Things to Do in Sedona in November

VerdictGood
Ranked#4 of 12
PricesModerate

Stay in Sedona in November

18 hotels in the Trip.com pool for Sedona, from US$94 a night.

Opens Trip.com on Fri 6 Nov to Sun 8 Nov 2026; change the dates there.

November in Sedona is when the October crowds dissolve and the canyon air sharpens to a clean, juniper-scented bite. Days are cool enough for sustained trail hiking without the punishing 34°C heat of July, and nights push close to freezing. The cottonwood and Arizona sycamore trees along Oak Creek Canyon still hold amber and copper foliage through the first two weeks, though most leaves have dropped by Thanksgiving. Rainfall is light across roughly 3 rain days, which keeps the trails dry and the red sandstone formations saturated in their deep iron-oxide color.

This is the quiet gap between two busy seasons. October's leaf-peeping visitors have left, and the December holiday rush hasn't started. Hotel availability opens noticeably, and you'll find shorter waits at trailheads near Bell Rock and along the Soldier Pass route. Thanksgiving week is the exception. Families from Phoenix, a 2-hour drive south on I-17, fill Uptown Sedona for the long weekend, and restaurant waits spike briefly before the town settles back into its winter pace.

For photographers, the lower November sun angle paints Cathedral Rock and Airport Mesa in a warmer, more directional light than the flat overhead glare of summer. Sunrise comes around 6:30 a.m. and sunset near 5:30 p.m., which puts golden-hour windows at manageable times. Sedona holds International Dark Sky Community designation, and the early nightfall pairs with low humidity to produce strong stargazing conditions well before bedtime.

Why visit in November

Trail temperatures in the mid-teens Celsius (upper 50s to low 60s Fahrenheit) make all-day hiking comfortable without the heat risk of summer months, when the exposed red rock surfaces radiate stored heat well past sunset.
Crowds at trailheads like Devil's Bridge and Soldier Pass drop noticeably after the October peak, and weekday mornings often feel nearly private on less-trafficked routes like Munds Wagon or Huckaby.
Lower sun angles through the entire month create richer, more directional light on the red sandstone, particularly at Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. and again from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Hotel and vacation-rental rates ease back from October's peak pricing, with availability opening on properties that stay booked solid during the March-through-October high season.
Low humidity and minimal cloud cover make November one of the better months for stargazing, particularly from elevated sites like Airport Mesa and the Crescent Moon area near Red Rock Crossing.

Worth knowing

Overnight lows near freezing mean camping at sites like Manzanita Campground in Oak Creek Canyon requires proper cold-weather gear, and mornings on early-start hikes feel genuinely cold until the sun clears the canyon walls around 8 a.m.
Sunset at 5:30 p.m. cuts the usable hiking window short. A late-afternoon start on a longer route like West Fork of Oak Creek (5 km / 3.1 mi one way) risks finishing in near-darkness.
Some seasonal businesses and tour operators begin reducing schedules or closing after the October peak, and the Oak Creek Canyon scenic highway (SR 89A north to Flagstaff) can close temporarily for ice or snow on the switchbacks.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 16° / 4°C 29mm rain · 3 rainy days · 47% humidity rains perceptibly ~0.6h/day · 95% of mornings dry

Crowds medium

Pack Dress in layers. A moisture-wicking base layer, fleece mid-layer, and a wind-resistant shell handle the roughly 12-13°C daily temperature swing. Trail shoes with good traction matter more than waterproofing this month, since the red sandstone surface can be slippery when coated in fine sand. Bring a warm hat and lightweight gloves for early-morning starts or sunset photography sessions.

November brings cool, dry weather with clear mornings and a noticeable temperature swing between day and night. Expect comfortable midday conditions for outdoor activity, but mornings and evenings feel properly cold, especially in shaded canyons where the sun doesn't reach until mid-morning. Wind tends to pick up on occasional afternoons, though rarely enough to disrupt plans. The few rainy days the month typically delivers tend to come as brief, light showers rather than prolonged storms.

