Guide to Visiting Sedona in Winter: Everything You Need to Know
If you're planning a winter trip to Sedona, Arizona, this guide covers everything you need to know — weather, what to pack, where to hike, where to eat, and where to stay. My husband and I spent our honeymoon here the week of Christmas, which raised more than a few eyebrows from people expecting us to be on a beach somewhere.
It remains one of the best trips we've ever taken. Winter in Sedona is a vibe: crisp mornings, empty trails, and afternoons warm enough for a t-shirt if you're moving. As a Fora travel advisor who helps clients plan Southwest trips, it's one of the destinations I find myself recommending most for the cooler months.
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Our Experience Visiting Sedona in Winter
My husband and I took what most would consider a pretty non-traditional honeymoon. Instead of heading to a tropical beach to relax by a pool on a resort with hundreds of other newlyweds, we packed our bags and headed west to Arizona. To make it even more interesting, we opted to go the week of Christmas, and honestly it is still one of the best vacations we’ve ever taken together.
Visiting Sedona in the winter was incredible - the weather was on the cooler side but still mild. And honestly, the cold morning were well worth the tradeoff for t-shirt worthy afternoons this time of year.
With our visit in winter, we got all of the Sedona charm without the massive crowds that flock to this wellness and outdoors destination in peak seasons. For us that meant less traffic on both the streets and the trails - a major win if you ask me.
What to Expect in Sedona in Winter
Weather
Winter weather in Sedona is characterized by fairly mild temperatures. Expect chilly evenings and cold mornings with temps dropping to the mid to low 30's overnight paired with daytime temperatures in the 50s-60s (sometimes even hitting 70).
Does it Snow in Sedona?
Sedona’s desert climate means mostly sunny days all winter long but Sedona does occasionally get snow… turning into SNOWDONA. The contrast of the white snow against the vibrant red rocks in pure magic.
If it does snow, it generally melts fairly quickly and main roads and highways are kept clear making travel and driving not much of an issue. Of course there can always be exceptions to this so use caution and always check conditions before heading out!
Parking & Shuttles
Parking
One of the benefits of visiting in winter means that there is typically ample parking at trailheads. Some trailheads, operated by the USFS, require a parking permit. More information on parking passes including cost, how to get one and sites that require them can be found here. Visitors who have an America the Beautiful or other interagency passes may utilize those as well.
Shuttles
Sedona’s trailhead shuttle system operates year-round Thursday-Sunday. This free shuttle system connects visitors to popular trailheads and there is no reservation required. You can find out more including route details and operating hours here.
What to Pack For A Winter Trip in Sedona
Winter in Sedona is all about layers! Chilly mornings and evenings call for a mid-weight jacket (think Patagonia Nanopuff) while daytime highs are perfect for a flannel or long sleeve shirt. Here’s what I’d be sure to pack if I were headed on a winter trip to Sedona:
Base layers - think wool or synthetic fabrics that will wick moisture
Wool socks - if you don’t plan to do any hiking you miiiight be able to pass on this one but wool socks, like Darn Tough are my favorite for hiking year round.
Light layers - you’ll want to peel off your jacket and other layers as you get moving, be sure to have a tee-shirt or something light!
Mid Layers - think flannels, sweaters and fleece
Pants
Beanie & Gloves for early mornings
Warm Jacket like a Patagonia Nanopuff
Boots - I’m not talking heavy duty snowshoeing boots, but for somewhere like Sedona I found myself wearing either my hiking boots or something like Blundstones all week.
Sunscreen, yes even in winter!
For those to plan to hike:
Day pack with plenty of room to shed those morning layers
Hydration bladder like a Camelbak - the weather is still dry, I found even with cooler temps I still drank more water while hiking here than I normally would on the East Coast.
Microspikes - We did not find that we needed them at all during our visit but you may find that shady spots on trails may be icy.
Winter Activities In Sedona
Sedona is known as an outdoor recreation and wellness mecca of sorts. Here’s a taste of what to do in the winter in Sedona
Take a Hike: Winter is a great time for hiking in Sedona with the cooler, pleasant daytime temps. I honestly can’t imagine doing some of the more exposed hikes in the summer heat. For a round up of my top 8 hikes in Sedona, click here. This is how we spent the majority of our time!
Mountain Bike - this isn’t my thing, but Sedona offers world class trails if this is your vibe.
Experience a vortex - Some say winter is the best time for for a vortex experience. With fewer crowds at the main vortex sites, you can have a more personal, soulful experience. Don’t expect it to feel like low-level electro-shock therapy, you’ll walk away disappointed. I found the vortex sites we visited to be peaceful and perfect for a meditation session. Popular vortex sites include the Airport Mesa Vortex, Cathedral Rock & Bell Rock.
Go off-road on with Jeep Tours - These are one of the most popular ways for visitors to see Sedona's landscape and perfect for families with littles or travelers with mobility issues who may not be up for a full-day hike. Guided Jeep tours take riders on an off-road adventure though desert canyons and red rock landscapes. Pink Jeep Tours is a popular tour company, offering multiple route options. Or, check out A Day In the West — the oldest family-owned Jeep tour company in Arizona, offering private tours and horseback riding combos.
