Sedona, Arizona Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, See & Explore
Nature is the main attraction in Sedona, Arizona. If that sounds like your kind of town, you’ll love it here. Sedona is home to stunning red rock formations, and tons of hiking trails. It’s a gorgeous town even if you’re not here to hike.
Since my first visit to Sedona in 2000, I’ve made over 50 trips here. I’ve visited Sedona in every season and every time I go I discover something new. Whether you’re coming for your first hike, a relaxing weekend, or just driving through on a road trip, this guide pulls together everything I’ve learned to help you spend less time planning and more time enjoying Sedona.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Quick Trip Planner
If you only have a few days in Sedona, you don’t want to miss the views here.
Scenic Drives
Explore Sedona’s prettiest drives including Oak Creek Canyon & Red Rock Byway
Scenic Drives
Best Time to Visit
April & October are my favorite months to visit. What to expect when you visit
Read GuideWhy Visit Sedona
Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or to hit the open road in search of natural beauty and a little adventure this town might just become your favorite place in the southwest. Perfect for a little adventure hiking, admiring red rock scenery, a relaxing wellness focused weekend, or a day of shopping at art galleries.
- Red Rock Scenery
- Wellness Weekend
- Art Galleries
First Time Visiting Sedona? Start Here
Things to do in Sedona
There are so many cool places to visit in Arizona, however, Sedona is my favorite area to explore.
Devil’s Bridge
A natural bridge is Sedona’s most popular hike. Everything you need to know.
Devil’s Bridge
Swimming Holes
Cool off in one of Sedona’s swimming holes. Find out which one you want to visit.
Swimming Holes
Oak Creek Canyon
One of the most scenic areas in Sedona, red rocks, trees, and a cool creek.
Oak Creek
Sedona Vortex
Explore Sedona’s vortex sites. Spots that some believe are natural energy centers
Sedona Vortex
Sedona Shops
Sedona has three main shopping areas. Find out which one is your favorite.
Best Sedona Shops- See the Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Go Camping
- How to Plan a Sedona Wellness Getaway: Spiritual Spots & Wellness Retreats
A Sedona Trip With No Hiking Required
This Sedona Park Offers Amazing Views of Cathedral Rock
How to Plan a Spiritual Sedona Wellness Getaway
Where the Pavement Ends: Off-Roading in Sedona
Sedona & Oak Creek Swimming Holes
Thanks to Oak Creek, Sedona has some nice swimming holes to cool off in. These are very popular in the summer, so you’ll need to get there early to park.
Sedona Arizona Hikes – Things to Do
Whether you’re looking for an easy Sedona hike or a more challenging one you can choose the best trail for you:
- I want a scenic, easy trail with gorgeous red rock views. Bell Rock is the way to go.
- I’d like a mini adventure. A trail with a detours and a view? Start your adventure at Boynton Canyon.
- I’m looking for shade, peace, and maybe a hidden arch? Try Fay Canyon.
- I want something iconic, instagramable, but manageable in a morning. Devil’s Bridge may be the hike for you.
- What about a trail that offers beautiful views without steep climbs. Take a leisurely hike via the Baldwin Trail.
- I’m up for a slightly longer adventure with big views and a fun, active trail experience. The Broken Arrow trail won’t disappoint.
- Looking for a short trail with a cool payoff. It may not be a secret, but the Birthing Cave may be the hike for you.
- I want to take a leisurely hike near the water. Visit West Fork or Allen’s Bend trail.
Sedona Scenic Drives
- A Stunning Sunday Drive on Red Rock Loop in Sedona
- Red Rock Scenic Byway: A Breathtaking Drive Through Sedona, Arizona
- 89A To Flagstaff
Spiritual Experiences & Wellness Retreats
Sedona is one of the top spiritual destinations in the U.S. and once you visit you can feel why. How to Plan a Sedona Wellness Getaway: Spiritual Spots & Wellness Retreats
See Ancient Cliff Dwellings & Petroglyphs
There are several ancient Native American ruins, cliff dwellings and places to see petroglyphs in the area. One of the best spots is at the Palataki Heritage Site and the Honanki Heritage Site.
