Responsible Travel and Tourism Etiquette in Sedona

1. Sedona spring travel tips

Sedona can be busy from March to May, which means very high demand for trails, dining, and experiences. These tips can help you avoid crowds while still enjoying the activities on your wish list.

Plan ahead

Reserve dining, tours, and experiences well before arrival, especially if you are visiting during weekends
Build flexibility into your itinerary so you can shift plans based on crowd levels or weather
Choose one or two “must-do” experiences each day instead of trying to fit in everything on your list
Research hiking trails close to where you are staying to avoid driving across the city during the middle of the day
Include “car-free” days during your stay that take advantage of the Sedona Shuttle and the Sedona Trails & Pathways System (ST&PS)

Start early or explore later

Sedona's roads are busiest from 10:30 AM to 12 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Sunrise hikes and evening walks offer cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and beautiful light
Midday is a great time for indoor activities like galleries, spas, museums, or a long lunch

Ride the Sedona Shuttle

The Sedona Shuttle operates 7 days per week from February 26 to April 26
Sedona Shuttle Trailhead Routes run from 7 AM to 5:30 PM
Sedona Shuttle Connect (on-demand service) runs from 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM
Sedona Shuttle Connect serves off-the-beaten trailheads:
- Western Gateway
- Sugarloaf trailhead
- Airport Loop
- Margs Draw trailhead
- Mystic trailhead and Chapel trail
- Scheurman Mountain trailhead
- Thunder Mountain trailhead
- Brewer trailhead

Thoughtful planning helps make spring more enjoyable for you and our community.

2. Practice trail safety and etiquette

By exploring Sedona's outdoors responsibly, you help protect fragile landscapes and ensure trails remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Plan your trail experience

Here are the basics for staying safe on the trail:

Bring water, sunscreen and maps
Wear layers for changing weather conditions
Consider the length of the trail, elevation change and hours of daylight
Monitor yourself and those around you for heat stress
Read our blog on outdoor safety for a deeper dive and more tips

Access to the trail systems within the Coconino National Forest is a key feature of the Sedona landscape and everyone who enjoys them has a responsibility to preserve and protect these public lands for generations to come. To help guide positive behaviors on public lands, our team curated a selection of signature and solitude hikes across a range of skill levels.

Human and pet waste

The best way to manage your poop, your toddler’s poop, or your pet’s poop is to pack it out with you. In limited circumstances, it is OK to bury poop at least 6-to-7 inches deep use a digging tool. Always be prepared, and never leave behind diapers, wipes, or other trash.

3. Avoid traffic congestion

Small transportation choices can make a big difference for your visitor experience, local neighborhoods and emergency access.

Vehicle traffic increases during peak travel seasons in spring and fall. Plan your visit between December and February or June and September for a quieter experience. No matter when you visit, the tips below can help reduce traffic congestion.

Ride the Sedona Shuttle

The City of Sedona provides multiple shuttle services that will get you where you want to go while visiting. Prices range from $2 per ride for Sedona Shuttle Connect and the Sedona Shuttle Trailhead Routes are free. Plan your ride and learn more at SedonaShuttle.com.

Car-free travel and regional transit

Did you know it is possible to plan an entire vacation in Sedona without using a car? Shuttles, tour companies and public transit can get you from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to your hotel in Sedona, to restaurants and shopping, to the most popular trails, to can't miss experiences like wine tasting at local vineyards and even get you to Grand Canyon National Park. Check out our quick guide to getting around for more information.

When you're behind the wheel

If you must drive around Sedona, here are a few things you can do to make the experience more enjoyable for yourself and other motorists:

Learn how to use roundabouts. Remember, a “yield” sign means the other vehicle has the right of way.
Park only in designated spaces, especially near trailheads, residential areas, and locations like the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Zipper merge! What is zipper merge? Zipper merge is using two lanes as long as possible before a lane restriction, then cooperating with other drivers to alternate merging into the single unrestricted lane.

4. Protect public lands

Sedona's public lands are beautiful and delicate. Your thoughtful actions while you enjoy them will help preserve these places for years to come.

Leave no trace

Leave no trace really means leave no trace. Use Sedona’s trails in a way that no one knows you were here:

Pack out everything you pack in
Trash your trash, including natural trash like fruit peels and but shells, which biodegrade slowly and can harm wildlife
Don't stack rocks or scratch graffiti into the red rock formations

Stay on designated trails

Some “social trails” in Sedona are not maintained by land managers and can cause lasting damage to the landscape. Please stay on designated trails. There are more than 200 maintained trails to enjoy, including a map of local favorites, curated by Sedona residents.

Tag Responsibly

Geotagging on social media can unintentionally expose fragile locations to overuse. Consider skipping precise location tags to help protect sensitive areas.

Fire safety

Always check local fire conditions when you arrive. During dry periods, all outdoor fires may be prohibited. Check the U.S. Forest Service website or call the Fire Restrictions Hotline at 928-226-4607.

5. Respect the community

Sedona is home to a year-round community. Respecting neighborhoods and local norms helps maintain the character that makes Sedona unique.

Sedona is home to more than 10,000 people who live and work here. Many popular attractions are located in or near residential areas. Please treat the community with the same respect you would want visitors to show your own neighborhood.

Be aware of the noise you’re making. You might notice that Sedona's neighborhoods and the incredible landscape surrounding them are quiet. Very quiet. Please keep your voices and other sounds as low as possible.
Please watch your speed on our streets and watch for pedestrians and cyclists when entering and leaving a residential area.
Talk to locals. Learn our values and history. Listen to our stories. Find out what it's like to live here.
Please respect private property.
Donate to a local non-profit organization. Many of them are committed to preserving and protecting Sedona's natural beauty.

You can also support Sedona by donating money or time to local nonprofit organizations that help protect the land and community:

Appreciate Sedona is part of Appreciate Arizona, a statewide stewardship education program that inspires everyone to explore responsibly and protect what makes Arizona so extraordinary. The program is managed by the Arizona Office of Tourism in partnership with Leave No Trace and helps residents and visitors “appreciate Arizona” by traveling kindly, treading lightly, and leaving no trace while exploring the state.