WHAT TO DO WHEN IT’S HOT IN SEDONA: 10 BEST ACTIVITIES TO BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT
WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN IT’S HOT IN SEDONA?
Most people come to Sedona to experience the striking scenery. The extensive landscapes make it a mecca for activities. Sedona has 200 trails covering over 400 miles of breathtaking terrain, but the dangers of the summer’s heat can damper outside fun and exploration.
Luckily, there are many alternative activities when it’s hot in Sedona. I recently visited in mid-July and did not find a shortage of ways to stay cool from the summer heat.
This is a list of my favorite outdoor and indoor activities to stay safe and cool when the summer temperatures rise in Sedona.
SEDONA’S SUMMER WEATHER

Some people are more sensitive to heat than others. Before you travel to Sedona, you should have an idea of what temperatures to expect—this will also help you pack.
Does Sedona Get Hot?
Yes, but it is less hot than neighboring places like Phoenix. Sedona is only 116 miles (2 hours) north of Phoenix but averages about 10 degrees cooler during the day. The high elevation (4500 feet) also keeps evening lows in the mid-60s, 25 degrees cooler than Phoenix’s average. This is a noticeable difference.
What is the Hottest Month?
July is typically the hottest month in Sedona.
Sedona’s Weather in July.
In July, Sedona’s daytime temperature averages 92 to 94 degrees. Overnight temperatures drop to 65 to 70 degrees. Note the monsoon season begins in early July. Usually experienced in the late afternoon, monsoons are short periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms. If you’re a storm lover, you’ll enjoy the dark clouds against the scenic red rocks.
HOW TO STAY COOL IN SEDONA: OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Hiking isn’t the only outdoor activity in Sedona. The rock formations, canyons, and creeks create a perfect environment for water to collect. Luckily for us, these area provide natural swimming spots for refreshing dips.
Additionally, there are other places to explore if swimming isn’t your style. You can also take advantage of the cooler temperatures in the early morning or late afternoon.
Here are the outdoor activities to do when it’s hot in Sedona:
1. SLIDE DOWN SLIDE ROCK

Known for its beauty and slide-like formations in the rocks, Slide Rock State Park is Sedona’s most popular swimming hole for staying cool in the summer. From Uptown Sedona, Slide Rock State Park is a 12-minute (6.8 mile) drive.
Along ½ a mile of Oak Creek, Slide Rock is open for swimming, wading, and sliding. The world-famous slide is 80 feet long and ranges from 2.5 to four feet long. Algae growing on the rocks creates a slick ride. After you cool off, you can wander the grounds, visit the apple trees, or take several short hikes along the creek.
Since this is a must-visit when it’s hot in Sedona, I recommend getting there when the park opens. The Park Ranger mentioned cars often line up and wait upwards of two hours for entry later in the day.
For more park information, click here.
2. SOAK AT CRESCENT MOON PICNIC SITE

Crescent Moon Picnic Site is located East of Red Rocks State Park. This scenic area gives stunning views of the iconic Cathedral Rock and amenities like picnic tables and grills. The highlight of Crescent Moon is its access to Oak Creek, where you can take a refreshing dip to cool off from the summer heat. Let me tell you, the water crisp!
This is an excellent place for family fun when it’s hot in Sedona. The shallow areas are kid-friendly, and the long banks provide many access points. The water also seemed the warmest here. Whether you’re packing a full picnic or simply looking to enjoy a day by the water, the Crescent Moon Picnic Site provides a serene and accessible retreat from the summer heat.
For more park information, click here.
3. CLIFF JUMPING AT GROSSHOPPER POINT

Grasshopper Point Swimming & Picnic area is another picturesque swimming hole two miles north of Sedona. What sets Grasshopper Point apart is the cliff jumping. The swimming area is under canyon walls, making the water deep and cool. The jumping heights range from beginners to the very brave.
I want to note that Grasshopper Point was the least crowded and least kid-friendly swimming hole. Crescent Moon and Slide Rock had many shallow wading areas. I wouldn’t recommend bringing little ones who can’t swim well to Grasshopper Point.
For more park information, click here.
4. LOUNGE BY THE POOL

