Sedona

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 and the Sedona Jazz Festival. It offers excellent outdoor adventures, including mountain biking, hiking and off-roading. Sedona is surprisingly sprawling, with Oak Creek to the south, West Sedona and Uptown Sedona each providing great views, hikes, dining and arts.

Understand

Climate
Sedona
Climate chart (explanation)
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Get in

By plane
  • 🌍 Sedona Airport (SDX  IATA FAA:SEZ). Too small for scheduled jet traffic, but is popular for as a private aviation destination. 

The nearest major airport is in Phoenix Sky Harbor or Phoenix Mesa Airport.

By car

Sedona is along Arizona State Route 89A (AZ 89A), about 120 mi (190 km) north of Phoenix, 20 mi (32 km) northeast of Cottonwood, and 30 mi (48 km) south of Flagstaff.

From Phoenix, take I-17 north to Camp Verde area and then exit at Cottonwood/Payson exit onto Arizona State Route 260 (AZ 260). On AZ 260 go northwest to Cottonwood. In Cottonwood at the intersection of AZ 260 and AZ 89A, travel north on 89A to Sedona. An alternate route from the south is I-17 to AZ 179 (north of Camp Verde) through the Village of Oak Creek. AZ 179 is designated as an All America Road by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This road winds through stunning red rock terrain.

To reach Sedona from Flagstaff, you can take the scenic route of AZ 89A direct from Flagstaff, or south on I-17 past Sedona, then turning north on AZ 179 through Oak Creek or AZ 260 through Cottonwood. The route south of Flagstaff winds through scenic views of Oak Creek Canyon via 89A, known as the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Road. Drive carefully, as the switchbacks and falling red rocks can be treacherous, but the views are well worth it.

Get around

Walking in Sedona allows for great views but a bike or car is necessary to access trail heads and most destinations. The city is divided between 3 distinct areas, all fairly spread out and realistically requiring a vehicle. Limited public transit exists.

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. Some will provide just a brief tour with small stops, while others may take you on a hike, and arrange all your meals.

See

Sedona is home to a bustling downtown and vibrant arts community, but the real attraction is the surreal, red rock landscape, visible from anywhere in town. There are however several notable historic sights.

  • 🌍 Chapel of the Holy Cross, 780 Chapel Rd, ☏ +1 928-282-4069, toll-free: +1-888-242-7359. This unique chapel built into the rock offers great views. 
  • 🌍 Palatki Heritage Site, Forest Rd 525 - Forest Rd 795, ☏ +1 928-282-3854 (reservations). Daily 9:30AM-3PM. 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. Reservations are recommended, as visitor numbers are managed by the rangers to limit damage to the site. A Red Rock Pass, which can be purchased at the visitor center, is required on all vehicles. Red Rock Pass. 
  • 🌍 Honanki Heritage Site, Forest Rd 525 (15 miles west of Sedona), ☏ +1 928-203-2900 (reservations not necessary). Daily 9:30AM-4PM. A Sinagua cliff dwelling site with numerous pictographs, inhabited from 1100-1300 CE. The site is managed by the Coconino National Forest Service. A Red Rock Pass is required on all vehicles; the passes are not sold here and must be purchased beforehand. Red Rock Pass. 
  • 🌍 Sedona Heritage Museum, 735 Jordan Rd, ☏ +1 928-282-7038, . Daily 11AM-3PM. A small museum dedicated to the history of early white settlement in Sedona. $5 (adults), free (children under 13). 

Do

Hiking and mountain biking

Canyons, creeks, mountains, forests, spiritual vortices, hikes and mountain biking trails surround the area. A Red Rock Pass ($5/day, $15/wk, $20/yr, sold at multiple locations and online) is required to park at trail heads. The U.S. Forest Service has guides and maps to the local trails.

