Day Trip To Sedona, Arizona (Easy One Day Guide!)

Sedona is one of the most beautiful cities in Arizona and has secured a spot on the travel bucket list of many.

Extended time here is ideal, there’s an incredible amount of attractions in Sedona, but sometimes a quick trip is the only option. Luckily, a day trip to Sedona from Phoenix or Flagstaff is very doable.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Sedona a handful of times over the years, back when I lived in Phoenix and as an out-of-state visitor, it never gets old.

Below I’ve compiled a Sedona one day itinerary for your day trip. This includes a few options since there are so many wonderful things to do here.

Note: Sedona is small and sees a huge number of visitors. Because of this, crowds, traffic, and limited parking are the norm, especially on weekends and holidays. If possible, avoid a day trip during these peak times. If that’s not an option, I have some tips for handling the crowds at the end of this itinerary.

sunset broken arrow in Sedona Arizona Pink Jeep Tours — Day trip to Sedona, Arizona

Outdoor fountain with large green tree and adobe shopping building in background on sunny day. Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, Sedona, Arizona. — Day trip to Sedona, Arizona

Table of Contents

Day Trip To Sedona Itinerary

Go For A Scenic Drive

The views in Sedona are excellent, so just about any drive will turn scenic, but Red Rock Scenic Byway, a 7.5 mile paved route, is definitely the most famous. It offers views of some of Sedona’s most well-loved sites like Chapel of the Holy Cross and Bell Rock, on top of excellent red rock views. Plus, it’s a quick drive perfect for a short trip.

Oak Creek Canyon Drive, Schnebly Hill Road, and Red Rock Loop are also good options.

Don’t have a car? Or prefer to have someone else do the driving for a bit? Check out Sedona Trolley, which offer West or South Sedona tour options, this is a fun way to see the sights and learn about Sedona with minimal effort.

Red and white mountains in desert with green pines growing up from red dirt in foreground on sunny day. Sedona, Arizona. — Scenic views in Sedona

Unique multi-story chapel with large cross built into the side of red rock mountain in desert. Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona, Arizona. — Scenic views in Sedona

Go For A Hike

Hiking is one of the most popular activities in Sedona and for good reason, the views here are stunning. It may be challenging to squeeze in a hike during your day trip, but if you’re a fan of the outdoors, I think it’s worth it.

Popular trails like Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, and Birthing Cave get really crowded, so I’d skip those on a day trip. It’s best to do these hikes around sunrise, otherwise they’ll eat up a big chunk of your day due to crowds.

Fay Canyon, Sugarloaf Trail, Doe Mountain, Slim Shady & Made In The Shade Loop are examples of shorter trails that should be less crowded.

There’s tons of beauty here and countless hiking trails, so you’ll have no shortage of great options.

Note: Also consider doing a hike in the late afternoon or early evening to mitigate crowds.

Woman smiling at camera with large agave plant in foreground and red rock spires in background during early morning. Cathedral Rock Trail, Sedona, Arizona. — Early morning hiking in Sedona

Option 1: Walk The Shops In Uptown

Next, browse the shops in the Uptown area. In Uptown, you’ll find a line of popular shops along Arizona 89A, these are primarily souvenir shops, crystal shops, and art galleries.

My favorite stores were the crystal shops just a block off the main shopping area. Whether or not you have an interest in purchasing, the shops are really interesting to see.

Mixed in with the shops are restaurants and cafes for those getting hungry. Just be aware, this area gets really crowded so you’ll need to be patient when dining out. If you’re extra hungry, grab a bite somewhere else (like Oak Village or West Sedona, depending which direction you’re coming from), before heading into the main tourist area.

Tip: In Uptown you’ll also find Sedona Arts Center which has fine arts displays, workshops, special exhibits, and events. If you have the time, it’s definitely worth stopping by.

Option 2: Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

If you like the idea of shopping but would rather skip Uptown, head to Tlaquepaque Shopping Village instead. The outdoor shopping center is home to southwestern shops, cafes, live music, and tons of photo-worthy spots.

This is a great place to find unique gifts or trinkets and kill a few hours during the hot afternoon.

As with Uptown, Tlaquepaque Shopping Village has dining options that can get crowded. Grab a bite elsewhere if you’d rather not wait.

Courtyard with desert plants in front of adobe building and church surrounded by large green tree. Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, Sedona, Arizona. — Tlaquepaque Shopping Village

Watch The Sunset

To wrap up your day in Sedona, catch a sunset from one of the city’s most beautiful overlooks, Airport Mesa. There’s a viewpoint right off the parking area, or Airport Mesa Trail is a short route to another great vantage point. Either way, you won’t have the place to yourself, but the incredible views here are worth it for many.

