Planning a family trip to Sedona, Arizona? Nature is a highlight here! The breathtaking desert scenery, brilliant blue skies and majestic Red Rocks cliffs offer a vacation backdrop unlike any other destination. Kids and kids at heart, will all be dazzled by the vistas. Nourish your soul with the natural beauty and rich, welcoming community of Sedona.
If you’re planning to travel to Sedona with small children, aim to visit between March and May, when temperatures are most comfortable. Springtime is the most sublime in Sedona, with average temperatures in the mid ’70s, and a carpet of desert flowers and cactuses in bloom. Be aware that April and May are the busiest months, with expensive hotel rates.
Summertime heat can be intense and summer monsoon season can produce dangerous flash floods. Still, summer has its own unique beauty; for example, July is the best time to spot various species of hummingbirds.
Hotel prices and temperatures start to cool off again in the fall, making fall another great time for family vacations to Sedona. Autumn season offers brilliant foliage, as well as a variety of fall festivals, including Sedona Winefest, Sedona Plein Air Festival, Red Rocks Oktoberfest, Sedona Arts Festival, and Red Rocks Music Festival.
Wintertime is a uniquely peaceful, quiet, romantic season with much lower hotel rates, minimal traffic, and picturesque winter wonderland scenery whenever there’s a dusting of snow sparkling on the mountain crests, buttes, and mesas!
Carefully consider the temperatures and highlights of each of these four seasons before planning your family vacation to Sedona!
Plan your getaway accordingly and stay with us at one of our luxury vacation homes!
1) See the Petroglyphs at Palatki Cliff Dwelling & Heritage Site:
The Palatki cliff dwelling and rock art site is a fascinating heritage site and educational attraction to visit if you are planning a family vacation to Sedona. The site is managed by the U.S. Forest Service under the Red Rock Pass Program and is open to the public seven days a week. (The site closes for major holidays, and when temperatures are over 100 degrees F.)
Palatki Heritage Site offers three trails; each of these trails is 1.5 miles round trip. The most strenuous trail climbs to the Sinagua cliff dwellings and includes 60 steep steps. The least strenuous trail is wheelchair accessible and offers views of the dwellings. The medium-level trail goes to the caves and alcoves that shelter ancient petroglyphs, painted by every native culture to ever reside in the Verde Valley. Viewing these petroglyphs up close in person is an awe-inspiring experience! Be sure to bring plenty of drinking water, and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes.
The one-mile-long Bell Rock Loop trail is ideal for families with young children. It’s an easy, beginner-level hiking trail that offers stunning views, but only takes about a half-hour to complete. If your kids love to climb, jump or scramble up rocks, they will love this short, simple trail. Just remember to bring plenty of water, shade hats, and sunscreen, especially if hiking with small kiddos.
Bell Rock Loop Trail does offer entrances to other trails, such as Cathedral Rock Trail, which allow you to go up the mountainside, which may appeal to more adventurous hikers in your group. Bell Rock is believed to be one of the most powerful energy vortexes in Sedona!
3) Go Swimming/Watersliding at Slide Rock State Park:
Just a few miles up the road from Sedona is Oak Creek Canyon, where a beautiful forest offers shade alongside the refreshing waters of Oak Creek. Slide Rock State Park is very popular as a swimming hole during the summer months because of its natural rock water slides. The area can be busy in summer months. To avoid crowds, visit on weekdays instead of weekends.
4) Immerse Your Family in Art & Culture at Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village
Nestled in sycamore shade along the banks of Oak Creek, Tlaquepaque is a distinctive Southwestern shopping area designed with the flavor of an authentic Mexican village square. Tlaquepaque, which translates as “the best of everything”, has been a Sedona landmark since the 1970s.
Anticipate beautiful trees, gardens, fountains, cobblestone walkways, ivy-covered walls, and enchanting lights that illuminate the setting by night. Anticipate colorful galleries, exquisite handmade crafts, live artisan demonstrations, fine foods, breweries, stylish shops, enticing aromas, and events that feature music, dancing, and festivities.
This is a shopping experience like no other! It offers an authentic ambiance of old Mexico. Adults will love exploring the boutiques, galleries, and cafes. Kids will find delight at Tlaquepaque Toy Town.
5) Explore Montezuma Castle National Monument and Montezuma Well
Just 25 miles from Sedona, right off the Interstate, Montezuma Castle National Monument is an impressive attraction. This cliff dwelling was carved by the Sinagua tribe during the 8th century. Montezuma Castle has been a center for archeology in AZ. Artifacts such as hunting tools, jewelry, basketry, pottery, and fabric tell of a story of ingenuity, survival, and even prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape.
There’s an easy 1-mile loop hike with plenty of shade and benches for resting. The Junior Ranger Program at Montezuma Castle has numerous guided tours, age-appropriate activities, and booklets for kids to complete that help them to learn and explore the site. In addition to the Castle, Montezuma Well is a fascinating area to explore. The well-provided water and irrigation canals for early tribes.
There are of course HUNDREDS of other trails you can explore with varying levels.
Plan a trip with your littles, with your companion, or simply go alone.
Either way it is always a great day to TAKE A HIKE in Sedona.
