United States, North America
The best time to visit Sedona
Red rock country at 4,350 feet: warm when the desert is cool, and crowded when everyone else figures that out.
- Best months
- Mar to Apr and Oct to Nov
- Think twice
- Jul
- Quietest
- January
- Cheapest
- January
The straight answer
The best time to visit Sedona is March through May or late September through November, when highs sit in the 60s to 80s F, the trails are comfortable, and summer's heat and monsoon storms are out of the picture.
Go in spring or fall. Sedona sits at about 4,350 feet, high enough that spring and fall days are ideal for hiking the red rock trails, with highs from the 60s into the low 80s F (about 16C to 28C). Late October into early November adds fall color in Oak Creek Canyon, one of the best-kept secrets in Arizona.
The problem is that spring is also Sedona's busiest season. March and April bring spring breakers, weekend visitors from Phoenix, and full trailhead lots at Cathedral Rock, Devil's Bridge, and Soldier Pass by 8am. Fall is almost as pleasant and noticeably calmer, which makes October the smartest single month to go.
Summer is hot, with highs in the mid 90s F (about 35C) and occasional 100F days, and the monsoon, roughly July to mid September, brings afternoon lightning that makes exposed ridges dangerous. Winter is mild by most standards, with highs in the upper 50s F (about 14C), clear air, and the occasional snow on the red rocks. It is the quietest and cheapest season and underrated for hiking.
Sedona, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryGoodCool, highs near 57F (14C), cold nights, occasional snowQuiet trails and low rates. Snow on the red rocks is rare and spectacular; mornings are frosty.Hotels for January →CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryGoodMild, highs near 60F (16C)Comfortable hiking and the Sedona International Film Festival late in the month. Crowds start building.Hotels for February →CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchBestPleasant, highs near 65F (18C)Excellent weather and peak crowds with spring breaks. Book lodging early and start hikes at dawn.Hotels for March →CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilBestWarm, highs near 73F (23C), dryArguably the best weather of the year and the busiest trailheads. Wildflowers after wet winters.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayGoodWarm, highs near 82F (28C), very dryStill great in the mornings; afternoons get hot by late month. Crowds ease after spring break season.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneTradeoffsHot, highs near 93F (34C), bone dryHot and very dry, the most fire-prone month. Hike at sunrise, swim at Slide Rock, and rest in the afternoon.CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyThink twiceHot, highs near 96F (36C), monsoon stormsPeak heat plus monsoon lightning and flash flood risk. The least comfortable month to hike.CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustTradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 93F (34C), afternoon stormsThe monsoon brings dramatic skies and green hillsides, but afternoons are for staying off exposed ridges.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberGoodWarm, highs near 88F (31C), storms fadingThe heat breaks and the monsoon fades as the month goes on. The second half is the start of prime season.Hotels for September →CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberBestPleasant, highs near 77F (25C), cool nightsThe best balance of weather and crowds. Sedona Plein Air Festival brings painters to the red rocks.Hotels for October →CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberBestMild, highs near 65F (18C)Oak Creek Canyon color peaks in early November in most years. Busy around Thanksgiving, calm otherwise.Hotels for November →CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberGoodCool, highs near 57F (14C), cold nightsQuiet and clear, with holiday lights at Tlaquepaque. Christmas week fills hotels.Hotels for December →CrowdsPrice
Book Sedona for March.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for March
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in SedonaOpens a hotel search for Sedona in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in SedonaWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in SedonaTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Sedona for March. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Sedona
The red rocks
Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and dozens of other formations glow red and orange, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Hiking for every level
Hundreds of miles of trails, from easy loops to scrambles like Cathedral Rock, sit minutes from town in the Coconino National Forest.
Dark skies
Sedona is an International Dark Sky Community, which keeps the stargazing strong just outside town.
A Grand Canyon pairing
The South Rim is about two and a half hours north, and the drive through Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff is one of Arizona's great scenic roads.
Things to do, and when to do them
Cathedral Rock
A short, steep scramble to a saddle with huge views. Go at sunrise and use the free Sedona Shuttle where it serves the trailhead.
Devil's Bridge
Sedona's largest natural arch and most popular hike. Expect a line for the photo; weekday dawn is best.
Slide Rock State Park
A natural water slide in Oak Creek, best in summer and extremely busy on warm weekends. Arrive early.
