The best time to visit Sedona is March to May and September to November. Highs sit in the 60s to 80s, the red-rock trails are comfortable all day, and you stay clear of July heat and the monsoon. Summer is the hard season: highs average 94°F in June and 97°F in July, so hikes move to dawn.
Month by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58°F | 34°F | 2.0 in | Quiet trails, frosty mornings |
| February | 61°F | 36°F | 2.2 in | Wettest month on average |
| March | 68°F | 40°F | 1.9 in | Spring starts; best-month window opens |
| April | 75°F | 44°F | 0.8 in | Mild hiking weather |
| May | 84°F | 53°F | 0.7 in | Last easy month before the heat |
| June | 94°F | 61°F | 0.2 in | Driest month and the first 90s; hike at dawn |
| July | 97°F | 68°F | 1.6 in | Hottest; monsoon storms begin |
| August | 94°F | 67°F | 2.0 in | Monsoon storms and flash-flood risk |
| September | 89°F | 61°F | 1.7 in | Heat eases; monsoon ends September 30 |
| October | 79°F | 51°F | 1.4 in | Comfortable highs near 79°F |
| November | 67°F | 41°F | 1.1 in | Fall color in Oak Creek Canyon; cool nights |
| December | 58°F | 33°F | 1.5 in | Coolest month |
Monthly averages 1991-2020 for Sedona (NOAA). These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
Spring: March to May
Highs climb from the upper 60s in March to the 80s by May, with lows from about 40°F to the low 50s. It is the easiest hiking weather of the year. The free Sedona Shuttle to the trailheads runs daily over spring break, and the same weeks are among the busiest, so book rooms early and plan to start hikes at sunrise. April and May are also the driest part of the cooler half of the year, with about 0.7 to 0.8 inches of rain a month.
Summer: June to August
Plan around the heat. Take the big hikes at first light, spend the middle of the day in Oak Creek or indoors, and come back for sunset. The monsoon season runs June 15 to September 30, and storms usually reach northern Arizona in early July. Flash floods can hit canyons and washes from storms far away, so check the forecast, skip slot canyons and washes on stormy days, and head indoors when thunder starts. The Sedona guide has the heat and monsoon safety notes.
Fall: September to November
Highs fall from the upper 80s in September to the upper 60s in November. The Forest Service highlights fall color in Oak Creek Canyon, and the drive up SR 89A through the canyon is the easiest way to see it. Our 3-day Sedona itinerary fits these months well.
Winter: December to February
Highs run 58 to 61°F with lows near freezing, and the trails are quieter. Snow can close roads on the rim, so check the National Weather Service Flagstaff forecast and AZ511 before driving in from the north.
What to book ahead
- Cliff dwellings: Palatki Heritage Site uses timed tickets on Recreation.gov, released 120 days ahead.
- Tours: see our hand-picked Sedona tours for jeep trips, guided hikes and Grand Canyon day trips, with where each one departs.
- Trailhead parking: a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass covers many Forest Service trailheads; Cathedral Rock and Soldier Pass lots close to cars while the Thursday-to-Sunday shuttle runs.
Plan it
Our Sedona guide · All of Arizona (Day Trippin') · Start a free trip plan · Hand-picked Sedona tours.
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