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Sedona boasts the kind of beauty that stirs the senses and moves the soul
When To Go
Sedona has four temperate seasons and abundant sunshine - summer days usually linger in the low 90s, winters rarely dip below 55 degrees, and fall and spring lay claim to ideal temperatures somewhere in between. As such, spring and fall are considered Sedona's high season, when you can expect the area's highest hotel rates and densest crowds. Of the two, and year-round for that matter, our favorite time to visit is spring when the forest and desert plants are in full bloom. Winter, while still mild, is Sedona's low season, and the best time to score good deals on lodging in the area. However, keep in mind that some years have even seen snow in Sedona, which might be a good thing if you're looking to hit the slopes in Flagstaff's San Francisco Peaks just north of the city, but could put a real wrench in your plans if you were hoping to spend most of your time hiking the trails. You'll find the best bang for your buck in summer - while temperatures can occasionally be quite hot, Sedona's high desert elevation of 4,500 feet makes the climate considerably cooler than in low desert areas like Phoenix and Tucson; you'll find better deals on lodging and have lots of warm, sunny days with low humidity for your outdoor activities. At all time of years, as is typical of desert climate, you can expect fluctuations averaging about 30 degrees between high daytime temperatures and nighttime lows.
Special events
Sedona is also host to more than a dozen annual festivals of interest: Highlights include the Sedona International Film Festival (late February through early March; www.sedonafilmfestival.com), which showcases features and documentaries from around the world; the three-day Sedona Art & Sculpture Walk (late April to early May; www.sedonasculpturewalk.com) featuring sculptures from across the U.S.; and Sedona Jazz on the Rocks (late September; www.sedonajazz.com) which brings top-rate jazz to the city's red rocks.
When To Go
High-season
March–June; September–November
Low-season
December-February
Best bang for your buck
July-August
