Sedona, Arizona is the perfect town for anyone looking for hot weather and outdoor adventure. Recently, I spent an impromptu weekend there and wanted to share my favorite spots. In this 2-day Sedona itinerary, you’ll find all of the best hikes, restaurants, and everything I wish I knew before I went. Let’s go!
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How to get to Sedona
The easiest way to get to Sedona is by flying into Phoenix (PHX). There are many domestic and international flights, so you should be able to find one at a reasonable time and price. From Phoenix, I recommend renting a car and driving to Sedona — the drive is beautiful and goes by quickly!
Driving times from:
- Flagstaff: 40 minutes
- Phoenix: 2 hours
- Tucson: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Las Vegas: 4 hours 30 minutes
Getting around Sedona
Unfortunately, this Sedona itinerary is difficult to complete without a car. Things are pretty spread out and public transportation (within the city and between cities) is limited. If you’re coming from Phoenix, renting a car from the Phoenix airport is the cheapest and easiest way to get around. The PHX rental car center is off airport property, but it’s easy to catch a shuttle bus there from any of the terminals.
Where to stay in Sedona
- For free: Coconino National Forest Dispersed Camping Area (make sure you know exactly where you are allowed to camp!)
- Budget: Andante Inn of Sedona
- Mid-range: Orchards Inn
- Bougie: Adobe Grand Villas
Airbnb and VRBO are also great options, and you can save money by cooking some of your meals at home.
Best time to visit Sedona
Because Sedona is located in the literal desert, certain months are more comfortable than others. I wouldn’t recommend visiting in the summer (June, July, and August) unless you absolutely have to — the oppressive heat in the middle of the day makes it harder to take advantage of all the awesome outdoor activities. If you are trying this Sedona itinerary in the summer months, you can move the hikes to earlier or later in the day.
Autumn, winter, and spring are much more tolerable weather-wise. Keep in mind, though, that these are peak travel times for Sedona. Prices for hotels and activities will be higher and it may be more crowded.
Things to know before you go
- Parking for most of the hikes was INSANE. There were actually several hikes I tried to do in the afternoon that I simply could not because there was nowhere to park. My best advice would be to pick your top two or three must-do hikes and plan your day around them. Wake up early and do them first thing in the morning before everyone else wakes up. It is possible to get lucky and find a spot mid-day right as someone else is leaving, but don’t bet on it! If a particular parking lot is full, try parking a bit further down the road or circle around and try again later.
- There is no phone service once you get to the trailheads. Remember to download offline maps from Google before heading out so you can find your way around.
- Some hikes require you to display a Red Rock Pass to park in their parking lot. They cost $5 daily, $15 weekly, or $20 annually. You can buy them in advance from Recreation.gov or from the machines at the trailheads. (If you have an America the Beautiful annual pass, that is also accepted in lieu of a Red Rock Pass!)
- Sedona is a great family-friendly destination. If you’re coming with younger kids, there are plenty of easier hikes and fun activities (like Jeep tours!) to do.
- Make sure you are prepared for the elements before your hike. Check out the packing section down below for a list of essentials!
Sedona Itinerary Day 1
Birthing Cave hike
After arriving in Sedona, start your day out with a fun and relatively easy hike. The Birthing Cave hike is 2 miles long and takes you through gorgeous desert landscapes before reaching an open, teardrop-shaped cave. (It’s called the Birthing Cave because the indigenous Hopi people would send pregnant women to the cave to give birth.)
The trail to the cave is unmarked and pretty difficult to find if you don’t know where you’re going. Make sure to plot your route on AllTrails or Google Maps beforehand.
Lunch at Crescent Moon picnic area
Pack a lunch and go relax at Crescent Moon picnic area. The view is outstanding and there is nearby creek to take a dip when you get too hot. A number of hikes also start in this area if you’re up for more adventure.
After lunch, check in to your hotel and freshen up before heading out again.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a beautifully designed church that sits on top of a red rock plateau. There are 360° views of the surrounding landscapes, which makes this a great viewpoint to visit if you’re not feeling up for a strenuous hike.
Airport Mesa
This was one of my favorite spots in Sedona. The Airport Mesa area has both hiking trails and easy-to-access viewpoints. The jaunt up to the summit was short and sweet and well worth the effort. This is a great place to sit, relax, and take in the view.
Airport Mesa is also considered one of the most powerful vortex sites in Sedona. A vortex is a place on Earth that is thought to be especially alive with energy. People come to vortexes to meditate, do yoga, or otherwise engage in some form of self-exploration.
Dinner at The Hudson
Once you start getting hungry, head over to The Hudson for dinner. This is a relaxed, modern American restaurant with incredible views. There can be a bit of a wait, especially if you want to eat on the patio, so I recommend making reservations in advance.
Sunset hike at Cathedral Rock
To walk off all those appetizers and cocktails you probably just consumed, go for a sunset hike at Cathedral Rock. This 2.8-mile hike is one of the most popular in Sedona and it does get crowded. However, the parking lot is a bit larger and can handle some waiting traffic on the side.
