17 Things to Do in Sedona in Winter (+ Best Winter Hikes!)

Sedona is one of the gems of the American Southwest. A trip to Sedona in winter is an epic idea, and you will find plenty to do despite the cooler temperatures.

In this guide, I discuss the best things to do in Sedona in winter, including bucket-list activities and tours, museums, hiking trails, and more! I also give plenty of seasonal tips to help you manage your weather expectations.

At the end of the guide, I have created a map where you can find the exact locations of any of the attractions and landmarks listed in the guide.

Did I miss anything that you would recommend doing during winter in Sedona? Let me know in the comments!

Winter Weather in Sedona

Does it snow in Sedona during winter? 

The winter season in Sedona starts at the end of November and is pretty moderate. Snowfall is possible during December, January, and February but heavy snowfall tends to be uncommon here (although it is not uncommon to see light dustings during the season).

Sedona sees 11 inches of snow on average annually. Expect freezing temperatures during the night, just like any desert location in the USA. 

Average Winter Temperatures in Sedona

The average winter temperature in Sedona ranges from 40-60F during the day to 11-20F during the night. You can see a breakdown below of the average winter temperatures for December, January, and February.

• Sedona in December: highs around 60F, lows around 34F
• Sedona in January: highs around 60F, lows around 34F
• Sedona in February: highs around 64F, lows around 36F

Best Things to Do in Sedona in Winter 

1. Go Winter Camping in Sedona 

If you are after a one-of-a-kind experience and waking up to mesmerizing views, then you should go winter camping in Sedona. Don’t get me wrong, there are many cool hotels and Airbnbs in Sedona, but there is just something about camping under the stars.

You can find one of the most popular campsites located north of Sedona in the Coconino National Forest in Oak Creek Canyon. It is called the Manzanita Campground and it only allows tent camping.

One of the reasons I love recommending winter camping is that while some find the thought daunting (I get it!), it is a great opportunity to combine stargazing with sleeping in the elements. Arizona has some famously clean skies and stargazing is one of the best activities when you escape the city.

Just note that nights can be quite chilly, so come prepared with zero-degree sleeping bags, insulated jackets, and thermals. You can check with Canyon Outfitters to see if they can fulfill your needs or offer rental options.

2. Get Adventurous on a Canyon ATV Tour

This Sedona Canyon ATV tour is the perfect activity for adrenaline junkies who are keen to discover West Sedona’s beauty onboard an ATV.

The canyon features 100 miles of trails, so your guide will customize your chosen 30-mile trip depending on your interest and skill level.

This 3-hour-long tour will take you to the vistas of Verde Valley and allow you to take in the views of Sedona from the top of 800ft high Skeleton Bone Mountain.

You may get a chance to see an antelope running alongside your ATV during the ride, and don’t be shocked when you get to witness various locations famous for being filming locations in Hollywood movies (there are about 40 of them filmed around here).

>> Click here to check rates and availability for this Canyon ATV Tour

3. Take a Scenic Rim Pink Jeep Tour 

Have you ever wanted to witness postcard-perfect scenery from 2,000 feet up while aboard a pink Jeep Wrangler that could have been pulled straight out of the Barbie movie? These Pink Jeep Tours can help make that happen!

A comfortable and luxurious Jeep Wrangler will take you through impressive terrain to see Sedona’s lowland deserts and Ponderosa pine forests.

There are several tour options with them and you can find the details on their website. They offer short 2-hour tours and even full-day options. You also have the chance to customize your own Jeep adventure.

An onboard guide will help you pinpoint all the significant places and learn more about Sedona’s iconic red rock formations.

4. Shop for Native American Crafts at the Kachina House

Take in the locals’ creativity by visiting the Kachina House. It is one of the best things to do in Sedona at any time of the year… not just in winter!

The museum is home to Native American crafts and art, where you can find plenty of hand-crafted pottery art, antique dolls, jewelry, and artifacts created by the Indigenous people of Arizona and other parts of North America.

