How many days in Sedona? 3 days of red-rock trails, Oak Creek and desert sunsets
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Sedona is a small town in northern Arizona surrounded by red sandstone buttes, canyons and juniper forest, about 2 hours north of Phoenix and 2 hours south of the Grand Canyon. Hiking is the main reason to come: dozens of trails start minutes from town. Give it three days: one around Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock, one for Devil's Bridge and the west side, and one for Oak Creek Canyon. Start every hike early; trailhead car parks fill by 8:00 in spring and autumn, and summer afternoons are hot.
Short answer
Two days lets you do two big hikes, the Chapel of the Holy Cross and a sunset. With three, you add Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock, or a day trip to Jerome or Montezuma Castle.
The 3-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock and the Chapel
Morning. Start at Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte in the Village of Oak Creek, on the south side of town. The Bell Rock Pathway is easy and flat, and you can scramble partway up Bell Rock itself. Then visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a modern Catholic chapel built in 1956 into a red-rock ridge (free entry; parking can be busy).
Afternoon. Hike Cathedral Rock, a short but very steep trail of about 1.2 miles (2 km) round trip, with sections where you use hands on the rock. Allow 1.5 hours. Afterwards, walk along Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing in Crescent Moon Ranch, where the butte reflects in the water (a day-use fee applies).
Evening. Have dinner at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, built in the style of a Mexican village with courtyards and galleries. A main course costs about US$25-40.
Many Coconino National Forest trailheads require a Red Rock Pass, about US$5 a day or US$15 a week, unless you have an America the Beautiful pass. Buy it at machines at trailheads or visitor centres.
Day 2: Devil's Bridge, Soldier Pass and Airport Mesa
Morning. Use the Sedona Shuttle, a free service to the busiest trailheads (it usually runs from Thursday to Sunday), to reach Devil's Bridge, a natural sandstone arch you can walk across. The hike is about 4 miles (6.5 km) round trip from the Mescal trailhead, with a steep final climb. Arrive by 7:00 to avoid queues for photos on the arch.
Afternoon. Take a jeep tour on rough tracks such as Broken Arrow, an off-road route with views from rock fins (roughly US$100-160 per person for 2 hours). Or hike Soldier Pass, which passes the sinkhole called Devil's Kitchen and the Seven Sacred Pools in the rock; the trailhead has very limited parking, so use the shuttle.
Evening. Watch sunset from Airport Mesa, a short climb from the small car park on Airport Road, or from the overlook near the airport itself. Then eat in Uptown Sedona along Highway 89A, with views of the red rocks from many terraces.
Carry at least 2-3 litres of water per person on hikes, even short ones. In summer, temperatures often reach 35-38°C (95-100°F) in the afternoon, and flash floods can follow monsoon storms in July and August.
Day 3: Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock and the West Fork
Morning. Drive north on Highway 89A into Oak Creek Canyon, one of the most scenic roads in Arizona, to the West Fork Trail, which follows a stream between high canyon walls. Walk as far as you like; the first 3 miles (5 km) are fairly flat, with many creek crossings. Parking costs about US$12 per vehicle and fills early.
Afternoon. Spend the afternoon at Slide Rock State Park, a former apple farm where Oak Creek runs over a natural slide of slippery sandstone (around US$20-30 per vehicle in summer). Swim in the pools, but wear old shorts and water shoes.
Evening. Continue up the switchbacks to the Oak Creek Vista viewpoint, then return to Sedona. On a clear night, stargaze: Sedona is a Dark Sky Community, and the Milky Way is often visible from quiet spots outside town.
Slide Rock can reach capacity on summer weekends and close the gate to new cars. Arrive at opening time or visit on a weekday.
Only have 2 days?
With 2 days, do Bell Rock, the Chapel and Cathedral Rock on Day 1, and Devil's Bridge with Airport Mesa on Day 2. Skip Oak Creek Canyon, or drive through it on your way north to Flagstaff.
