One of my all-time favorite weekend destination spots is Sedona, Arizona. There’s so much to love! The energy, the red rocks, the charm, the local eateries, and of course all the hiking! Adam and I have been to Sedona a handful of times now and every time we swear, we just had the best weekend ever!
If you’ve never been to Sedona, Arizona then this guide is for you! And if you have, maybe you’ll find a few hidden gems that you have yet to explore!
THE PRACTICALITIES
HOW TO GET THERE
Getting to Sedona, you’ll want to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Once you arrive, you’ll want to rent a car and drive two hours to Sedona. The Phoenix airport will be the cheapest option, unless your road tripping of course! If you’re looking for a closer airport you can fly into Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. The drive is still about 45 minutes, and the flight will most likely be more expensive, but it does drop your drive time over half.
NO CAR NO PROBLEM
An alternative option to visit Sedona without renting a car would be to book a day trip tour from Phoenix. Arizona Scenic Tours will pick you up from any hotel in Phoenix (within a radius), drive to Sedona, and give you a guided tour around the beautiful city. You’ll see some of the most popular sights, such as Bell Rock, the Capel of the Holy Cross, and cute little Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. After a day filled with sightseeing your guide will then drive you back to Phoenix and drop you off at your hotel. This is a great way to see Sedona if you’re strapped for time and no car.
WHEN TO VISIT
We have visited Sedona in all seasons and honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong any time of year. However, depending on what you’re looking to do will help narrow what time frame is best for you.
SPRING (MARCH-MAY)
The spring season is peak season! During this time wildflowers are blooming, temperatures aren’t too hot, and everything is green! Spring is best for hiking, photos of wildflowers, and a lively downtown. However, the further into Spring you get, the more crowded it does become. All of the popular trails and sights will be packed. I would advise steering clear of those places and finding more hidden gem spots to spend your time. If you want to see the more well-known places I would recommend starting early.
SUMMER (JUNE-AUGUST)
Summer can be great if you don’t want to deal with the crowds. But you will have to deal with the hotter temperatures, and scattered thunderstorms. The mornings (weather permitting) would still be great for a short hike and a beautiful sunrise. But come afternoon you may want to shop or visit local bakeries and coffee shops. The evenings can provide cooler temps and beautiful sunset colors.
FALL (SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER)
Fall would be a close second, after Spring, for the best time to visit Sedona. The temperatures are finally cooling off, the leaves are changing colors, and the crowds won’t be as bad. You may have less time in the day (thank you daylight savings), but the Fall can provide a full day of fun activities, great views, and cozy vibes.
WINTER (DECEMBER-FEBRUARY)
In my opinion, winter is the best time of year to visit. We have celebrated three of Adam’s birthdays in the last 6 years in Sedona come late January. We have never had any issues with crowds; we have most trails to ourselves, everything is green from all the rain, and the snowcapped red rocks make Sedona a sight to behold. The holidays feel magical and the town gives such warm and inviting vibes that make visiting Sedona in the winter our absolute favorite!
SEDONA LODGING
Depending on the kind of weekend you’re looking for, your lodging might look different. If you’re looking for a more relaxed, nature focused weekend, then camping at Manzanita Campground would be perfect! Each site comes with a picnic table, fire pit, and cooking grill. For only $30 a night, you can be tucked away in the trees, listening to the water flow in Oak Creek Canyon.
Or if you’re looking for lodging with 4 walls and extra amenities, then I would recommend Hilton Vacation Club Los Abrigados Resort & Spa Sedona. We’ve always had great luck with them and find them very affordable considering the area! However, there are tons of places to stay while in Sedona, Arizona all with great reviews!
SEDONA HIKING TRAILS
The main thing we’re looking to do while in Sedona, Arizona is hike! Oddly enough, we’ve always visited Sedona in January! And even though the town sits at about 4,350 ft, we’ve always had such delightful weather! The highest peak in Sedona is over 7,000 ft, so hiking in the middle of winter could be cold, snowy, and/or muddy. Just be prepared with good boots, trekking poles, and crampons if necessary. If you’re hiking in Sedona not in the middle of winter, then be prepared with plenty of water. Very few trails are shaded, and Arizona can get very hot!!
