The Happiness Function

Sedona is a popular vacation destination. Known for its red rock desert landscapes, it is one the best places to plan an adventure getaway.

On top of the area’s vibrant beauty, it is popular due to its world-class outdoor recreation and new-age atmosphere attracting “spiritual junkies.” In this article, I’ll share what to do in Sedona for an epic desert vacation on a budget.

I’ll also talk about the top places to hike and provide the scoop on Sedona’s mysterious vortexes and other sights to see. Get details on when to visit, where to stay, how to get there, and what to pack.

Top Things To Do in Sedona on a Budget

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Sedona is an outdoor recreation mecca surrounded by the Coconino National Forest. Because of the abundance of outdoor activities, visitors can plan a fun vacation while sticking to a budget.

Most of the activities in this article are free to do.

To keep trips budget-friendly, we hike and bring our own food or buy local groceries. We also visit popular destinations in the off-season.

Go Hiking Around Sedona

One of the top outdoor activities in Sedona is hiking. Jaw-dropping high desert trails are abundant in the immediate area and Coconino National Forest.

Here are our favorite places to hike in Sedona.

Devils Bridge Trail

Rated as the number one trail to hike in Sedona, Devil’s Bridge is a famous natural sandstone arch. The 4.2-mile route takes roughly two hours to walk and is rated as a moderate hike.

Cathedral Rock Trail

Depending on how long you’d like to hike, there are a few different ways to get to Cathedral Rock. Cathedral Rock is one of the Sedona area’s most popular hiking trails and natural attractions.

Bear Mountain Trail

If you’re down to see epic views, hiking Bear Mountain is a must. Roughly 5 miles round-trip, the trail ascends to the top of the mountain and is ranked as difficult.

Big Park to Bell Rock Loop Trail

Big Park to Bell Rock Loop makes for a perfect day hike. Walk the 4-mile loop trail to the famous Bell Rock. This route is ranked as moderate.

Little Horse Trail

A 4.3 mile out and back trail, you’ll see incredible red rock formations during a roughly 2-hour hike. This trail is ranked as a moderate hike.

Oak Creek Trail

It is always fun to find places with water in the desert. The Oak Creek Trail wanders through the creek bed and offers views of Cathedral Rock. It is an easy and short 1.4-mile walk out and back. 

Birthing Cave

Super popular for adventure photographers, a 2-mile trail and a moderate one-hour walk to the Birthing Cave makes for excellent views and photo opportunities.

Sugarloaf Loop Trail

The short 2-mile Sugarloaf Loop trail is another must for incredible views of Sedona’s red rock cliffs and mountain range. The hike only takes about an hour.

Wilson Mountain Trail

Plan an all-day 11.5-mile hike along the Wilson Mountain Trail for some of the Sedona area’s best views. Be sure to plan accordingly since this trail is so long and is also ranked as difficult. If you are short on time or energy, it is still worth trekking along some of the trail.

Airport Loop Trail

Check out this rocky loop with epic views of red rock country. The trail is about 3.2 miles, is ranked as moderate, and takes roughly an hour and a half to hike.

Experience Energy Vortexes

Now, you may be asking yourself, “What are the Sedona Vortexes?”

The vortexes are supposed to be powerful healing energy sources from the earth. The vortexes help with self-exploration, healing, and meditation; hence, why so many spirit junkies are attracted to Sedona.

The main Sedona Vortexes are at Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, and Bell Rock.

So, if you want to see what the hype is about, add these natural rock formations to your list of places to visit in Sedona.

If you feel the energy, you might notice a tingling sensation. Or maybe you feel extra calm.

When in nature, pausing to hear the sounds, feel the breeze on our faces, and smell the air is always a great way to reset the soul and spirit. Now you have more reasons to stop and take in a quiet moment.

Do Yoga or Meditate

While hiking, pause to soak in the earth’s energy. Maybe sit and meditate or do your best downward dog in nature. Yoga at a vortex in nature is a fun thing to do in Sedona.

Stroll Main Street and Downtown Sedona

On your trip, take time to explore the main street and the Sedona city center. There are places to shop, eat, grab a coffee, and many other new-age, boho-type shops full of cool crystals, clothes, and books.