In the Kachina House, you can explore their culture and history by witnessing their unique art filled with passion. I collect silver jewelry and always pick up a few pieces when I am in Arizona and this is the ideal place to grab your own souvenir, too. They also offer the most beautiful pottery (handmade and painted) that is worth leaving room in your carry-on for!

5. Check Out the Tlaquepaque Christmas Lights

Looking to truly get into the holiday spirit? You can do so by heading over to Tlaquepaque, an art and shopping village named after the Mexican village Tlaquepaque (“best of everything”).

Witness the village spring to life during several holiday festivities held throughout December, but make sure not to miss the Festival of Lights, a signature winter event held in December each year. Dates tend to pop up right before it occurs, so check out Visit Sedona’s page about the festival in late fall!

This highly anticipated holiday event transforms Tlaquepaque into a real-life fairytale destination as it lights 6,000 luminarias, has lively musical entertainment, free cider, and even a visit from Santa. 

6. Spend Your Night Stargazing in Sedona

If you love starry skies, constellations, and the Milky Way, then this nighttime UFO and stargazing tour should be on your Sedona winter bucket list!

Participants can listen to stories of unexplained phenomena and track nocturnal activities with their UFO guide, or discover strange hovering objects above Sedona by themselves.

You will also be given a chance to wear night vision goggles and see things that your eyes normally wouldn’t be able to get a glimpse of! One of the best things about this UFO and stargazing tour is that it is great for kids and families.

>> Click here to check Sedona UFO and stargazing excursion rates and availability

7. Visit a Spa in Sedona

Sedona is a renowned spa and wellness destination and one of the top things to do in winter is to rejuvenate yourself at one of them! Book a spa day at Mii Amo and indulge in their treatments and mindful options.

If you just can’t get enough and want to head to another spa, check out Namti, a spot that offers high-quality massage therapy, energy healing, medi-spa skin rejuvenation, nail care, and more.

Sedona’s New Day Spa is another must-visit spa center in Sedona that uses organic, wildcrafted, and Indigenous products in all of its restorative facials, body treatments, and spa rituals.

A lot of what I list in this guide is adventurous or outdoorsy, but I think spa days are completely underrated and a great way to spend a vacation!

8. Discover Sedona’s Craft Beer Scene

Your Sedona trip won’t be complete without a visit to some of the area’s best breweries.

Try Nut Brown Ale at Oak Creek Brewing Company to experience the unique taste of Sedona’s oldest craft brewery’s signature beer, or visit the Sedona Beer Company to taste the best beer made from ingredients right from the Verde Valley.

You can also visit Shorebird and Elote Cafe to try local craft beer and get a taste of Sedona’s cuisine while enjoying red rock views in the background. 

9. Go On an Inflatable Kayak Adventure on the Verde River

Enjoy Sedona’s stunning outdoors while floating in comfortable inflatable river kayaks on the Verde River. While this tour is only an early winter or late winter option (it starts back up in mid-February), it is still a great option for adventurers!

The meet-up location for this 5-mile self-guided trip is the Beasley Flats River Access Point parking area, which lasts 2.5-3 hours and is perfect for all skill levels.

Don’t worry about the gear since Verde Adventures provides everything you need. Expect to see the rich wildlife along the way, such as deer, beaver, blue heron, etc.

10. Visit an Award-Winning Sedona Winery 

Your Sedona trip won’t be complete without a visit to Sedona’s award-winning wineries! Feel like a local by visiting Winery 1912, Caduceus Cellars (in Jerome), or Javelina Leap Winery in Cornville and sample the incredible selections of the local winemakers.

If you want to dive even deeper into Sedona’s winemaking heritage and discover it from another perspective, then make sure to take part in a Sedona winery tour!

On this tour, you will make stops at Dancing Apache Road, Javelina Leap, Oak Creek Vineyards, Alcantara, and Cove Mesa (these are subject to change if one is closed). It is an all-day affair so be sure to plan accordingly!

>> Click here to check Sedona winery tour rates and availability

11. Hop Aboard on a Verde Canyon Railroad Trip

Take in the region’s natural and cultural treasures aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad, which offers a 4-hour round-trip train ride through Verde Canyon and Sedona’s rugged wilderness.

