Photo by Valentin Wechsler on Unsplash
The 3-day plan, rearranged for 2 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: mild days score highest, and fierce heat or freezing nights cost points. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A red rock canyon northwest of town where the first stretch of trail is wide and fairly flat. You can turn back whenever you like. Check ahead on trailhead parking and any pass you need.
Go when Morning, when the canyon is cool and the trail is quiet.
Local tip Go only as far as feels easy and turn around when you want to. The first mile or so is the gentle part.
A stretch of Oak Creek in the canyon north of town where the water slides over smooth red rock. It fills up quickly, so go early, and check ahead on entry, parking and any shuttle.
Go when Early morning, before the day crowds and before the parking fills.
Local tip The rock is slick, so wear shoes with a grip or water shoes. The water is cold even on a hot day, so bring a towel.
A Spanish-style village of courtyards, fountains and galleries beside Oak Creek, with old sycamore trees for shade. Wander slowly, stop for lunch and let the afternoon stay open.
Go when Late morning, when the courtyards are shaded and the galleries are open.
Local tip Walk in without a plan and follow the courtyards from one to the next. Most of the charm is in the corners.
The Village of Oak Creek and the road north toward town have casual restaurants with views of the rocks, a quiet way to end the trip.
Local tip Ask for a table by a window or on a patio to watch the color fade.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A small chapel built into the red cliffs south of town, with a tall cross set in a wall of glass and views across the valley. The lot is small, so check ahead on parking and go early.
Go when Early morning, when the lot is quiet and the light comes in low across the rock.
Local tip It is a small chapel, so you will be done in under an hour. Walk up slowly and sit for a few minutes at the top.
A low mesa above town with one of the best sunset views in Sedona, looking over the red rock formations on every side. Parking is limited, so check ahead and arrive early.
Go when An hour before sunset (about 6:59 PM), so you can find parking and a seat on the rock.
Local tip Bring a light layer, because the wind picks up once the sun drops. The short loop trail on the mesa is flat and easy.
Uptown has plenty of cafes and sandwich counters within a short walk of each other, so you can pick whatever looks good once you have parked.
Local tip Eat on the early side to miss the lunch rush on the sidewalks.
Hours change, so check before you go.
A shady spot on Oak Creek where the water runs slowly past flat rocks, with Cathedral Rock rising behind it. A short, level walk to the creek is all you need. Check ahead on parking and any pass you need.
Go when Late afternoon, before sunset (about 6:59 PM), when the rock glows behind the creek.
Local tip The creek is shallow and the banks are flat, so find a rock to sit on and stay awhile. Pack out everything you bring.
Slow-cooked meats, tacos, tamales or a plate of green chile, finished with something sweet. A comfortable end to a day by the creek.
Local tip Book ahead on a weekend, and ask about outdoor seating if the evening is mild.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, April to May and September to November are the most comfortable months for a desert trip to Sedona. This plan is built for mid April, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 2 days in Sedona, planned for mid April. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 4.4 to 11.7 miles between its stops, and 16.1 miles in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
4 days from the Grand Canyon to PageAbout 100 miles awayAn easy add-on
5 days in Zion and Bryce CanyonAbout 180 miles away
3 days in Las VegasAbout 210 miles awayOther guides with a page about Sedona. Each one opens in a new tab.
Photo: Don Graham, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo by James A. Molnar on Unsplash
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
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