Where to stay in Sedona: the short answer
For a first visit, stay in West Sedona if you want value, restaurants and quick access to the western trailheads, or in Uptown if you want to walk to shops and tour pick-ups. Choose the Village of Oak Creek for Bell Rock and a quieter base, and Oak Creek Canyon for cabins among the trees by the creek.
Wherever you stay, the two main roads, State Route 89A and State Route 179, get congested on weekends and in peak season. Picking an area close to what you want to do saves more time than anything else.
The best areas to stay in Sedona
What each part of town is like, with the pros and cons.
Uptown Sedona
The walkable tourist centre at the junction of the two highways, with galleries, souvenir shops, restaurants and many jeep tour departures. Lodges and motels here often have red rock views. Busy and pricier, but you can leave the car parked in the evening.
West Sedona
The everyday side of town along State Route 89A, with supermarkets, local restaurants and a wide range of motels, hotels and rentals. Close to Airport Mesa, Soldier Pass, Boynton Canyon and the Dry Creek area for Devil's Bridge. For most visitors, the best all-round choice.
Village of Oak Creek
South of town on State Route 179, right by Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Calmer, with golf, resorts and more modest hotels, and often slightly better value. The drive into Uptown can be slow at weekends.
Oak Creek Canyon
North of Uptown along the creek on State Route 89A. Rustic cabins, creekside lodges and Forest Service campgrounds, cooler in summer and close to Slide Rock and the West Fork Trail. Few services, and the road is narrow and winding.
Types of lodging in Sedona
Resorts and spa hotels are a Sedona speciality, especially around Boynton Canyon and the Village of Oak Creek. They often come with pools, spa treatments and red rock views, and many charge a daily resort fee on top of the room rate.
Motels and mid-range hotels line State Route 89A in West Sedona and the edges of Uptown. They are the easiest way to keep costs down without staying far away.
Bed and breakfasts and cabins suit couples who want something smaller, from adobe-style inns to wooden cabins in Oak Creek Canyon. Vacation rentals work well for families and groups, with kitchens and more space.
Camping: the Forest Service runs campgrounds in Oak Creek Canyon, mostly seasonal and in high demand, so reserve early. If Sedona is fully booked or too expensive, Cottonwood and Camp Verde in the Verde Valley are cheaper alternatives within a short drive.
Things to book in Sedona
Jeep tours, guided hikes, sunset and stargazing tours that pick up from hotels around Sedona, with live prices and availability.
Page as a base for Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell
Page, in the far north of Arizona, is the natural base for Antelope Canyon tours, Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell. Horseshoe Bend and the Antelope Canyon tour offices are about ten minutes from town, which makes it easy to book the best tour times and catch sunrise or sunset without a long drive.
Lodging in Page is mostly chain hotels and motels along the main road through town, plus vacation rentals. Around the lake you also find campgrounds and houseboat rentals. In summer, rooms sell out, so book early once your canyon tour is fixed.
Watch the time zone: Page follows Arizona time all year, while the Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time. Check your tour time carefully. More in our guide to things to do in Page.
Sedona, Page or both?
Sedona and Page are around three hours apart by car, too far to see both comfortably from one base. On most northern Arizona trips it makes sense to split your nights:
- Two or three nights in Sedona for hiking, a jeep tour and perhaps a sunrise balloon flight.
- One or two nights in Page for Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and the lake.
- The Grand Canyon South Rim lies between the two and works as a stop on the drive. In autumn 2026, the National Park Service reported water restrictions affecting lodging in the park, so check the current situation with NPS before planning a night there.
Our Arizona road trip itinerary shows how to combine Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Page and Monument Valley in 7, 10 or 14 days.
Booking tips for Sedona and Page
What to check before you book.
Taxes and fees
As of 2026, state, county and city lodging taxes in Sedona add up to about 13.9% on top of the room rate. Resorts often add a daily resort fee, so compare total prices.
Peak season
Spring and autumn are Sedona's busiest seasons, and weekends fill first. Midweek stays are often cheaper and the trailheads quieter.
Best time to visit →Parking and the shuttle
Ask about parking if you stay in Uptown. For trailheads, the free Sedona Shuttle runs Thursday to Sunday from park-and-ride lots, which spares you the hunt for a space.
Sedona trailhead tips →Book tours first
In Page, fix your Antelope Canyon tour first and then book the room. In Sedona, a hotel near your tour departure point makes early starts easier.
Sedona jeep tours →Where to stay in Sedona: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Sedona?
For most visitors, West Sedona: good value, plenty of restaurants and close to many trailheads. Uptown is best if you want to walk everywhere in the evening.
Is it better to stay in Sedona or Flagstaff?
For red rock hiking and Sedona's tours, stay in Sedona. Flagstaff, about 45 minutes away through Oak Creek Canyon, is closer to the Grand Canyon and often cheaper, but you lose the evenings among the red rocks.
How much is the hotel tax in Sedona?
As of 2026, combined state, county and city lodging taxes are about 13.9%. Resort fees, where charged, come on top.
Should I stay in Page or visit Antelope Canyon as a day trip from Sedona?
Stay in Page if you can. It is around three hours each way from Sedona, and a night in Page lets you choose better tour times and add Horseshoe Bend at sunset.