Travel tips · Sedona · United States
Sedona travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Terrydarc, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Sedona mixes a ranching and orchard past, decades as a backdrop for Hollywood Westerns, a strong arts community and a New Age culture built around 'vortex' sites that some visitors believe concentrate spiritual energy. The surrounding land was home to the Sinagua people, and Yavapai and Apache communities live in the Verde Valley today.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink; carry at least 2–3 litres per person on hikes.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Stay on marked trails and avoid stepping on cryptobiotic soil, the dark crust that protects the desert from erosion.
- Do not build or add to rock cairns, which can mislead other hikers about the route.
- Never touch or climb on cliff dwellings and rock art; oils from skin damage pictographs.
- Pack out all rubbish, including fruit peel, and use restrooms before heading out.
- Respect quiet at vortex sites, where some visitors meditate.
- Book Red-rock jeep tour ahead: Popular tours sell out at weekends and in spring and autumn; book a few days ahead.
- Book Palatki Heritage Site ahead: Visits require a reservation in advance; book by phone or online before you drive out.
- Stay in Cottonwood or the Village of Oak Creek for noticeably lower hotel rates than Uptown.
Tipping
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, 15–20% for jeep-tour and hiking guides, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Vortex | A site believed by some to concentrate spiritual energy |
| Red Rock Pass | Parking permit needed at many national forest trailheads |
| Slickrock | Smooth, wind-worn sandstone you often hike on |
What to wear
Wear proper hiking shoes with good grip for slickrock, layers for big temperature swings between day and night, a hat and sunscreen. Bring water shoes for Oak Creek.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink; carry at least 2–3 litres per person on hikes.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good in town but patchy in canyons and on some trails; most hotels and cafés have Wi-Fi.
- Time zone
- America/Phoenix
Heat, dehydration and falls on steep slickrock cause most trail rescues, so start early, carry plenty of water and turn back if a scramble feels beyond you. During monsoon storms, keep out of washes and Oak Creek, which can flood suddenly, and watch for rattlesnakes in warm months.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Sedona?
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, 15–20% for jeep-tour and hiking guides, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.
+Can you drink the tap water in Sedona?
Tap water is safe to drink; carry at least 2–3 litres per person on hikes.
+What plugs are used in Sedona?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Sedona?
English.