10 Things to Do in Sedona in September

September in Sedona offers plenty of clear skies to explore the natural wonders of Sedona to the fullest. Colourful trails, cool streams and much more await you.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

10 Things to Do in Sedona in September

Vista de Sedona |©Ann French

Sedona is one of Arizona's most important cities and is home to uniquely beautiful desert wilderness areas. With its proximity to the famous Grand Canyon Park , the area receives many visitors each year and September is an ideal time of year for those looking to avoid the crowds.

There is no shortage of outdoor experiences to be had during your September visit to Sedona. Visiting some of the many hiking trails, heading out into the red desert on foot or in a jeep and feeling the energy of the Rocky Mountains in a meditation session are just some of the best things to do in Sedona in the autumn of September.

1. Attend the Sedona WagFest & Fair and enjoy a dog show

People enjoying the park|©North Shore Bank
People enjoying the park|©North Shore Bank

During the days of September, dog lovers have a must-attend Sedona WagFest & Fair, an annual event that brings together dozens of canines and their guardians for a fun time doing a variety of activities.

This festival highlights the beauty of man's best friend through bonding experiences. You will be able to appreciate the canines ' painting samples, brought together in an exhibition. There are also various products on offer for the care and entertainment of pets.

If you are travelling with your pet, the fun will increase, as you can not only be a spectator but also take part in the event by participating with your pet in some of the activities. You can compete in the costume contest, talent show, group games, etc.

Since this activity will only take a short time out of your itinerary, you can easily join in with other plans around the city, such as the Sedona bus tour or an excursion into the surrounding area.

Tour Sedona on a bus tour

2. Take advantage of the pleasant September weather and explore the Sedona Canyon on an ATV

Man and boy on an ATV|©Kerri Thompson
Man and boy on an ATV|©Kerri Thompson

September in Sedona is the beginning of autumn, which means the days of summer are behind us, but we still have pleasant temperatures that are neither too hot nor too cold. This weather is perfect for exploring the Sedona Canyon.

On this ATV tour you can appreciate the geological beauty of Arizona through the huge red rocks that make up the region. The tour through this desert area offers beautiful views where the arid mixes with traces of vegetation and rocky soils.

You will tour the West Sedona Canyon in a two-seater vehicle and the guide will show you how it works and tips for safe driving. Take the opportunity to stop at viewpoints, see local wildlife and iconic formations such as Cathedral Rock.

The best thing is that this type of Sedona Canyon ATV tour can be done in the morning or afternoon, so fitting it into your itinerary won't be a problem. Access to the area is also easy, as it's only a few kilometres from the city.

Useful information

  • Price: from 198 €.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.

Book an ATV tour of Sedona Canyon

3. Be part of a jeep tour of Sedona's western canyons

Jeep tour|©Gary L
Jeep tour|©Gary L

The sunny days and cooler temperatures of September are ideal for a jeep tour of Sedona's western canyons. This tour is one of Sedona' s favourite 1 day tours, as it is a complete outdoor experience.

If you are an adrenaline junkie, this activity is ideal for your visit to Sedona, as you will explore the wild west in a jeep, where you will be able to enjoy the red and green atmosphere of the area.

After the jeep ride, which lasts about 2 hours, the adventure continues with a horseback ride. You will visit the area of Valle Verde, a cosy wine area where you will have a more direct contact with the environment. You may even spot some of the elk, jackrabbits and coyotes that inhabit the area.

Depending on your itinerary, you can combine this experience with a trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, which also offers a unique tour of the canyon region of the American West.

4. Stargazing and UFO Spotting in the Sedona Desert

Sedona stars|©Christopher Cox
Sedona stars|©Christopher Cox

Sedona is one of those strategic places on the planet charged with spirituality and open skies, suitable for activities such as stargazing and UFO spotting. In September, this plan is ideal because the clouds disappear and the firmament is available to observe beyond.