Adam and I have done everything between “touristy” hikes to off the beaten path hikes. Easy hikes to difficult hikes. Hikes where we needed to be shuttled, and hikes where we probably needed 4-wheel drive. No matter what difficulty level or crowd level you are looking for there’s something for everyone!
I always advise starting hikes early. One, to beat the crowds. Two, to beat the heat. And three, to watch the sun rise from the mountains. I would also advise checking All Trails before starting your hike so you can double check on shuttle information, trailhead parking fees, trail closures, and trail conditions. It’s always a good idea to download the offline map too, just in case you lose service! Stay safe on the trails and happy hiking!
EASY SEDONA, ARIZONA HIKING TRAILS
MODERATE SEDONA, ARIZONA HIKING TRAILS
DIFFICULT SEDONA, ARIZONA HIKING TRAILS
LOCAL SEDONA, ARIZONA EATERIES
Although hiking is the main thing we are looking to do while in Sedona, Arizona, eating is the second! There are countless cafes, coffee shops, and local restaurants to choose from. We try and go somewhere different every time we visit, but one cafe will always draw us back. And that is Indian Gardens Cafe & Market. No matter what our plans are for the weekend, breakfast or lunch here is an absolute must! The coffee is delicious, the food is fresh, and the pastries are to die for. Not to mention, the staff is great, they provide blankets for outdoor seating, and it’s not located in the middle of town. Please do yourself a favor and make a pit stop here! Some others that are noteworthy are listed below!
BREAKFAST IN SEDONA
LUNCH IN SEDONA
DINNER IN SEDONA
THE FAMOUS SEDONA, ARIZONA ENERGY VORTEXES
People from all over travel to Sedona, Arizona just to experience this one thing, the energy vortex. Scattered across town, multiple sites are known for being a site of powerful energy that promote healing and spiritual growth. Now whether or not you believe in this, it’s important to note that others do! So please be mindful and respectful of those who are practicing mediation or simply having their own experience in these areas of powerful energy.
VORTEX SITES
Where can you find these sites? There are a few different options you could go with. One, choose to hike there! Two, book an excursion. Or three, find a local group who has an outing planned and sign up to join!
LET’S HIKE THERE!
If it were up to me and my experience, I would choose to hike there! There’s a feeling of completion, of doing hard things, a profound sense of accomplishment, and the gratitude towards my body and what it is capable of. I believe all of that will only add to the experience of being in an energy vortex. After making it to one of the sites, be sure to sit with yourself. Meditate, sit in solitude, express gratitude, let go of unwanted feelings, manifest new beginnings, or do whatever feels right to you in the moment. We’ve been to all of these places, and while they may be busy, they sure are beautiful. Try to hike at sunrise or sunset to beat the crowds and make the most of your experience!
BOOK AN EXCURSION TO AN ENERGY VORTEX
If you choose to forgo hiking, book an experience through a company, like Viator! They have lots of great options to choose from!
Sedona Vortex Odyssey-A spiritual and Scientific Adventure is a 3-hour guided tour in which you will learn the phenomenon behind the vortex and how it originated in Sedona, all while being led (by van) to some of Sedona’s most popular sites. Full transparency, we have not taken this tour ourselves, but it is locally owned and operated and has great reviews! We have booked through Viator multiple times and have always had a great experience!
Book this spiritual and educational adventure HERE!
JOIN A LOCAL GROUP
The third option you could do is find a local group who is planning an experience and looking for people to join! You can do this by searching on Facebook or walking into just about any locally owned restaurant and finding their bulletin board which displays activities happening within the area. We were standing in line at the restrooms at our favorite cafe, Indian Gardens Cafe & Market, when we noticed all kinds of fun group activities taking place all over Sedona, Arizona! If we were staying for longer, we would have definitely tried to join one!
Sedona, Arizona is one of our all-time favorite towns! We just can’t stay away. With the beautiful views of the red rock formations, the delicious food at local restaurants, and the energy we feel while hiking the amazing trails throughout the area make visiting Sedona truly the best weekend!
Hi! We’re Paige & Adam 🙂
Thank you for joining us on this journey! We’re passionate explorers who are dedicated to keeping our bodies moving until we’re old and grey. Through our travel guides and expert travel physical therapy advice, we empower future travelers with the tools and inspiration to embrace adventure every step of the way. Your support means everything. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!
