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Sedona, United States

Destination guide

Sedona

United States

Sedona is a town in Arizona, United States of America, 120 miles north of Phoenix. Known for its beauty and serene setting amidst the beautiful Red Rocks, the town is famous for its vibrant arts community with nearly 100 art galleries and events including the Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona Arts Festival…

AI insights

AI-written from the Wikivoyage listings, transport section and the video stats on this page

  • Prioritize hiking the Broken Arrow Trail early in the morning to beat the Pink Jeep tours, which begin their daily operations shortly after sunrise.

  • When visiting heritage sites, note that while a Red Rock Pass is mandatory for all vehicles, you can purchase one at the Palatki visitor center, but you must buy it elsewhere before arriving at Honanki.

  • To save on your dining budget, check if your hotel participates in the Casa Bonita discount program, which offers a percentage off your meal when you show your room key.

  • Avoid the frustration of long evening wait times at popular restaurants like the Cowboy Club by making reservations well in advance for weekend dinners.

  • Choose your hiking challenge based on your schedule: Cathedral Rock is ideal for sunset views, while the base of the rock provides a more relaxed alternative to the steep climb.

How we vet these picks

Every pick is drawn from real sources — YouTube creators, Wikivoyage, and Wikipedia. We only surface sources that actually exist and that we've checked for authenticity — no filler, no dead-end searches.

Best time to go

Best window: March–May and October–November

July is the month to avoid — punishing heat. The window below is when it is genuinely pleasant.

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IdealGoodOkayOff-season

Rated from ten years of daily temperature and rainfall recorded at this destination, via Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Hover a month for its real numbers.

Getting around

By guided tour

A number of companies provide guided tours (by bus, trolley or Jeep) of Sedona that include transportation from the surrounding areas. Some companies will provide bus travel from nearby towns while others begin in Sedona.

Transport notes from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What to see

Places are listed from Wikivoyage and our own sourced research. Worth it means a second, independent source names the place too; “3 sources agree” means three or more do — and each card names them, so you can check.

Cathedral Rock

Worth it

Also recommended by Lonely Planet

A red-sandstone butte and one of Sedona's most photographed formations.

Vetted sources

Skip the line — book tickets

Chapel of the Holy Cross

780 Chapel Rd

This unique chapel built into the rock offers great views.

Palatki Heritage Site

Forest Rd 525 - Forest Rd 795

A Sinagua archeological site with cliff dwellings and pictographs and petroglyphs, dated to 1100-1400 CE. The site is located in the Coconino National Forest, and has three interpretive trails.

Honanki Heritage Site

15 miles west of Sedona

A Sinagua cliff dwelling site with numerous pictographs, inhabited from 1100-1300 CE. The site is managed by the Coconino National Forest Service.

Sedona Heritage Museum

735 Jordan Rd· Cheap

A small museum dedicated to the history of early white settlement in Sedona.

Skip the line — book tickets

Snoopy rock

A rock formation that from the "right side" looks like the Snoopy dog character lying on his back.

Vetted sources

What to do

Broken Arrow Trail

Hwy 179

Follow an easy 2-mile hike to Chicken Point. Well-marked trail (follow the cairns). Beautiful views. Do early in the morning before Pink Jeeps - which start around 8AM. Can also see Submarine Rock from trail.

Red Rock State Park

4050 Red Rock Loop Rd· Moderate

This 286-acre preserve was once part of the Smoke Trail Ranch, and has ten well-maintained hiking trails as well as a visitor center. A number of guided hikes, birdwatching walks, and astronomy events are offered.

Skip the line — book tickets

Cathedral Rock Trail

Hwy 179, 3 miles before 'Y' intersection, left at Back-O'Beyond Rd, 2 mile to park.

For a challenge, this 0.8-mile trail is steep, but the view is unparalleled. Great at sunset. Beats Airport Mesa. Can walk around the base of the rock for a less strenuous hike.

Skip the line — book tickets

Boynton Canyon

Boynton Canyon Rd

One of the most scenic of the box canyons in the area, and correspondingly popular. The parking lot is a short distance from the trail head; no parking at the luxury resort.

Devil's Bridge Trail

12 miles west of Sedona

The largest natural sandstone arch in the area. The trail is short and moderately difficult, with outstanding views at the top. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

Bell Rock Pathway / Vista

off of Hwy 179

A 3.7-mile trail with fantastic views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and the surrounding area. Suitable for hiking and mountain biking.

What to eat

Elote Cafe

Worth it

Also recommended by Eater

Chef Jeff Smedstad's contemporary Mexican cooking with Sedona red-rock views.

Vetted sources

Coffee Pot Restaurant

2050 W Hwy 89A

A local institution that has been featured on the Travel Channel, Food Network, etc. With a view of Coffee Pot Rock, this historic family-friendly place offers 101 omelets and southwestern favorites. Open for breakfast and lunch only.

Wildflower Bread Company

Shops at Pinon Pointe

Wildflower raised the bar for affordable dining in Sedona. Good food at affordable prices. Great views of the red rocks. Nice comfortable fireplace on a winters' day, with daily newspapers and free wi-fi. Very central location.

Cowboy Club

241 N Hwy 89A

Very central and very popular steak house. Good atmosphere, food is pretty good. Really don't understand why so popular, but on a weekend plan on a 45 minute wait during evening hours for a table (reservations accepted).

Casa Bonita

164 Coffee Pot Dr #H

They offer a 10% discount if you are staying at a few selected hotels in the area. Just show your room key.

Picazzo Pizza

1855 W Hwy 89A

Very good food, pizza choices are too numerous to mention. Take out available.

Creekside Coffee

251 SR 179, ste C2· Moderate

A cozy coffee shop with an unobstructed view of the surrounding red rocks with a good amount of seating, indoors and out.

Where to stay

El Portal Sedona Luxury Hacienda and Restaurant

off of Hwy 179· Expensive

The architecture and adobe construction of El Portal is completely authentic. Nowhere else in Sedona will you find a luxury inn or hotel with 18-inch thick adobe walls— walls that provide both quiet and history.

Mountain Modern Sedona

95 Arroyo Pinon Dr· Expensive

A pleasant hotel on the outskirts of town, just off 89A. Rooms have exterior entrances; they're a bit on the small side but they're clean and well-decorated. Free hot breakfast with some very good options, and free wi-fi.

Sky Ranch Lodge

left at the Y from 179 to 89A South, then left at Airport Rd and up a mile· Expensive

Scenic views from Airport Mesa, pet friendly. Nice grounds. Quiet. Older property but well maintained. Reasonable prices.

Aiden by Best Western Sedona

left at Y from 179 to 89A, 2mi on left, between Coffee Pot and Dry Creek Rds· Expensive

Basic motel, good location, set back from road. Free wi-fi and breakfast, pool, pet-friendly. Clean.

GreenTree Inn Sedona

2991 W Hwy 89A· Expensive

Swimming pool and jacuzzi. Free continental breakfast and wi-fi.

Sedona.org Vacation Rentals

3190 West State Route 89A, Suite 550· Expensive

Sedona.org Vacation Rentals offers vacation homes in Sedona with luxury furnishings, high end amenities, and easy access to Sedona's attractions. Book today

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Travel content from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Encyclopedic context from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Videos via the YouTube Data API.