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Sweeping through the majestic desert, you’ll find an oasis of red rock shimmering above the city. Whether you’re spiritual, want to try out the famous Slide Rock State Park, or want to hike around some gorgeous red rocks, Sedona is one of the most incredible places in America – perhaps even the world.
If you’re new to the gorgeous land that is Sedona, you might feel a little lost when it comes to where to stay for your trip. Here is a comprehensive list of which neighborhoods in Sedona are the best areas to stay.
Uptown Sedona – Best Area for Shorter Stays
Because Sedona is positioned in one straight line across Highway 89A, there technically isn’t a town center. However, set right in the middle of all the action, you’ll find the fantastic mile radius of Uptown Sedona, which is the heart of Sedona.
Uptown is the hot spot in Sedona. Positioned squarely in the middle of everything, Uptown is a mile radius of everything a visitor could want or need. There are great restaurants, shops, galleries, cool attractions (can you say free xylophone park?), plus plenty of activity spots all within walking distance.
Feeling the need to take on Sedona with a pink jeep tour? You’ll find the headquarters in Uptown. Or maybe you want to experience the red rocks in the sky by zooming through the desert in a helicopter. Take on the mountain with a dirt bike; whatever you’d like, Uptown is where you’ll find all of those adventure places.
If you want to stay and relax, Uptown boasts plenty of restaurants within walking distance. Sip prickly pear cocktails and munch on delectable cactus fries while watching the sun dance across the red rocks, illuminating the deepest oranges and reds you’ve ever seen.
Because Uptown is the most populated area with the most tourists, this area has the best nightlife in the Sedona area. That being said, Sedona is a bit of a sleepy tourist town geared towards family and daytime events, so you won’t find many places that stay open later than 10 pm.
Whatever you’re looking for, if you want to walk to your attractions, stay in Uptown for the best access.
Sedona Best Areas to Stay for Long Periods of Time
While Uptown certainly has its many perks, if you plan to stay in Sedona for a more extended period, you may want to stay away from Uptown due to heavy traffic and crowds.
As a result, you may want to stay in one of the shoot-off areas (further down the highway) to stay off the beaten path. Here are the best shoot-offs to avoid traffic and big crowds if you plan a longer stay. From Oak Creek Canyon to West Sedona, these areas are great to stay in if your getaway lasts longer than a weekend.
South Sedona: Best for Art, Spirituality, and Religion
Spotted along the southern part of highway 89A, you’ll find a route speckled with craft fairs, art shops, sculpture shops, and more.
If you like to stay away from the more arduous activities (like hiking in those high desert temperatures), you may want to stay on the southern side of Sedona. Once you drive down that road, you’ll have plenty of easy access to more low-key, artsy activities. You’ll find stores with Sedona prickly pear apple cider, art shops, and more along the southern route.
But this Sedona neighborhood offers more than art. While Sedona itself is a hub for spirituality and religion, most of the religious points are in the southern parts of Sedona.
For example, the world-renowned Chapel of The Holy Cross is an incredibly popular destination in Sedona for people in general, but especially for those who go to Sedona for spiritual sustenance. The Chapel itself is beautiful, a modern 1950s chapel that sits on top of stunning red rock buttes with sweeping views of Sedona.
Another popular spiritual destination is also in the southern part of Sedona – and that is Cathedral Rock. This spot boasts crazy views of Sedona, and, luckily, the hike to get there is relatively mild.
North Sedona: Best for Adventure
About a twenty-minute drive north of Uptown, you’ll find the delightful North Sedona, which boasts plenty of adventurous activities fit for the whole family.
Probably one of the more well-known activities is Slide Rock Park. This state park is a fan-favorite among Sedona visitors as it is a natural water slide formed on the smooth, slippery rock bed of Oak Creek.
The slide itself is entertaining, but for those who are a little less adventurous, sunbathing on the side rocks and watching the excitement is just as thrilling as sliding down the rock bed itself. As a result, this water slide is fun for the whole family. Just remember to get there early (during peak seasons, you might want to line up before the national park even opens).
If you want to add a little more adventure to your trip, Grasshopper State Park should be next on your list. Not only does this state park have a great swimming and sunbathing area, but it also has several ledges which make great jump points for any brave souls who want to go creek jumping (just make sure you aim for deep waters).
If you like adventure but maybe want to stay a little more low-key, you can have a picnic alongside Oak Creek. For family-friendly creekside activities, take your kids to catch their very own trout. Plus, for those hot summer days, playing in Oak Creek is better than any outdoor pool.
Wanting a nice hike but don’t want anything too challenging? Seven Sacred Pools offers hikers a comfortable, hour-long, mild walk where you’ll stumble upon cool gems like a giant sinkhole and stunning mountain views.
At the end of the trail, you’ll find the seven sacred pools. They are little pools dotted across a wide rock bed. The views are incredible and provide excellent terrific photo opportunities.
West Sedona – Overall Best for Long Stays
Located away from the busy tourist area, you’ll find West Sedona, which places you near a bevy of local restaurants (and grocery stores in case you want to cook in a kitchenette instead of eating out).
More importantly, you’re also close to many great activities that don’t see a lot of tourist action like, for example, local craft fairs, glass blowing, and stargazing lookouts. Some of the stargazing lots in West Sedona are tucked away secrets that not many people visit (especially at night).
However, due to a lack of light pollution, the view is incredible as the lack of light pollution lets the entire night sky light up with stars.
Another great attraction to visit is the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park. With a massive space of 14 acres, this peace park has been deemed holy by native people. It is a place for visitors to pay their respects, be alone with their thoughts, connect to their spirituality, and perform religious and spiritual ceremonies.
Bell Rock – Best for Hikers
A little farther up North, travelers will stumble upon the well-kept Sedona secret Bell Rock. Easily one of the most beautiful areas of Sedona, Bell Rock is home to some of the greatest hiking trails in the area.
To start, hikers can start their treks by climbing to the top of Bell Rock itself, which may be reserved for only the most serious hikers. However, once you make it to the top, it’s certainly worth it. The view boasts surreal, breathtaking views of red rock formations that will make even the most experienced hiker very happy.
Another great hike? The Courthouse Vista trailhead. This is another trail with absolute mind-blowing views of the red rocks and is mild enough that you can bring the whole family. Make a day of it and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy on the trail during a long afternoon of hiking. Or, if you’re in the mood for something faster, biking this trail is always an incredible ride.
Closer to Grand Canyon
If you’re visiting Sedona from out of state, you may want to fit in as many attractions as possible in one trip (especially if you’re visiting with children). Some families struggle to find the perfect place to stay if they want to see both Sedona and the Grand Canyon in one trip.
For vacations like this, stopping in either Flagstaff or Williams is a great middle point and, as such, is a perfect place to stay if you want to see both in one trip. While Phoenix may be too far out of the way, these small towns have plenty of vacation rentals if you want to knock out both a trip to the Grand Canyon and Sedona on the same trip.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, you can’t go wrong when visiting the jaw-dropping mecca that is Sedona. From hikes to art galleries to delectable restaurants, Sedona has it all, and visitors should pick which section of Sedona that speaks to them the best. However, if you want to visit it all, Sedona is relatively small, so you can easily spend part of the day in one area and the afternoon in the next.
All in all, Sedona is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you’re ready to explore Sedona and the best areas to stay, book a place today!