Explore Tlaquepaque Art & Crafts Village

Another thing to do in Sedona is to check out the Tlaquepaque Art & Crafts Village. The outdoor adobe mall contains neat local stores, antiquities, history, art, and restaurants. You can wander around and take photos at no cost, making this a budget-friendly activity. While you’re exploring, maybe treat yourself to a prickly pear cactus margarita.

See Chapel of the Holy Cross

One of the most famous architectural attractions in Sedona is the Chapel of the Holy Cross. You don’t have to pay to see it; just drive your car to the front and take photos.

It is interesting to see. However, don’t plan to spend too much time there. We recommend visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross on the way to or from a hike.

Drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway

What else is there to do in Sedona?

Drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway state route 179. Take a break from hiking, pack some road trip snacks, and go on a drive.

The Red Rock Scenic Byway is the gateway to the Red Rock desert country and America’s first All-American Road. Although it is only 7.5 miles long, it is full of magnificent sights and photo opportunities. Don’t miss it.

Go On a Jeep Tour

Another fun way to see beautiful places in Sedona is to book a jeep tour. Soldier Pass is a popular jeep destination. Go on an expedition to Solider Pass to see the Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole and the Seven Sacred Pools.

If you’re up for splurging a little, a jeep tour makes for a fun afternoon outing and is an excellent way to see more of the area. We did ours for free because someone was trying to pitch us a timeshare — lol, don’t judge (and we don’t do timeshares).

The jeep tours are a top tourism activity in the area.

When To Visit Sedona

Sedona has relatively mild weather, so it is great to visit year-round. Late spring and early fall make for excellent hiking conditions. Summers can get pretty hot, but if you hike early in the day, you can get away with hiking in the summer. Plus, a summer visit is just the best if you’re staying somewhere with a pool.

In the spring and early summer, the cactus bloom. It is beautiful to see the bright colors popping from the earth tones.

It is unusual for Sedona to get snow in the winter, though it snows occasionally.

To find the best deals on accommodations, visit during shoulder seasons and off-seasons when people are working and kids are in school to get the best rates on places to stay.

How To Get Here

Closest Airports

When planning how to get to Sedona by air, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is the closest airport. Flagstaff is 45 minutes north of Sedona.

The next option is to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX). Phoenix is two hours south of Sedona.

Check booking.com for flights.

Renting a Car

You’ll want to rent a car if you fly into the area. We recommend renting a car so you have the freedom and flexibility to access all the hikes. Most trails have easy paved road access, so you don’t need 4WD.

Check booking.com for car rentals.

Where To Stay

There are plenty of options to choose from while visiting Sedona, which has a wide range of budget accommodations. There are big chain hotels, boutique hotels, Vacation Rental by Owners (VRBOs), Airbnbs, and more.

We recommend staying in town so you’re within walking distance to explore downtown Sedona and the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village and enjoy local restaurants if you desire.

If you’re visiting in the summer, you might want to stay somewhere with an outdoor pool.

We stayed at The Hyatt Residence Club, Pinon Point (for our honeymoon). It was awesome.

Find hotels in Sedona on Expedia.

How To Eat on a Budget

Plan to stay somewhere with a kitchen. You can swing by the local grocery store or Whole Foods to plan some easy meals. Grocery shopping will save a lot of money.

Plan to eat breakfast where you are staying, and pack sack lunches and snacks for the hikes and day trips. Eat dinner and enjoy the sunset from where you are visiting. Or treat yourself to a night out once or twice.

Preparing your food and making sack lunches saves a lot of money. Seriously, a bowl of soup in Sedona is like $15.

Don’t forget to bring your reusable grocery bags. Sedona is an environmentally conscious town.

What To Pack for an Outdoorsy Vacation

Since Sedona is at a higher desert elevation, it can have decent temperature swings.

Plan to pack for spring, summer, and fall on your trip.

Evenings and mornings can be cool, but days are hot. Or an afternoon rainstorm can cool everything down.

Below is an example of what we recommend packing.

Final Thoughts

Sedona is a beautiful destination for your next vacation. With plenty of outdoor activities and stunning scenery, you can enjoy a wonderful getaway without breaking the bank.

We hope this article inspires your trip.

Ashlee & Pablo

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