Mountain bikes can be rented from Over the Edge Sedona Bike Shop (1695 Hwy 89A, ☏ +1 928-282-1106), and from Absolute Bikes (6101 Hwy 179, ☏ +1 928-284-1242).

  • 🌍 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. 
  • 🌍 Broken Arrow Trail, Morgan Rd (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. This route is popular for mountain biking. 
  • 🌍 Cathedral Rock Trail, Back-O'Beyond Rd (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. 
  • 🌍 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. 
  • 🌍 Devil's Bridge Trail, Dry Creek Rd (FR152) (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. 

Other notable trails include Soldier Pass Trail and Courthouse Butte Loop Trail. For a more laid back stroll, park near the end of Verde Valley School Road and walk the rest of the way to Oak Creek Crossing. Or take an hour's walk from near the school by the junction of the Upper Red Rock Loop Road and the Highway 89 (there is a parking lot there). The trail leads up to one of the finest panoramic views you will ever see.

Other outdoor activities
  • 🌍 Red Rock State Park, 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, ☏ +1 928-282-6907. Daily 8AM-5PM. 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. $10/vehicle (up to 4 adults). 
  • 🌍 Slide Rock State Park, 6871 Arizona 89A (Oak Creek Canyon), ☏ +1 928-282-3034. Daily 8AM-7PM. Formerly known as the Pendley Homestead, this historic apple farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is named for a slippery rock slide into a creek. Swimming encouraged. $20/vehicle (up to 4 adults). 
  • 🌍 M Diamond Ranch, 3255 National Forest 618 Rd, ☏ +1 928-300-6466. M-Sa, by reservation only. Horse back rides and cowboy cookouts. Real western history and heritage at a 100-year old working cattle ranch. Transportation provided to and from Sedona. 
  • 🌍 Oakcreek Country Club, 690 Bell Rock Blvd, ☏ +1 928-284-1660, toll-free: +1-888-703-9489. An 18-hole golf course. 

Scenic drives

This is a gorgeous area and driving around gives you great views of the rocks. Jeep rentals for serious off-road driving are popular. If you have four wheel drive, Schnebley Hill Road at sunset provides excellent views.

  • Desert Canyon Loop Scenic Drive. This scenic loop begins east of Interstate 17 where State Route 179 from Sedona crosses I17 to become FR618 just north of Camp Verde, Arizona. This scenic drive is a high desert landscape in the vicinity of Montezuma's Well National Monument and Montezuma's Castle National Park. 
  • Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive. Follow 89A through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. Beautiful views of dramatic canyon walls through the pine Forest. Oak Creek runs year-round and can be viewed from many points along the route. Hike West Fork of Oak Creek, for an moderate, well-marked 2.5-mi hike, with 6 Creek crossings. Pay to park. 
  • Red Rocks and Sycamore Canyon Loop Scenic Drive. This drive takes you into the heart of the magnificent Sedona Red Rocks Country. The route traces the base of dramatic cliffs and offers the option of four scenic side trips that lead to some of the most exciting features in Red Rock Country. 
  • Red Rock Scenic Byway. Beautiful views start on Arizona's First All-American Road, also known as the gateway to Red Rock Country. Exit I-17 and head north. The road ends in Sedona at a traffic circle. On this National Scenic Byway (south of the Village of Oak Creek on SR 179), you'll find the Coconino National Forest Visitor Center; stop there and get free maps and lots of red rock country information. 
  • Boynton Canyon. A pretty drive up Half-High Rd and left at Enchantment Resort. Nice hike up Boynton Canyon, or 1 mile past resort, at Doe Mountain. 

Spas and wellness

Sedona is famous as the home of five New Age vortices, areas where the earth's magnetism is said to have special properties. Vortices are located at Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon, and Schnebly Hill. You can take a vortex tour from one of many local guides, or hike to the sites yourself. Look for cairns marking the vortex sites.

