Sedona in northern Arizona is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Take its dramatic and vibrant landscape of vivid red rock formations, add in the endless hiking trails, world-renowned golf, a fantastic wine region and great food, and you have all of the ingredients for a perfect long weekend. And, being close to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon makes it an easy add-on to a US road trip.
So here’s my long-weekend Sedona itinerary!
For less busy trails, head out on the Red Rock Scenic Byway to reach a selection of hiking trails. The Cathedral Rock Trail is one of the most popular hikes, a steep, rocky climb to reach a vortex site. It involves a bit of clambering and the views are spectacular. The trail is just over a mile round trip. You can also get a close up view of Sedona’s most famous rock formations on the Bell Rock Pathway Trail. This easy 3.6-mile trail runs around the base of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.
Friday Evening
You’re probably flying into Phoenix and driving up to Sedona. If you’re lucky to arrive early in the afternoon, I suggest starting your weekend in Sedona with a visit to one of the famous vortex sunsets. Vortexes are a spiritual hotspot, where energy flows radiate the Earth’s power. They’re said to promote healing and spiritual awareness, and many were sacred to local Native Americans. Airport Mesa is one of the closest vortexes to the centre of town, accessed via a parking lot near Sedona’s tiny airport. The full Airport Mesa hike is 3.3 miles, but you can get great views even if you just follow part of the trail, with red rocks glowing as the sun sets. After some sightseeing, it’s time for dinner and Sedona has no shortage of prime eating venues, even for vegetarians, lke me! We chose 89Agave Cantina where the margarita’s are top-notch. I suggest sipping a prickly pear or jalapeno-infused tequila.
Saturday Morning
Rise early for a hike through Sedona’s gorgeous landscapes. There are over 100 hiking trails so you can choose a length and difficulty to suit you. Note that for many trails you need a Red Rock Pass, unless you have a U.S. National Parks Pass. They are cheap ($5) and can be purchased from visitor centres or vending machines at the main trailheads. One of the more popular hikes is the 4.2-mile Devil’s Bridge Trail, which takes you to a natural sandstone arch, a popular photo spot. It’s an easy route, with a bit of scrambling at the end. (If you don’t like crowds, this is not the path for you!) You are able to walk across the top and take in the breathtaking views of Sedona.
For less busy trails, head out on the Red Rock Scenic Byway to reach a selection of hiking trails. The Cathedral Rock Trail is one of the most popular hikes, a steep, rocky climb to reach a vortex site. It involves a bit of clambering and the views are spectacular. The trail is just over a mile round trip. You can also get a close up view of Sedona’s most famous rock formations on the Bell Rock Pathway Trail. This easy 3.6-mile trail runs around the base of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.
Saturday Afternoon
Grab lunch in town. I suggest Dellepiane Sedona (Argentine fare) or Elote Cafe (awesome Mexican food). Then head back out for some more hiking! If hiking is back on the to-do list, I suggest trying the Red Rock Secret Canyon Trail, an outstanding 4.2 mile long (each way) trail that eventually climbs the “Secret Mountain.” The path is initially level….. and then it begins to ascend up, up and more up! There was a lot of climbing using our hands and a few moments of “what the heck” but 2-3 rather sweaty hours later, we were rewarded with some pretty magnificent views! Or, if some rest and relaxation is on your list, head to Slide Rock State Park (entry $10–30 per vehicle), home to a unique 80-foot-long natural waterslide. The chute has been worn into the sandstone and a combination of the gradient, the current and a layer of algae make it extra slippery. And there’s also a series of pools for swimming where the creek widens out. For a more luxurious side, indulge in a high-end spas, such as Amara Sedona Spa. This high-quality place offers range of massages, scrubs and facials, including their signature Rain Dance Massage using lavender, rosemary and sage oils. There’s also a heated saltwater pool and hot tub where you can soak up the scenery. Whatever you chose for the afternoon, take a short siesta/shower and then head out for a pre-dinner stroll along Sedona’s main street, where you’ll find galleries, artists’ studios and boutique shops mixed with New Age crystal shops and spiritual healers. Don’t miss Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village for southwest art, pottery, jewellery and photography. There’s also a brewery on site if you fancy a drink. For dinner, try Mariposa, an upscale South American-inspired restaurant run by local celebrity chef Lisa Dahl. Grab a spot on the patio for a sunset drink with a panoramic view over Sedona before trying their steaks and seafood grilled over a wood fire.