This experience is one of the most popular things to do in Sedona at night. You'll head out into the Arizona desert with a guide to the Cultural Park Place, which is the location that offers the best panoramic view.

Once you receive the night vision goggles included in the tour, you 'll begin observing astronomical phenomena and try your luck at seeing what's coming through the lens. If all goes well, your eyes will perceive the glow of various stars in space.

Also, some unidentified flying objects may appear in your sights. At the end of this tour, you will learn more about UFO stories and the spiritual energy of Sedona.

Information of interest

  • Price: The price for this activity is usually 111 €.
  • Duration: about 2 hours.

Book a stargazing and UFO observation tour

5. Take advantage of seasonal local produce and delight your taste buds in Sedona

Sedona Farmers Market|©Valerie Campos
Sedona Farmers Market|©Valerie Campos

As the transition from summer to winter marks the start of a new harvest season, it's a good idea to go in search of a gourmet experience to delight your taste buds and maybe do a little shopping.

A favourite among visitors is the Sedona Community Farmers Market, a place where you'll find mainly organic, seasonal produce such as cabbage, peas, onions, potatoes and more.

There are also packaged artisan products such as jams, pickles, fermented vegetables. If you wish, you can pick up a jar of pure honey, locally made almond butter, essential oils and much more.

Depending on the time you have available, this visit can be done before starting other sightseeing activities on your itinerary, such as joining one of the Grand Canyon tours.

Useful information

  • Fee: There is no fee to enter the market.
  • Location: 2201 W State Route 89A, Sedona AZ 86336.

6. Enjoy the stunning fall scenery at Red Rock State Park

Red Rock Tourists|©Toni and Sonja
Red Rock Tourists|©Toni and Sonja

If you love adventure and nature, then Red Rock State Park is a must-see destination, whether you're in Sedona for 3 days or less. You'll see the stunning autumn scenery where the reddish tones of the rocks also blend with the vegetation and the rest of the landscape.

In this park, a nature reserve crossed by a creek and made up of several trails of rocky, sandy and mixed soils, you can do a number of activities, such as:

  • Archaeological walks, where you will discover the history of this natural enclosure through data about the pre-Columbian community that inhabited the place. In addition, as you go along the route, you will be able to identify various distinctive archaeological features.
  • Guided walks, a kind of hiking trails led by a volunteer guide. During the walk, you will learn about plant life, wildlife, archaeology and how the different life zones are distributed in this stunning environment.
  • Bird watching walks, an experience that combines physical activity and relaxation. As you walk along the trails, you will see various species of birds, including some unique to the region.

Information of interest

  • Price: admission for children from 0 to 6 years old is free. Youngsters between 7 and 14 pay €4, while adults usually pay around €7.
  • Opening hours: every day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the last group entering at 4:30 pm.

7. Connect with your spiritual side in Sedona's energetic vortexes

Sedona Medicine Wheel|©Katherine Lash
Sedona Medicine Wheel|©Katherine Lash

The Sedona region is a region steeped in spirituality. If you want to take advantage of your visit to develop this area of your life, September is an ideal month, as the crowds are low, giving you more time and space to connect with these places.

The idea of this experience is to visit Sedona' s energy vortexes in order to harness their energy for meditation, healing and transformation. It doesn't matter if you are only staying 2 days in Sedona, as the activity lasts on average 2 hours.

For many people it is enough to just sit on the mountain and take in the surroundings. However, you can have a more immersive experience with the help of a native who will teach you meditation, relaxation and healing practices performed by the Native Americans who populated these lands hundreds of years ago.

In this way, the experience proposes that participants have a greater sense of peace, wellbeing, transformation and achieve the longed-for balance.

8. Spend a different kind of time swimming in the creek under the Midgley Bridge in Sedona

Midgley Bridge|©WenDem
Midgley Bridge|©WenDem

Adventurers find Sedona a perfect place for their experiences. This is because plans that involve contact with nature are plentiful. For example, in the month of September, as in July in Sedona, you can take advantage of the pleasant water temperature to swim in the creek under the Midgley Bridge.