  • Chakra Healing Arts Center, 207 N Hwy 89A, ☏ +1 928-204-1047. An alternative healing and wellness center open seven days a week in the tourist district of uptown Sedona, started by multi-generation acupuncturist and healer, Banya Lim, in 2013. The five-room studio loft specializes in massage to balance chakra energy centers, healings which tap the surrounding natural resources (red rock vortexes), readings which intuit past lives and current energy blocks, and trainings about energy principles, used by its Licensed Massage Therapists. Sister store Sedona Story, below it provides sustained, extended support for the enterprise. 
  • 🌍 A Spa for You Sedona Day Spa & Massage, 30 Kayenta Court #1 (off 89A @Southwest Drive), ☏ +1 928-282-3895, . Daily 8AM–7PM. Offers individually created signature massage, body treatments and Japanese facial massage to re-kindle, nurture and balance your natural healing rhythms. By reservation only. $95 and up. 
  • 🌍 Unity of Sedona (Unity Church of Sedona), 65 Deer Trail Drive, ☏ +1 928 282-8171, . A New Age spiritual center, new thought church, and energy vortex featuring sacred services, workshops, a labyrinth, psychics, concerts, spiritual gatherings, and a metaphysical bookstore and gift shop. Inspiring and unique Sunday Services at 9:30am and 12:00 noon welcoming all who find their way to the beautifully landscaped grounds and sanctuary. Donation. (updated Apr 2016)

Buy

Sedona has many shops specializing in local Native American arts and crafts, international galleries and New Age shops (aura readings, healing crystals, vortex information) in addition to the usual tourist fare. A few stores sell shirts dyed in genuine Sedona red rock.

Eat

When it comes to dining, Sedona has an exceptional choice of style, atmosphere, decor and flavor developed for tourists from around the world. Many of the restaurants in Sedona are rated among the best restaurants in Arizona, and several have earned national acclaim.

Budget
  • 🌍 Picazzo Pizza, 1855 W Hwy 89A, ☏ +1 928-282-4140, . Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. Very good food, pizza choices are too numerous to mention. Take out available. 
  • 🌍 Wildflower Bread Company, 101 N Hwy 89A (Shops at Pinon Pointe), ☏ +1 928-204-2223, fax: +1 928 204-9449. 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. 
  • 🌍 Simon's Hot Dogs, 2050 Yavapai Dr (inside Oak Creek Brewery), ☏ +1 928-496-0266. M-T, Th 4PM-9PM; F Sa noon-9PM; Su noon-8PM. Gourmet beef and vegetarian hot dogs. 
  • Creekside Coffee, 251 SR 179, ste C2, ☏ +1-928-955-9888. Su-Th 6:30AM-5PM, F Sa 6:30AM-6PM. A cozy coffee shop with an unobstructed view of the surrounding red rocks with a good amount of seating, indoors and out. $10 or less. (updated Feb 2020)

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Casa Bonita, 164 Coffee Pot Dr #H, ☏ +1 928-282-2728. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM; daily Happy Hour 3-6PM. They offer a 10% discount if you are staying at a few selected hotels in the area. Just show your room key. 
  • 🌍 Coffee Pot Restaurant, 2050 W Hwy 89A, ☏ +1 928-282-6626. Daily 6AM-2PM. 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. Includes a small curio shop. 
  • 🌍 Cowboy Club, 241 N Hwy 89A, ☏ +1 928-282-4200. Daily 11AM-10PM. 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). 
  • 🌍 Javelina Cantina, 671 Hwy 179 #BD (Hillside Shopping Center), ☏ +1 928-282-1313, fax: +1 928-282-2636, . Daily 11:30AM-; daily Happy Hour 3-6PM. Large portions of average American-Mexican food with an excellent view from the balcony. Food is good, not great. 
  • 🌍 Ken’s Creekside Restaurant, 251 Hwy 179 (Creekside Plaza), ☏ +1 928-282-1705, fax: +1 928-282-1896. Daily 7AM-10PM; Happy Hour M-F 4-7PM. Amazing food and friendly service. The peach cobbler is heavenly! 
  • 🌍 Szechuan Chinese Restaurant & Martini Bar, 1350 W Hwy 89A #21, ☏ +1 928-282-9288. Delivery available. 