Sunday Morning
Begin the day checking out the view from the Chapel of the Holy Cross – it’s extra beautiful at sunrise. This unusual-looking structure perched among the red rocks looks a bit like a James Bond film villain’s lair. In reality it’s a Catholic chapel built in the 1950s. It was designed by sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, who’d been a pupil of Frank Lloyd Wright and was inspired by the Empire State Building, with two central beams forming the shape of a cross. For a scenic drive, head out on the Red Rock Loop. This 8.5-mile route winds its way through terracotta hills with views of Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. By now, you’re probably hungry. Call into the Red Rock Cafe in Oak Creek for lunch. It’s known for its friendly service and tasty brunches with a southwest twist, featuring dishes like Huevos Rancheros, Southwest Benedict with black beans and green chilies, and Breakfast Burritos.Sunday Afternoon
Arizona isn’t the most obvious place you’d expect to find wine being made, but the Verde Valley region south of Sedona has been producing wine since the 17th century. Its climate of warm, dry days and cool nights creates the perfect conditions for grape-growing. The Verde Valley Wine Trail includes 25 wineries between Sedona and Jerome. Most are small boutique producers with wines you won’t see anywhere else – popular grape varieties include Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot and Chardonnay. Most wineries are open to visitors (though you may need to book in advance) so you can try and buy some to take home. Cap off the wine trail in Jerome. It was once a thriving copper mining town, nicknamed the ‘wickedest town in America’ for its drinking and gambling. But it was abandoned in the 1950s when the mine closed and left as a ghost town. An afternoon of sipping local vintages, soaking up even more wonderful vistas and dinner in town – what can be better? Perhaps try Hideaway House, a country Italian Restaurant nestled in the trees with perfect views of the red rocks.
The Details of a Long-Weekend Visit in Sedona
When to Visit Sedona:
Sedona gets an average of 300 days of sunshine a year so there’s never too much rain, but temperatures vary a lot through the seasons, and being up at 4500-foot elevation means Sedona is usually cooler than places in the surrounding area like Phoenix. Spring and autumn are the most popular times to visit Sedona, with average highs of 65–82ºF (18–28ºC) so it’s sunny but not too hot, making it good for hiking. It’s a popular holiday spot though so gets busy – making your weekend in Sedona a mid-week getaway instead helps avoid the crowds and premium prices. In the summer Sedona is seriously hot, with highs around 97ºF/36ºC in August and occasional thundery showers. Winter is low season with cheaper prices and winter events. You might see a dusting of snow on the red rocks and nighttime lows of 30ºF/-1ºC, but it’s often still pleasantly warm and sunny in the daytime with average highs of 57ºF/14ºC.What to Pack for Sedona:
Here are my top packing tips for your trip to Sedona: 1. GOOD hiking shoes! Friends, do treat your body well. That includes covering your feet in something comfy and protective during your hikes through the desert landscape. It’s very important to have a good pair hiking shoes or even hiking sandals. I always bring my trusty Salomon’s. They’ve helped me on hikes through Patagonia, New Mexico, Greece, Italy and the whole of Central America. 2. A BPA-Free, Reusable water bottle First of all, just stay away from single-use plastic water bottles. In this century, nobody should be buying single-use water bottles, am I right? That’s where a handy reusable water bottle comes into light. The hikes in Sedona are no joke and at many points in the hike, you are literally scaling the rocks. Trust me, you will want plenty of water. 3. A lightweight, hiking backpack You definitely need a backpack while hiking in Sedona, especially on longer hikes. Remember to bring water, snacks, a small first-aid kit, your phone and your camera, or course. This cute one actually packs down to it’s own little pocket and only weighs .75 pounds, a true space saver.Bonus Things to do in Sedona
Do you have an extra day to spend in this adventure-packed city? There’s plenty more ideas where these came from!
- Sign up for a Vortex tour to explore some of the many vortexes around Sedona! This is one of the most unique and quirky things about this town. This tour dives deep into the history of these vortexes and lets you explore several of them in a small group.
- Rent ATV’s to explore the Sedona area! This great tour includes the ATV rentals, a guide that will take you to the most scenic spots, and snacks / water.
- Golf at one of Sedona’s many golf courses! These courses are scattered around the area and all have gorgeous views. Here is a list of all the courses.
- Road trip to Page, Arizona where you can see Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Lake Powell.
Things to Know Before Traveling to Sedona
- Should I worry about parking at the hikes? Parking fills up QUICK! At both of the hikes I did it was very difficult to find parking. Just make sure you get their earlier than you expect the crowds to start getting there!
- Is Sedona expensive? Yes, Sedona is definitely one of the more expensive towns in Arizona. It has tons of golf resorts, spas and beautiful wedding venues.. so with that comes a hefty price tag! There are tons of budget friendly options though and camping locations.
