Photo of a shopping center in Sedona, AZ

IS SEDONA WALKABLE? GETTING AROUND SEDONA ON FOOT 2024

Curious to know, is Sedona walkable?

Sedona is a stunning Arizona destination known for its vibrant red rock formations, spiritual energy, and outdoor recreational opportunities. It’s also a tiny town of only 19 miles, so is it easy or recommended to explore on foot?

I recently re-visited Sedona, and again found that Sedona is somewhat walkable. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what it’s like getting around Sedona on foot, exploring the most pedestrian-friendly spots, and highlighting the challenges you might encounter. 

This is your guide to walking around Sedona.

SEDONA’S WALKABILITY

Traffic on 179 AZ-89A in Sedona

Walkability is a thing. Locations nationwide are given Walk Scores to promote more walking and biking and less traffic and pollution. Let’s dive in and answer, Is Sedona walkable?

Here is what you need to know about Sedona, Walk Score, and it’s walkability:

What Is Walkability?

Walkability refers to how friendly an area is to pedestrians, encompassing factors like the proximity of amenities, safety, and the quality of sidewalks. It evaluates how easily residents can access daily necessities and amenities without relying on a car.

How Is Walkability Measured?

The most common metric used for walkability is the Walk Score, which assigns a score between 0 and 100 based on the distance to various amenities and the quality of the pedestrian environment.

📋 90-100: Walker’s Paradise (Most errands can be accomplished on foot.)

📋 70-89: Very Walkable (Most errands can be accomplished on foot.)

📋 50-69: Somewhat Walkable (Some errands can be accomplished on foot.)

📋 25-49: Car-Dependent (Most errands require a car.)

📋 0-24: Car-Dependent (Almost all errands require a car.)

In summary, a walkability score provides a snapshot of how easy and convenient it is to get around on foot in a given area, reflecting both practical accessibility and the overall pedestrian experience.

What Is Sedona’s Walkability Score?

Sedona is given a 62 out of 100. This means the city is considered “somewhat walkable.” This indicates that while walking is feasible and convenient for certain errands, it is not the primary mode of transportation for most activities. So, residents and visitors in Sedona can generally walk to certain destinations, but a car might still be necessary for more extensive errands or activities.


WHAT PART OF SEDONA IS WALKABLE?

Sedona is a small town spread out over many miles. There are sidewalks along 89A, AZ-179, and throughout Uptown and West Sedona, but the surrounding area is hilly. Though I do recommend using a car or relying on other available transportation methods to get around for your trip Sedona does have many walkable areas.

Here are Sedona’s most walkable areas:

A hilly sidewalk displaying Sedona's walkability

Where Are Sedona’s Most Walkable Areas?

Sedona has many great walkable areas with amenities, attractions, and relatively flat terrain.

Here are Sedona’s most walkable areas:

📍 UPTOWN SEDONA

Walking on the sidewalk in Uptown, Sedona
MAIN STREET
Displaying the walkability of Tlaquepaque shopping center
TLAQUEPAQUE
  • Main Street: This central area is highly walkable and packed with shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes.
  • Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village: This picturesque shopping village, with a Spanish architectural style, features a variety of unique shops, art galleries, and dining options—all designed to be explored on foot.

📍 WEST SEDONA

  • Sedona Plaza: This shopping area has several stores and restaurants that are easily accessible on foot. It’s a bit more spread out than Uptown, but still manageable.
  • The Shops at Pinon Pointe: A small shopping center with dining options and stores. It’s compact enough to walk around comfortably.

📍 VILLAGE OF OAK CREEK

  • The Oak Creek Country Club Area: Includes some restaurants and shops within a walkable distance, though it’s more spread out compared to the more central areas of Sedona.

📍 RED ROCK CROSSING

Cathedral Rock from the parking lot
A staircase on the trail going up to Cathedral Rock in Sedona
  • Red Rock Crossing/Cathedral Rock: Although you’ll need to drive to the trailhead, once there, you can enjoy walking trails with stunning views of Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek. It’s a beautiful and accessible spot for nature walks.

📍 POSSE GROUNDS PARKS

  • Posse Grounds Park: Located in West Sedona, this park features walking paths, sports fields, and open spaces. It’s a good spot for a relaxed walk or a more casual outing.