Grocery stores

Drink

Sleep

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Days Inn Sedona, 2991 W Hwy 89A, ☏ +1 928-282-9166, toll-free: +1-877-282-9166, fax: +1 928-282-6208. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Swimming pool and jacuzzi. Free continental breakfast and wi-fi. $122-156/night. 
  • 🌍 Sedona Real Inn & Suites, 95 Arroyo Pinon Dr, ☏ +1 928-282-1414, toll-free: +1-800-353-1239. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. 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. Concierge and pool; pet-friendly. From $115/night. 
  • 🌍 Sky Ranch Lodge, 1105 Airport Rd (left at the Y from 179 to 89A South, then left at Airport Rd and up a mile), ☏ +1 928-282-6400, toll-free: +1-888-708-6400, . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Scenic views from Airport Mesa, pet friendly. Nice grounds. Quiet. Older property but well maintained. Reasonable prices. From $80/night. 
  • 🌍 Super 8 Motel, 2545 W Hwy 89A (left at Y from 179 to 89A, 2mi on left, between Coffee Pot and Dry Creek Rds), ☏ +1 928-282-1533, . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Basic motel, good location, set back from road. Free wi-fi and breakfast, pool, pet-friendly. Clean. One of the better budget Super8 motels. From $76/night. 

Splurge

Camping
  • 🌍 Cave Springs Campground, Hwy 89A, Oak Creek Canyon (13 miles north of Sedona), toll-free: +1-877-444-6777. Open April - October, this is one of the most popular campgrounds in the area. 82 sites with picnic tables and fire pits, drinking water and toilets, coin-operated showers available. No hookups, trailers under 36'. Reservations can be made online. $20/night. 
  • 🌍 Manzanita Campground, Hwy 89A, Oak Creek Canyon (6 miles north of Sedona), ☏ +1 928-203-2900, toll-free: +1-877-444-6777. Open year round, with 18 single-unit sites with tables, fire pits, vault toilets, and drinking water. No hookups, 7-day limit. Reservations can be made online. Campers may use the coin-operated showers in Cave Springs Campground (listed above). $20/night. 
  • 🌍 Pine Flat Campground, Hwy 89A, Oak Creek Canyon (12 miles north of Sedona), toll-free: +1-877-444-6777. Open April - October, this is another very popular campground. 56 units are available, 18 of which can be reserved online. Vault toilets, drinking water (no showers), no hookups, trailers under 30'. Campers may use the coin-operated showers at nearby Cave Springs Campground (listed above). $20/night. 
  • 🌍 Rancho Sedona RV Park, 135 Bear Wallow Ln, ☏ +1 928-282-7255, toll-free: +1-800-970-7280, . Full and partial hookups with 50-amp service. $31-71/night, $274-286/week, $650/month. 

Connect
  • 🌍 Sedona Public Library, 3250 White Bear Rd, ☏ +1 928-282-7714. M Tu Th 10AM-6PM; W 10AM-8PM; F Sa 10AM-5PM. Has public computers with internet access, and free wi-fi is available throughout the building. Visitors and non-card holders must check in at the Reference Desk to request a guest pass. 
    • 🌍 Sedona Public Library in Oak Creek, 7000 Hwy 179, Oak Creek, ☏ +1 928-284-1603. Tu-F 1-5PM, Sa 9AM-1PM. Has public computers with internet access, and free wi-fi is available throughout the building. Visitors and non-card holders must check in at the Reference Desk to request a guest pass. 

Go next
Routes through Sedona
END Prescott ← Jerome ←  W  N  → Flagstaff → END
END ←  N  S  → Ends at JCT N S


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