The hike itself is very fun. It starts off fairly easily, with sweeping views of Sedona. Once you reach the base of the crevasse, the ascent becomes steeper and you’ll need to scramble over some larger rocks. Sunset is a great time to do it because the red rocks gradually change colors as the sun goes down.
Stargazing
Sedona is well-known for its dark skies and frequent shooting stars. Pack some warm clothes and snacks and sit outside to enjoy the night sky.
Some suggested stargazing spots:
- Aerie Trailhead
- Baldwin Trailhead
- Beaverhead Flat Scenic Lookout
Sedona Itinerary Day 2
Sunrise hike at Devil’s Bridge
Start your day off bright and early with a sunrise hike at Devil’s Bridge. At 1.8 miles roundtrip, this hike is fairly short and easy but packs a big punch when it comes to the views. Just like yesterday’s sunset hike, the light bouncing off of the rocks is nothing short of incredible.
The earlier you start your hike, the less time you’ll spend waiting for a solo picture on the iconic bridge. I reached the summit at 5:55 am and had to wait for about 5 minutes. Going that early in the morning also meant that I did all of the strenuous uphill walking before the sun made it unbearably hot. Win-win!
⇉ Hiking the Devil’s Bridge: Sedona, Arizona
Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park
On your way back to town, stop by the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park (a stupa is a Buddhist shrine). This spiritual oasis is probably the most relaxing spot in all of Sedona — picture wind chimes, a gentle breeze, and lots of shaded seats amongst the trees. People come here to meditate, pray, and wander the scenic grounds.
Breakfast and shopping at Tlaquepaque
Once you’ve regained your zen at the Peace Park, head to uptown Sedona for a spot of breakfast and some window shopping. The Secret Garden is a great place to have some pancakes or huevos rancheros on the patio before strolling around the shops.
Tlaquepaque is a Mexican-inspired outdoor market with art galleries, craft shops, and restaurants. Every corner of the complex is filled with beautiful gardens, sculptures, and aesthetically pleasing displays. I spent about 2 hours here and definitely could have spent more. My personal favorite shops were:
- Natural Wonders for crystals and figurines
- The Chai Spot for Thai iced tea
- Cocopah for hand-made earrings
Drive through the Red Rock Scenic Byway
The Red Rock Scenic Byway (Highway 179) goes north to south from Sedona to the nearby town of Oak Creek. It’s a beautiful drive where you can see plenty of other-worldly rock formations along the way. There are several trailheads and viewing areas where you can stop to take it all in. Our next activity, the Bell Rock hike, is located about halfway down the byway.
Bell Rock hike
The Bell Rock formation is one of the most iconic in Sedona. To get a glorious view from the top of it, start from the Bell Rock Loop trailhead (not to be confused with the Bell Rock Pathway!). This loop is only about 1 to 1.5 miles long depending on your route. Short length notwithstanding, the ascent up to the top is relatively steep and challenging. You can also choose to extend your hike by continuing around the Courthouse Butte formation.
Lunch at Sedona Beer Company
After working up an appetite again, drive over to the Sedona Beer Company for some tasty pub food. As their name implies, the Sedona Beer Company also brews their own beer onsite. Try a flight of 3 beers for $14 (definitely get the White Russian Stout and thank me later).
After lunch, check out of your hotel and start the 2-hour drive back down to Phoenix. If you’re taking a red-eye flight and have a bit more time, refer to the list below for some more ideas of things to do.
Other ideas if you have more time
- Hiking:
- Soldiers Pass Trail
- Boynton Canyon Trail
- Seven Sacred Pools
- Coffee Pot Rock
- Buddha Beach
- Restaurants:
- Elote Cafe
- The Vault Uptown
- Hideaway House
- Mariposa
- Indian Gardens Cafe & Market
- Cool off at Grasshopper Point Swimming & Picnic Area
- Explore Slide Rock State Park
- Embrace Sedona’s enlightened side! Visit the Center for the New Age, get a psychic or palm reading, or take an outdoor yoga class
- Wander through the nearby village of Oak Creek
- Take a Pink Jeep tour
- Go wine tasting at Page Springs Cellars or Javelina Leap Vineyard
Sedona itinerary packing list
- Hiking boots: For many of the above hikes, I’d recommend wearing hiking boots over normal sneakers to help with traction. The Teva brand boots I have linked are my ride-or-die hiking shoes.
- CamelBak: It’s so much easier to stay hydrated when you have a hands-free straw!
- Sunscreen: An absolute must for any Sedona itinerary. The La Roche-Posay sunscreen I linked is my favorite.
- Sunglasses: These ones are cute and look like Raybans (for much cheaper!).
- Hiking hat: Definitely a bit nerdy, but I’d rather look nerdy than have a sunburned face.
- Tripod: I bring this everywhere. A must for solo trips!
- Warm layers: Believe it or not, the desert does get pretty chilly at night! Having several warm layers handy will keep you comfortable when the sun goes down.
- Headlamp: A headlamp like this is useful if you’ll be doing a sunset hike or some stargazing.
Book a tour in Sedona
Thanks for reading this 2-day Sedona itinerary! For more destination inspiration, check out the rest of my travel guides.
xoxo Niki
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