Who doesn’t love a day by the pool? The pool isn’t a natural swimming hole but offers conveniences like proximity to your room, beverages, and snacks. Sedona is full of beautiful resorts, so finding a hotel with a fabulous pool and spa will be easy. The water is also a little warmer than the swimming holes, yet refreshing. And it might even be less crowded.
5. GO ON A MOONLIGHT HIKE
If you want to hike in the summer but the daytime temperatures are too hot, dont fret. Red Rocks State Park offers guided moonlight hikes. Even though the scenery is different, there is still plenty to see. I recommended a guided hike due to the critters and the less likelihood of making a wrong turn. Red Rocks State Park offers guided hikes, and you can find private tours (which will cost you much more).
For tour times and reservations, click here.
6. TAKE IN THE STARS (with minimal to no hiking)
Sedona is a stargazing paradise and is often voted the number one thing to do in Sedona, especially if it’s hot. The low light pollution offers beautiful views of the cosmos. Here are the top 6 places in Sedona for free stargazing:
📍 Airport Mesa – Airport Mesa is a popular spot for its elevated views and relatively dark skies. The top offers panoramic vistas of Sedona.
📍 Red Rock Scenic Byway (Highway 179) – Several pull-outs along this highway provide excellent stargazing opportunities.
📍 Bell Rock – Located just off Highway 179, Bell Rock offers open spaces with minimal artificial lighting.
📍 Crescent Moon Picnic Site – This site provides a serene environment for stargazing without hiking. The surrounding area’s low light pollution makes it easier to view stars and constellations.
📍 Schnebly Hill Road – A more remote and less populated area, Schnebly Hill Road offers darker skies and elevated viewpoints.
📍Hiking Trails – Trails such as the Soldier Pass Trail or the Fay Canyon Trail, which offer elevated viewpoints, can also be good spots for stargazing once the sun sets.
If you are interested in a guided tour, you can find one through Viator, Tripadvisor, and GetYourGuide. You’ll go to an observation deck, use telescopes to see close-up views of planets, galaxies, star clusters, and nebula, and learn more about the galaxies from professional astronomers.
HOW TO STAY COOL IN SEDONA: INDOOR ESCAPES
Sedona has some great indoor activities to keep you cool when it gets too hot outside! Whether you’re in the mood for a fast-paced adventure or something slow, there’s an activity for you.
Here are the outdoor activities to do when it’s hot in Sedona:
7. GO ON A SCENIC DRIVE

One great thing about Sedona is you do not need to hike to experience incredible views. Breathtaking scenery can be enjoyed from inside your vehicle.
These are the top scenic drives in Sedona:
📍Red Rock Scenic Byway – his is the highway you will take if coming from Phoenix. If you’ve already taken this drive, I recommend going to Red Rock State Park and driving around the Red Rock Loop Road.
📍The Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Road – If you go to Slide Rock State Park, you’ll take Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Road. This is a beautiful stretch of windy road that hugs the mountains and Oak Creek.
📍 Boynton Pass – I recommend Boynton Pass in the late afternoon and stopping at one of the two restaurants at the Enchantment Resort. You will not be disappointed.
📍 Airport Mesa – I went to Airport Mesa for the sunrise and was blown away. You can stand on the cliff or go on a short hike.
Each road offers different views of Sedona and I recommend making time for all of them.
8. SHOPPING

Shopping is a great activity when it’s hot outside. Sedona has two main shopping areas, Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village and Uptown. Uptown has multiple shopping centers with coffee shops, restaurants, crystal stores, kitchen stores, permanent jewelry, and more.
Tlaquepaque is smaller but still has fabulous restaurants, a coffee shop, a toy store, a Christmas store, and much more. It’s also known for charming Spanish-style architecture and cobblestone walkways. It is stunning and picturesque.
Here is a list of the shopping centers around Sedona:
📍 Cedic Plaza (Uptown)
📍 Hillside Sedona Shopping Center
📍 Oak Creed Marketplace (Uptown)
📍 Sacajawea Plaza (Uptown)
📍 Sedona Original Uptown Mall Plaza
📍 Sinagua Plaza (Uptown)
📍 Tlaquepaque Art & Shopping Village
📍 The Shops at Pinon Pointe (Uptown)
This may appear like a long list, but visiting all of them is very doable since most are within walking distance from one another.
9. VISIT A WINE TASTING ROOM

Wine tasking is a great activity to cool off. Just 25 minutes away, in the Page Springs area, are four wineries within half a mile of each other. This is not Napa, but you can still have an incredible tasting experience. Each offers tasting menus, snacks, beautiful views, and even dog-friendly patios.
These four Sedona wineries are listed in order from closest to furthest distance:
My two favorites were DA Ranch and Page Spring Cellars. If you want to stop at only one vineyard and enjoy the grounds from the tasting room, I recommend DA Ranch. Wine tours are available through local guides.
For my complete guide to Sedona’s wineries, click here.
10. STAY LOCAL & ENJOY THE VIEW WITH AC AND AN ADULT BEVERAGE

Most restaurants in Sedona offers. One of the best ways to beat the heat is to enjoy a refreshing adult beverage.
My favorite restaurants with views incredible view are:
📍 Mariposa Latin Inspired Grill
Read my complete guide to Sedona’s best restaurants.
THE WRAP-UP: WHAT TO DO WHEN IT’S HOT IN SEDONA
There is something for everyone in Sedona, even when the summer temperatures creep up. Now that you know what to do in Sedona when it’s hot, all that’s left is to finish planning your trip and enjoy one of the most beautiful places in North America. Safe travels!