There's So Much Sedona to See
A romantic Sedona getaway can mean leisurely sunrise walks, indulgent spa days, or backcountry adventures. Explore the local wineries, eat your way through Sedona’s many cuisines, or do a little of everything. There’s a side of Sedona for everyone.
It All Adds Up to Advenutures
Your Sedona Getaway Bucket List
Adventure
Outdoor
Hiking, scenic drives, swimming holes, and hidden waterfalls are all part of the Sedona outdoor experience.
Relax
Spiritual & Self Care
Explore
Tours
Route 66 Romance
The Mother Road of Route 66 cuts across Northern Arizona on a nostalgic route. Book a ride with Exec Rides AZ to stand on a corner in Winslow Arizona, ride the musical road, explore Williams, and visit Seligman or Oatman.
SEDONA
A Dark Sky Community
As a designated International Dark Sky Community, the entire Red Rock Region is home to some of the most spectacular night skies (and clearest views) in the nation.
National Parks Near Sedona
If you want to expand your travels beyond Sedona, the Arizona landscape offers several national parks to explore. Whether you’re looking to head to the Southern Arizona desert, the Grand Canyon, or a petrified forest, they are all just a few hours away.
FAQs About Things to Do Around Sedona
Is hiking free in Sedona?
Most Sedona hikes are free to access, but you’ll usually need a Red Rock Pass to park at trailheads on Coconino National Forest land. Passes are $5 per day, $15 per week, or $20 per year; an America the Beautiful pass is also accepted at many forest trailheads. Check pass pricing and other important information before you head out.
Arizona State Parks—including Slide Rock State Park—charge their own entrance fees and do not accept the Red Rock Pass. A few developed national-forest day-use sites may also have separate fees, so check the specific trail or recreation area before you go.
What is Sedona’s elevation?
Sedona sits at roughly 4,350 feet above sea level, with lower areas around Oak Creek near 3,800 feet and surrounding summits reaching about 7,122 feet at Wilson Mountain, the area’s highest peak.
Most visitors do not experience altitude sickness in town, since Sedona’s elevation is moderate rather than extreme. Still, if you’re coming from sea level and tackling a long or strenuous hike—especially at higher elevations—take breaks, drink water, and ease into your first day
What scenic drives are around Sedona?
Sedona has several beautiful drives that deliver red-rock views with little—or no—hiking required:
Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179): This 7.5-mile All-American Road runs between the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona, with iconic views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and Cathedral Rock. An access point is right around the corner from the Lantern Light Inn in West Sedona.
Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive (SR 89A): Follow SR 89A north from Sedona toward Flagstaff through a 15-mile canyon of red cliffs, Oak Creek, forest, switchbacks, and viewpoints including Midgley Bridge and Oak Creek Vista. Plan about an hour without extended stops.
Red Rock Loop Road: A quieter west-Sedona route with broad views of Cathedral Rock, open desert, and Oak Creek-area scenery. It is a good choice for a relaxed sunset drive.
Boynton Pass Road / Dry Creek Road: An approximately 8-mile one-way drive through western Sedona’s red-rock backcountry, with scenery near Boynton Canyon and access to several trailheads.
Schnebly Hill Road: A rugged, unpaved route with dramatic elevated views above Sedona. High-clearance vehicles are strongly preferable; road conditions can change after rain or snow.
How can I get weather alerts in Sedona?
Sign up for emergency notifications from both Coconino County and Yavapai County. Sedona spans the county line—generally separating Sedona and West Sedona—so enrolling in both systems helps ensure you receive weather, wildfire, evacuation, and other local emergency alerts. Coconino County directs residents and visitors to its emergency-alert service, while Yavapai County’s system offers alerts by phone call, text, email, or the Smart911 app. Just use the address of your hotel or rental when entering your information.
Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on your phone and monitor National Weather Service forecasts, particularly during monsoon season. Some outdoor emergency sirens are used in the area, including Oak Creek Canyon, but do not rely on them—or on cell service—as your only warning method.
If you plan to hike, camp, or drive into remote areas, bring a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and check forecasts and forest alerts before heading out
What types of tours are there in Sedona?
Sedona tours span everything from rugged backcountry adventures to relaxed sightseeing and offbeat nighttime experiences. Options include Jeep and ATV trips, guided hikes and bike rides, scenic van or trolley tours, helicopter and hot-air-balloon flights, photography outings, stargazing and UFO tours, vortex experiences, Verde Valley wine tours, and history or archaeology tours.
For a more customized outing, Lantern Light Inn works with Exec Rides AZ to help guests plan private, personalized tours throughout the region. Your itinerary can focus on Sedona’s scenery and history or extend to destinations such as Route 66, the Grand Canyon, Jerome, and beyond.
How easy is it to get around Sedona and Red Rock Country?
Sedona is easy to navigate geographically, but driving can be slow during busy periods. The city has roughly 10,000 residents yet receives about 3 million visits annually, concentrating traffic on SR 89A and SR 179—especially around the “Y” intersection where the two routes meet.
Plan extra time for driving and parking, particularly in Uptown, at popular trailheads, and on weekends, holidays, and peak travel seasons. Arriving early, walking when you are close to your destination, and using the trailhead shuttle can help you avoid parking and congestion; Sedona Shuttle Connect also offers on-demand curb-to-curb rides in its service area.
For help choosing the right home base, see our guide to Sedona’s distinct areas so that you can select the best place to stay for your travel style, itinerary, and preferred pace.