The 20 Best Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona

The final stretch is a steep slickrock scramble on hands and feet, so wear grippy shoes. Trailhead parking is limited and needs a Red Rock Pass, so many people start early or use the shuttle.

Late afternoon for sunset color, or early morning for cooler temperatures and easier parking.

Fully exposed with no shade, so it is hot at midday in summer. Skip the scramble when the rock is wet or icy.

Tours range from gentle scenic routes to bumpy, adrenaline-filled trails, so choose one that matches your comfort. They sell out in peak season, so book ahead.

Morning or late-afternoon departures avoid midday heat and give the best light. Available year-round.

Open-air vehicles mean sun, wind, and dust, so bring sun protection. Tours may pause during monsoon storms.

The last section is a steep natural staircase, and there is a drop beside the arch, so take care. The trailhead road is very rough, so most park at Dry Creek and walk, or take a 4x4 tour to the closer trailhead.

Early morning to beat the heat and the long line that forms for arch photos.

Little shade and brutal at midday in summer. Avoid when rain makes the rock slick.

The main path is smooth; only the optional climb up Bell Rock is steep and exposed. Several trailheads and pullouts make access easy.

Any time of day, though sunrise and late afternoon are coolest and most photogenic.

Open and sunny, so carry water in warm months. Fine year-round, with occasional icy patches in winter.

It is a working chapel, so dress respectfully and keep voices low. The uphill walkway is short but steep, and parking is very limited, so arrive early.

Morning for softer light and thinner crowds. Open daily with posted hours.

Mostly indoors with only a short walk, so it works in any weather and makes a good rainy-day stop.

You do not need a guide, but a vortex or spiritual tour adds meditation, history, and insight. Twisted juniper trees are said to mark the strongest spots.

Early morning or sunset for calm, uncrowded, atmospheric visits.

Outdoor and exposed, so dress for heat in summer and cold mornings in winter.

The upper switchbacks are winding, so drive slowly and use pullouts. A Native American craft market sits at the Oak Creek Vista.

October for spectacular fall foliage; any clear day otherwise.

Watch for ice and occasional snow on the upper switchbacks in winter. The canyon runs cooler than town year-round.

The rock is slippery by design and the water is cold, so wear old sturdy shoes and a swimsuit you do not mind scuffing. The lot fills and closes by mid-morning on summer weekends.

Late spring through early fall for swimming; arrive before 10 a.m. in summer.

The water stays chilly, so it is best on hot days. Lovely scenery year-round even when it is too cold to swim.

Shops keep daytime hours and some restaurants need reservations. It is compact but easy to enjoy for a couple of hours.

Late morning to evening, with special charm during the holiday lighting.

Partly shaded and walkable in most weather, making it a pleasant rainy-day or hot-afternoon option.

This is a day-use park and is not the same as Slide Rock, so there is no swimming here. The trails are gentle loops.

Morning for birds and cooler temperatures. Open year-round.

Some shade near the creek, but still warm at midday in summer. Pleasant most of the year.

The overlook lot is small and fills early for sunset, though a paid lot is nearby. Arrive 45-60 minutes before sundown.

Golden hour before sunset; sunrise is far quieter.

Very exposed and breezy on the ridge, so bring a layer. Clear evenings are best.

Expect a very early start and a couple of hours in total. Flights depend on weather and may be rescheduled, and you will stand in the basket.

Sunrise, year-round, weather permitting.

Balloons fly only in calm, clear conditions, so wind, rain, or storms cancel flights. Dress in layers for the cool morning.

Flights range from short 15-minute hops to longer canyon tours. Book ahead, and expect weather to affect the schedule.

Morning for calm air and clear views. Available year-round.

Wind and storms can cancel or delay flights, and the clearest, calmest conditions are usually early.

Tasting rooms cluster in Old Town Cottonwood (about 20 minutes away) and along Page Springs Road. A guided tour is the easiest way to visit several.

Afternoons, year-round, with harvest events in the fall.

Mostly indoor and patio tastings, so it is weather-flexible and especially pleasant on mild days.

Sessions run after dark and last one to two hours. Bring warm layers, as desert nights are cold even in summer.

Around the new moon for the darkest skies; year-round on clear nights.

Clear skies are essential, and summer monsoon clouds can interfere. Winter nights are cold but often crisp and clear.

Options range from open-air trolleys to air-conditioned vans and combo tours, and it makes a great first-day overview.

Morning or afternoon departures, year-round.

Enclosed vehicles handle any weather, while open trolleys are best on mild, dry days.

You view the dwelling from the trail rather than entering it, and the nearby Montezuma Well makes a worthwhile add-on.

Morning to avoid the midday heat. Open year-round.

Some shade along the creek, but hot at midday in summer. Comfortable most of the year.

Reservations are required, and the access road is unpaved and rough, so many visitors come on a guided 4x4 tour. Two short trails lead to the dwellings and the rock art.

Reserve ahead, and visit in the morning when it is cooler. Open year-round, weather permitting.

The dirt road can be impassable after heavy rain, and there is little shade on the trails.

First-class cars include appetizers and a lounge, and the round trip runs about four hours. Bring a jacket for the open-air cars.

Year-round; winter brings eagle sightings and spring brings wildflowers.

Open cars are exposed to sun and wind, so dress in layers. The train runs in most weather.

You will rock-hop across the creek many times, so expect wet feet in spring. The trailhead lot up Oak Creek Canyon fills early.

Late October for peak fall color; spring and summer for cool shade.

Cooler and shadier than open trails, but it can be muddy or high after rain or snowmelt. Avoid in flash-flood conditions.