Looking for the best tours in Sedona? You have come to the right place. Sedona is quickly becoming one of the most popular tourist spots in the American Southwest and the tour opportunities are endless.
From helicopter rides and guided spiritual vortex meditation to off road jeep trails and kayaking trips down the Verde River, you will certainly be spoiled for choice with numerous fun things to do in Sedona.
Let’s begin.
Our Sedona Experience
We spent eight amazing days exploring Sedona in December 2021. Since we visited early in the month, we missed both the Thanksgiving and Christmas rush so it was the perfect time to visit.
If you are planning to visit Sedona in the peak season from March to May or September to November, booking a tour might help you avoid the crowds.
This guide will help you make the most of your trip when creating your Sedona itinerary.
Why Book A Tour In Sedona?
Located in the middle of red rock country, Sedona has become known for adventure. This region is filled with some of the America’s most amazing landscapes and fascinating history.
There is no surprise Sedona is a tourist hot spot with everything this area has to offer. But unfortunately, this demand has lead to an increase in traffic which means difficulty parking at many of these coveted locations.
The Sedona Shuttle was created to help alleviate some of this crowding. But the shuttle only runs Thursday to Sunday and does not offer rides to all of the popular hiking trails.
Booking a tour in Sedona is one of the best ways to get around the parking problem. You can let someone else handle the details while you sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning views.
Sedona also makes a great base for visiting the surrounding cities of Flagstaff and Phoenix. Did you know you could also easily visit Grand Canyon South Rim on a tour from Sedona?
We have broken up tours into specific categories to help you find the perfect one:
- Adventure tours
- Jeep tours
- Winery tours
- Guided tours
- Helicopter tours
- Stargazing and UFO tours
- Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon tours from Sedona
In this guide, we will discuss the most popular Sedona tours in detail so you can see if they will be a great fit for you or your group.
Adventure Tours In Sedona
Don’t miss your chance to explore the Sedona wilderness in your own ATV. Popular tour options include guided ATV tours or rentals.
Choose a guided tour if you want someone else to worry about the directions. Or have complete flexibility by booking your own ATV so you can explore Sedona on your own terms.
1. Western Sedona Guided ATV Tour
- Tour length: 4 hours
- Special requirements: Must be 15 1/2 with a learner’s permit to drive ATV
- Good for: Avoiding the crowds
This guided ATV tour begins about 8 miles outside of Sedona in the West Canyon. Once situated with your own personal ATV, your guide will lead you through desert trails pointing out where several movies have been filmed throughout the years.
Each tour is customized by the guide based on age, interests and skill levels. A highlight of the tour is a ride up 800 ft to the top of Skeleton Bone Mountain where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Verde Valley.
2. ATV Rentals In Sedona
- Tour length: Varies but usually 4-8 hours
- Special requirements: None
- Good for: Adventurous and independent travelers
These ATV rentals are perfect for independent travelers who don’t want to be tied down to a guided tour. You will be provided with fuel, goggles and helmets along with a map and GPS tracker, but after that your itinerary is completely up to you.
This is a great way to get off the beaten path and experience Arizona’s best landscapes. Book one of the tours above if you want to see the best sites of the Verde Valley with complete freedom.
3. Kayak On The Verde River
- Tour length: 2.5 hours
- Special requirements: Water shoes required
- Good for: Families and groups
With this kayaking tour, you can explore the gorgeous Arizona scenery from the middle of the Verde River. This is a beginner option featuring a relaxing paddle down a 3.1 mile river stretch through gentle rapids.
No need to worry because hands-on guidance, training, safety gear, inflatable or hard kayaks and shuttle transit are all included in the price so you can focus on having fun.
Further Reading: Where to find the best caves in Sedona?
4. Verde Canyon Railroad Tour
- Tour length: 4 hours
- Special requirements: Special dietary options are unable to be accommodated
- Good for: Groups, families, wheelchair accessible
Take a 4 hour sightseeing journey through the beautiful Arizona wilderness in a vintage train car. Highlights of the ride include ancient cliff dwellings, wildlife and historic mining sites.
During our time in Sedona, we booked a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad and you can read our full review here. If you are traveling with kids, this is great Sedona activity.
Travel Tip: The Verde Canyon Railroad is often sold out so we recommend you book your tickets as soon as possible.