Check out our post on Everything You Need to Know to Visit Palataki & Honanki Heritage Sites. Another great short hike nearby is the petroglyphs is at the Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site (formerly the historic V Bar V Ranch).
In this post I will refer to the “Y” when providing directions.
It’s the main intersection (roundabout) in town where Highway 179 meets Highway 89A.
Where to Stay in Sedona
You can choose from hotels, motels, resorts, airbnb, vrbo, cabins, and camp sites in Sedona and Oak Creek. Due to the traffic congestion, I recommend choosing where to stay based on the areas you plan on spending the most time in and what type of vacation you’re looking for.
If staying in a hotel we like to stay at Los Abrigados Resort behind the Tlaquepaque Shopping Center. We like it because it is a short walk to several restaurants, shops and in a central location (without being in uptown). The grounds are pretty and feel tucked away from the shopping.
How to Choose Which Area of Sedona to Stay At
Do you plan on spending most of your time hiking Devil’s Bridge, Fay Canyon or Boynton Canyon on you may want to stay on the west side of Sedona. It’s less walkable, but there are a lot of restaurants and you’re close to a ton of hiking opportunities.
If you want to be in the thick of it and plan on spending a lot of time at the shops or north of 89A it makes sense to stay in uptown. If you’re looking for a little more solitude north of uptown near Slide Rock State Park.
Are you spending most of your time hiking around Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock or Courthouse Butte? If so, staying in Oak Creek might be the best fit for you. Just keep in mind the traffic going into Sedona is heavy between Oak Creek and uptown Sedona.
Camp in Sedona
Most campgrounds in Sedona will require advanced reservations. If you want to stay on a weekend it is very common to reserve a camping or RV spot 6+ months prior.
Planning ahead is worth it to stay at these beautiful camp sites. Our favorite campgrounds in Arizona includes several campgrounds in the area.
Where is Sedona & How to get to There?
Sedona is in north central Arizona. From Phoenix there are two ways to get to there. The quickest route via Interstate 17 to 179 and the scenic route is 89A. The quickest route is also very scenic once you exit from the interstate onto 179. This stretch of road is called the Red Rock Scenic Byway.Sedona is in the northern part of the Verde Valley.
The red rocks appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. They form a breathtaking backdrop for everything from spiritual pursuits to outdoor adventures.Sedona has a population of around 10,000 residents, however on average the town sees almost as many visitors each day.
How Far is Sedona From Phoenix
It is around 115 miles from Phoenix and this usually takes about two hours if driving via Interstate 17. If I plan on visiting a particular hiking trail or popular site like slide rock I will leave Phoenix no later than 6:00 am. You’ll avoid a lot of the traffic on the interstate and you’ll have a better chance of getting one of those coveted parking spots.
Driving from Phoenix to Sedona
If you’re traveling from Phoenix, soon after you exit from the Interstate you will find yourself on 179, the Red Rock Scenic Byway. This road will take you to Oak Creek Village which is about 7.5 miles from Sedona.
Welcome to Red Rock Country – “Y” intersection
“Y” Intersection: The “Y” intersection is referenced a lot in Sedona to give directions. It simply is referring to where 179 meets 89A. The road, before the roundabout was put in, would come to a “Y” at this section.
Oak Creek is south of the “Y.” If you drove from Phoenix you drove through Oak Creek. The Sedona airport is west of the “Y” and uptown and Flagstaff is east of the “Y.”
If it is your first time visiting we highly recommend stopping at the Red Rock Ranger Visitor Center. The friendly staff here can provide maps and help you plan your visit. You can also purchase your Red Rock passes here.
