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How to Spend 72 Hours in Sedona
Awe-inspiring red rocks, vibrant sunrises, and breath-taking sunsets. Although my travels in 2020 were supposed to also include trips to Grand Cayman and Prague, I was relieved to still be able to see Sedona as a part of my original 2020 plans. Sedona was just what I needed - a chance to get out of town, breathe in the fresh outdoors, and admire the natural beauty.
Sedona was a perfect spot to get away to during the pandemic because 1) a majority of activities can be spent outdoors, and 2) this destination is known to be a very spiritual place. Sedona is home to many healers, psychics, artists and spiritual guides. Although I didn’t pick up any strong mystical vibes in the vortex (which I’ll talk about later), I did find that the time in this place was quite calming and restorative.
The perfect place for a brief retreat, Sedona offers its visitors beauty, refreshment, and chill vibes.
When to Visit Sedona
Jordan (my husband) and I were able to visit Sedona at a perfect time - the tail end of May / early June. Ideally, visit Sedona between March and May for warm, mild temperatures that aren’t too too. The fall, between September and November, is also a nice time to visit because of the weather. During those two times, you’ll get mostly blue sunny skies and temperatures ranging from mid-60s to low 80s.
Room rates are of course cheaper outside of those prime visiting months. In general, the weather is nice year-round, but the hottest months are July and August (average highs in the 90s).
How to Get to Sedona
Sedona is in north central Arizona. You can reach Sedona by first flying into either Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) or Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG).
From PHX: 2 hours (120 miles)
From FLG: 45 minutes to 1 hour (15 miles)
We opted to fly into Flagstaff because it was a shorter distance to Sedona. (I like to maximize the time I have in my destination!) The Flagstaff airport is smaller than Phoenix, meaning fewer flight options, but it was easy to navigate.
Upon arrival at the airport, we had arranged to rent a car. It was a nice and easy drive to Sedona - not to mention quite scenic!
Where to Stay in Sedona
Poco Diablo Resort
After checking in and getting our room keys, we had to drive around to a different part of the resort and park closer to our room. I liked how guest parking was accessible across the resort so that we could easily park closer to our room. You did have to watch where you parked though because it is near a golf course!
The hotel grounds were very nicely kept - a lot of indigenous plants and cacti were planted around the resort and the 9-hole golf course was vibrant and healthy. Although the rooms felt a little dated, they were sizeable and had some nice amenities including complimentary water bottles, a fireplace, a patio leading out to the golf course, a very comfortable bed, and a mini fridge. The room was very clean and met our needs nicely. The mini fridge was super useful for keeping our water cold (which you have to drink A LOT of if you’re not used to the Arizona altitude).
My favorite part of our room was the patio that opened up onto the golf course. When we were back at the hotel at night and in the morning, Jordan and I enjoyed spending time on the patio looking at the huge weeping willow tree, the golf course, and the red mountains in the background.
At one point on the trip our key cards stopped working at one point, which was a little frustrating, but the hotel sent maintenance to us, and they got it fixed pretty promptly.
Another final pro of Poco Diablo Resort is its location. aspect of this resort was that it’s located in a nice, central spot that’s not too far from the hiking and the town.
We had a fairly active itinerary for this trip, so it didn’t make sense for us to pick a higher end resort that we wouldn’t get to spend much time in, but if you do want a more luxe getaway with more on-property relaxation time and beautiful pools, I’d recommend the following:
- Amara Resort & Spa - upscale resort offering a saltwater infinity pool, a chic Southwestern restaurant, and spa
- Enchantment Resort - upscale quarters with decks and mountain views plus 2 pools, multiple eateries, and a spa (further outside town, but stunning views)
- L'Auberge de Sedona - refined property offering suites and cottages, some with fireplaces plus an eatery, bar, and spa
Travel Itinerary for Couples Weekend in Sedona
Wednesday Afternoon/Evening
We took a morning flight out from Dallas to Flagstaff then took a rental car into Sedona to our hotel.
