You’re headed out to Sedona soon and looking for all the information you can? Check out these 9 tips for Hiking in Sedona! Sedona is one of the most amazing hiking spots in North America. This fact makes it a very popular vacation destination so if you’re looking for the best time possible then you need to arrive prepared! There are hundreds of hikes in Sedona, some hidden and some very popular ones. Here are my tips for Hiking in Sedona so you have an amazing hiking trip!
Sedona Tips
1. Sedona is popular year round, there are very few times during the year where Sedona isn’t packed full of tourists. If you’re looking for the down season it is definitely the hottest months of the year. Sedona is most popular from September through the 1st week of December and March through May. If I had a choice I’d go hiking in Sedona in the winter. Its slightly chilly, not as HOT, and you have a chance to hike in Snowdona; which is a bucket list item for me. The white snow on the orange rocks is magical. I highly suggest avoiding the summer months because it is incredibly hot.
2. The Best Time to start hiking each day is BEFORE SUNRISE. I’m not joking, leave your hotel or airbnb and be at the trail head right before sunrise. You get the most out of your entire daylight and beat the crowds.
3. When organizing your trip I definitely recommend putting your more popular hikes as the first thing in the morning – you beat the crowds & get a closer parking spot. When I was in Sedona recently, there was easily an additional 1 mile hike on the Devils Bridge hike because peoples cars were lined up along the road.
4. Do you plan on experiencing Sunset at the top of a rock like Cathedral or Devils Bridge? Make sure you leave immediately as the sun sets to take advantage of the golden hour afterwards & bring a strong light because you’ll be hiking back in the dark otherwise.
5. You need a red rock pass. It can be bought in town at the rangers office – weekly or daily.
6. Pack a high protein snack and more water then you think you need. A gatorade or pack of electrolyes like Liquid IV or Pedialyte doesn’t hurt either. I keep a pack of Liquid IV on me at all times because its saved me more then once. Replacing the water you sweat out isn’t always enough, sometimes you also need to replace the electrolytes.
7. Wear solid boots and consider bringing hiking poles. Boots with traction matter because many of the hikes require some scrambling and solid hiking boots with ankle support will save your feet and let you keep going the whole trip. The hiking sticks below are what I bought and used for Sedona. Even just using one was helpful on the long days where I was going on multiple hikes a day. I am an amazon affiliate. Clicking the link below earns me a commission if you decide to purchase them. It costs you nothing more but I want to be fully transparent.
8. Bring a hat & wear sunscreen. Even if you’re hiking in the winter its super sunny in Sedona.
9. Leave no trace and pack in what you bring with you.
Have a great time!
