Your fall guide to red rock hikes, art festivals, wine country and a getaway worth lingering over.
Some getaways begin with a packed itinerary. A fall getaway to Sedona might begin with a sweater over your shoulders, coffee in hand and a red rock view that makes you forget to check your phone.
Then the day opens up. A trail calls your name. A gallery window catches your eye. Lunch stretches into an afternoon of exploring, and suddenly you’re making plans to stay another night.
That’s the pleasure of Sedona in fall. You can build a trip around the outdoors, follow the art scene or head into the Verde Valley for wine tasting and a scenic train ride. Better yet, give yourself time for a little of each.
The best things to do in Sedona in fall
Start with a morning hike or a drive through Oak Creek Canyon, explore Sedona’s galleries and Tlaquepaque, and save an evening for stargazing. October brings major art festivals, while fall color adds another reason to explore into November. Allow a separate day for Cottonwood, wine country or the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Start your day among the red rocks
There’s something especially inviting about pulling on your walking shoes when the morning air has a little bite. As fall progresses, cooler conditions can make it easier to enjoy the scenery at your own pace.
Choose your outing to suit your energy. Explore the paths around Bell Rock for broad red rock views, or consider Cathedral Rock if you’re comfortable with a steep scramble. For a gentler day, let the scenery come to you on a leisurely drive with stops at designated overlooks.
If Sedona fall colors are on your wish list, look toward Oak Creek Canyon. Deciduous trees along the creek add gold, orange and touches of red to the canyon scenery. Color often develops from mid-October into November, with timing varying by elevation and weather.
West Fork is a favorite fall outing, but it deserves advance planning. Check current access and trail conditions before heading out, expect creek crossings, and remember that autumn weekends can be busy. A weekday morning gives you more flexibility.
Find an outing that fits in our Sedona hiking guide and review Coconino National Forest alerts before your visit.
Follow the color into the galleries
The landscape gets plenty of attention in Sedona. Fall gives you a chance to meet some of the artists who see it a little differently.
Spend an afternoon looking closely. A brushstroke might capture a canyon shadow you hadn’t noticed. A piece of jewelry might become the keepsake you wear long after the trip. You don’t have to be a collector to enjoy a conversation about how something was made.
Watch artists as they create in real time as Sedona’s red rocks inspire their next masterpiece.
Sedona Plein Air Festival from October 16 through 24
At the 22nd Annual Sedona Plein Air Festival, artists work outdoors, responding to the light and landscape as they paint. Consult the program for public demonstrations, paint-outs and ticketed events before choosing your day.
Visiting later? The Sedona Plein Air at 22 exhibition is listed for October 26 through November 22, giving you another opportunity to see the work inspired by the festival.
Leave an afternoon open for Tlaquepaque
Some places are best enjoyed without watching the clock. Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is one of them.
Wander beneath the archways, step into a gallery and follow a courtyard into another little discovery. Leave time for lunch, a browse through the shops and a few photographs beneath the trees. As the sycamores turn, the village takes on another layer of autumn color.
If your dates align, First Friday in the Galleries adds receptions and opportunities to meet artists. The next first Friday after early October is November 6, 2026; check participating galleries for their plans.
Later in the season, Tlaquepaque’s celebrations bring people together through art and remembrance:
- The Marigold Mural Project runs October 29 through November 1, 2026. Visitors can paint a tribute to a loved one on the community remembrance wall.
- Día de los Muertos takes place November 1, 2026, with altars, music and cultural performances honoring loved ones who have died.
Continue exploring with the Sedona’s Best shopping guide.
Trade your hiking shoes for a little pampering
A good fall itinerary leaves room to put your feet up.
After a morning outdoors, settle in for a massage or reserve time at a spa. If quiet reflection is more your style, make space for meditation or a guided introduction to Sedona’s vortex traditions. These experiences are personal; you don’t need to arrive with a particular expectation to appreciate time in the landscape.
Browse Sedona spas and wellness experiences and choose what feels right for your visit. An afternoon with nothing else scheduled can be a welcome part of the trip.
Make a day of the Verde Valley
Save a day for the communities beyond Sedona’s red rocks. Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Jerome each offer a different way to enjoy the season. Choose one main outing and leave room to wander.
