The Best Things To Do in Sedona In the Winter

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Winter in Sedona is a magical time of the year. Visitors can bask in Sedona’s majestic surroundings during the winter months without the crowds and the 100+ degree afternoons. 

Gary and I enjoyed visiting Sedona during the winter. We found ourselves experiencing some of the best things to do in Sedona in the winter, like hiking Soldier’s Pass, the Airport Mesa Loop, and Boynton Canyon without another soul around for miles. The weather, including several days of snow, didn’t stop us from exploring Sedona. The snow added to our adventure and Sedona’s beauty. We loved seeing the breathtaking red rock scenery transform into a snow-covered winter wonderland. 

The Best Things to do in Sedona in the Winter

Go for a Winter Hike in Sedona

Hiking is one of the best Sedona winter activities. Hikers can take advantage of the gorgeous trails without long lines of people posing at their favorite Instagram spot. And while it can be cold, the hiking trails are far less crowded in the winter and just as beautiful, if not more stunning, than during the high season. 

Some of the best winter hikes in Sedona are easily accessed in the low season. We hiked Devil’s Bridge, Boynton Canyon to Subway Rock, Soldier’s Pass with the Devil’s Sinkhole, Seven Sacred Pools and multiple caves (see below), and the Airport Mesa Loop without crowds. 

Subway Cave

Sunrise at Subway Cave is a dreamlike experience. The sun’s rays shine through the back of the cave, bringing a shining light to what was once dark.

The hike up to Subway Cave is not for the faint of heart. Once you reach the cave, you can scramble up the right side of the rocks or veer left, and there is a path up to the ruins. Follow the path to the right and around the cliff’s edge into the cave. Yes, you read correctly. If you take the path up, you have to walk along the edge of a cliff to reach the cave. As you can see, I didn’t enjoy being so close to the edge. 

On the other hand, Gary took the direct path into the cave and had a ball running all over the place. It’s funny how the same experience can differ for two people. He was having a great time while I was almost hyperventilating. Needless to say, if you are afraid of heights, skip the Subway Cave excursion. 

Earthtrekkers has a terrific post about how to reach Subway Cave that may help you decide if this side trip is right for you. You can also use Alltrails to find the turnoff from Boynton Canyon. The turnoff is easy to miss – look for a tree in the middle of a side path to your right as you walk into the canyon. Sometimes there might even be an arrow from bark or rocks pointing you in the right direction. However, I was told Enchantment Resort often removes the arrows because this is not an official trail. 

A word of caution, the rocks up to Subway Cave can be slippery. I would skip this hike if it recently snowed or rained.

Pro Tip:  If you are staying at the Enchantment Resort, a gate at the back of the property puts you directly on the Boynton Canyon Trail. Leaving from the resort is a huge bonus because you don’t have to deal with parking and are likely 20-30 minutes ahead of those parking at the trailhead. 

Devil’s Bridge

Devil’s Bridge is another iconic hiking destination. The hike to Devil’s Bridge is easy, except for a short scramble at the top of the trail. But the views are worth climbing up a few rocks that are more like steps since they are so heavily traveled.

Dry Creek Road is the easiest and most direct route to reach Devil’s Bridge. However, Dry Creek Road also doubles as a 4×4 trail. If you are hiking at first light, it is unlikely you will see a 4×4 that early. On the way back to the car, opt for the single-track Chuckwagon Trail, which will also take you back to the same parking lot. The hike is an easy walk that is less traveled and more peaceful. 

Pro Tip:  The parking lots can fill up even in the winter. However, parking at Sedona hiking trails in the winter is a breeze if you start hiking just before first light on the weekends or wait to hike the more popular trails during the week. 

Pro Tip: If you plan to visit Devil’s Bridge or Subway Rock on the weekends, plan to get up early to beat the crowds. We were on the trail by 6:45 am and were some of the first people at both iconic Sedona destinations. However, additional visitors hit the trails as the sun began to rise. I have heard that people can wait up to 2 hours in the summer to have their picture taken at Devil’s Bridge.

