10 Things to Do in Sedona in July

The city of Sedona is part of the desert area that goes all the way to the Grand Canyon Park, so it is made up of dozens of geological formations of great visual appeal, endless cliffs, some rivers, streams and small loalities with agricultural and artisanal products to know.

In the month of July, when the summer season occurs , the city is full of visitors, who come to see the surrounding canyons, have extreme adventures in the rocky terrains, 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 just a few of the things I'll tell you about below.

The height 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 travelling with children or people who are not willing to do a lot of walking and want to capture the beauty of the s ights you will see.

You will be 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 made up of various 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 shops with handcrafted products.
• The Chapel of the Holy Cross, an exuberant building supported on the rocks that offers landscapes of great beauty.
• The Airport Overlook, another of Sedona's scenic overlooks, offers a variety of views of the city and the sunset.

Useful information

• Price: You can find this tour for approximately 110 €.
• Duration: The tour is estimated to take about 5.5 hours to complete.

The dry days of July set the stage for off-roading over the desert floors of the Sedona Canyon. 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 your guide, you'll get the goggles and helmet you'll need to drive the ATV and set off on the ride. Of course, you'll be briefed on how to steer the quad beforehand.

You'll ride through wilderness territory, where you'll see red landscapes combined with green vegetation, as well as popular scenic spots such as Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa and Devil's Bridge.

If you're lucky, you may also see some of the wildlife that inhabits the area, such as deer, javelinas, maples, coyotes and rattlesnakes. At the end, you'll understand more about the geology of the region and some of its history.

Useful information

• Price: the entrance fee for this tour is 198 €.
• Duration: the activity lasts on average 4 hours.

The July heat in Sedona is great 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 parlours, which offer a variety of original flavours. This way you will refresh yourself and delight your palate at the same time.

Among the ice cream parlours you can visit are:

• Rocky RD Ice Cream, with ice cream that contains no preservatives or artificial colourings. You'll find fruity flavours such as cherry and other highly praised flavours such as hazelnut churro and bourbon nut.
• Black Cow Café, with a dessert menu that, in addition to ice cream, includes coffee, brownies, cakes, biscuits and homemade cakes. Flavours such as Belgian chocolate and malted vanilla stand out , which you can mix with fresh fruit.
• Pussycat Gelato, a traditional Italian ice cream parlour, with a variety of flavours ranging from chocolate to original flavours such as Raspberry Sorbet.

The best thing is that you can combine this activity with others. For example, you can go in the late afternoon, just before joining one of Sedona' s stargazing and UFO tours, one of the must-do things to do in Sedona at night.

The sunshine and warm temperatures are conducive not only to exploring the city but also 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 usually starts with a pick-up from 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 along the way. Among other destinations, you'll see:

• Antelope Canyon, a set of rock formations that mix orange and purple colours.
• Glen Canyon Overlook, where you'll see the breathtaking region from another angle, as well as the Colorado Canyon and Lake Powell.
• Horseshoe Bend, another vantage point from which you can see the Colorado River with its distinctive horseshoe shape, as well as a series of reddish cliffs all around.
• Cameron Trading Post, a popular stop on the trail for native American art, jewellery and other items.
• Flagstaff, the town amidst this cluster of natural buildings where you'll find fine dining, music and art.

Information of interest

• Price: the value of this getaway is usually around 269 €.
• Duration: this tour can last around 12 hours.

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're in Sedona in June.

You can do this experience on your own or through a tour. In the first case, you'll have to drive to the Verde River, which is about half an hour from the city centre. When you arrive, you can hire a kayak and set off on the trip.

If you choose a tour, you'll drive to Cottonwood, which is usually the meeting point with the organisers. You'll take a bus to the river and set off on the tour, which is about 5km long. You'll be able to admire the scenery surrounding this waterway while getting some exercise.

If 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 is open to people of all ages, who will be provided with the appropriate safety equipment.

Useful information

• Price: if you opt for a tour, it usually costs around €105 approximately.
• Duration: the stipulated time for the tour is two and a half hours plus a 30-minute journey to the Río Verde area.

