Best time to visit Sedona
The best time to visit Sedona is April–May and October, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.
Sedona, Arizona, United States
°C
mm
- Average daily high and low
- Precipitation
- Good month
- Best month
- Made good or best by an event
| Month | Average daily high | Average daily low | Precipitation | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.2 °C / 50 °F | -2.2 °C / 28 °F | 56 mm / 2.2 in | neither best nor good |
| February | 12.1 °C / 54 °F | -1.1 °C / 30 °F | 51 mm / 2 in | neither best nor good |
| March | 15.5 °C / 60 °F | 1.9 °C / 35 °F | 51 mm / 2 in | good month |
| April | 20.5 °C / 69 °F | 5.5 °C / 42 °F | 15 mm / 0.6 in | best month |
| May | 24.8 °C / 77 °F | 10 °C / 50 °F | 13 mm / 0.5 in | best month |
| June | 31.7 °C / 89 °F | 16 °C / 61 °F | 5 mm / 0.2 in | neither best nor good |
| July | 32.5 °C / 91 °F | 19.4 °C / 67 °F | 38 mm / 1.5 in | neither best nor good |
| August | 31.3 °C / 88 °F | 18.3 °C / 65 °F | 28 mm / 1.1 in | neither best nor good |
| September | 28.5 °C / 83 °F | 14.7 °C / 58 °F | 23 mm / 0.9 in | good month |
| October | 22.4 °C / 72 °F | 8.4 °C / 47 °F | 28 mm / 1.1 in | best month |
| November | 16.3 °C / 61 °F | 2.7 °C / 37 °F | 35 mm / 1.4 in | good month |
| December | 10.6 °C / 51 °F | -1.3 °C / 30 °F | 58 mm / 2.3 in | neither best nor good |
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen
Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:
- Daytime highs
- Night-time lows
- How warm it feels
- Humidity
- How much of the day is sunny
- Hours of daylight
- Monthly rainfall
- How many days it rains
- Days of heavy rain
- Wind
- Snowfall and days with snow
- Major events, such as festivals
The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.
The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.
Best months by activity
Exploring outdoors
Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.
- JJanuary: neither
- FFebruary: neither
- MMarch: good
- AApril: best
- MMay: best
- JJune: neither
- JJuly: neither
- AAugust: neither
- SSeptember: good
- OOctober: best
- NNovember: good
- DDecember: neither
- Best
- April–May, October
- Good
- March, September, November
April, May and October bring dry, sunny, mild days that make them best for exploring outdoors, while June-August turn hot with afternoon monsoon storms and December-February are cold and the wettest months of the year.
Why these months
March · good
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 91%, average daily high 15.5 °C / 60 °F, relative humidity 47%.
Against: days with heavy rain 1.6 days, precipitation 51 mm / 2 in, wet days 5.9 days, feels like (high) 12 °C / 54 °F, average daily low 1.9 °C / 35 °F.
Watch out for: Cave Springs and Pine Flat campgrounds closed for winter, Easter closures, Good Friday closures.
April · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 16.8 °C / 62 °F, average daily high 20.5 °C / 69 °F, precipitation 15 mm / 0.6 in, share of daylight that is sunny 95%, wet days 2.5 days, days with heavy rain 0.6 days, relative humidity 32%, average daily low 5.5 °C / 42 °F.
Also on: Open Studio Tour, Yoga Festival and Piano on the Rocks International Festival.
Watch out for: Easter closures, Good Friday closures.
May · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 21.6 °C / 71 °F, average daily high 24.8 °C / 77 °F, precipitation 13 mm / 0.5 in, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, wet days 2.8 days, days with heavy rain 0.2 days, average daily low 10 °C / 50 °F, relative humidity 27%.
Also on: Red Dirt Concert Series, Yoga Festival and Piano on the Rocks International Festival.
Watch out for: Memorial Day closures.
September · good
In its favour: precipitation 23 mm / 0.9 in, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, wet days 4.7 days, days with heavy rain 0.3 days, average daily low 14.7 °C / 58 °F, relative humidity 38%.
