Glowing red-rock towers and canyons in the Arizona desert, with hiking trails, swimming holes and some of the clearest night skies in America. Here's what Sedona is like, when to go and how long to stay.
Arizona doesn't change its clocks, so the time difference changes in summer. UK passport holders need an ESTA, applied for online before you fly. Check entry rules on GOV.UK before you book.
Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
March to May and September to November are best, warm and sunny for hiking. June to August is hot, with monsoon storms in the afternoons in July and August, so hike early. Winter is sunny and mild by day, with the odd dusting of snow on the red rocks, and the town lights up for the holidays.
A short but steep scramble to a saddle between red spires. Start early.
The area's largest natural sandstone arch, reached by a popular trail.
Slide down a natural rock water chute in Oak Creek Canyon.
A modern chapel built into the red rocks, with big views.
Bounce along rough back-country tracks to viewpoints in a 4x4.
Sedona is an International Dark Sky Community, so the stars are bright.
The South Rim is about 2 hours' drive away.
Three to five days gives time for several hikes, a jeep tour and Slide Rock. It makes a great stop on a road trip with the Grand Canyon.
Spring and autumn, around 19 to 28°C. Summer is very hot, so hike at dawn.
Fly into Phoenix, which has flights from across the US and some from Europe, then drive about 2 hours north. Flagstaff's small airport is 45 minutes away.
Yes. There's a free trailhead shuttle for the busiest walks, but you need a car to get there and to explore the area.
Many trailheads need a Red Rock Pass, bought at machines in the car park or online. America the Beautiful passes are accepted too.
Put Sedona on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.