Sip and stroll in Cottonwood
Start in Old Town Cottonwood, where browsing the shops and tasting rooms can easily become an afternoon. Have lunch, sample Arizona wine and ask about the vineyards behind the bottle. For more ideas, explore our Sedona and Verde Valley wine guide.
For a vineyard setting, Alcantara Vineyards sits where Oak Creek meets the Verde River. Settle in for a tasting and a meal, or check its current activity options if you’d like to pair your visit with a river adventure. Confirm tour availability and conditions when booking.
If a Western evening is calling, stay in Cottonwood for Blazin’ M Ranch. Explore our Wild West Days and Blazin’ M Nights blog for ideas to pair your daytime exploring with dinner and a show. Check the ranch’s calendar and leave plenty of time to enjoy the activities before dinner.
Watch autumn roll past aboard Verde Canyon Railroad
For scenery with a comfortable seat, head to Clarkdale and board the Verde Canyon Railroad. The approximately four-hour excursion gives the canyon time to unfold, with indoor seating and adjoining open-air viewing cars.
The railroad highlights late October through late November for its fall color tours. Bring your camera and a layer for the open-air car, and check the departure calendar before arranging dinner afterward. Give the ride its own generous place in your day.
Add a little Jerome character
Follow the winding road to Jerome, where hillside streets, colorful storefronts and sweeping Verde Valley views invite you to linger. Browse the galleries and shops, bring your appetite to the Haunted Hamburger, then settle in for a wine tasting at Caduceus Cellars.
Give yourself time to wander between stops and discover a town with plenty of personality. Comfortable shoes are a good idea for those steep streets, and a little extra room in your schedule makes it easier to stay for another view.
Save some wonder for after dark
Dinner doesn’t have to be the last stop.
On a clear evening, step away from bright lights and spend a little time looking up. Bring a warm layer, let your eyes adjust and enjoy the change from red rock views to a sky full of stars.
For darker skies, plan around the moon as well as the weather. A guided astronomy outing can help you understand what you’re seeing; ask the operator what will be visible on your date. Our Sedona stargazing guide offers ideas for planning your evening. Confirm access and nighttime parking rules for your chosen location.
A three-day Sedona fall itinerary
Day one: Begin with a red rock walk suited to your ability. Have lunch, spend the afternoon at Tlaquepaque and enjoy dinner before a little stargazing if skies cooperate.
Day two: Build your day around an art festival or gallery visits. Add a spa appointment or some quiet time, and leave the evening open for a relaxed meal.
Day three: Head into the Verde Valley. Choose the Verde Canyon Railroad as your main activity, or spend the day exploring Cottonwood and wine country. Add Jerome if your schedule allows, rather than trying to fit every stop into one day.
A few tips for your fall getaway
Reserve lodging and must-do experiences ahead, especially around festival weekends. Fall is a popular time to visit, and a little preparation makes the trip more relaxed.
Pack layers for warm afternoons and cooler mornings and evenings. September can still feel summery, while later fall brings colder nights. Check the forecast close to departure, carry water on walks and allow for earlier sunsets as the season progresses.
Give yourself at least three nights if you can. An extra night makes it easier to add a Verde Valley outing without giving up the pleasure of an unhurried Sedona afternoon.
Questions about visiting Sedona in fall
Is fall a good time to visit Sedona?
Yes. Fall offers opportunities to combine outdoor exploring with galleries, seasonal events and Verde Valley day trips. Choose your dates around the experiences you most want, and book ahead for popular weekends.
When can you see fall colors in Sedona?
Oak Creek Canyon often shows color from mid-October into November. Timing changes with weather and elevation. Farther into the Verde Valley, the railroad promotes fall color tours from late October through late November.
What can you do in Sedona in fall without hiking?
Explore Tlaquepaque and the galleries, attend an art event, enjoy a spa treatment, visit wine tasting rooms or ride the Verde Canyon Railroad. A scenic drive and a leisurely lunch can make a satisfying day on their own.
Make this fall getaway your own
Maybe you’ll bring home a painting. Maybe it will be a favorite bottle of Arizona wine, or a photograph you can’t wait to frame. Leave room for the moment you didn’t plan, too.
Start with the Sedona’s Best Trip Planner, and meet Juniper Berry, our AI concierge, at SedonaBest.com for help exploring your options. Then follow the links to your chosen hotels, restaurants and experiences to confirm details and reserve directly.
Your next “let’s do that” could start with a fall day in Sedona.