Jeep Tours In Sedona
Another popular way of getting around Sedona is by Jeep. During these jeep tours, someone else will handle the trails while you sit back and enjoy the ride.
Travel Tip: Jeep tours can be rough because they will be driving off road trails which are filled with potholes and rocks. If you don’t like to be bounced around, these tours might not be the best choice for you.
5. The Outlaw Trail Jeep Tour Of Sedona
- Tour length: 3 hours
- Special requirements: Comfortable clothing, dogs over 25lbs are charged a child rate and need advanced notice
- Good for: Families and those who don’t want to drive off road themselves
This guided 4×4 tour explores the western canyons of Sedona. You will pass by desert towns, red rock buttes, steep canyon walls, and pine forests. It is a great tour for the entire family.
You will also learn about the history of the area, famous rocks formations and location traditions. There are many tour departures in one day so you have flexibility with your itinerary.
The tour listed above is approximately 3 hours, but if you want a shorter option, check out this tour here.
6. Sedona Outback Tours
- Tour length: 2 hours
- Special requirements: Comfortable clothing
- Good for: Families and those who don’t want to drive off road themselves
This tour is perfect for those looking to explore Sedona’s stunning landscapes on a jeep tour that is more on the mild side. You will learn about Arizona geology, local history, desert fauna and native plants.
Travel by jeep to famous rock formations such as Cathedral Rock, Thunder Mountain and more. Tours begin in uptown Sedona with multiple tours daily to help fit your schedule.
If you can’t find space on this tour, check out this Red Rock West tour here.
7. Diamond Back Gulch
- Tour length: 2.5 hours
- Special requirements: No children under 5 years old, Not recommend for those with back problems or pregnant travelers
- Good for: Adventurers
This adventure tour will take you into the Sedona backcountry as you explore the trails of Diamondback Gulch across bumpy roads and off road trails.
Features of this Diamondback Gulch tour include Thunder Mountain, Doe Mesa, Bear Mountain and more as your guide shares fascinating stories about the Arizona wilderness.
8. Pink Jeep Adventure Tours
- Tour length: Varies
- Special requirements: None
- Good for: Families and those who don’t want to drive off road themselves
After spending only a short time in Sedona, it’s very likely you will see a pink jeep. Established in 1960, this well known company has since expanded operations into other Southwest cities.
Pink Jeep strives to provide each guest with safe, exciting and awe-inspiring adventures. This company offers many tours with certified local guides and state of the art vehicles.
If you want to book a Pink Jeep tour, you must book with the official website here. Check out Pink Jeep reviews on TripAdvisor prior to booking.
Further Reading: What are the best jeep trails in Sedona?
Winery Tours In Sedona
With the perfect climate for wine making, Sedona is slowly giving itself Napa-like status in the wine industry. There are currently 25 wineries along the popular Verde Valley Wine Trail just waiting to be sampled.
Book one of the tours listed below so someone else can do the driving and you can enjoy the delicious wine!
9. All Inclusive Sedona Wine Tour
- Tour length: 5-6 hours
- Special requirements: Must be 21 years of age
- Good for: Groups
On this tour, you will visit 3 popular tasting rooms in the Verde Valley with 5-6 tastings at each vineyard. You will also receive a souvenir wine glass to take home after the fun stops.
The best part about this all inclusive tour is everything is covered including lunch at your second winery. The tour guides will have snacks and water on hand to keep you in good spirits for the entire day.
10. Four Verde Valley Wineries Tour
- Tour length: 5-7 hours
- Special requirements: Must be 21 years of age
- Good for: Groups, bachelorettes, families
This is great tour if you want to visit multiple wineries along the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Round trip transport will give you a stress free day out.
Wineries along the tour include Alcantara Vineyards, Page Springs Cellars, Javelina Leap Vineyard and Oak Creek Vineyards. A picnic lunch featuring a personalized charcuterie tray is also included.
Further Reading: Best Wineries On The Verde Valley Wine Trail
Sedona Guided Tours
Book a guided tour if you want to see the beauty of Sedona with a local guide showing you the best locations. In these sightseeing tours, you will learn about the red rock geology, history and energetic vortexes.
11. Sedona Highlights: Open-Air Bus Sightseeing Tour
- Tour length: 2 hours
- Special requirements: None
- Good for: Learning about the history of Sedona
This tour starts with a visit to the Sedona Airport Mesa followed by spectacular views of rock formations like Thunder Mountain, Coffee Pot Rock, Cockscomb, Chimney Rock, Sugarloaf, and Mingus Mountain.