There is no specific timetable for this experience, but if you're driving, it 's advisable to arrive early so you can find a parking space. Once at the bridge, simply walk down to the creek and explore the area to choose the area where you will dive.

One of the best things about this option is that it is free. Also, if you don't want to go in the water, you can simply lie down on the rocks to soak up the sun. You can also enjoy the beautiful view of the orange-tinged rocks in the background and, if you have more time, choose one of the nearby hiking trails such as the Wilson Mountain Trail, Huckaby Trail or Wilson Canyon Trail.

9. Hike along the iconic Devils Bridge in Sedona

Devil's Bridge|©Derrick Nguyen
Devil's Bridge|©Derrick Nguyen

Although it's not summer in Sedona in September, this month offers plenty of dry days ideal for a hike along Devils Bridge. It's one of the most famous and most photographed places to visit in Sedona.

You can take a guided tour or do it on your own. All you need is a good GPS, maps of the area and the prior guidance of a specialist to avoid mishaps. During the experience, you will see the imposing rock formations and enjoy their characteristic colours.

In the same way, according to your physical capacity, you can choose to rent a jeep or experience the trekking route in all its splendour by walking a little more than the 6 km that make up the route.

Regardless of which option you choose, the panoramic views of the place are fascinating and will allow you to make enviable captures. Finally, keep in mind that Devils Bridge is a fairly busy area, so it is advisable to choose strategic times when the influx of people is not so high to take pictures on the arch.

Useful information

  • Price: To do this activity you must pay the Red Rock Pass, which usually costs €5, in addition to the price set when connecting to a guided tour, if you opt for that option.
  • Distance: 3.21 km if you opt for the jeep and 6.75 km if you do the whole tour on foot.
  • Duration: it can take between 2 and 3 hours.

10. Get a bird's eye view of Sedona's rock formations from a helicopter

Sedona Helicopter ride|©dawgfanjeff
Sedona Helicopter ride|©dawgfanjeff

Sedona's clear September skies are conducive to exploring its natural riches in every possible way. A very original and at the same time comfortable way to do this is to take a helicopter ride to view the rock formations from a bird's-eye view.

If you want to delight your eyes with the pleasure of contemplation from a distance, this activity is ideal for you. You will fly over one of the desert areas of the American West and also see the Anasazi cliffs from above.

Whether you're interested in photography as a hobby or a professional photographer, this is the perfect opportunity to get a series of unparalleled images and put your image-capture skills into practice.

You will be able to capture scenery such as Devil's Bridge, Secret Canyon and Boynton Canyon. Add to this the fact that you'll be able to relax in the reddish landscapes with shades of green, brown and orange that are typical of the area.

Information of interest

  • Price: approximately €4,922 per person.
  • Duration: the tour usually lasts a maximum of 25 minutes.

Temperatures in Sedona in September

Sedona - September|©Barbara Ann Spengler
Sedona - September|©Barbara Ann Spengler

September in Sedona is the autumn season, which is a colourful time with warm temperatures reaching a maximum of 25°C. September marks the end of summer for good and some signs of winter arriving later in the year. September marks the end of summer for good and some signs of winter's arrival can be seen by the end of the year.

So, it is possible to find slightly cooler or cooler days, with a minimum temperature of 13°C. It may rain on some days, as the estimated rainfall for September is about 8 days. In any case, the tendency is to have drier days, suitable for outdoor activities.

What to pack for a visit to Sedona in September?

women's suitcase|© Rui Silvestre
women's suitcase|© Rui Silvestre

Considering that temperatures will be relatively warm, your suitcase should be packed with sunscreen. Also, hiking shoes if you're going on a hike and sandals for a short walk. It's also a good idea to include some more protective shoes in case you encounter colder days or precipitation.

As for clothing, pack a coat for colder days and plenty of breathable clothing such as T-shirts, jeans, jumpers and blouses. Consider dressing in layers, so that you can adapt to the weather conditions at the time.