Sedona is one of the most popular destinations in Arizona and this is for good reason.
This picturesque town has something exciting for every type of traveler.
I’ve been to Sedona a handful of times and I’m excited to share my Sedona travel guide with the best sights, hotels, and hikes.
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When is the best time to travel to Sedona?
I would recommend the spring and fall for the best weather! Summer tends to get VERY hot here.
Winter is also a great time to visit and if you’re lucky, you might see the snow covered red rocks.
I’d also like to mention that weekends and holidays get very busy so if you are going to be here during those times, prepare for traffic delays.
The Best Hotels in Sedona
When it comes to boutique hotels in Sedona, there’s no shortage of options.
My personal favorite is Ambiente but I will share a few hotel options in the luxury to mid size budget.
Luxury
Ambiente Hotel Sedona
Ambiente is the first lanscape hotel in the US.
They have perfectly blended their property with the surrounding beauty of Sedona.
Each guest here gets an Atrium instead of a hotel room.
Being a luxury hotel, it does come with a high price tag but these are what you get included with your stay:
- Complementary shuttle to nearby attractions (this is great because the parking situation can be stressful in Sedona!)
- Spa
- Heated pool
- Jacuzzi
- Breakfast
- Welcome champagne
Check it out HERE
Enchantment Resort
Another luxury hotel worth looking into is Enchantment Resort.
It has amazing views of Boynton canyon which is a great trail for hiking and mountain biking.
They have a pool, fireplace, and restaurant on site.
The Enchantment boats a 9.1 rating on Booking.com which is some of the highest ratings I’ve seen for hotels in this area.
Check it out HERE
Mid-Range
Sky Ranch Lodge
The Sky Ranch Lodge is a great option starting at around $300.
They have modern rooms, a great view, and a seasonal pool.
This hotel is located just 6 miles from the famous Chapel of the Holy Cross.
Check it out HERE
Adobe Village Inn
Adobe Village Inn is within walking distance to the very popular Bell Rock which is a great selling point for this hotel.
I absolutely love the design of this hotel.
They have beautiful gardens, hot tub, fire pit, fountains, and private patios & balconies.
Check it out HERE
The Best Things to Do in Sedona
From outdoor adventures to relaxation, you will not run out of things to do during your visit. Sedona really has something for everyone.
Sedona Canyons 4×4 Tour
One of the most popular things to do in Sedona is hopping on a Jeep tour!
Explore the beautiful canyons of Sedona through the rugged trails.
This activity is perfect for those who want to access the trails without hiking. Book through HERE.
Stroll Around Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
This is a place I visit every time I go to Sedona.
You can find many shops, cafes, and restaurants here.
One of my favorites is the Chai cafe upstairs. I highly recommend getting a butter chai there and people watch from the balcony.
Visit The Powerful & Healing Vortexes
Sedona is known as a spiritual healing destination due to the Vortex that pass through several points.
I personally did not feel any difference myself when I went to these spots but I think it’s worth checking out!
You may find people meditating or doing yoga in these places so be respectful and keep your noise at a minimum.
- Bell Rock
- Cathedral Rock
- Airport Mesa
- Boynton Canyon
The Best Hikes in Sedona
There are SO many great hikes in Sedona!
A lot of people talk about the trails being crowded but I find that there are enough trails here where you can easily get away from the crowds.
I will share some of my favorite hikes in Sedona from popular to lightly trafficked trails.
Hiking Tips & Etiquette For Sedona
If you are new to hiking, you might like my Beginners Hiking Guide for hiking tips, etiquette, and gear recommendations.
- For popular trails like the Subway Cave and Devil’s Bridge, it is important to get there early if you want to get a parking spot. I’m talking sunrise early.
- Do not carve on rocks or leave trash on the trails.
- All the hikes on this list are dog friendly but some do require rock scrambling so it might not be ideal for all dogs.
- Wearing proper footwear is essential when hiking in Sedona
Devil’s Bridge
Devil’s bridge is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona and even though it can get crowded, I do think it’s still worth checking out at least once.
Parking here is really limited but Sedona does offer free shuttles to this trailhead if getting up early isn’t your thing.
Trail Length: 3.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 521
Dog Friendly: Yes
Boynton Canyon to Subway Cave
This is a beautiful hike that you definitely need to check off! Boynton Canyon is a popular trail and the Subway Cave is a short detour from the trail.
It is unmarked but if you get a little lost, just ask around! Lots of people take the Subway Cave detour.
It’s important to note that the Subway cave is a bit rocky and require a little bit of scrambling.
We were okay but we had to take turns getting up because our dog got freaked out.
Trail Length: 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 600
Dog Friendly: Yes (scrambling required for the cave)
Keyhole Cave
Keyhole cave is not as well known as the other hikes but it’s definitely getting more popular.
I personally think the views from the cave are the most epic I’ve seen in Sedona.
The hike is pretty easy but getting up to the cave is honestly pretty sketchy.
The climb up is damn near vertical, I do wish they had a rope here to make it more safe.
Trail Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 531
Dog Friendly: Yes (scrambling required for the cave)
Munds Wagon to Merry Go Round Rock
I was pleasantly surprised that this trail was very empty despite it being so beautiful.
While you can technically drive this on a 4×4, the hiking trail is totally separate from the off road trail so you don’t actually need to share the road with cars.
Trail Length: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,102
Dog Friendly: Yes
More tails worth checking out:
- Bell Rock Loop
- Cathedral Trail
- Airport Mesa
- Bear Mountain Trail
- Birthing Cave
And that’s it for this Sedona travel guide! Make sure you check out my other posts for unique adventure destinations.