Next, the tour continues to the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park as well as the Boynton Canyon Vortex. This sightseeing tour is a great option if you want to learn about natural history, indigenous people, geology and energy vortexes from a local guide.
>> Compare prices and reviews: Get Your Guide | Viator
12. Sedona Vortex Tours
- Tour length: 2.5 hours
- Special requirements: Must be able to walk over uneven terrain
- Good for: Anyone
These small group tours explore the magic and mysticism of natural vortexes in Sedona. During this tour, you will visit several vortex sites and learn about the history of these sacred places.
Originally identified by Page Bryant, these vortex sites have defied explanations for years. You will learn why people from all walks of life have traveled here to experience the powerful energy.
>> Compare prices and reviews: Get Your Guide | Viator
Further Reading: How To Find The Best Vortexes in Sedona
Helicopter Tours In Sedona
If you are looking for something unique and memorable, a helicopter tour is just what you need. We experienced our first helicopter tour in New York City and since then we have been hooked!
So if you want to see Sedona from a different vantage point, book a helicopter tour to see the sights from above.
13. Desert Thunder Tour
- Tour length: 30 to 35 mins
- Special requirements: Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Good for: Avoiding crowds
The benefit to this Desert Thunder tour in Sedona is being able to see the best Sedona sights in just a matter of minutes. Your pilot will discuss each point of interest and you will also get a chance to snap some photos.
The Desert Thunder tour includes numerous highlights such as Cathedral Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock along with Courthouse Butte, Snoopy Rock, Devil’s Bridge and so much more.
14. Dust Devil Tour
- Tour Length: 20 to 25 minutes
- Special requirements: Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Good For: Avoiding Crowds
Imagine a helicopter flight over Anasazi cliff dwellings then soaring over Devil’s Bridge and finally into a secret canyon? Well, this is exactly what you will get with this popular helicopter tour.
With consistent positive reviews, this tour is certainly one not to miss. Other points of interest include the Mogollon Rim and Boynton Canyon. So instead of dealing with the heavy foot traffic in Sedona, book a tour in the sky to see all of Sedona in one go.
Stargazing And UFO Tours
Did you know Sedona has been named the World’s Eighth International Dark Sky Community? This makes Sedona perfect for stargazing almost anytime of the year.
Book the stargazing tour below to explore the astronomical wonders of Sedona. Or maybe you would be prefer a tour which visits the popular places known for UFO sightings?
15. Sedona Stargazing Tour
- Tour length: 1 hour
- Special requirements: Most travelers can participate, but not wheelchair accessible
- Good for: Families and couples
During this tour you will listen to professional astronomers discuss constellations and the solar system with a high-powered laser pointer in Oak Creek, Arizona.
You will then use specialized telescopes to see close up views of planets, galaxies, nebulas and stars. Each guest will also receive binoculars and get the chance to view the stars from a comfortable chair for the ultimate experience.
16. Sedona UFO and Stargazing Tour
- Tour length: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Special requirements: Please wear closed toe shoes
- Good for: Families and couples
While Sedona is known for stargazing, it is also a popular place for UFO sightings. So whether you are a believer or not, book this tour to see for yourself.
Points of interest include Thunder Mountain Trailhead, Fay Canyon Trail, Red Rock State Park, Cultural Park Place and Crystal Magic Psychic Place. Guests will also have the chance to use upgraded military night vision goggles.
>> Compare prices and reviews: Get Your Guide | Viator
Grand Canyon Tours From Sedona
Want to visit Grand Canyon National Park, but want someone else to do all the driving? Then book one of the tours below to enjoy hotel pick up and a professional guide who will explain points of interest along the way.
17. Small Group Complete Grand Canyon Tour
- Tour length: 9-11 hours
- Special requirements: Sedona, Village of Oak Creek or Flagstaff hotel pickup (pickup within city limits only). Minimum 4 guests for tour to operate.
- Good for: Families, couples, groups and solo travelers
This tour begins with pick up from your hotel in Sedona (or Flagstaff) and then heads to Wupatki National Monument where you will learn about ancient civilizations.
The tour continues to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument with a lunch break at the historic Cameron Trading Post. After lunch, you will finally arrive at Grand Canyon National Park.