Against: average daily high 28.5 °C / 83 °F, feels like (high) 26.5 °C / 80 °F, share of rain falling in the daytime 61%.
Also on: Autumn colours, Red Dirt Concert Series, Verde Valley grape harvest season.
Watch out for: Labor Day closures.
October · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 19 °C / 66 °F, average daily high 22.4 °C / 72 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, relative humidity 40%, average daily low 8.4 °C / 47 °F.
Against: precipitation 28 mm / 1.1 in, wet days 3.9 days, days with heavy rain 0.9 days.
Also on: Autumn colours, Sedona Plein Air Festival, Sedona Arts Festival and Fall Arts & Crafts Fair.
Watch out for: Columbus Day closures, Halloween closures.
November · good
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 91%, average daily high 16.3 °C / 61 °F, wet days 3.3 days, relative humidity 44%.
Against: days with heavy rain 1.2 days, precipitation 35 mm / 1.4 in, sunshine per day 9.4 h, feels like (high) 12.1 °C / 54 °F, average daily low 2.7 °C / 37 °F.
Also on: Autumn colours, Food Truck Festival, Thanksgiving 5k run.
Watch out for: Cave Springs and Pine Flat campgrounds closed for winter, Holiday season travel rush (Thanksgiving to New Year), Thanksgiving travel crowds and closures, Veterans Day closures.
Hiking and trekking
Cool enough to climb in, dry enough to enjoy, long enough days.
- JJanuary: neither
- FFebruary: neither
- MMarch: good
- AApril: best
- MMay: best
- JJune: neither
- JJuly: neither
- AAugust: neither
- SSeptember: good
- OOctober: best
- NNovember: good
- DDecember: neither
- Best
- April–May, October
- Good
- March, September, November
April, May and October offer cool-to-warm, dry, sunny conditions ideal for hiking; summer heat with afternoon monsoon storms (June-August) and winter's cold, short, wetter days (December-February) are the toughest times to be on the trail.
Why these months
March · good
In its favour: average daily high 15.5 °C / 60 °F, feels like (high) 12 °C / 54 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 91%, daylight per day 12 h, wind (daily max) 17 km/h / 10 mph.
Against: average daily low 1.9 °C / 35 °F, days with heavy rain 1.6 days, precipitation 51 mm / 2 in, wet days 5.9 days.
Watch out for: Cave Springs and Pine Flat campgrounds closed for winter, Easter closures, Good Friday closures.
April · best
In its favour: average daily high 20.5 °C / 69 °F, precipitation 15 mm / 0.6 in, wet days 2.5 days, days with heavy rain 0.6 days, feels like (high) 16.8 °C / 62 °F, average daily low 5.5 °C / 42 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 95%, daylight per day 13.1 h, wind (daily max) 19 km/h / 12 mph.
Also on: Open Studio Tour, Yoga Festival and Piano on the Rocks International Festival.
Watch out for: Easter closures, Good Friday closures.
May · best
In its favour: precipitation 13 mm / 0.5 in, wet days 2.8 days, days with heavy rain 0.2 days, average daily high 24.8 °C / 77 °F, feels like (high) 21.6 °C / 71 °F, average daily low 10 °C / 50 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, daylight per day 14 h, wind (daily max) 18 km/h / 11 mph.
Also on: Red Dirt Concert Series, Yoga Festival and Piano on the Rocks International Festival.
Watch out for: Memorial Day closures.
September · good
In its favour: precipitation 23 mm / 0.9 in, wet days 4.7 days, days with heavy rain 0.3 days, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, daylight per day 12.4 h, average daily low 14.7 °C / 58 °F, wind (daily max) 14 km/h / 9 mph.
Against: average daily high 28.5 °C / 83 °F, feels like (high) 26.5 °C / 80 °F, share of rain falling in the daytime 61%.
Also on: Autumn colours, Red Dirt Concert Series, Verde Valley grape harvest season.
Watch out for: Labor Day closures.
October · best
In its favour: average daily high 22.4 °C / 72 °F, days with heavy rain 0.9 days, feels like (high) 19 °C / 66 °F, average daily low 8.4 °C / 47 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, daylight per day 11.3 h, wind (daily max) 15 km/h / 9 mph.
