More about: Best Things To Do In Sedona In July
The city of Sedona integrates the desert area that goes to the Grand Canyon Park, so it is composed of dozens of geological formations of great visual appeal, endless cliffs, some rivers, streams and small loalidades with agricultural products and crafts to know.
In July, when the summer season occurs , the city is full of visitors, who come to know the surrounding canyons, have extreme adventures in the rocky terrain, observe the landscapes from various viewpoints and take advantage of annual events such as the Hummingbird Festival. These and other things to do in Sedona are what I'll tell you about below.
1. Tour Sedona by bus and discover the main attractions
The fullness of summer in July is more than ideal for a tour of Sedona aboard a small bus that can accommodate groups of 13 people or less. This is a convenient tour if you are traveling with children or people who are not willing to walk too much and want to capture the beauty of the places they will see.
The activity is accompanied by a guide who will teach you about the history and culture of each place. On the tour, you will see the best known environments of the region, such as:
- The 7 canyons, a natural area composed of several canyons that together provide an attractive panorama and are a space for exploration and hiking.
- Tlaquepaque, the town of great cultural and artistic value full of restaurants, art galleries and stores with handcrafted products.
- The Chapel of the Holy Cross, an exuberant building that is sustained on the rocks that offers landscapes of great beauty.
- The viewpoint of the airport, another of Sedona's panoramic points to appreciate different angles of the city and the sunset.
Information of interest
- Price: you can find this tour for approximately 110 €.
- Duration: the tour is estimated to take about 5 and a half hours to complete.
2. Experience an off-road adventure through the Sedona canyon on an ATV
The dry days of July set the stage for a ride over the desert floors of the Sedona Canyon. So, you can experience an off-road adventure on an ATV tour, where you and a companion will control the vehicle on the reddish trails of the area.
Once you arrive at the meeting point with the guide of this activity, you will receive the goggles and helmet necessary for driving the quad and you will start the ride. Of course, you will first receive instructions on how to steer the ATV.
You will enter a wild nature territory , where you will see red landscapes combined with green vegetation and also known panoramic points such as Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa and Devil's Bridge.
If you are lucky you may also see some of the wildlife that inhabits the area, such as some deer, javelinas, maples, coyotes and rattlesnakes. Upon completion, you will understand more about the geology of the region and a bit of its history.
Information of interest
- Price: the entrance fee for this tour is 198 €.
- Duration: the activity has an average duration of 4 hours.
3. Refresh your palate at Sedona's ice cream parlors
The July heat in Sedona is convenient for being outdoors, but at some point you'll need to cool off. One way to do that is to visit some of the city' s ice cream parlors, which offer a variety of original flavors. This way you will refresh yourself and delight your palate at the same time.
Among the ice cream parlors you can visit are:
- Rocky RD Ice Cream, with ice cream that contains no preservatives or artificial colors. You will find fruity flavors such as cherry and other highly praised flavors such as hazelnut churro and bourbon nut.
- Black Cow Café, with a dessert proposal that, in addition to ice cream, includes coffee, brownies, cakes, cookies and homemade cakes. Flavors such as Belgian chocolate and malted vanilla stand out , which you can mix with fresh fruit.
- Pussycat Gelato, a traditional Italian gelato shop, with various flavors ranging from chocolate to original flavors such as Raspberry Sorbet.
The best thing is that this activity can be done in combination with other activities. For example, you can go in the late afternoon, just before joining one of the stargazing and UFO tours, one of the things to do in Sedona at night that are not to be missed.
4. Take a trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend from Sedona
The presence of sunshine and warm temperatures are conducive to not only seeing the city but other attractive destinations nearby. If you're in Sedona for 3 days or more, you'll have more than enough time for a trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend.
This experience generally begins with pick-up at the door of your hotel in Sedona. Groups of no more than 14 people meet and you'll be guided by an expert who will tell you historical facts about the region and the sites you'll see during the tour. Among other destinations, you will see:
- Antelope Canyon, a set of rock formations that mix orange and purple colors.
- The Glen Canyon overlook, from where you will see the imposing region from another angle, as well as the Colorado Canyon and Lake Powell.
- Horseshoe Bend, another point from where you can see the Colorado River with its peculiar horseshoe shape, as well as a series of reddish cliffs around.
- Cameron Trading Post, a place where stops are usually made on the tour to see pieces of native American art, as well as jewelry and other items.
- Flagstaff, the existing city between this conglomerate of natural buildings where you can find good gastronomy, music and artistic expressions.
Information of interest
- Price: the value of this getaway is usually around 269 €.
- Duration: this tour can last around 12 hours.
5. Kayak on the waters of the Verde River in Sedona
Although Sedona is a desert area, it also has some rivers and streams in its geography. These, combined with the good weather in July, become perfect environments for water activities such as a kayak trip on the Verde River, something you can also do if you are in Sedona in June.
This experience can be done on your own or through a tour. In the first case, you will have to drive to the Verde River, located about half an hour from downtown. When you arrive, you can rent a kayak and start the tour.
If you choose a tour, you will have to go to Cottonwood, which is usually the meeting point with the organizers. You will take a bus to the river and start the tour, which is approximately 5 km long. You will be able to admire the scenery surrounding this river channel while getting some exercise.
In case you want more, then you can sign up for other water sports in the area, such as paddle surfing, canoeing and tubing. The best thing is that this activity admits the participation of people of all ages, who will have the respective safety accessories.
