drive is worthwhile, too.
Each car must pay $30 to enter the Grand Canyon. However, you can also take advantage of a National Parks Pass, which you can buy in advance for $80 a year and which grants you free admission to the Grand Canyon and other national parks for the entire year.
Make sure you schedule your time at the Grand Canyon well in advance. It’s a big area with lots to see and do, so schedule your time wisely. Owing to COVID-19, several park bus routes are restricted or closed.