Sedona Travel Guide: Red Rock Views, Things to Do and Where to Stay

Our Sedona stay brought together Tlaquepaque, golden hour near Schnebly Hill Road, short red-rock walks and an evening around the hotel's fire pit.

Sponsored by Aiden by Best Western.

We spent this Sedona trip mixing short walks around the red rocks with time in town, and I loved that combination. We explored Tlaquepaque, went out near Schnebly Hill Road for golden-hour photographs and spent time around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Then we had the hotel to come back to, including a really quiet evening around the fire pit under the stars.

Getting oriented

State Route 179 approaches from the south through red rock country, while State Route 89A connects Sedona with Oak Creek Canyon to the north. The local route guide can help you plan your arrival.

Group nearby stops together instead of driving back and forth across town. Stop only in permitted parking areas along scenic roads.

Things to do on a first visit

One of my favorite stops was near the lower parking area on Schnebly Hill Road. We parked there and walked out to explore, rather than driving farther up the rough road. A lot of the photographs from this trip came from that evening. The golden-hour light was beautiful, and we did not need a long drive up the mountain to enjoy it.

We also drove toward Bell Rock, walked around that area and Courthouse Butte, and visited the church set into the red rocks. These were shorter outings for us, not a claim that we completed every trail around those landmarks.

For a walk, check the distance, elevation and terrain before choosing a trail. Red Rock State Park is another option to explore.

Leave room for Sedona’s shops, galleries and restaurants too. A break in town can fit nicely between outdoor activities. Browse local things to do for ideas.

Sedona beyond the trails

Art is a reason to spend time in Sedona even if hiking is not on your schedule. Galleries are spread through Uptown and West Sedona, with another concentration along State Route 179 known as Gallery Row. The local arts guide can help you choose a part of town to explore rather than trying to visit them all.

We loved walking through Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. The cobblestone paths, arches and buildings made it such a beautiful place to explore between the little shops. It was a different part of Sedona from being out on the trails, and I was glad we made time for both.

We walked around the Uptown shops as well and went to happy hour at 89Agave Cantina, which I absolutely loved. That mix of town time, food and getting out for photographs was really what this visit was about.

If you are deciding between a day trip and a longer stay, think about whether you want both hiking and time in town. A single day can work for a chosen walk and a meal. An overnight stay lets you spend another part of the trip exploring galleries or Oak Creek Canyon without fitting everything between the drive in and the drive home.

Preparing for a hike

Stay on established routes, protect the vegetation and keep back from drop-offs. Plan the return before dark if you are out for sunset.

Parking, shuttles and passes

The city’s Trailhead Shuttles offer free service to selected trailheads. Check routes, operating days and return times for your chosen hike.

The Red Rock Pass applies at designated recreation sites. Other places, including state parks, have separate arrangements.

Bring water and check weather and closures before heading out.

Our trip sponsor: Aiden by Best Western

Aiden by Best Western Sedona is at 2545 W Highway 89A in West Sedona.

You can browse rooms and plan your stay through the hotel link above. Keep its West Sedona location in mind as you map out your hikes, meals and time in town.

The hotel was very nice. We enjoyed the pool, and they even had massage chairs, which was a fun surprise. There was a restaurant right in the parking-lot area, so we could walk over for lunch or dinner without getting back in the car.

One night the staff came out and turned on the outdoor fire pit for us. We all sat around it late in the evening, looking up at the stars. It was super quiet and such a nice way to finish the day. That is one of the things I remember most about staying there.