How to Get Around Sedona
Parking , Shuttle system and driving tips
You can get around by car, bicycle, by foot. On Thursday through Sunday you can park and ride the Sedona Shuttle to some popular hiking trails. Download the Shuttle map here. You can also leave the driving to someone else and take a tour on a Sedona Trolley or an offroad jeep tour.
Sedona Traffic Tips
If you love the outdoors it is hard not to love Sedona. The secret is out though and a lot of people love Sedona. The most frustrating part of visiting is dealing with all the visitors.
Sedona’s popularity has increased traffic drastically over the last decade. For a little town it can have some serious traffic jams. It tends to back up at the “Y” intersection. During holidays and peak season expect to sit in traffic. It can be backed up for miles from the airport through uptown.
Parking in Sedona
Parking is hard to find in a lot of the popular areas in Sedona and lately that seems like everywhere. If you have your heart set on seeing a particular spot get there early and/or have a couple other places in mind if you can’t find parking for your top choice.
Many of the hiking trailhead parking lots are small. Even if there is a large parking lot if it is a popular area parking can be difficult. For example, in the summer it is not uncommon for Slide Rock Park’s parking lot to be full within 30 minutes of opening.
If you’re looking to explore uptown there are some metered spots on the main street and several free parking lots a couple blocks from the main drag.
Things to Know Before You Go
What is a Red Rock Pass and Do I Need One?
A Red Rock Pass is a Sedona parking pass and it is very likely you may need one. There are 18 recreational fee sites in the area that require a Red Rock pass. In addition there are concessionaire sites and state parks where your Red Rock pass can’t be used. These sites will require a fee to visit.
America the Beautiful passes can be used in lieu of a Red Rock pass for most, but not all sites.
You can purchase a daily, weekly, and annual Red Rock passes to include all 18 recreational fee sites. As of 2025, you can no longer purchase a grand annual pass. Even if you purchase a Red Rock pass or American the Beautiful pass, you will have an additional fee at Call of the Canyon, Grasshopper Point, and Crescent Moon.
You can purchase Red Rock Passes at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce or Oak Creek visitor center. Alternatively you can purchase a pass online or at a kiosk at some of the trailheads (credit cards only).
Nearby Adventures
Sedona to Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon from Sedona will take you about 2.5 hours. Sedona is a halfway point between Phoenix and the Grand Canyon. If you don’t want to drive there you can also take a tour bus from Sedona to the Grand Canyon.
Sedona FAQ
- Is Sedona worth visiting? Yes, Sedona is the town we take all out of town visitors to. It is a unique town in Arizona.
- How many days do you need? Most visitors need 2-3 days to see Sedona. There are enough hikes and other places to explore in the Verde Valley to keep you coming back every year. If you live within driving distance it’s easy to visit every month and still not repeat the same activities.
- Is Sedona walkable? Uptown Sedona is walkable and the area around Tlaquepaque Shopping Village.
- Do you need a Red Rock Pass? Probably. If you plan to hike you will most likely need a Red Rock pass.
- Can you visit without hiking? Yes, there is plenty to do in Sedona even if you don’t want to hike.
- What is Sedona famous for? Red rock formations.
Sedona Tours
- Book a Flight: To Sedona the closest airport is Flagstaff Pulliam and Sky Harbor in Phoenix.
- Rent a Car: You can rent a car in Flagstaff or Phoenix and drive to Sedona. Alternatively you can leave the driving to someone else and take a bus tour from Phoenix to Sedona.
- Where to Stay in Sedona: Choose from hotels, motels, resorts, airbnb, vrbo, cabins, and camp sites in Sedona.
- Tours to Take in Sedona
- Nearby Towns include: Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Page Springs, Cornville, Oak Creek and Camp Verde.
Come see for yourself why USA Today voted Sedona, Arizona as one of the most beautiful places in America.
Adventurer At Heart
Hello, my name is Amber! I'm an Arizona-based traveler obsessed with nature and history.