While Airport Mesa is much-loved for good reason, there are plenty of additional sunset spots like Bell Rock, Dry Creek Vista, Doe Mountain, Chapel of the Holy Cross, or Broken Arrow, for example.

It’s also worth considering a sunset tour with Pink Jeep Tours. The Broken Arrow tour at sunset is excellent, providing stunning views in a fun setting. Plus you’ll have a guide providing lots of information about Sedona. Popular routes (like Broken Arrow at sunset) sell out, so be sure to book well in advance at Pink Jeep Tours.

Group of friends smiling and posing for camera in front of red rock mountains during sunset. Pink Jeep Tours, Broken Arrow Route at sunset, Sedona, Arizona. — Pink Jeep Tours – Broken Arrow at sunset

Pink jeep riding steep slick red rock with red rock mountains in background at sunset. Pink Jeep Tours, Broken Arrow Route at sunset, Sedona, Arizona. — Pink Jeep Tours – Broken Arrow at sunset

Additional Things To Do In Sedona

If you have more time, or wish to skip something on the above itinerary, consider some of these additional things to do in Sedona:

Visit Slide Rock State Park.
Go wine tasting at a local vineyard.
Visit a vortex site or join a vortex tour.
Stop by Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park.
Join a yoga class.
Stick around for stargazing (this is an International Dark Sky Community!)

For more ideas, check out The Most Iconic Things To Do In Sedona or Things To Do In Sedona Besides Hiking.

Tips For Avoiding Crowds In Sedona

As I’ve previously mentioned, Sedona can get really crowded. The small city sees over 3 million annual visitors, making it one of the most visited places in Arizona. As a result, crowds and traffic are inevitable.

All of that said, Sedona is a place of extreme beauty. I think it’s worth navigating the crowds to witness this incredible city.

These are a few tips to help mitigate crowds in Sedona:

Avoid visiting over weekends and holidays.
Visit in the off-season (winter).
Start your day early or plan for activities in the late afternoon / early evening.
Have a plan for parking, and walk whenever possible.
If planning to do some of the most popular hikes, utilize the free Sedona Shuttle.
Book small group tours, this way some one else can navigate traffic for you. And in some cases, tours will take you off the beaten path.
Make dining reservations in advance.
Most important: set appropriate expectations, pack your patience, and bring a good attitude.

For more, check out these additional Tips For Avoiding Crowds In Popular Destinations.

Hot air balloon rising up from desert surrounding by greenery with red mesa in background during cloudless sunrise. Devils Bridge Hiking Trail, Sedona, Arizona. — Sunrise in Sedona

Sedona Hotels

If you’re planning to spend the night, below are some highly rated and centrally located hotels in Sedona:

L’Auberge de Sedona (Uptown)
El Portal Sedona Hotel (Uptown)
Ambiente Sedona (Uptown)
Sedona Village Lodge (Village of Oak Creek)

For lots more ideas and information, head over to The Best Hotels In Sedona, Arizona.

Getting To Sedona

By Car

Most will arrive to Sedona via car.

From Phoenix, Sedona is about a 2 hours (115 miles) north via I-17 and AZ-179. The route is easy, scenic, and direct.

From Flagstaff, Sedona is about a 45 minute drive (30 miles) south on US-89A. Again, the route is pretty straight forward and scenic. It’s especially beautiful through Oak Creek Canyon.

Shuttle

There is no public transportation to Sedona, but there is a private shuttle company, Groome Transportation. They have routes connecting Sedona to Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Phoenix, and more.

Seats need to be reserved well in advance at Groome Transportation.

If you’re coming to Sedona without a car, keep in mind, your itinerary options will be limited. Unfortunately, Sedona is easiest to explore by car. Without a vehicle you’ll be limited to smaller areas or you’ll need to rely on tours.

There are taxis and Ubers in Sedona, although they are limited.

Woman smiling for camera in front of red rock mountain with lower portion of mountain covered in green evergreen pines on sunny evening. Pink Jeep Tours, Broken Arrow Route at sunset, Sedona, Arizona. — Broken Arrow – Sedona

As you can see, there are so many great things to do with one day in Sedona. I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your day trip and have the best time!

Any questions? Please leave a comment below or reach out on social media.

Looking for more ideas? Below are additional Arizona and US Southwest guides.

Day Trip To Sedona, Arizona (Easy One Day Guide!)