How many days · Sedona · United States
How many days do you need in Sedona?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ken Thomas, Public domain
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Sedona, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days allows two or three hikes, a jeep tour and sunset at Airport Mesa. A third day adds Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock or Palatki's cliff dwellings; with four or five, add Jerome, Montezuma Castle or a long day at the Grand Canyon.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 9.8 h (Dec) to 14.5 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Cathedral Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Devil's Bridge and Red-rock jeep tour |
| 2 days | Good | Red-rock jeep tour, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte and Red Rock State Park |
| 3 days | Ideal | Slide Rock State Park, Airport Mesa and West Fork of Oak Creek Trail |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Grand Canyon South Rim |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Grand Canyon South Rim and Jerome |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Sedona add up to roughly 19–29 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Slide Rock State Park (2–4 hours), West Fork of Oak Creek Trail (2–4 hours) and Devil's Bridge (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Cathedral Rock | 1.5–2 hours | Village of Oak Creek |
| Chapel of the Holy Cross | 30–45 minutes | SR 179 |
| Devil's Bridge | 2–3 hours | West Sedona |
| Red-rock jeep tour | 2–3 hours | Uptown Sedona |
| Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte | 1–2.5 hours | Village of Oak Creek |
| Red Rock State Park | 2 hours | West Sedona |
| Slide Rock State Park | 2–4 hours | Oak Creek Canyon |
| Airport Mesa | 1 hour | West Sedona |
| West Fork of Oak Creek Trail | 2–4 hours | Oak Creek Canyon |
| Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village | 1–2 hours | Gallery District |
| Soldier Pass Trail | 2–3 hours | West Sedona |
| Palatki Heritage Site | 1.5–2 hours | Red Canyon |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Cathedral Rock and Chapel of the Holy Cross |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Grand Canyon South Rim and Jerome |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.8 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14.5 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Sedona with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | About 161 km | 4 days |
| Las Vegas | About 338 km | 4 days |
| Salt Lake City | About 655 km | 3 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Sedona?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days allows two or three hikes, a jeep tour and sunset at Airport Mesa. A third day adds Oak Creek Canyon and Slide Rock or Palatki's cliff dwellings; with four or five, add Jerome, Montezuma Castle or a long day at the Grand Canyon.
+Is a week too long in Sedona?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Grand Canyon South Rim and Jerome.