Information of interest
- Price: if you opt for a tour, its value is usually around 105 € approximately.
- Duration: the stipulated time for the tour is 2 and a half hours plus 30 minutes of travel time to the Verde River area.
6. Enjoy nature at Grasshopper Point Park
To make the most of the summer in Sedona during the month of July, you can choose to go to Grasshopper Point Park, a recreational area composed of some natural pools that you can go to if you are traveling with children, friends or family.
The arrival to this place is very easy, as it is located about 6 minutes drive from the city. However, it is recommended to arrive early to opt for a parking space. Once there, the offer of options is wide, as you will not only connect with nature, but you can have a picnic, watch wildlife and much more.
If you want to swim, this place is suitable for it, as it has a well near the cliff. The best thing is that you'll find shady spots to lie down, the water will be cool and you'll be able to relieve the high temperatures if the day is very sunny.
The plans at Grasshopper Point don't end. It's possible to hike some of the three trails that overlook the parking lot and connect with other hiking trails that circle the region.
7. Discover the exhibits at the Sedona Heritage Museum
The Sedona Heritage Museum usually organizes special summer programming for the July season with a variety of activities. This is a great way to vary your outdoor activities.
Here you can learn a lot about Sedona's history from a variety of perspectives. You will have access to the library, where you can consult works for professional or personal research, learn about the lives of former inhabitants of the city and their contributions, visit the telegraph office, etc.
Also, depending on the date you visit, you can take part in one of the special events, some aimed at children, adults or both, such as scavenger hunts, presentations on a topic of interest, musicals, craft fairs, concerts, etc.
Information of interest
- Price: admission for children under 13 is 3 € (approx.) with an audio tour, while the self-guided tour is free. Adults pay around 10 € and 7 € respectively.
- Hours: daily from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, except on public holidays.
- Location: 735 Jordan Rd. Sedona, AZ 86336.
8. Be amazed by the exhibitions at the Son Silver West Outdoor Gallery in Sedona
If you are a lover of art, crafts and decor, you can take advantage of the special light of the days of July to visit a place highly praised by tourists. It is the Son Silver West, a place where the concepts of store and art gallery are combined , from which you will surely not leave without buying a souvenir.
Just 4 minutes drive from downtown Sedona, you will reach this picturesque place that offers its visitors various items related to the American Southeast. You will see a wide variety of ceramic products, antiques, fabrics, gardening tools and much more.
Some people describe this space as an entertaining labyrinth, since inside there are sculptures of animals, characters, historical figures and for its construction materials such as metal and plastic have been used. In addition, you can walk through it in different ways and always find something of interest to you.
As this space has open and closed areas, you can visit it not only in July but also at other times, for example, if you spend September in Sedona or other months of the year.
Information of interest
- Hours: daily from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm.
- Location: 1476 Hwy 179, Sedona, AZ 86336.
9. Fly over the skies of Sedona and see the red cliffs that characterize this region
For a unique panoramic view of the reddish elevations with green hues that populate the Sedona territory, you can take advantage of the clear skies in July and take part in a helicopter tour of Sedona.
As you ride in this aerial vehicle, you will observe the various canyons that make up the desert area, as well as the countless rock formations with high geological value.
On this adventure you will also see the Verde River, one of the most important rivers in the region. You will also see Mingus Mountain, a well-known natural building where athletes often practice mountain biking.
You will also have a bird's eye view of the town of Jerome, an old mining town that attracts hundreds of tourists who are part of the Grand Canyon tours. Also, don't forget to bring your camera and take unique pictures of the landscapes and the different emblematic places you will see.
Information of interest
- Price: the average price of this tour is approximately 568 €.
- Duration: the activity can last between 50 and 55 minutes.
10. Attend the annual Hummingbird Festival in Sedona
For its natural wealth, whose splendor shines during July, Sedona is home to an important part of the fauna of the state of Arizona. For this reason, the annual Hummingbird Festival, an event dedicated to these enchanting birds, is held during this month.
Due to its geographic conditions, Sedona is an environment that is home to 5 to 7 different species of hummingbirds. Therefore, this festival promotes their preservation and, of course, their beauty. Thus, you can participate in bird watching activities , talks and workshops on their respective care, garden tours, etc.
Similarly, the event includes immersion in Sedona's trails, with tours of areas such as Oak Creek Canyon, Red Rock Scenic Byway, jeep rides, mountain biking and much more.
Sedona temperatures in July
July in Sedona is one of the most ideal months to visit the city, as it corresponds to the summer season and many sunny, dry days occur for touring outdoor areas. The maximum temperature that can be experienced on any given day ranges from 29°C to 35°C.
There may be days where the heat may be in the upper 20°C with an average humidity of approximately 45%. Rainfall is not expected, with a 10% probability. Also, be prepared for 10 to 13 hours of sunshine per day.
Tips to protect yourself from the heat in Sedona
Given this dry, sunny and humid outlook , it is important to be equipped to protect yourself from the sun and heat during your visit to this desert area of the American West. Initially, there are two elements that you should always have with you: sunscreen and water, so get a good amount of the vital liquid and renew the protection of the skin every 3 hours.
On the other hand, you can use clothing to reinforce the protection against ultraviolet rays. To do so, wear sports pants, long-sleeved blouses made of breathable fabric, or T-shirts and shorts. All this, accompanied by accessories such as sunglasses, caps, hats and, of course, a good pair of sneakers or hiking shoes.