Sedona Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors
Visiting Sedona? This guide provides tips for first-time visitors. I will share information on parking, getting around town, reservations, trailhead information, water, weather and other practical things you may want to know to make your trip worry free.
Sedona has a population of around 10,000 residents, however on average the town sees almost as many visitors each day.
How to Get Around Sedona
Driving yourself: Best if you’re exploring trailheads, scenic drives and attractions outside the center.
Sedona Shuttle: Free and useful for certain popular trailheads such as Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock and Soldier’s Pass when operating. Download the Shuttle map here.
Verde Shuttle: Connects Sedona to Cottonwood. An all access day pass is $6.00. Find out the Verde Shuttle route here.
Guided tour: Best if you don’t want to deal with traffic or parking. Leave the driving to someone else and take a tour on a Sedona Trolley an offroad jeep or ATV tour.
Rental car: You can rent a car in Flagstaff or Phoenix and drive to Sedona.
Visiting from Phoenix to Sedona? See Sedona tours → leave the driving to someone else and take a bus tour from Phoenix to 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.
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. Traffic is going to be far more congested on the weekends than the weekdays. Traffic can be backed up for miles from the airport through uptown.
Least Crowded Times
Weekdays in the summer are the least crowded times. However, summer weekends are the most busy times for Slide Rock and Grasshopper Point.
Most Crowded Times
Weekends when the weather is nice. Some especially busy times will be any holidays, the end of February due to the art show and Spring Break is extremely busy. Hotel prices relate to how busy it is that time of year.
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.
⏱ Travel Tip
Leave Early. 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.Want to avoid the parking headache?
If you’re visiting several popular attractions, consider using the shuttle where available or taking a guided tour. You can also plan your hiking days around the shuttle schedule.
How to Use the Free Sedona Shuttle for Trailheads
During busy holidays, spring break, events, and Thursday – Saturday you will not be able to park at some of the popular hiking trails in Sedona. Instead you’ll park at a park and ride and take a free shuttle to the trailhead.
There are three free shuttle routes:
How to Use the Verde Valley Shuttle for Cottonwood
Sedona’s Red Rock Pass: What You Need to Know
What is a Red Rock Pass and Do I Need One?
A Red Rock Pass is a Sedona parking pass. Yes, if you’re visiting Sedona it is very likely you may need one. The majority of sites require a Red Rock Pass. I would recommend you purchase a day, week, or annual pass to save yourself the hassle of deciding if you need one or not for each unexpected stop you might take.
Where is a Red Rock Pass Required
There are 18 recreational fee sites in the area that require a Red Rock pass. An America the Beautiful pass can be used in lieu of a Red Rock pass for sites 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.
Can I Use a Red Rock Pass for all Sedona Sites?
No, a Red Rock Pass cannot be used at any state parks, such as Slide Rock State Park or Red Rock State Park. The following sites also require a fee: Call of the Canyon, Grasshopper Point, and Crescent Moon.
Where Can You Purchase a Red Rock Pass?
You can purchase a daily, weekly, and annual Red Rock passes to include all 18 recreational fee sites.
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).
How Much Does the Pass Cost?
As of 2026, a daily pass is $5.00, a weekly pass is $15, and an annual pass is $50.00
Trailhead Information
Some trails are so popular the city has free shuttles to mitigate traffic. These trails include: Devil’s Bridge, Seven Sacred Pools, Cathedral Rock. These trails use three different shuttle buses. For example, you cannot go from Devil’s Bridge to Cathedral Rock on one shuttle.
Water
Due to the dry air and high temperatures, dehydration is a real concern in Sedona. If you’re visiting Sedona don’t forget to drink lots of water. There isn’t water on the trail, you will need to pack your own. Summer is especially dangerous, as many of the trails are not shaded.
Reservations
Popular restaurants, such as Elote Cafe or Mariposa in Sedona require a reservation. Campgrounds require reservations 6 months in advance in popular areas.
Sedona Weather
Sedona Guides
Adventurer At Heart
Amber is the writer behind Adventurer At Heart, sharing practical travel advice based on more than 25 years of exploring Arizona and traveling beyond it. She looks for places with a story, from desert trails and historic sites to scenic drives and towns worth your limited vacation time. When she’s not traveling, she’s gardening.