📍 TRAILS IN AND AROUND SEDONA

  • Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte: While you must drive to the trailheads, these popular hiking areas offer well-marked trails that are easy to walk once you arrive.

Walk Sedona – Sedona’s City Initiative

The city of Sedona wants to encourage walking. Walk Sedona is an initiative to promote and improve pedestrian-friendly environments in Sedona. They have created a platform highlighting Sedona’s attractions and potentially walkable locations so you can easily map out your journey.

Note you do need to have location services on for the interactive map to work, but it shows you which restaurants, bus stops, art galleries, activities, and shopping centers are closest to your current location.


Is Sedona Walkable At Night?

Sedona is somewhat walkable at night. Though the major thoroughfares have sidewalks, I recommend walking in the walkable areas mentioned above only. There are alternatives to walking at night, listed below. Drivers can be distracted or not expect anyone to be walking along the road at night. Sedona is also a dark town, making it difficult for them to see you. If you do decide to walk, please be cautious.


WALKING TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES

Sedona’s walkability produces mixed results with some areas providing good walking experiences while others require a car. If you don’t have a rental car or personal vehicle don’t fret.

Here are a list of alternative transportation options to walking:

Can I Get Around Sedona Without A Car?

Yes, you can definitely get around Sedona without a car. The town has a variety of options for exploring key areas and popular attractions.

Here is a list of alternative methods of transportation:

✅ Rideshare: Uber & Lyft

✅ Shuttle Services: Verse Lynx & Sedona Shuttle

✅ Hotel shuttle services

✅ Tour operators will pickup/drop-off from your hotel or Airbnb

✅ Bike or eBike

Is There Uber Or Lyft In Sedona?

Yes, both Uber and Lyft operate in Sedona; however, they are not considered reliable. On average, you’ll wait 10-15 minutes for a car, and at times, there will be only one or two drivers in the area.

Read my complete guide to getting around Sedona.


FAQS

When planning a trip, there is so much more to research than walkable areas. So here are a few extra questions I can answer about Sedona.

Is Sedona Safe At Night?

The street at night in Sedona

Yes, Sedona is generally safe at night. Not once did I feel unsafe. The town is well-lit in populated areas and experiences a low crime rate. However, like in any destination, it’s best to stay in well-trafficked areas, be mindful of your surroundings, and take the usual safety precautions.

What are the Pro’s and Con’s of Sedona?

Sedona is a picturesque city in northern Arizona renowned for its stunning red rock formations, vibrant arts scene, and outdoor recreational opportunities.

After visiting several times, here is my list of Sedona’s Pros and Cons:

PROS

✔️Stunning Scenery: Sedona’s famous red rock formations offer breathtaking views and a unique landscape.

✔️Mild Climate: Pleasant year-round weather makes it ideal for outdoor activities.

✔️ Outdoor Recreation: Enjoy hiking, swimming, mountain biking, and rock climbing for all skill levels.

✔️Arts and Culture: Sedona boasts a rich arts scene with galleries, studios, and events.

✔️ Unique Dining: Diverse culinary options include farm-to-table and international cuisines.

✔️ Community Events: Local festivals and farmers’ markets foster a strong community vibe.

CONS

✔️ High Cost of Living: Living expenses are about 27% higher than the national average.

✔️ Housing Challenges: Affordable housing can be hard to find.

✔️ Traffic: Tourist traffic often causes congestion on limited main roads.

✔️Limited Public Transport: Public transit and rideshares are unreliable; having a car is best.

✔️ Few Big Box Stores: Major retailers are about a 30-minute drive away.

What Is There To Do In Sedona?

Sedona may not be a big city, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do. The mild climate, proximity to stunning red rock formations, and foodie and art scene create an endless list of activities. I have never been to Sedona and run out of things to do.

Here are my other posts on what to do in Sedona:


THE WRAP-UP: IS SEDONA WALKABLE?

In conclusion, Sedona isn’t the most or least walkable vacation destination. There are plenty of pedestrian-friendly areas with amenities and safe sidewalks. Your best transportation option is a personal vehicle, but there are plenty of other ways to get around town.

Now that you understand Sedona’s walkability and the nuances of getting around on foot, you can plan your visit. Enjoy your trip!