Weekend in Sedona, AZ

Nestled in the heart of Arizona’s red rock country, Sedona is a sought after destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those looking to unwind in a breathtaking setting. During Memorial Weekend 2024, we ventured out to this iconic spot. From the vibrant sandstone formations to urban amenities, Sedona offers a unique blend of natural beauty and modern charm.

CAMPING

We chose to spend a majority of this trip on a budget and in the heart of nature. To our benefit, there are a lot of campgrounds surrounding Sedona. However, we weren’t able to find a reliable dispersed site and most campgrounds were reserved already for Memorial Weekend. We signed up for notifications at Manzanita Campground, and were lucky enough to snag a cancellation spot.

This tent-only campground is located off of State Route 89A between the city (around 10 minutes away) and Slide Rock State Park. The turn off to this road was a little bit sketchy; it’s a quick, sharp turn so you’ll have to really keep your eye out for it.

Each site had a picnic table and fire ring, and there were vault toilets located at the campground. We liked that we had a creek running through the back of our campsite. We saw many people enjoying it as a swimming hole.

HIKES

• Devil’s Bridge (3.9 miles) - when looking up the most popular/best trails in Sedona, this will come as #1 on many lists. While it was a pretty cool sight, the crowds and parking kind of diminished its appeal. Since we didn’t take the shuttle, we parked about a mile away in the Dry Creek Parking area and this definitely added on some time to our hike.

  
  

  The trail is moderate with only a slight incline towards the end. We didn’t end up walking out onto the bridge itself due to the long line of hikers waiting to take their turn (see video below - we think someone was even getting engaged down there!). If we had the trail all to ourselves, I’m sure it would have sparked more magic. However, it’s still a must see when in the area.

  
  

  Entrance fee/permit: none

  
  

• Bell Rock Loop (1.5 miles) - this was probably my personal favorite hike that we did. When I think of Sedona, I picture the view from Bell Rock. You could see rock formations, trees, and plants for miles. There are plenty of spots to rest and just take in all its beauty. You’ll have great views no matter high up you go! (We personally did not go all the way).

  
  

  Entrance fee: America the Beautiful or Red Rocks annual passes accepted, or pay at the parking lot.

  
  

• Doe Mountain (1.5 miles) - this is another great option if you are looking for ways to beat the crowds. You’ll gain about 500 feet in 0.75 miles, but the views from the top are worthwhile. It was really cool to walk around the summit. There was a lot of vegetation along the way.

Entrance fee: America the Beautiful and Red Rocks pass accepted

• Birthing Cave (1.9 miles) - a little bit off the beaten path is a hidden gem. This was a fairly easy trail; it was mostly flat and only required a slight climb up into the cave. It was a nice place to take a rest from the beating sun. The cave’s formation framed the desert landscape perfectly.

  
  

  Entrance fee: none. Park in the lots for Long Canyon Trail

  
  

BREWERIES

For the most part, we kept the weekend adventure as a traditional camping trip. We didn’t make it in to any restaurants, but we had to make some drink stops while browsing souvenirs.

• Sedona Beer Co - with two venues to visit (Uptown and Basecamp), this is a great stop for beer lovers. We liked the vibes of their vintage, modern Uptown taproom and their central location. Hunter enjoyed their “Unsupervised Children” IPA and I had the “Prickly Pearadise Cider” (not made locally). They offered a small bites menu and non-alcoholic options as well. We got a souvenir beer glass of course.

• Oak Creek Brewing Co - located outside of the heart of Sedona, is another well-established brewery. This one was more rustic and low-key, and definitely didn’t draw as many crowds. They offered several options for beer flights. I was intrigued by the “mimosa flight” I saw available as a special on their chalkboard, with options such as prickly pear and guava. But I was completely disappointed by the taste. Whill I know they’re known for beer, it’s hard to mess up a mimosa; however, it surprisingly happened. We don’t remember anything notable about the beer either. If you only have time for one brewery stop, we’d recommend Sedona Beer Co instead.

  
  

Side Note - Sedona is the home of the only blue McDonald’s!

SHOPPING

We didn’t check out too many stores when we were here since we were only looking for a few specific items, but we enjoyed strolling the Uptown Mall Plaza to look for pins and ornaments. Some of the stores we specifically liked was Sedona Wonder Gallery & Gifts and Western Trading Post. There’s a lot along the main strip within a quick walking distance. There are several free parking lots located around town, too.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

We’d definitely recommend going a time other than a holiday weekend. The traffic was pretty jammed packed coming into town from popular hiking spots. Despite that, we’re glad we had the opportunity to get a small taste of Sedona’s beauty. The dramatic cliffs, striking colors, and expansive mesas make it feel like something straight out of a painting. There’s something powerful and inspiring about its atmosphere, and we can see why so many are drawn here. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor “playground,” holistic/spiritual escape, or classy affair, Sedona has it all.

AllTrails List

Highlight Reel