I had several hiking spots that I wanted to hit up over the trip, so I wanted to squeeze in a quick hike after lunch. First stop was Robbers Roost Trail, located outside of town near Clarkdale, AZ. This spot proved to be one of my favorite hikes of the trip.
We drove the car to a small open area at the bottom of a long rocky road - as close as we could get to the trail. I wouldn’t call it a parking lot but we saw another car there, so we went ahead and parked. In total, it’s a 3 mile, out & back, moderate trail. The first mile is just a walk along the rocky road to get to the trailhead. In this time you also gain 300 feet in elevation. But even the long rocky road was scenic.
Luckily it was cloudy so we weren’t too hot on the trail. We also were mainly the only ones visiting at the time (which was miraculous) other than another couple that came shortly after us.
Beautiful wildflowers dotted the entire trail and you’d occasionally spot a lizard basking in the sun.
Robbers Roost Trail is not really well marked like the other more popular trails, so it took a little trial and error. I relied heavily on Google maps to lead the way. For this reason, I would call this more of a “secret” trail because the trailhead veers off the long rocky road quite discreetly - it’s marked by a single, small rock cairn. Truth be told, we completely missed it at first when we walked past it. But after backtracking, we realized the cairn and dipped down off the rocky road.
The trail leads you to the base of the mountain that contains the “robbers roost”. We started climbing up the mountain around to the backside where the Roost was. At one point, it gets pretty steep - I was a little nervous and went very slowly.
I saw pictures of other people and dogs just jetting across this steep section, but I have no idea how they did it. Slow and steady was the way to go in my opinion!
But it was TOTALLY worth it because the opening of the Robbers Roost was SO COOL. It looked like this awesome cave built into the side of the mountain. There was a small wall with a little opening, almost like a door. But the coolest part of all was the nearly perfect circle window!
I read some reviews that people have actually chosen to camp out there (not sure if that’s technically allowed or not) but it sure would be an amazing spot to do some yoga or meditation!
The views at this location were stunning; it felt so nice to get out into nature and kick off the trip this way.
We drove directly to Airport Mesa Scenic Lookout Point to catch the sunset over the mountains and see a panoramic view of the city. If we had timed it a little better, we would have finished the hike, showered off at the hotel, then caught the sunset on top of Airport Mesa before dinner. But we did it a little out of order to catch the sunset. After sunset, we headed back to the hotel to shower off and get ready for dinner, then went back up to the top of Airport Mesa for dinner.
Airport Mesa is one of four major vortexes in Sedona (Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon). A vortex is known to be a swirling center for energy that helps people heal and meditate. Many people say that they feel inspired or uplifted after visiting a vortex.
Personally, I felt great being in the vortex, however I felt great being in Sedona in general because I was just so happy to be traveling and be in nature, so I wouldn’t give all the credit to the vortex itself! ;)
The menu was delicious and upscale but the overall atmosphere was casual, which I liked. And actually, that seemed to be the main vibe for all of Sedona - relaxed, casual, comfortable.
The Mesa Grill had a firepit with outdoor patio lights and seating. It was a little too chilly for me to eat outside after the sun went down, but we went outside for a bit to see the bright full moon in the sky, illuminating the mountaintop.
After dinner, we headed back to the hotel and went to bed early because the next morning, we planned to get up super early!
Thursday Morning
This trail was about a 10-15 minute drive from our hotel. The trail is 4.2 miles and considered moderate, out and back. This spot is SUPER POPULAR so it’s really important to try and get there early so that 1) you can get a parking spot, and 2) there’s not a huge line of people waiting to take pictures. And when I say early, I mean EARLY. Like 5:30 or 6 a.m. ideally - even better if it’s a weekday. By 9 a.m., it’ll be a zoo and it will likely take 45 minutes to 1 hour to get a picture on the bridge.
It’ll likely still be dark when you arrive but it’s better hiking weather that way, and it’s nice to see the sun rise as you walk the trail.