Got extra days?
On a 4th day, visit the old mining town of Jerome on a mountainside about 45 minutes away, Montezuma Castle National Monument, cliff dwellings about 30 minutes south, or take the Verde Canyon Railroad from Clarkdale. The Grand Canyon South Rim is about 2-2.5 hours by car.
Where to stay in Sedona
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Cottonwood / Village of Oak Creek motels | Cheaper motels 20-25 minutes away in Cottonwood, or simple hotels south of town. | US$120-180 |
| Mid-range | West Sedona | Hotels close to many trailheads, supermarkets and shuttle routes. | US$200-320 |
| Mid-range | Uptown Sedona | Walk to restaurants and shops, with red-rock views from many rooms. | US$220-350 |
| Comfort | Resorts and spas in Boynton Canyon and Oak Creek | Luxury resorts with spas, pools and casitas under the cliffs. | US$450-1,000 |
Getting around
A car is close to essential: the nearest large airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor, about 2 hours south, and Flagstaff is about 45 minutes north. Shuttle services link Sedona with Phoenix airport. In town, traffic on Highway 89A and Highway 179 is heavy at weekends, and trailhead parking is limited. The free Sedona Shuttle connects park-and-ride lots with popular trailheads such as Cathedral Rock, Soldier Pass and Devil's Bridge (Mescal), usually from Thursday to Sunday; check the current schedule. Taxis and ride-hailing exist but are limited.
What to eat in Sedona
Sedona's food leans towards south-western and Mexican flavours: green-chile stews, enchiladas with red or green sauce, tacos and prickly-pear margaritas. Many restaurants offer red-rock views, and there are many vegetarian and health-food cafes. Breakfast costs about US$15-25, lunch US$15-25, and dinner with a drink US$40-70 per person, plus a tip of 18-20%. Supermarkets in West Sedona are useful for picnic supplies before hikes.
Best time to visit
March to May and September to November are ideal, with highs of 20-30°C (70-85°F); they are also the busiest months. Summer is hot, with monsoon storms from about July to September. Winter is mild during the day, around 10-15°C, with cold nights and occasional snow on the red rocks.
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | US$70 | US$130 | US$300 |
| Food & drink | US$45 | US$80 | US$140 |
| Sights & tickets | US$10 | US$60 | US$120 |
| Local transport | US$25 | US$40 | US$60 |
| Total per person, per day | about US$150 | about US$310 | about US$620 |
Approximate 2026 prices in US dollars, with transport based on sharing a rental car; hotels add sales and lodging taxes of roughly 13-14%, and many resorts also charge a daily resort fee.
Before you go
Common questions
What is the best hike in Sedona?
For views, Cathedral Rock and Devil's Bridge are the most popular, but both are busy. Soldier Pass, Boynton Canyon and the West Fork of Oak Creek are excellent alternatives. Beginners can enjoy the flat Bell Rock Pathway. Start early, carry plenty of water, and check whether the trailhead is served by the free shuttle.
What are the Sedona vortexes?
Some visitors believe certain places, such as Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa and Boynton Canyon, have special energy, called vortexes. There is no scientific evidence for this, but the sites are also beautiful viewpoints, and many shops in town offer spiritual tours, readings and meditation sessions.
Do I need a Red Rock Pass?
You need one when parking at many national forest trailheads around Sedona, unless you have an America the Beautiful pass or another valid federal pass. It costs about US$5 a day or US$15 a week. Some sites, such as Slide Rock State Park and Crescent Moon Ranch, charge their own fees instead.
Can I visit Sedona as a day trip from Phoenix?
Yes, but it is a long day: about 2 hours each way. You could see the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock and Airport Mesa, but not much hiking. At least one night is better, so you can start trails early and see sunset and stars. Many people combine Sedona with the Grand Canyon.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan may earn a commission; the price you pay is the same. How we make money.