Seasonal caution

Overnight temperatures can dip below 0°C (32°F) during cold snaps, particularly in the second half of November. Oak Creek Canyon sits at higher elevation than Uptown and tends to run 2-3°C colder. Ice can form on shaded sections of the SR 89A switchbacks between Sedona and Flagstaff, occasionally prompting temporary road closures.
Flash flood risk persists in slot canyons and narrow drainages even with November's low rainfall totals. A storm over the Mogollon Rim miles away can send water rushing through a dry wash with little warning. Check weather conditions before entering confined canyon routes.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Sedona
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	10	-1	59
Feb	13	0	43
Mar	15	2	72
Apr	22	7	14
May	27	12	6
Jun	33	18	10
Jul	34	21	28
Aug	32	19	43
Sep	30	16	30
Oct	23	9	40
Nov	16	4	29
Dec	13	1	37

Holidays and festivals in November

Public holidays

Veterans Day(Veterans Day)11 November 2026
Thanksgiving Day(Thanksgiving Day)26 November 2026

When is Christmas season in 2026?

27 November to 26 December 2026

Christmas season is a major cultural celebration in Sedona. In 2026 it runs from 27 November to 26 December 2026.

Best things to do in November

Full-day red rock hiking without heat restrictions

hiking

November's mild highs unlock sustained hiking on Sedona's most exposed trails. Routes like Bear Mountain (a steep 640 m / 2,100 ft elevation gain over 3.6 km / 2.2 mi) and Doe Mountain (a mesa-top trail with 360-degree views) become comfortable for midday passage. In summer, these same sun-exposed routes are effectively off-limits between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The temperature range eliminates heat-related trail restrictions and reduces water requirements from the 3-4 liters per person needed in summer to a more manageable 1.5-2 liters.

Booking tipThe Red Rock Pass is required for most trailhead parking. Purchase in advance online or at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce visitor center in Uptown to avoid the self-service kiosk lines on weekend mornings.

Golden-hour photography at Cathedral Rock

photography

The late-afternoon light on Cathedral Rock's four spires reaches its warmest color temperature in November, when the sun tracks low across the southern sky. The Crescent Moon picnic area (also called Red Rock Crossing) provides the classic reflection shot in Oak Creek, with the water level typically low and calm enough for a clean mirror image.

The sun angle creates longer, warmer-toned golden hours than the steep overhead light of May through August. Sunset around 5:30 p.m. means you don't need to stay out past a reasonable hour.

Booking tipCrescent Moon day-use area fills its small parking lot quickly on weekends. Arrive by 3:30 p.m. for a sunset shoot, or park at the overflow area and walk the extra 10 minutes.

Stargazing at Airport Mesa overlook

stargazing

Sedona's Dark Sky Community designation, combined with November's low humidity and early sunset, creates strong conditions for naked-eye and telescope astronomy. Airport Mesa's elevated vantage point, about 1.5 km (1 mi) up Airport Road from SR 89A, offers unobstructed 270-degree views. The Milky Way core has set by November, but Andromeda, the Pleiades cluster, and Orion rising in the east are all clearly visible.

Low humidity, minimal cloud cover, and darkness by 6:15 p.m. mean you can stargaze at a reasonable hour without competing with summer monsoon clouds or spring dust.

West Fork of Oak Creek fall color hike

hiking

The West Fork trail follows Oak Creek for 5 km (3.1 mi) one way through a narrow canyon lined with bigtooth maples, Douglas firs, and Gambel oaks. In early November, the upper reaches of the canyon still hold patches of red and gold foliage against the dark basalt walls. The trail crosses the creek multiple times on stepping stones.

Early November catches the last of the fall foliage in this shaded, north-facing canyon. By mid-November, most leaves have dropped, creating a carpet of red and orange on the trail surface.

Booking tipThe Call of the Canyon parking lot at the trailhead holds roughly 100 vehicles and fills before 9 a.m. on fall weekends. On weekdays, arriving by 9:30 a.m. is usually sufficient.

Verde Valley wine tasting

food and drink

The Verde Valley, centered on the towns of Cottonwood and Jerome about 30-40 minutes west of Sedona, has over a dozen tasting rooms. November marks the release of many fall-harvest wines, and the tasting rooms are less crowded than during the spring and summer wine-trail season. Several producers grow Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Malvasia varieties suited to the high-desert climate at 1,000 m (3,300 ft) elevation.

The fall harvest is complete, new vintages are being released, and tasting rooms that draw long waits in April and May are often walkable without reservations on November weekdays.

Booking tipWeekend tasting appointments at popular rooms in the Cottonwood Old Town area still fill up 3-5 days ahead. Weekday visits rarely need advance booking.

Red Rock State Park nature walk along Oak Creek

nature

Red Rock State Park, founded in 1986, sits along Oak Creek south of West Sedona and offers gentle, maintained trails through riparian habitat. The Eagle's Nest loop (2.4 km / 1.5 mi) provides panoramic views of the surrounding red formations, and the creek-side paths pass through Fremont cottonwood groves. November bird activity picks up as migratory species pass through the Verde Valley corridor.