This was a great trail and beautiful, but we did get lost heading back to the car, so make sure you pay attention to the signs as you go.
The trail leading up to Devil’s Bridge is moderate overall. On your way up, there’s an opening with a ton of little rock cairns spread all about. It was a happy sight and made me feel joy. It gets a little steep toward the top - a couple “scramble” sections, but for me, it was nothing compared to the steepness of the Robbers Roost Trail the day before, so I was fine.
Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch located in the Sedona area of the forest. It has incredible views and gives the perception that you’re on a very narrow piece of the arch (however it really is plenty wide) to walk across. When we reached the top, there were only about 8 people, so it wasn’t too crowded. Some hikers took our pictures and we took theirs. We enjoyed the scenery for a bit, then headed back down. At that point, the trail was definitely getting more populated.
After getting lost for an extra hour, our feet were sore and we were starving so it was time for a big breakfast.
They had a huge list of omelet choices, the portions were sizeable, the hash-browns were crispy, and the biscuits were fluffy. Perfect spot after a long morning hike.
Thursday Afternoon/Evening
This trail offered forest and creek scenery as opposed to mountains and desert. Although my feet were killing me at this point, this was a nice afternoon trail to do if you wanted to do a full day of hiking because 1) it’s not super elevated (get harder trail done first), and 2) it’s more shaded in the afternoon because of the tree cover.
West Fork Trail is a long 7.5 out and back trail along the forest floor, featuring a river. Jordan made it all the way out and back while I stopped and rested by the river about ¾ of the way in. This was a more popular spot for kids that wanted to stop and play in the river openings, however the forest and trail is so large and spread out that it never felt crowded.
There was a line to get parking in the national forest, but we didn’t have to wait too long because a lot of people were heading to lunch after having been there in the morning. When you first walk to enter into the forest, there’s some old brick ruins of the former Mayhew Lodge (a.k.a. Oak Creek Lodge), built in 1926, that you can explore. Y’all know how much I love old ruins and castles, so I loved seeing this at the brink of the forest.
Another highlight of this hike was seeing a beautiful wild deer in our midst.
After a full afternoon (and morning) exploring the outdoors, my “dogs were barking” and it was time to head back to the hotel for a nice long shower. After being outside all day, I was pretty much covered in dirt from head to toe so it was really nice to clean off before a good meal.
The views were perfect, the hand-crafted cocktails were delicious, and the meal was insanely good! If you visit just one restaurant during your time in Sedona, go to The Hudson!
Next up? You guessed it...back to the hotel room to bed. I had another early morning planned for us the next day!
Friday Morning
Friday morning was our last hike of the trip and boy was it a stunner.
Cathedral Rock was the vortex that we chose to hike on our Sedona trip. Cathedral Rock is a sacred area in Native American history. It’s also known for emitting strong vortex energy (if you believe in that)! This particular energy is said to be more feminine, offering emotions of compassion and receptiveness.
I was most nervous about this hike out of them all. Although it was the shortest out & back hike at 1.2 miles and considered moderate, it was fairly steep the entire way up. The 740+ foot elevation gain is what makes this hike more difficult than the others despite being shorter. I had to stop frequently because of my asthma, but it was worth the hike up because the views were some of the most rewarding of the entire trip!
Again, we set out early around 6 a.m. to beat the crowds. Because of this, we had much of the mountaintop to ourselves for pictures, with the exception of maybe 4 to 6 other people. We also were able to snag a parking spot in one of the two small parking lots near the trailhead because we got there early.
A beautiful must-see hike. If you only do one hike, this is the one I would recommend, despite it being a little more steep, challenging. 10/10!
Our breakfast from the day before was so good that we decided to go back again after the hike to Cathedral Rock.
Friday Afternoon/Evening
After another late breakfast, we headed back to the hotel to shower and change for an afternoon of leisure activities.