Red Rock State Park
Easy trails along Oak Creek with views of Cathedral Rock and ranger-led walks.
Chapel of the Holy Cross
A chapel built into the red rocks in 1956, with views across the valley. Parking is limited.
Airport Mesa sunset
The classic sunset spot over West Sedona. Parking fills early; walk the loop trail instead of fighting for the overlook.
Verde Canyon Railroad
A scenic train through a canyon near Clarkdale, about 30 minutes from Sedona.
Montezuma Castle
Remarkably preserved cliff dwellings about 30 minutes south of Sedona.
Events and seasons worth planning around
Sedona International Film Festival
Late February into early March
A week of independent films and filmmaker talks.
Monsoon season
Roughly July to mid September
Afternoon thunderstorms, lightning, and flash floods in washes. Hike early and get off ridges by noon.
Sedona Plein Air Festival
About a week in mid to late October
Painters work outdoors around the red rocks, with exhibitions and events hosted by Sedona Arts Center.
Oak Creek Canyon fall color
Late October to mid November
Maples, sycamores, and cottonwoods turn along the creek, best at West Fork trail.
Beat the crowds
- Start hikes at sunrise. Popular trailheads like Cathedral Rock, Soldier Pass, and Devil's Bridge fill early on busy days.
- Use the free Sedona Shuttle to reach the busiest trailheads instead of circling for parking.
- Visit midweek in October or November for the best weather with far fewer people than spring.
- Head to quieter trails like Boynton Canyon's side trails, Fay Canyon, or the Brins Mesa area to escape the busiest routes.
Open or closed
- Many trailheads on national forest land require a Red Rock Pass or a federal interagency pass to park.
- Some trails and parking areas close temporarily after heavy rain, during fire restrictions, or when lots are full.
- Slide Rock State Park is open year-round but gets extremely busy in summer; it can close when capacity is reached or when water quality issues arise.
- Summer fire restrictions in the Coconino National Forest can limit campfires and some activities, typically in late spring before the monsoon.
With kids in tow
- Kids love Slide Rock in summer, the easy trails at Red Rock State Park, and a Jeep tour on the rough back roads.
- Bring more water than you think, even in spring, and sun protection; the high desert sun is intense.
- Keep young kids away from steep scrambles like the top of Cathedral Rock; the slickrock gets steep fast.
- For homeschool families, late fall weekdays offer quiet trails and lessons in geology, desert ecology, and ancient cliff dwellings at Montezuma Castle.
Getting there
- Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is about two hours south by car and has the most flights; Flagstaff (FLG) is about 45 minutes north with limited service.
- From Texas, fly nonstop to Phoenix from Dallas, Houston, or Austin, then drive north on Interstate 17.
- A car is the easiest way to get around. The free Sedona Shuttle serves popular trailheads, and shuttle services connect to Phoenix airport.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Sedona for the holidays
Holiday and school-break weeks where Sedona makes our ranked list.
Presidents' Day Weekend
February
The peak of the ski season and the Caribbean high season in the same week. Pick your warm or your snow early, or pick the week after.
Spring Break
March, April
The week the whole country goes somewhere warm at the same time. Pick the right warm, or pick a different week.
Fall Break
October
The best-weather week of the school year, if you pick the right place. Leaf peepers, desert hikers, and the smart European shoulder season.
Thanksgiving
November
The busiest travel days in America wrapped around one of the best-value weeks abroad. Fly on the right day and go somewhere that is not having a holiday.
Sedona timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Sedona?
October: warm days, cool nights, no monsoon storms, and fewer crowds than March and April. April is equally beautiful but much busier.
How hot is Sedona in summer?
Highs are typically in the mid 90s F (about 35C), with occasional 100F days in June and July. Hike at sunrise and plan cool activities for the afternoon.
When is monsoon season in Sedona?
Roughly July to mid September. Expect afternoon thunderstorms, lightning, and flash floods in washes and canyons.
What is the cheapest time to visit Sedona?
January and mid summer. Winter brings cool weather and quiet trails, while summer is hot but lodging rates drop.
When is Sedona most crowded?
March and April, especially during spring break weeks and weekends, followed by October and the Thanksgiving holiday.
Does it snow in Sedona?
Occasionally, usually a light dusting a few times in winter that melts quickly. Snow on the red rocks is one of the most photogenic sights in Arizona.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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