Remember to dress in layers because as the sun rises, so do the temperatures, albeit sometimes in small doses. We wore a base layer, hiking pants, fleece, a heavy jacket, a hat, gloves, and a headlamp for our early morning adventures. I often ditched my jacket, hat, and gloves by mid-hike, but I was happy to have them on hand. 

Additional hiking trails at the top of my best hikes in Sedona in the winter list include

• West Oak (multiple river crossings)
• Doe Mountain, where you might see hot air balloons soar above the red rocks in the morning light
• Broken Arrow – Little Horse to Chicken Point provides stunning views, and you can see 4x4s tackle obstacles like Slide Rock at the Playground and the road up to Chicken Point.

Check out the Best Views in Sedona

Before visiting Sedona in the winter, I was obsessed with maximizing my viewing opportunities. However, after being in Sedona for about ten minutes, I quickly understood why my sister joked that no matter where you go in Sedona, you will likely see a jaw-dropping red rock mountain range. She was right. Whether driving on 89A, eating at a restaurant like Mariposa, or going for a hike, the surroundings are nothing short of awe-inspiring. 

However, there are a few viewing places that stand out above the rest:

Airport Mesa

The panoramic views from the Airport Mesa Loop are gorgeous. Regardless of which direction you face, the mountain ranges are spectacular. For those not into hiking, head to Mesa Grill Sedona, the airport restaurant at the top of the hill, to experience the views without the work. Sunrise and sunset are popular times to visit Airport Mesa.

Pro Tip:  Once you park at the trailhead, turn around, walk across the street and head out for your stunning hike. Starting the loop from this point gives hikers incredible views throughout the hike. Note that the snow tends to melt quickly on this hike and causes the trail to become extremely muddy. 

Have a drink at Tii Gavo or Che-Ah-Chiat at the Enchantment Resort

At the base of Boynton Canyon sits the luxurious Enchantment Resort. Head to the bar where you can enjoy a drink and an order of guacamole (it’s so good) at sunset. Watch as the red rocks glisten with gold hues in the afternoon light before the sun dips behind Boynton Canyon. You may need to make a reservation to get past the guard gate. 

Take a Scenic Drive in the Winter in Sedona

One of the best things to do in Sedona in the winter is to take a scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon or on the Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179). We used the Gypsy Guide app while in Sedona, and it was like having a personal tour guide in the car. The Gypsy Guide app is GPS enabled and automatically plays when you reach specific points to offer tips, directions, and information about what you are looking at along your drive. 

Oak Creek Canyon Drive

Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive is about a 14-mile drive on Route 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff. The drive through Oak Creek Canyon is a stunning road that winds through the canyon, climbing 4,500 feet to the top of the Mogollon Rim. You can return to town via Schnebly Hill Road if you have a high-clearance vehicle. It is important to check the road conditions and closures in the winter months as this “off-road” route can be closed or slippery. 

Red Rock Scenic Byway

One of the most famous drives is the Red Rock Scenic Byway (SR 179). The 7.5-mile Red Rock Scenic Byway takes visitors to Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The drive also offers restaurants, galleries, and many scenic overlooks.

Whether you are driving Red Rock Scenic Byway in the winter or summer, driving along the Red Rock Scenic Byway is a must-do activity while in Sedona. We took this drive multiple times using the Gypsy Guide during our Sedona winter visit. We were amazed at every turn and fascinated to learn the history of these stunning Sedona highlights. 

Take an Off-Road Adventure

One of the most popular Sedona activities is to go “off-roading” on the Broken Arrow Trail. Interestingly, the Broken Arrow Trail is technically not considered off-road. However, that is not what you would think while driving the technical yet exhilarating road. 

There are several ways to experience the Broken Arrow Trail – you can drive the trail yourself or sign up for a Pink Jeep tour – one of the best Jeep tours in Sedona or one of the numerous other Jeep tour options. After doing a ton of research, we opted to drive the Broken Arrow Trail ourselves. We rented a Polaris from Red Rock ATV Adventures and white-knuckled it up Submarine Rock, over to Chicken’s Point, the Playground, and down the Devil’s Staircase. Even in the winter, we preferred the open-air Polaris to renting a Jeep for this off-road experience. 

