We get lots of questions from people when they hear we’ve been to Sedona. The main question – is Sedona really worth visiting? And the more specific questions like: Should we visit? If we do, what are some things we can do? What if we don’t have a car? Where should we stay? What’s the best time to visit?
In this article, we share the answers to those questions and help YOU decide for yourself: Is Sedona really worth visiting?
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The Basics
How to Get There
Most people fly into Phoenix, rent a car and drive the 120 miles to Sedona. You can fly into Flagstaff (FLG) if you’re looking to fly in closer to Sedona. Just note it’s a much smaller airport with limited flights. American Airlines currently offers daily flights from Phoenix though so this could be an option if you want to avoid driving too far. FLG is about 25 miles from Sedona. There are shuttle service options, taxi options, and even a bus option if you don’t want to rent a car. You can still rent a car if you fly into Flagstagg too.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of places to stay in and around the Sedona area for any budget. I recommend going to VRBO if you’re interested in renting an entire house (this is a GREAT option and can be less expensive) or pull up Booking.com and peruse the variety of hotels, bed & breakfasts, or even entire homes available. I like using the map feature to narrow down which area I want to be in most and going from there.
Don’t feel like you have to stay IN Sedona either. I’ve stayed in the Village of Oak Creek (15 minutes from Sedona) and Cornville (30 minutes from Sedona). The house we stayed at in the Village of Oak Creek was practically down the street from some awesome trailheads. Including one to Cathedral Rock (the longer version). While Cornville was further from Sedona, the drive was easy and scenic so it really wasn’t a big deal. Both of these towns offer places to eat and shop too that won’t disappoint.
When to Visit
Sedona is becoming a more popular destination. The best time to visit really depends on what you’re looking for. Sedona sits at about 4,000 feet. Keep this in mind when planning your visit as it may be cooler than you expect especially in the winter months.
Some questions to ask yourself: Would you prefer to have trails to yourself? Then the winter might be the best time for you to visit. Do you prefer a bit more warmth? Consider the spring or fall for more ideal temperatures. With this comes more people so do keep that in mind.
- July and August tend to be the hottest months with highs in the upper 90’s or higher. These months are also during Arizona’s monsoon season so stay alert to flash flood potential especially when recreating on certain trails. Because of the weather, you may find discounted rates on stays so if you’re looking for deals, definitely keep these months on your list.
- As mentioned earlier, winter is a good time to visit to avoid the crowds. January is generally the coldest month with temperatures in the mid 50’s. In general, Sedona might get some snow in the winter months. The contrast against the red rocks is beautiful. Remember to dress in layers. Chances are good you’ll be able to remove some of those layers when the sun is out in the afternoon.
- Fall is by far the best time to visit weather wise (in our opinion) since temperatures are mild and days are usually cloud free. Sedona is full of activities of all kinds during this time of the year too. Just plan for more crowds when exploring the trails or when looking at dining options. Book your accommodations well in advance too so you have more options to choose from.
- The most popular time to visit is Spring. Like the fall, temps are mild and while there may be some rain, it’s generally minimal. Like the Fall, you’ll want to book any accommodations in advance, make reservations at the popular restaurants (or be ok with a longer wait), and contend with more people.
You can enjoy Sedona in any season as long as you plan ahead and prepare.
Why You Should Visit
Views for Days
If you love recreating in the outdoors and being surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, you’ll want to visit Sedona. It really is awe inspiring taking in the sweeping views – it almost doesn’t matter where you are in Sedona – there’s really no bad views anywhere.
You’ll experience a sense of awe when you see the towering formations of the red rock. The contrast against the blue sky is incredible. The sandstone structures have been weathered for thousands of years and it’s no wonder there were many Hollywood films made in the area.
Sedona is also known for vortex energy and is full of options for those looking for a spiritual experience or one that helps you reconnect to yourself through nature experiences. There are many workshops and events you can find to participate in.
Check out our previous article about Sedona to find more unique experiences to participate in.
Don’t forget that outside of Sedona itself, you can find breathtaking views.
- Take the scenic drive along the majestic Oak Creek Canyon. It’s a relatively short but windy drive of about 13 miles between Flagstaff and Sedona. Rand McNally has recognized this drive as one of the top 5 most scenic drives in America. Having driven it a couple times, we can understand why.
- Red Rock State Park is a great place to learn more about the pre-Columbian people who called the area home, the archeology, plants, and wildlife of the area. There’s guided hikes and other events going on year round. Some do require reservations so be sure to plan ahead. There is a fee to enter the park ($7 for adults and $4 for kids (7-13 y/o).
- If you’re in the area during the summer, definitely head over to Slide Rock State Park for short hikes and to cool off in the water. There are entrance fees depending on the time of year you go so plan ahead. Slide Rock is located in the middle of Oak Creek Canyon so you know the views are going to be fabulous.
Hiking and Biking
Of course the reason many head to Sedona is for the hiking and biking opportunities. The most popular hikes are Cathedral Rock (short option is only 1.4 miles round trip), Devil’s Bridge (4.2 miles round trip if parking at the Dry Creek Road trailhead), the Birthing Cave (about 2 miles RT), Baldwin Trail to Cathedral Rock (this starts in Oak Park Creek and is about 4 miles RT).
Since the trails are well marked, you can head out on your own and enjoy some quiet contemplation, even during the busy seasons.
For biking, I recommend checking out this article from Visit Sedona. I’m not a biker so I can’t speak first-hand about the trail but this is a good resource for you to plan your biking adventures in Sedona.
NOTE: If you plan to park at trailheads, you’ll need to have a Red Rock Pass. We recommend purchasing in advance since not all locations allow you to purchase one at the trailhead.
So, Is Sedona Really Worth Visiting?
Our answer is a resounding YES! But what do you think?
We love Sedona and have talked about potentially moving there or nearby someday. In the meantime, we’ll visit to experience what it has to offer in all seasons. Hopefully we’ll see some of you there along the way!
If you’ve been to Sedona, what advice would you share with others? We’d love to hear from you so hit reply or share your experiences in the comments!