Cooler temperatures make the park's sun-exposed ridge trails comfortable all day, and migratory birds including various raptor species use the Oak Creek riparian corridor through November.

Palatki Heritage Site petroglyph visit

cultural

The Palatki Heritage Site, managed by the Coconino National Forest, preserves Sinagua cliff dwellings and rock art panels dating to roughly 1100-1300 CE. The site sits about 15 km (9 mi) west of Sedona on a dirt road, and guided ranger tours explain the pictographs and dwelling structures. November's mild weather makes the exposed approach walk and outdoor viewing areas far more comfortable than summer visits.

Summer heat at this shadeless, low-elevation site regularly exceeds 33°C. November's cooler conditions allow unhurried exploration of the rock art panels without heat stress.

Booking tipReservations through Recreation.gov are required and tend to fill 2-3 weeks ahead for weekend slots. Weekday morning tours are easier to secure.

What to eat in November

On menus now

Posole
This traditional Southwest hominy stew appears on menus across Sedona as the weather cools. The stew calls for dried hominy corn, red or green chile, and slow-cooked pork. It's the kind of bowl that warms you after a cold November morning on the trail. Restaurants in the Village of Oak Creek and Uptown serve regional variations.

What to drink

Prickly pear margaritas
Prickly pear cactus fruit reaches its late-season ripeness in October and November across the Sonoran Desert. Sedona's bars and restaurants serve the magenta-colored juice in margaritas, lemonades, and syrups. The flavor sits somewhere between watermelon and bubblegum, with a faintly gritty texture from the seeds.
Oak Creek Canyon apple cider
The Slide Rock area was originally the Pendley Homestead apple orchard, established in the early 1900s. Local vendors press cider from heritage apple varieties through the fall season. Hot cider shows up at area markets and shops through November, often spiced with cinnamon and local honey.

In markets

Roasted Hatch green chile
The tail end of Hatch, New Mexico chile season still reaches Sedona markets and restaurants through early November. Roasted green chiles appear in everything from breakfast burritos to burgers at restaurants across West Sedona and Uptown. The smoky, vegetal heat is sharper and more complex than the dried red variety.
Arizona pecans
Arizona's pecan harvest runs through October and November, and fresh-crop pecans from the Green Valley and Sahuarita growing regions south of Phoenix reach Sedona shops in November. They're noticeably oilier and richer than stored pecans from earlier in the year. Look for them at local specialty shops and the Sedona Farmers Market.

Regular events in November

Veterans Day observances at Sedona Heritage MuseumFree

The Sedona Heritage Museum in Jordan Historical Park hosts a Veterans Day program with local speakers, flag ceremonies, and displays of regional military history. The museum itself occupies the historic Jordan apple-packing shed.

November 11

Sedona First Friday ArtWalkFree

Galleries throughout Uptown Sedona and along SR 179 open their doors with new exhibitions, artist receptions, and complimentary refreshments on the first Friday evening of each month. The November edition typically features work by regional landscape painters and sculptors responding to the fall light.

First Friday of November

Thanksgiving week at Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping VillageFree

Tlaquepaque, the Spanish-colonial-style arts village along Oak Creek on SR 179, hosts extended holiday shopping hours and seasonal decorations from the week before Thanksgiving onward. Over 40 galleries and shops debut winter collections and host small artist receptions through the holiday weekend.