Against: precipitation 28 mm / 1.1 in, wet days 3.9 days.
Also on: Autumn colours, Sedona Plein Air Festival, Sedona Arts Festival and Fall Arts & Crafts Fair.
Watch out for: Columbus Day closures, Halloween closures.
November · good
In its favour: average daily high 16.3 °C / 61 °F, wet days 3.3 days, feels like (high) 12.1 °C / 54 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 91%, wind (daily max) 14 km/h / 9 mph, daylight per day 10.3 h.
Against: average daily low 2.7 °C / 37 °F, days with heavy rain 1.2 days, precipitation 35 mm / 1.4 in, sunshine per day 9.4 h.
Also on: Autumn colours, Food Truck Festival, Thanksgiving 5k run.
Watch out for: Cave Springs and Pine Flat campgrounds closed for winter, Holiday season travel rush (Thanksgiving to New Year), Thanksgiving travel crowds and closures, Veterans Day closures.
An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Arizona Snowbowl, 51 km away.
Weather averages
Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feels like (high) | 6.2 °C | 8.2 °C | 12 °C | 16.8 °C | 21.6 °C | 28.9 °C | 31.7 °C | 30.7 °C | 26.5 °C | 19 °C | 12.1 °C | 6.6 °C |
| Days with heavy rain | 1.8 days | 2 days | 1.6 days | 0.6 days | 0.2 days | 0 days | 0.9 days | 0.5 days | 0.3 days | 0.9 days | 1.2 days | 1.8 days |
| Time rain usually falls | 10 pm | 5 am | 4 pm | 4 pm | 4 pm | 3 pm | 4 pm | 3 pm | 3 pm | 4 pm | 4 pm | 1 am |
| Sunshine per day | 8.7 h | 9.9 h | 10.9 h | 12.5 h | 13.1 h | 13.8 h | 12.6 h | 12.4 h | 11.6 h | 10.5 h | 9.4 h | 8.2 h |
| Relative humidity | 55% | 53% | 47% | 32% | 27% | 20% | 39% | 43% | 38% | 40% | 44% | 56% |
Air quality
Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–2025 | 4.2 µg/m³ | 5.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | 4.8 µg/m³ | 5 µg/m³ | 5.4 µg/m³ | 5.4 µg/m³ | 5.3 µg/m³ | 4.3 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | 4.4 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ |
| Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–2025 | 7.4 µg/m³ | 8.5 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.5 µg/m³ | 6.5 µg/m³ | 7.4 µg/m³ | 6.4 µg/m³ |
- Good 15 µg/m³ or less
- Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
- Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
- Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
- Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
- Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³
Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.
Events and seasons
What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.
Reasons to go
- Sedona Half Marathon
February
- Sedona International Film Festival
February
- Yoga Festival and Piano on the Rocks International Festival
April and May
- Open Studio Tour
April
- Red Dirt Concert Series
May and September
- Independence Day celebrations
July
- Verde Valley grape harvest season
September
- Autumn colours
September, October and November
- Sedona Plein Air Festival, Sedona Arts Festival and Fall Arts & Crafts Fair
October
- Thanksgiving 5k run
November, dates vary from year to year
- Food Truck Festival
November
- Festival of Lights
December
- Merry Music at the Museum
December
Worth knowing before you go
- Cave Springs and Pine Flat campgrounds closed for winter
1 November–31 March
- New Year's Day closures
1 January
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day closures
January, dates vary from year to year
- Holiday season travel rush (Thanksgiving to New Year)
January, November and December, dates vary from year to year
- Presidents' Day closures
February, dates vary from year to year
- Good Friday closures
March and April, dates vary from year to year
- Easter closures
March and April, dates vary from year to year
- Memorial Day closures
May, dates vary from year to year
- Juneteenth closures
19 June
- Independence Day closures
4 July
- Labor Day closures
September, dates vary from year to year
- Columbus Day closures
October, dates vary from year to year
- Halloween closures
31 October
- Veterans Day closures
11 November
- Thanksgiving travel crowds and closures
November, dates vary from year to year
- Christmas closures
24–25 December