How I’d Redo My First Trip to Sedona, Arizona

When I first visited Sedona over 10 years ago, it was just starting to explode into the neo-spiritual mecca it is today. I remember seeing crystal shops on practically every corner, but it definitely wasn’t as crowded as it is now. The vibe was definitely touristy, although the iconic red rocks surrounding the city overshadowed everything else. If I could go back in time and redo my initial visit, there are a few key aspects of the trip I would change (and plenty of things I would do all over again!). I’m by no means a local expert, but it is one of my favorite cities in the world, so hopefully these tips for traveling to Sedona can be helpful for you. 

The biggest change I would’ve made to my itinerary is seeking out lesser-known hiking trails in Sedona. While I absolutely loved Bell Rock and would give anything to see it for the first time again, I’m a firm believer that the best way to really get to know a new place is through its hidden gems. I wish I had known about places like The Subway and the Warrior’s Wall Ruins back then because I definitely would’ve penciled them in. 

Going against what I just said, there are some iconic destinations I totally glossed over, like Slide Rock and the Devil’s Bridge. While hidden gems are my top priority now, I still make it a point to check out a city’s “must-see” spots, and I undoubtedly missed a few. Another big mistake I made was simply not spending enough time there. I think I only stayed a night or two, which in retrospect wouldn’t have allowed me to see any other sights even if I wanted to. A couple of extra days also could've let me experience the local culture more. I'm a certified hippie, and as I said above, Sedona was an up-and-coming counter-culture destination, so staying at a wellness resort or something of that nature would've been neat.

I definitely would’ve gone camping instead of staying in hotels. Back then I wasn’t keen on “roughing it,” but Sedona is just so beautiful that I wish I would’ve immersed myself in the landscape more. 

Of course, the mistakes I made on my trip could’ve easily been avoided by doing more research beforehand and getting advice from locals about what places are obligatory to see vs. which ones can be skipped. I always do both of those things when I visit a new place now, and it’s made my travels much more memorable. But I was a newbie traveler then, so I still look back on that first Sedona trip fondly and don’t judge myself for what I didn’t know.

Do you have any tips for traveling to Sedona? I’d love to hear them!