Pro Tip:  The team at Red Rock ATV Adventures provided excellent customer service, and our two-seater Polaris was perfect for our adventure. 

The Broken Arrow trail can be a little intimidating if you are not used to driving off-road. Gary drove the Broken Arrow trail because I was too timid to take the Polaris up a rock at a 45-degree angle. On the other hand, Gary pointed us in the right direction, and we went back down the same 45-degree rock with no issue.

Pro Tip:  There are a lot of Pink Jeep vehicles on the Broken Arrow Trail, and they tend to travel together. If you are a little nervous about the drive, follow one of the Pink Jeeps for the best route.  

I also recommend renting the Polaris for a half day. We spent about two hours on the Broken Arrow trail and about another hour on the Schnebly trail. 

For those not interested in driving Broken Arrow themselves, sign up for one of the Pink Jeep tours to experience all of the adrenaline-charged features of the Broken Arrow Trail.

The Pink Jeep tours go out rain or shine, so the winter weather in Sedona shouldn’t be an issue. Just remember to bring a jacket because it can be cold and windy.

After driving the Broken Arrow Trail, we headed over to Schnebly Hill Road for a tame off-road adventure. I got behind the wheel and had a ton of fun on Schnebly Hill Road. The “road” is full of potholes, bumps, rocks, and truly stunning canyon views. If Broken Arrow is too much for you, Schnebly Hill Road might be the perfect alternative. I loved driving the Polaris and felt comfortable even on the nonstop bumpy road.

There are several other popular places to go off-roading in Sedona, such as a drive out to Devil’s Bridge and Vultee Arch.

Stargazing in Sedona

One of the best things to do in Sedona at night is stargazing. The winter months in Sedona offer crystal-clear nights perfect for stargazing. We stayed at the Enchantment Resort and signed up for the stargazing experience. Guests of the resort used multiple high-powered telescopes to view constellations, the moons of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, and Mars. An astronomer was on hand to point out other constellations and provide guests with information about the stars and planets. 

If your hotel does not offer a stargazing experience, you can join a stargazing tour or download an app like SkySafari to reveal the hidden gems in the night sky. 

Best Restaurants in Sedona

Sedona is a foodie place. The number of high-caliber restaurants is surprising, given the small-town feel of Sedona. It’s easy to eat your way through Sedona.

Elote

Hands down, our favorite restaurant was Elote. The upscale Mexican and Southwestern restaurant offers mouthwatering authentic cuisine. The elevated cuisine is paired well with their tequila selections and high-end service. Whether you are dining in Sedona in the winter or the summer, you need a reservation to dine at Elote.   

Pro Tip:  Make a reservation 60 days before your dining date. If you cannot get a reservation, which is what happened to us, I reached out to the concierge at the Enhancement Resort, who was able to secure our reservation. 

The Hudson

The Hudson is a neighborhood restaurant on a hill overlooking Sedona serving seasonal American cuisine with unique twists on comfort food. The casual vibe of The Hudson is perfect after a day of hiking in Sedona. The food is delicious and the portions are massive. So consider sharing a few things, including the bruschetta – a must-try!

Mariposa

If you are looking for a higher-end restaurant with a view, then Mariposa is your go-to spot. The stunning view from Mariposa is worth the stop, but the food is supposed to be amazing too. 

Gerardo’s Italian Kitchen

For a delicious, family-friendly Italian restaurant, opt for dinner at Gerardo’s. The causal restaurant is perfect for a cold winter night in Sedona. We opted for pizza and pasta and enjoyed every bite.

Ice Cream in Sedona

If you are craving ice cream, head to Upper Sedona, where multiple options exist. Even in the winter, Upper Sedona is packed with people (mostly, but not all, kids) enjoying a scoop of ice cream.