Enjoy a Spa Day — Sedona is known for its world-class spas. We loved our massage at The Wilde. If you are up for a splurge, check out one of these acclaimed spas:
Mii Amo Spa at Enchantment Resort — Voted #1 Domestic Spa for 2025 by Travel + Leisure, Mii Amo offers unique experiences like chakra balancing, intuitive massage, and "inner quest" sessions alongside more traditional treatments. This is a bucket-list property for spa travelers.Velvet Spa at Ambiente — Recognized by Elle Magazine, Velvet Spa offers sound journeys and experiential spaces that feel entirely unique to this setting.
Take Flight on a Hot Air Balloon Ride —See Sedona from the air, a unique perspective that view others get to experience. There are two vendors that offer hot air balloon rides — Red Rock Balloon Adventure and Northern Light Balloon. Both only flight at sunrise due to weather and conditions, so plan accordingly. This peaceful way to see the Sedona landscape seems totally worth the early wake up call.
Take a Drive — The Red Rock Scenic Byway is a 7.5 mile stretch of stunning scenery featuring red rock formations and plenty of overlooks to take it all in. The drive itself only takes about 30 minutes, but I would recommend allocating a full afternoon so you have ample time to stop off at each view point.
Go Stargazing — Sedona is one of only twenty certified Dark Sky Communities in the world. What does this mean? They have made concerted efforts to reduce light pollution, meaning no bright lights, which is better for the environment but also has the added benefit for fantastic opportunities for viewing the night sky. Grab some hot cocoa and a blanket and head west out of Sedona to Dry Creek Road for some of the best views. Or take an expert-led tour.
Take a train ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad — Relax in a vintage train car as you follow along the Verde River. Along the route, you'll pass cliff dwellings, historic mining sites, and more. In the winter months, Verde Canyon Railroad offers holiday train rides.
Shopping — Sedona is not a seasonal town that “shuts down” in winter, local businesses remain open though some shops and restaurants may have reduced hours. In Downtown Sedona you'll find traditional souvenir shops and crystal stores. For something a little different, head to Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village — a historic shopping center fashioned after a traditional Mexican village. Here you'll find art galleries, clothing boutiques and other unique spots.
Dining — Winter can be a great time to snag a reservation a popular spots that are harder to get into in high season.
Hiking In Winter
Hiking is one of the most popular winter activities in Sedona. Popular trails are less crowded and daytime temps are incredible pleasant making it a great time to hit the trail. Keep in mind, winter months bring chilly temperatures in the morning, with warmer day so pack plenty of layers, moisture wicking fabrics, water, sunscreen and snacks. Below are a few day hike suggestions, for a round up of my top 8 hiking trails in Sedona, click here.
Cathedral Rock Trail: One of the most popular trails in Sedona, leading to a natural sandstone butte. The short but sweet ascent takes you to mythical, towering spires that inspired the landmark's name.
Bell Rock: Another super popular trail, we found to be busy even in the winter. The short trail leads you to the bast of Bell Rock, with stunning panoramic views of Sedona.
West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon: We nearly had this trail all to ourselves during our winter visit. It's a nice stroll along the canyon floor. Heads up! There are several stream crossings, be sure to wear appropriate footwear.
Devil’s Bridge: This is easily one of the most photographed hikes in Sedona, so you may have to wait in line for the iconic photo of the arch, even in the winter months.
More Arizona Travel Guides
Where to Stay in Sedona
Whether your are looking for a luxurious wellness retreat or exploring on a budget, Sedona has options at every price point. These Sedona hotels are consistently are consistently well reviewed by my clients:
💸💸💸💸 Enchantment
💸💸💸💸 Ambiente
View from Mariposa
Where to Eat in Sedona, AZ
Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill — One of Sedona's most celebrated restaurants, Mariposa is perched on a hillside with sweeping red rock views. This is the splurge pick — make a reservation well in advance even in winter.
Javelina Cantina - A great casual Mexican restaurant. There’s nothing better then a bowl of queso after a long day of hiking.
Secret Garden Cafe - A great option for breakfast & lunch especially if you’re looking for something a little on the lighter or healthier side.
Pump House Station - Holy breakfast burrito. We would have gotten breakfast here everyday if we’d known about it sooner.
Getting to Sedona, AZ
✈️ Flying
Most visitors opt to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX). At just over a 2-hour drive, it the closest international airport. PHX is an American Airlines hub and has with direct flights from most major airports in the US.
Flagstaff Airport (FLG) is the closest small commercial airport to Sedona, and offers direct flights from Phoenix, Denver and Dallas. This airport is located about a 40-minute, scenic drive from Sedona.
🚗 Rental Car
Do you need a rental car when visiting Sedona? I would highly recommend it! Not only will the be your best bet from getting to Sedona from your preferred airport, the town itself is fairly spread out. Additionally, most trailheads are located in areas outside of the city proper, requiring a vehicle to easily access them. Trying to Uber to/from these locations wouldn’t be advisable.
Hi, I’m Jess
I’m here to help you plan epic adventures. If you’re looking for authentic travel guides that mix luxe lodging and incredible dining with out of this world hikes and adventures, you’re in the right place.
