Overview
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.
5 sights · 15 things to do · 11 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 15 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Sedona
Chapel of the Holy Cross
This unique chapel built into the rock offers great views.
Palatki Heritage Site
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 recommend…
Honanki Heritage Site
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…
Snoopy rock
A rock formation that from the "right side" looks like the Snoopy dog character lying on his back.
Boynton Canyon
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
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 …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Summer highs reach about 97°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Feb and Jan.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FLG Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff — 19 mi away. Directions
- PRC Prescott Regional Airport - Ernest A. Love Field, Prescott — 40 mi away. Directions
- PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix — 100 mi away (major hub). Directions
The nearest major airport is in Phoenix Sky Harbor or Phoenix Mesa Airport.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $20–$274 a night (typical $167), from 16 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$60, mid-range ~$240, comfortable ~$440.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge, Camping in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Chapel of the Holy Cross, Broken Arrow Trail, Snoopy rock
- Lunch Cowboy Club
- Afternoon Sedona Heritage Museum, Slide Rock State Park
- Dinner Wildflower Bread Company
- Evening Oak Creek Brewery & Grill
Day 2
- Morning Palatki Heritage Site, Honanki Heritage Site, Boynton Canyon
- Lunch Safeway
- Afternoon Devil's Bridge Trail, Red Rocks and Sycamore Canyon Loop Scenic Drive
- Dinner Coffee Pot Restaurant
- Evening PJ's Village Pub
Day 3
- Morning A Spa for You Sedona Day Spa & Massage, Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive
- Lunch Javelina Cantina
- Afternoon Boynton Canyon
- Dinner Ken’s Creekside Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Climate
Get in
By plane
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 north of Phoenix, 20 mi northeast of Cottonwood, and 30 mi 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.
See Palatki Heritage Site
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.
See Snoopy rock
A rock formation that from the "right side" looks like the Snoopy dog character lying on his back.
Do
Hiking and mountain biking
Canyons, creeks, mountains, forests, spiritual vortices, hikes and mountain biking trails surround the area. A 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 Thunder Mountain Bikes (1695 Hwy 89A, +1 928-282-1106), and from Absolute Bikes (6101 Hwy 179, +1 928-284-1242).
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
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.
Do 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.
Do 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 a moderate, well-marked 2.5-mi hike, with 6 Creek crossings. Pay to park.
Do 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.
Do 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.
Do 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.
Do Unity of Sedona (The Global Center for Christ Consciousness)
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.
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.
- Main Street Sedona, consisting largely of:
Shop Hillside Sedona
A lot of high-end shops and restaurants, well positioned for strolling around.
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
Eat Picazzo Pizza
Very good food, pizza choices are too numerous to mention. Take out available.
Eat Wildflower Bread Company
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.
Eat Creekside Coffee
A cozy coffee shop with an unobstructed view of the surrounding red rocks with a good amount of seating, indoors and out.
Mid-range
Eat Casa Bonita
They offer a 10% discount if you are staying at a few selected hotels in the area. Just show your room key.
Eat Coffee Pot Restaurant
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.
Eat Cowboy Club
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).
Eat Javelina Cantina
Large portions of average American-Mexican food with an excellent view from the balcony. Food is good, not great.
Eat Ken’s Creekside Restaurant
Amazing food and friendly service. The peach cobbler is heavenly!
Eat Szechuan Chinese Restaurant & Martini Bar
Delivery available.
Splurge
Grocery stores
Eat Safeway
Has a full-service hot and cold deli, as well as an onsite pharmacy.
Drink
Drink Oak Creek Brewery & Grill
Noted for nut-brown ale, hefeweizen and Pilsner-style lagers. If you can't decide what to order, try the Seven Dwarfs sampler, served in miniature 5-oz. beer steins.
Drink PJ's Village Pub
Very local feel.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay El Portal Sedona Luxury Hacienda and Restaurant
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. Twelve spacious rooms have been created in accordance with the simplicity and function of turn-of-the-century architecture.
Camping
Stay Pine Flat Campground
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).
Go next
- Flagstaff, Historic Route 66 and the Grand Canyon to the north.
- Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun, to the south.
- The historic mining towns of Cottonwood and Jerome to the southwest
Nearby
Cottonwood
City / town · 7 listings · 17 mi away
Mormon Lake Village
City / town · 4 listings · 18 mi away
Jerome
City / town · 26 listings · 22 mi away
Camp Verde
City / town · 9 listings · 22 mi away
Flagstaff
City / town · 87 listings · 24 mi away
Williams
City / town · 33 listings · 36 mi away
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Park · 3 listings · 37 mi away
Pine-Strawberry
Rural area · 13 listings · 38 mi away
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