Sedona
Sedona is a small town in northern Arizona known for red sandstone cliffs, trails that start in town and the drive through Oak Creek Canyon.
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Sedona is a small town in northern Arizona, ringed by Coconino National Forest. Red sandstone buttes and spires rise around the town, and Oak Creek runs through Oak Creek Canyon north of it. Most visitors come for the hiking, since many trailheads sit inside town limits, and for the scenic drive up the canyon. Between hikes, you can book a spa visit or browse the galleries, so a trip can mix long walks with slow afternoons.
Sedona suits hikers, couples and road-trippers. Phoenix is about two hours south by car, and Flagstaff is a shorter drive north. Plan two to three days: that covers the main trailheads, a canyon drive and one slower day. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for hiking, while summer afternoons run hot, so start trails early. Several popular trailheads need a Red Rock Pass to park, so check the parking rules before you set out.
Sedona in five
- Buy a Red Rock Pass before you park at a trailheadMany Sedona-area national forest sites need a pass for parking: daily, weekly or annual, sold at kiosks and on Recreation.gov. An America the Beautiful pass also works at many of them.Sedona in 2 days
- Arrive early at Cathedral Rock and Bell RockTrailhead lots fill by mid-morning in spring and fall. Go at first light, use the city's trailhead shuttle where it runs, or pick a quieter trail and save the famous ones for late afternoon.
- Know which sites take a different passWest Fork, Grasshopper Point and Crescent Moon charge a concessionaire fee that the Red Rock Pass does not cover. Check the site before you drive there with the wrong pass.Red Rock Pass details
- Plan midday around the heatJune to August afternoons are hot, so hike at dawn and use the middle of the day for Slide Rock, galleries or a pool. Spring and fall are the comfortable seasons for long trails.Where to stay in Sedona
- Decide between Sedona and Flagstaff as your baseSedona gives red rocks at the door; Flagstaff is cooler, cheaper and closer to the Grand Canyon. Many trips use one night in each.Sedona or Flagstaff
Things to do in Sedona
See all attractions in Sedona
Need to know
- Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is the main gateway; Flagstaff (FLG) is the closer small airport
- Getting there
- Drive from Phoenix on I-17 and Highway 179, or from Flagstaff on Highway 89A
- Getting around
- A car; the city runs trailhead shuttles on set days (check the current schedule)
- Best base
- West Sedona for value, Uptown for walking, Oak Creek Canyon for quiet
- Time needed
- 2 days for the main trails; 3 with Flagstaff or Jerome
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear7 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh9°Low-1°Cool, quietJanuaryClear
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- FebruaryClear6 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh11°Low0°Mild daysFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild days
- MarchClear8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low3°Spring, windMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 82 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, wind
- AprilClear3 rainy daysHigh21°Low7°Warm, wildflowersAprilClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, wildflowers
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh25°Low11°Hot, early hikesMayClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, early hikes
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Very hotJuneClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JulyClear8 rainy daysHigh33°Low20°Hot, monsoonJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, monsoon
- AugustClear9 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°Hot, monsoonAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, monsoon
- SeptemberClear5 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low16°Warm, easingSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Warm, easing
- OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low10°Fall, idealOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall, ideal
- NovemberClear3 rainy daysHigh16°Low4°Cool, clearNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- DecemberClear6 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low1°Cool, quietDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
Average daily high and low in Sedona, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Sedona
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
15
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 50%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 15%
Sedona
02:55 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°6°15%Monday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Tue15°6°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed16°7°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu17°6°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri18°8°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat20°7°0%Saturday: Clear. High 20°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun20°8°0%Sunday: Clear. High 20°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 02:40 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Flagstaffa short drive by Highway 89AA cooler mountain town with a downtown, a planetarium and Grand Canyon access.Read the guide
- Grand Canyon South Rima long day by carReachable from Sedona but long; most trips sleep in Flagstaff or the park instead.Read the guide
- Jeromea scenic drive awayA former mining town on a hillside with galleries and viewpoints over the Verde Valley.
Before you go to Sedona
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Rules for Sedona, checked
- A Red Rock Pass is $5 daily, $15 weekly or $20 annually and covers Coconino National Forest fee sites near Sedona; America the Beautiful also works at many.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- West Fork, Grasshopper Point and Crescent Moon charge a concessionaire fee covered by the Coconino Hospitality Annual Pass, not the Red Rock Pass.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Slide Rock State Park charges $20 per vehicle (1 to 4 people) from Aug 22, 2026 to April 2027; the summer fee is $30; reservations are not available.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Sedona
A cooler mountain town on the way to the Canyon
Read the guideGrand Canyon National ParkThe South Rim is the usual add-on from northern Arizona
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it and how to apply before you fly
Read the guideAll of the USAParks, cities and trip planning for visitors
Read the guideSedona FAQ
How many days do you need in Sedona?
Two days cover the main trails, a scenic drive and a sunset. Three days let you add Slide Rock or West Fork and an easy day in Flagstaff or Jerome without rushing.
Do you need a pass to park in Sedona?
At many national forest trailheads, yes: a Red Rock Pass, an America the Beautiful pass or a different concessionaire pass at a few sites. Buy it at the kiosk or on Recreation.gov, and display it as instructed.
What is the best month to visit Sedona?
April, May, October and November are warm without extreme heat. Summer is hot at midday, with monsoon storms later, and winter is quiet with cold mornings.
Is Sedona worth it if you are not a hiker?
Yes. Scenic drives, galleries, spas, jeep and helicopter tours and sunset viewpoints are easy without a long trail. Just keep midday for shade or water in summer.
Can you visit Sedona as a day trip from Phoenix?
You can, but it is a long drive each way and parking fills up. An overnight lets you hike at dawn and watch sunset, so choose it if you can spare one night.