Embrace the Mystical Powers of Sedona

Lean into Sedona’s mysticism and experience spiritual enlightenment during your visit. Visitors might try a vortex tour, meditation, tarot reading, exploring the benefits of crystals, taking an aura photo, or relaxing at a sound bath. These activities are perfect for the winter because many can be done inside.  

Or head outside and experience one of the four primary vortices in Sedona at Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock at Red Rock Crossing, and Boynton Canyon. Chapel of the Holy Cross and Schnebly Hill are also known as vortex hotspots. You might wonder what a vortex is and what makes a vortex so special. You can find detailed explanations of the power of a vortex, but at the end of the day, the explanation is simple – the elevated level of magnetic energy at a vortex leads people to feel uplifted, inspired, and recharged.

Try Yoga at a Vortex in Sedona

Sedona offers unlimited outdoor activities, but one of the most unique experiences was yoga at Cathedral Rock. During our winter visit to Sedona, we practiced yoga at Cathedral Rock.   Our yoga instructor, Karen, from Vortex Yoga Hiking in Sedona, was terrific. Karen took the time to explain what makes a vortex special in a way that was easy to understand. She led us through an excellent yoga practice followed by a hike around Cathedral Rock. I felt relaxed and recharged during and after our journey. While I will never know if the magnetic energy at Cathedral Rock played a part in how I felt, all I know is that I felt good. If you have the time, I suggest trying yoga at Cathedral Rock and experience the power of magnetic energy for yourself. 

Pro Tip:  Opt for the three-hour session, which includes a yoga practice and a beautiful hike. 

Relax at a Day Spa in Sedona

If the winter weather in Sedona leads to you spending more time inside, why not visit one of Sedona’s spas? Sedona is known for its spas and wellness retreats. Whether you are looking for a foot massage or a full-service spa, Sedona is the place for you. 

Mi Amo, the spa at Enchantment Resort, is an award-winning spa located in Boynton Canyon, home to one of the main vortices in Sedona. Reopening in February 2023, Mii Amo is anticipated to be a fantastic place to relax and recharge. Mii Amo and Enchantment Resort guests can choose from traditional treatments or intriguing spa experiences such as Chakra Balancing, Reiki Healing, or a Dosha Balancing Wrap. The Mii Amo spa menu offers something for everyone looking for peace and tranquility.   

Sedona also offers several other day spas that specialize in treatments unique to Sedona, like the Prickly Pear Pomegranate Nature’s Desert Flower Rejuvenation treatment at Sedona’s New Day Spa or Crystal Soul Healing at Namti Spa.

Pro Tip:  I failed to follow my own advice and suffered the price. Even during mid-week in the winter, it was difficult to get a spa appointment in Sedona. I highly recommend making a reservation before your winter trip to Sedona. 

FAQs About Visiting Sedona in the Winter

Is Sedona Worth Visiting in the Winter?

Yes! Our winter visit to Sedona was fabulous. The weather did not interfere with our activities, the temperatures were cool, and there were no crowds. 

Does it snow in the winter in Sedona?

Yes, it can snow in the winter in Sedona.  We were in Sedona in December and were treated to several days of snow. 

Is Sedona cold in the winter?

Yes, Sedona can be rather cold in the winter.  During our visit, the temperature ranged from the low 20s to the mid-50s when the sun was shining.  However, as long as you pack a heavy jacket, a hat, and gloves, you should be good to go!

Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Sedona in the winter?

One of the best activities in Sedona is watching the sunset. The sun glistens off the red rocks turning the mountain peaks into golden vistas. There are multiple places to see this phenomenon view yourself, such as Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, or the Vultee Arch.

What are the best things to do in Sedona?

Sedona has a wide range of activities, such as hiking, off-roading, spiritual experiences, star gazing, scenic drives, and wellness retreats.    

What is there to do at Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village?

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is a popular place for families, shopping, and dining. During the holiday season, Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is decorated for the holidays, and there are multiple holiday events. There are several restaurants and numerous places to pick up a souvenir.    

If you love a hiking vacation, you might enjoy my 4-day Lake Louise and Banff itinerary or my two-day hiking highlights in Yosemite.

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