Fourth week of November

Best places this November

Cathedral Rock and Crescent Moon area
landmark
Cathedral Rock is Sedona's most photographed landmark, and the Crescent Moon day-use area along Oak Creek at its base provides the classic reflection shot. In November, the lower sun angle casts warm, directional light across the four spires from about 4 p.m. until sunset. The trail to the saddle (1.1 km / 0.7 mi, steep scramble) rewards with views of the entire Verde Valley.
Village of Oak Creek
Chapel of the Holy Cross
landmark
This Roman Catholic chapel was built into the red rock buttes in 1955 and sits at the end of a short paved road off Chapel Road. The floor-to-ceiling windows frame the surrounding sandstone formations, and the small terrace offers 180-degree views. November mornings bring soft light through the east-facing glass. It remains an active place of worship.
Chapel Area
Slide Rock State Park and upper Oak Creek Canyon
state park
The park, established in 1985, sits in Oak Creek Canyon about 11 km (7 mi) north of Uptown. November is too cold for the famous natural water slide, but the canyon's narrow walls and the bare late-autumn orchard trees make for quiet walking and good photography of the creek against the orange sandstone cliffs.
Oak Creek Canyon
Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte loop
trail
The Bell Rock Pathway connects Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte along a 5.6 km (3.5 mi) loop off SR 179. The trail is mostly flat with optional scramble routes up Bell Rock's lower slopes. November's clear air makes this one of the better months for the clockwise loop, which catches morning light on Bell Rock's east face and afternoon light on Courthouse Butte's west wall.
Village of Oak Creek
Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village
arts district
This Spanish-colonial-style complex on SR 179 along Oak Creek houses over 40 galleries, studios, and shops in vine-covered courtyards with fountains and sycamore trees. November brings fewer crowds than the peak-season months, which means more time to talk with resident artists. The cobblestone walkways and arched entryways see quieter foot traffic than any month since the previous January.
Airport Mesa loop trail and overlook
trail and viewpoint
The Airport Mesa loop trail (5.5 km / 3.4 mi) circles the mesa that holds Sedona's small municipal airport at about 1,400 m (4,600 ft) elevation. The trail offers nearly continuous views of the surrounding red rock formations. The parking area at the top of Airport Road serves as one of Sedona's most accessible viewpoints and, after dark in November, a convenient spot for naked-eye astronomy.
West Sedona
Jerome and the Verde Valley
day trip
The former copper-mining town of Jerome clings to Cleopatra Hill about 40 minutes west of Sedona at 1,570 m (5,150 ft) elevation. Its population dropped from roughly 15,000 in the 1920s to under 500 today, and the town now operates as an arts colony and historic district. November brings clearer air than summer for the panoramic views across the Verde Valley from the town's steep streets.

Your packing checklist

Tick items off as you pack. Your progress saves in this browser.

0 of 8 packed

Insulating mid-layer (fleece or light down jacket)The daily temperature swing from near-freezing at dawn to the mid-teens Celsius at midday means you'll put this on and take it off multiple times. On shaded canyon trails like West Fork, you may keep it on all day. Shop
Wind-resistant shell jacketNovember afternoons on exposed mesa-top trails like Doe Mountain and Airport Mesa can bring gusty winds. A packable windbreaker weighs almost nothing and blocks the chill that fleece alone won't stop. Shop
Warm hat and lightweight glovesMorning trailhead temperatures near freezing make bare hands uncomfortable for the first hour of a hike. Once the sun clears the canyon rim, you'll stow them, but the early cold is real. Shop
Sturdy trail shoes with grippy solesSedona's red rock surfaces are sandstone with a fine sandy coating that acts like ball bearings underfoot when dry. Approach shoes or hiking boots with sticky rubber outsoles grip significantly better than standard running shoes. Shop
HeadlampSunset at 5:30 p.m. means that any afternoon hike longer than 3 hours risks a return in twilight. Trail markers in Oak Creek Canyon and on mesa routes are not reflective. Shop
Sunscreen (SPF 30 minimum) and sunglassesSedona sits at about 1,340 m (4,400 ft) elevation, where UV intensity is roughly 15-20% stronger than at sea level. The November sun feels deceptively mild, but exposed skin on a full-day hike still burns, especially on the reflective sandstone surfaces. Shop
Reusable water bottle (1.5-2 liter capacity)November's lower humidity means you lose moisture without feeling visibly sweaty. There are no reliable water sources on most Sedona trails. Refill at the visitor center in Uptown before heading out. Shop
BinocularsNovember migratory bird traffic through the Verde Valley corridor is visible from creek-side trails at Red Rock State Park and along the West Fork. A compact pair also enhances the distant views from Airport Mesa and Schnebly Hill Road. Shop

Insider tips

Schnebly Hill Road, a rough dirt track climbing from SR 179 to the Mogollon Rim, offers some of the least-crowded viewpoints in the Sedona area. In November, the road is typically passable for high-clearance vehicles up to the Schnebly Hill Vista, about 8 km (5 mi) from the highway. Most tour Jeeps bypass it this late in the season, which is part of the appeal.
Sedona's water comes from wells and Oak Creek, and the tap water tastes noticeably of minerals. Fill bottles at the filtered water stations at the Sedona Community Library or the visitor center rather than buying plastic bottles.
The town of Cottonwood, 30 minutes west on SR 89A, has a strip of tasting rooms and restaurants along Main Street that serve the same Verde Valley wines as Sedona-area establishments, typically with shorter waits. Dead Horse Ranch State Park, founded in 1972, is also in Cottonwood and offers flat, easy trails along the Verde River with good November birding.
If you're planning to hike Devil's Bridge, the most photographed spot in Sedona, arrive at the Dry Creek Road trailhead before 8 a.m. on weekends. By mid-morning in November, the line to walk out onto the natural arch for a photo can still stretch 20-30 minutes, even with reduced crowds.

