Month guide · Sedona · United States
Sedona in May
What May is really like in Sedona: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Sedona. Expect average highs of 28°C (82°F), lows of 9°C (48°F), about 2 rainy days and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Warm to hot; hike early and use Oak Creek for cooling off.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 28°C (82°F) / 9°C (48°F)
- Rainy days
- About 2
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Sedona: days average 28°C (82°F) against a yearly average high of 24°C (75°F), and nights fall to about 9°C (48°F). Rain falls on roughly 2 of its 31 days. Compared with April (23°C (73°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 33°C (91°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:23
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:23
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
Spring (March–May). Ideal hiking temperatures, wildflowers and the year's biggest crowds, especially around spring break.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is March at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in March). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Sedona, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Nature · Oak Creek Canyon
West Fork of Oak Creek Trail
Bring shoes you don't mind getting wet, and expect a parking fee at the Call of the Canyon trailhead.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Kids
Nature · West Sedona
Soldier Pass Trail
A moderate trail past the Devil's Kitchen, a large sinkhole, and the Seven Sacred Pools, a chain of rock basins that hold water after rain, continuing to a small arch and cave high on the cliffs.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Uptown Sedona
Red-rock jeep tour
Choose a rough-road tour such as Broken Arrow only if everyone is comfortable with steep, bumpy descents.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Views
- Active
- Iconic
Market · Gallery District
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
Built in the 1970s in the style of a Mexican village under old sycamores by Oak Creek, Tlaquepaque holds galleries, craft shops and restaurants around tiled courtyards and fountains.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Art
- Rainy day
- Free
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 28°C, lows near 9°C and 2 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Sedona?
One of the best months to visit Sedona. The other best months are March–April and September–November. Compare every month.
Sedona in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Sedona?
It is one of the best months to visit Sedona. Warm to hot; hike early and use Oak Creek for cooling off.
+How warm is Sedona in May?
Average highs are around 28°C (82°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sedona in May?
Expect rain on about 2 days of the month, so it is usually dry.