
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.Watch first
Ranked by views and how well each landed with the people who watched it, judged against the other coverage of this place — plus a local creator where we found one.
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.
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 itAlso recommended by Lonely Planet
A red-sandstone butte and one of Sedona's most photographed formations.
Vetted sources
Chapel of the Holy Cross
780 Chapel Rd
This unique chapel built into the rock offers great views.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
Sedona Heritage Museum
735 Jordan Rd· Cheap
A small museum dedicated to the history of early white settlement in Sedona.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
What to eat
Elote Cafe
Worth itAlso 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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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).
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
Picazzo Pizza
1855 W Hwy 89A
Very good food, pizza choices are too numerous to mention. Take out available.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
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.
Vetted sources
GreenTree Inn Sedona
2991 W Hwy 89A· Expensive
Swimming pool and jacuzzi. Free continental breakfast and wi-fi.
Vetted sources
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
Vetted sources
Travel essentials
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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.





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