The train will ride along the Verde River and you have the chance to book either a vintage train car or an open-air where you will have a 360-degree view of Verde Valley and the surrounding area. This is a family-friendly activity and is wheelchair accessible (service animals are also welcome).

On the journey, you will pass through a century-old, 734-foot tunnel and admire the otherworldly scenery of the Arizona desert, Sinagua cliff dwellings, high-desert flora and fauna, Verde River, and historic mining sites along the way.

>> Click here to check Verde Canyon railroad rates and availability

12. See Sedona from a Bird’s-Eye View on a Helicopter Tour

If you are down to experience the full splendor of Arizona’s desert landscapes, then taking this Desert Thunder helicopter tour is a must!

This scenic air tour will take you through Sedona’s famous red rock formations, where you can get a bird’s-eye view of ancient Anasazi cliff dwellings and more.

Knowledgeable pilots will make your ride an entertaining and educational one, helping you learn more about the area’s rich natural history while you get to marvel at its highlights (from above).

>> Click here to check Sedona helicopter ride rates and availability

13. Visit the Sedona Heritage Museum

The Sedona Heritage Museum offers a true step back in time and the possibility to learn more about the cultural heritage of the famous Arizona city.

The small museum is set inside a former apple farmer’s house, and nearby, you can find a replica tent house and a renovated movie set building.

You will discover the area’s wine-making industry, art history, cowboy life, and orchard industry by taking part in various educational programs and audio tours, or travel back for a moment to Sedona’s movie-making era in the museum’s movie-set building.

Don’t forget to check out the gift shop and enjoy a picnic with a backdrop of the red rocks. It will make for a great souvenir to remind you of your weekend getaway!

14. Hike the Cathedral Rock Trail 

The Cathedral Rock Trail offers another scenic hike that will take you through Sedona’s sweeping scenery.

This is a 1.2-mile heavily trafficked out-and-back trail that is listed as challenging but trust me, the final views of Cathedral Rock and surrounding breathtaking views are well worth the effort!

Just note that if you are planning your hike during the winter months, you need to be well prepared and have sound footing since some of the scrambling points can become slippery. 

15. Take to the Bell Rock Path Trail

The Bell Rock Path Trail is a 3.6-mile heavily trafficked loop trail that offers gorgeous views of Red Rock Country. This moderate trail will reward you with views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, and other landmarks along the way.

A major part of the pathway has a wide and hard surface; just note that the final part has a gradual ascend to the top of Bell Rock which can be pretty challenging.

There will be an observation zone on the west side of Bell Rock.

16. Discover the Boynton Canyon Trail

If you are after one-of-a-kind scenery, then hiking the 7.3-mile Boynton Canyon Trail is a great winter hiking option in Sedona.

As one of 4 famous vortex sites, the moderate Boynton Canyon Trail will take you through a deep box canyon, where you can admire red rock formations, greenery (which may or may not be covered in snow), and wildlife.

The trail is open year-round and offers dramatic scenery changes every season. Expect a mysterious scene during the winter months, when shady parts of the trail are swallowed by thick layers of snow or ice.

Just note that if you decide to go for a hike after winter storm conditions, make sure to dress in extra layers since, unlike sunny desert sections, the shady parts can get very cold.

17. Hike the Soldier Pass Trail

Explore Sedona from another side by hiking, horseback riding, and biking on the Soldier Pass Trail. Located in the Coconino National Forest, Soldier Pass Trail is a moderate 4.3-mile heavily trafficked loop trail.

The trail leads you to Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, takes you past a sinkhole called Devil’s Kitchen, Soldier Pass Cave, and finally to the Seven Sacred Pools.

Sedona Attractions and Landmarks in this Guide (On a Map!)

There are so many cool things to do in Sedona in winter even though many people think to visit during the shoulder seasons.

I hope that this guide details some of the best activities during winter in Sedona. If I missed any – let me know in the comments, please!

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