To make the most of summer in Sedona during the month of July, you can opt to go to Grasshopper Point Park, a recreational area made up of some natural pools that you can go to if you are travelling with children, friends or family.

Getting here is very easy as it is located about a 6 minute drive from the city. However, it is advisable to arrive early in order to get a parking space. Once there, there are plenty of options, as not only will you connect with nature, but you can have a picnic, watch wildlife and much more.

If you want to swim, this place is suitable for that, as it has a swimming hole 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 soothe the high temperatures if the day is too sunny.

The plans at Grasshopper Point don't end here. It's possible to hike some of the three trails that lead to the car park and connect with other hiking trails around the region.

The Sedona Heritage Museum usually organises special summer programming with a variety of activities for the July season. 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. There's the library, where you can check out works for professional or personal research, learn about the lives of past Sedona residents and their contributions, visit the telegraph office, etc.

Also, depending on when you visit, you can take part in special events, some for children, adults or both, such as scavenger hunts, presentations on a topic of interest, musicals, craft fairs, concerts, etc.

Useful information

• 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.

If you're a lover of art, crafts and décor, you can take advantage of the special light of July days to visit a place highly praised by tourists. This is the Son Silver West, a place where the concepts of shop and art gallery come together , and you won't leave without buying a souvenir.

Just a 4-minute drive from downtown Sedona, you'll arrive at this picturesque place that offers visitors a variety of items alluding to the American Southeast. You'll see a wide variety of pottery, antiques, fabrics, gardening tools and much more.

Some describe this space as an entertaining maze, with sculptures of animals, characters, historical figures and materials such as metal and plastic used in its construction. You can walk through it in a variety of ways and always find something of interest to you.

As this space has both open and closed areas, you can visit it not only in July but also at other times of the year, for example if you are in Sedona during September 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.

For a unique panoramic view of the reddish green-tinged elevations that populate the Sedona area, you can take advantage of the clear July skies and take part in a Sedona helicopter tour.

As you ride in this aerial vehicle, you'll see the various canyons that make up the desert area, as well as the countless geologically significant rock formations.

On this adventure you will also see the Verde River, one of the most important rivers in the region. You'll also see Mingus Mountain, a well-known natural landmark where athletes often go mountain biking.

You'll also get a bird's eye view of Jerome, an old mining town that attracts hundreds of tourists on Grand Canyon tours. Also, don't forget to bring your camera and take unique shots of the scenery and landmarks you'll see.

Useful information

• Price: the average price of this tour is approximately €568.
• Duration: the activity can last between 50 and 55 minutes.

Sedona is home to an important part of Arizona' s wildlife because of its natural richness, which shines in July. That's why the annual Hummingbird Festival, an event dedicated to these enchanting birds, is held during this month.

Because of its geographic conditions, Sedona is home to 5 to 7 different species of hummingbirds. Therefore, this festival promotes their preservation and, of course, their beauty. You can participate in bird watching activities , talks and workshops on bird care, garden tours, etc.

The event also includes immersion on Sedona's trails, with tours of areas such as Oak Creek Canyon, Red Rock Scenic Byway, jeep rides, mountain biking and much more.

July in Sedona is one of the most ideal months to visit the city, as it is the summer season and there are plenty of sunny, dry days to explore 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 is in the high 20°Cs at most, with an average humidity of about 45 per cent. Rainfall is not expected, with a 10% chance of showers. You should also be prepared for 10-13 hours of sunshine per day.

Against this dry, sunny and humid backdrop , it's important to be equipped to protect yourself from the sun and heat during your visit to this desert area of the American West. Firstly, there are two things you should always have with you: sunscreen and water, so make sure you have plenty of the vital liquid and renew your skin protection every 3 hours.

On the other hand, you can use your clothing to reinforce your protection from ultraviolet rays. To do this, wear sports trousers, long-sleeved blouses made of breathable fabric, or T-shirts and shorts. All this, accompanied by accessories such as sunglasses, a cap, hats and, of course, a good pair of trainers or hiking shoes.