This shopping area felt like a beautiful blend of a Spanish monastery and an English garden. Shops were spread out across two stories in different cobble-stoned courtyard openings. The walls had climbing ivy, the courtyards had tiled fountains, and the doorways were all arched.
I intended on trying a famous cup of spicy chai tea from The Chai Spot, but unfortunately they were still closed due to COVID.
We mostly window-shopped, but I picked up a couple crystals (because it’s Sedona!) - one of which was an egg-shaped milky white stone called Opalite, which removes energy blockages, improves communication, and aids transitions of all kinds. I carry it around in my purse still today.
It was a beautiful small batch, sustainable winery that also offered full lunch and dinner service at their onsite bistro overlooking the 4.5 acres of vineyards. You can even order a picnic and bottle of wine from the bistro and take it over to the picnic tables that overlook the bubbling Oak Creek nearby.
They offer seasonal, locally-grown dishes as well as a cocktail menu with lots of tequila and mezcal options. Unfortunately the restaurant was still closed due to COVID.
We dined al fresco at our candlelit table, under the twinkling patio lights. The restaurant was a little further out than some of the other locations we had visited - it was in the village of Oak Creek on the outskirts of Sedona, but the pasta was worth the extra drive time.
Saturday Morning
On Saturday, we had a little time before driving back to Flagstaff for our flight. So we went to the Main Street District for some window shopping and lunch. This area was very walkable and had lots of parking options. On this street, you’ll find lots of souvenir and crystal shops, tour companies, and restaurants. There’s several lookout points where you can get nice views of the red rocks.
Two places worth visiting in this area include Sedona Divine Olive Oils & Vinegar and Sedona Candle Magic.
They were all so amazing and the staff was so helpful. They were so eager to let us try samples of the oils. I loved them all - it was hard to pick a single favorite. But a few that were amazing to try were:
Jalapeno White Balsamic Vinegar
Ripe Peach White Balsamic Vinegar
Cinnamon Pear Balsamic Vinegar
Rosemary Olive Oil
Harissa Olive Oil
These oils are great for cooking and dipping fresh bread into, but they can also be drizzled over dishes like salads, fruits, and desserts. SO. GOOD.
We popped into the smaller of the two next to the Canyon Breeze restaurant. In this small shop, you can watch artists craft the candles and dip them into the colored waxes. They carve designs and images into the wax and they can even personalize candles for you. The most amazing part of these candles is that you can hold them under the light to see how they will glow when burned and they are stunning colors. We bought two that depict an Arizona sunrise and sunset.
If you’re looking for a really unique gift or souvenir that captures the essence of Sedona, these are the two shops I would recommend. (Unless you want to go for crystals, which are all over!)
They daily serve 13 different kinds of breads ranging from rye, to sourdough, to cinnamon raisin. We sat out on their patio overlooking the mountains, then hit the road to return our rental car and catch our flight at Flagstaff Airport.
Closing Thoughts About Sedona
Sedona was an incredible place for a weekend getaway or a microvacation. It offers an abundance of natural beauty to its visitors. Sedona is where you want to go to get back in touch with nature, yourself, and what’s really important in life. It feels very grounded and peaceful.
Sedona is uniquely built with nature in mind. Situated at the base of Oak Creek Canyon, the town restricts building height. from exceeding two stories in the main area. This is purposeful so that you can continue getting gorgeous views from anywhere in the town. Sedona has also been named a member of the Dark Sky community - one of only 22 in the United States. A Dark Sky member is a town, city, municipality, or other legally organized community that has shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the enforcement of outdoor lighting ordinances, dark sky education, and citizen support. Essentially, the entire town has committed to keeping their town in low light at night so that visitors and residents can enjoy the night sky and star gazing.
Many people say how special and unique Sedona is, and now having been there, I can confirm it’s true. Sedona is great for a solo female trip, a couples trip, or a low-key girls trip.
Have you ever been to Sedona? What did you enjoy or what would you add to the itinerary? What interests you most about visiting Sedona? Let me know in the comments below!
author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