From here, your tour guide will highlight the best viewpoints along Grand Canyon South Rim, but you will also have some time to explore at your own pace.
18. Private Grand Canyon Day Tour
- Tour length: 9 hours
- Special Requirements: Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level, minimum of 4 adults required
- Good for: Avoiding the crowds
A private tour to the Grand Canyon is one of the best ways to avoid the large crowds. This tour can be customized based on your preferences which means you can explore on your own schedule.
Highlights of this private tour include a drive through Oak Creek Canyon and Grand Canyon National Park with a stop at both Grand Canyon Village and the South Rim.
Park fees for the national park and lunch at the popular El Tovar is included in addition to complimentary pick up and drop off at all hotels in Sedona, Village of Oak Creek and Flagstaff.
19. Grand Canyon Sunset Tour
- Tour length: 10.5 hours
- Special requirements: Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Good for: Families, couples, groups and solo travelers
This Grand Canyon Sunset Tour begins with hotel pickup at your Sedona accommodation. You will then drive though the scenic Oak Creek Canyon and the Painted Desert.
After the drive, you will take a break at the Cameron Trading Post where you can shop handicrafts and artwork made by local members of the Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo tribes.
Once you arrive at Grand Canyon National Park, you will enjoy the Little Colorado River Gorge, and views into the canyon along the South Rim. Take a look at some of the best Grand Canyon sunset spots to get an idea of what you can expect.
Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour
Antelope Canyon is a popular slot canyon in the American Southwest. Horseshoe Bend is a famous winding meander in the Colorado River located near the town of Page, Arizona.
If you are short on time, the tour below is the perfect option to tick off some of Arizona’s most famous landscapes in on day.
20. Antelope Canyon And Horseshoe Bend Tour
- Tour length: 9-11 hours
- Special requirements: Comfortable clothing is suggested and guests should have good mobility
- Good for: Avoiding the crowds
This tour offers hotel pick up from either Sedona or Flagstaff with transportation by air-conditioned mini-coach. In route throughout the tour, you will visit the Navajo Nation, stop at an authentic trading post and view the Painted Desert.
Once you arrive in Page, you will go off roading in the spectacular Antelope Canyon with a local guide. After this adventure, you will see Glen Canyon, the Colorado River, Lake Powell and Vermillion Cliffs.
>> Compare prices and reviews: Get Your Guide | Viator
Pros And Cons To Booking A Sedona Tour
Still on the fence about booking a tour in Sedona? Here are a few pros and cons to help sway your decision:
Pros:
- Tours offer convenience and safety with little risk involved
- Chance to meet new people
- Learn about the area from a local
- Don’t have to worry about where you are going or parking problems
- There will always be someone to take your photo
Cons:
- Less flexibility and held to time constraints
- Tours are more expensive than a DIY option
- Groups may be too large
- Sometimes tours visit attractions at the busiest times of the day
- You run a higher risk of things not going to plan
Important Tips For Booking Sedona Tours
The price for a tour in Sedona can range anywhere between $20 and $300.
There are many different types of Sedona tours with self guided tours being the cheaper option and private luxurious tours being the most expensive option.
Here are a few tips to consider for your visit:
- Read previous guest reviews so you know exactly what to expect
- If you are visiting Sedona during busy season, a tour is a great way to avoid the crowds
- Watch your budget because most tours do not include a tip in the original price
- Treat yourself to a tour if Sedona has been on your bucket list
- Compare tours to make sure you are getting the best price
Our best tip for booking tours in Sedona is to book as soon as possible, especially if you plan to visit during the busy season.
You can tour Sedona on your own because it is small enough to easily explore on your own, but if you book a tour you will be guaranteed to see the best spots and possibly avoid some of the crowds.
More From Sedona
- 20 amazing hikes near Sedona, AZ
- 5 ruins you must visit near Sedona
- 15 epic places to see the Sedona sunrise
- How to find the best caves in Sedona
- 20 best things to do in Sedona, AZ
- Best hotels for your trip to Sedona
- 9 Sedona jeep trails you should not miss
- How to spend 1-7 days in Sedona
Want more Arizona content? Head over to our Arizona Travel Guides to explore the best of Grand Canyon, Sedona and beyond.
We hope this guide to the best tours for visiting Sedona helps with planning your visit!
Please let us know if you have any questions about the best tours in Sedona or your visit to red rock country in the comments below.
Happy Touring,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.
Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us.