Vital Statistics
Location / Description
Sedona is located at the lower end of Arizona's spectacular Oak Creek Canyon, renowned for its stunning red buttes and monoliths, as well as its surrounding lush forests. Sedona is located in both Coconino and Yavapai Counties and is completely surrounded by the Coconino National Forest.
Sedona has become a center for traditional and contemporary arts and offers a variety of galleries, boutiques and specialty shops. It is an upscale retirement and tourism community, because it is the jumping off place for tours of the Red Rocks region.
There is a small airport
in Sedona where Scenic Airlines, (800-535-4448) provides flights to and from
Phoenix and the Grand Canyon. The Sedona Airport Administration can be reached
at 928-282-4487.
Population / Elevation
16,000 / 4,500 feet above sea level
Weather / Climate
| Sedona, Arizona - Monthly Climate Normal |
| |
Year |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| High °F |
74 |
55 |
59 |
63 |
72 |
81 |
90 |
95 |
92 |
88 |
78 |
65 |
56 |
| Low °F |
48 |
29 |
32 |
35 |
42 |
49 |
57 |
65 |
63 |
58 |
48 |
37 |
30 |
 |
| Average °F |
61 |
42 |
48 |
49 |
57 |
65 |
73 |
80 |
78 |
73 |
63 |
51 |
43 |
| Rain |
17.2 |
1.7 |
1.5 |
1.7 |
1.2 |
0.6 |
0.5 |
1.9 |
2.4 |
1.5 |
1.2 |
1.3 |
1.7 |
History
For more than 11,000 years, humans have lived in the Sedona region. The first inhabitants were Indians of Asian ancestry. They hunted, gathered and cultivated in the area until Europeans and their descendants entered the area 500 years ago.
The first Europeans to discover the region in 1583 were members of a Spanish expedition in search of legendary rich Indian mines. A few expeditions may have passed through the Sedona region, but it is uncertain exactly which trails were traveled.
Sedona began as a
small, remote ranching and farming settlement in 1876 when the first permanent
settler, John James Thompson, settled on property in Oak Creek Canyon, claiming
it under the 1862 Homesteaders Act. By 1902, 20 families lived in the settlement
and a postal station was petitioned for by Theodore Schnelbly. The petition was
granted and Schnelbly named the new post office in honor of his wife, Sedona.
The remote agricultural community was well-know for the quality of its fruit, especially the abundant apple orchards. But as the scenic wonders and sites of Sedona became known, tourism surpassed agriculture in economic importance.
In 1950, surrealist painter Max Ernst moved to Sedona, and other famous artists followed. Many artists have been attracted to
Sedona and its rugged
beauty which is said to enhance their creativity. Over the years, an artist's
colony has developed in Sedona and many of the artists sell their work in local
galleries and shops.
It may have been more
than the scenic red rocks that stimulated the creativity of artists. It is believed
by many people that the region of Sedona contains a concentration of vortexes
- spots that release psychic energy or power from the Earth. The four local
points which are considered to be energy vortexes are Bell Rock, Table Top Mountain,
Cathedral Rock and Boynton Canyon.
Things To Do
Activities and Information
- Hiking - Year-round hiking on maintained trails makes Sedona a hiking mecca.
- Mountain Biking- Numerous trails are maintained for mountain biking.
- Jeep Tours - Sedona is home to numerous Jeep tour companies.
- Fishing - Oak Creek is regularly stocked with trout in the summer.
- Horseback Riding - Local stables offer trail rides and tours on horseback through the beautiful red rock country
- Golf - Contact Sedona's Chamber of Commerce for more information.
- Tennis - Contact Sedona's Chamber of Commerce for more information.
- Swimming - Contact Sedona's Chamber of Commerce for more information.
- Shopping - Sedona is well known for it's art galleries, boutiques and shops, which display Western and Native American arts, crafts and fashion.
- Tours See the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Historic Trading Post, and more
Events Calendar
- January: Red
Rock Fantasy of Lights at Los Abrigados Resort
- February: Sedona's International Film Festival
- March: St. Patrick's Day Parade
- April: A
Taste of Taos
- May: Pow Wow & Native American Arts Celebration
- May: Hopi Show, art, crafts, food and dancers
- May: Western Americana Festival, arts, crafts, car & static air show
- June: Annual Sedona-Verde Valley Astronomy Festival
- July: 4th of July Fireworks
- September: Gathering of Indian Nations Festival
- September: Annual Jazz on the Rocks
- October: Sculpture Walk
- October: Sedona Arts Festival
- November: Red
Rock Fantasy of Lights at Los Abrigados Resort
- December: Red
Rock Fantasy of Lights at Tlaquepaque
Accommodations
Sedona Lodging
Hotels/motels
There are resorts, hotels and motels in Sedona with something for every taste and price range. For more information and a complete list. Click Here. (Hotel Rates, availability, customer reviews and reservation online)
Camping
- There are 6 campgrounds in Oak Creek Canyon
- 173 sites total on a first come first serve basis
- No electrical hookups or shower facilities
- Contact Sedona
Ranger Station 928-282-4119 for more information or the Sedona Chamber of Commerce
- Arizona State Parks: 602-542-4174
- Arizona National Forests: 800-280-CAMP