Avoid these mistakes

Underestimating the cold on a sunset hike. At 5 p.m. the temperature might be 12°C, but within an hour it can drop below 5°C. A group in T-shirts scrambling down Cathedral Rock after dark is a regular November occurrence.
Planning to swim at Slide Rock. The park is open year-round, but Oak Creek's water temperature in November hovers around 8-10°C (46-50°F). The famous natural water slide is effectively a warm-weather activity, roughly May through September.
Driving up Oak Creek Canyon to Flagstaff without checking road conditions. The SR 89A switchbacks between the canyon and Flagstaff can close for ice or snow without much warning in late November. The alternate route through I-17 adds about 30 minutes but avoids the mountain pass entirely.
Concentrating your visit around Thanksgiving weekend. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving through Sunday is the busiest stretch of November by a wide margin. If your schedule allows flexibility, the first two weeks of the month offer the same weather with a fraction of the foot traffic.

Practical tips for November

Book Thanksgiving-week accommodation at least 6 weeks ahead, as Sedona is a top Arizona weekend destination and availability drops fast for that stretch. For the rest of November, most properties can be booked 1-2 weeks out without difficulty. The Red Rock Pass is required for parking at most Coconino National Forest trailheads around Sedona. It's available at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce visitor center in Uptown, at several convenience stores along SR 89A, and online. A 7-day pass covers all trailhead parking. Many restaurants in Uptown reduce their hours in November, with some shifting to a 5-day schedule. Call ahead for dinner reservations at sit-down spots, especially during Thanksgiving week. Gas stations are limited in Sedona proper. Fill up in the Village of Oak Creek, West Sedona, or Cottonwood before heading to remote trailheads. The nearest major grocery options are in West Sedona along SR 89A near the Y intersection.

FAQ

Is November a good time to visit Sedona?

November is a strong shoulder-season pick for Sedona, particularly for hiking and photography. Days are comfortably cool without the summer heat risk, and crowds ease noticeably after October's peak. Hotel rates soften, and the air stays dry and clear. The trade-offs are cold evenings and shorter daylight, with sunset around 5:30 p.m. Early November can still catch the tail of fall foliage along Oak Creek Canyon.

What is the weather like in Sedona in November?

Cool, dry, and notably variable between morning and afternoon. Highs sit in the mid-teens Celsius (low 60s Fahrenheit) and lows approach freezing. Rain is rare, with only a few wet days typical for the month. Humidity stays comfortably low. The key detail is the temperature swing, which can exceed 12°C in a single day. Layered clothing handles it well, but a single outfit won't cover both a dawn trailhead and a midday scramble.

Is Sedona crowded in November?

Less so than October (peak season) or March through May (spring high season). Weekdays in the first three weeks of November are noticeably quiet at most trailheads and restaurants. Thanksgiving week is the exception, when the Wednesday-through-Sunday holiday window brings a spike of domestic visitors, particularly from Phoenix and Tucson. If you can time your visit for the first or second week, you'll find the lowest crowds of the month.

Can you still hike in Sedona in November?

November is one of the best hiking months. Cooler temperatures mean you can comfortably tackle long, exposed routes like Bear Mountain and Doe Mountain that are impractical in summer heat. Start by 8 a.m. to maximize daylight, carry a headlamp in case you're out past sunset, and dress in layers since shaded canyon sections stay cold well into the morning. Trails are typically dry, with rain falling only a few days all month.

What should I wear in Sedona in November?

Layers are non-negotiable. Mornings near the freezing point call for a warm mid-layer and hat. By midday, you might be comfortable in a long-sleeve shirt on sun-exposed trails. A wind-resistant outer shell handles the afternoon gusts on mesa-top routes. Sturdy hiking shoes with grippy soles matter more than waterproof boots, since the sandstone surfaces get slippery when covered in fine sand. Bring sunscreen regardless of the mild-feeling temperatures, as Sedona's 1,340 m (4,400 ft) elevation intensifies UV exposure.