Three days is the right amount of time in Sedona with kids. One day and you're rushing. Four days and you've seen everything twice. With three days you can do one big outdoor adventure, one adrenaline experience, and one day to just breathe. Here's how to structure it so you're not driving across town five times and nobody melts down in a parking lot.
Best times to visit: March–May and September–November. Summer works if you start early — by 11am in July, trailhead parking is full and the rocks are radiating heat.
Day 1: Red Rock Country — The Icons
Morning (8am–12pm)
Start at Crescent Moon Picnic Site (4.7 stars). Pull in before 9am and you'll have the Oak Creek swimming spot almost to yourselves. Cathedral Rock rises directly above you — kids wade in the creek while you get the photo that's on every Sedona postcard. Budget 2–3 hours and $10–$15 for the Red Rock Pass (covers the whole car all day). Pack a picnic — no vendors on site.
Afternoon (1–4pm)
Drive up to Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout (4.7 stars). It's free, takes 30–60 minutes, and gives everyone a 360-degree mental map of where they've been and where they're going. Kids who understand the landscape from above are more interested in everything that follows.
Then hit Zclaw Arcade (5.0 stars) in West Sedona for 1–2 hours. Open Thursday–Sunday noon to 7pm. Budget $20–$50 for a family of four. Good decompression after a morning outdoors.
Evening
Dinner in West Sedona or Uptown — plenty of options within a few miles. Kids who are already asleep by 7:30pm — that's the goal for Day 2.
Day 2: The Jeep Tour Day
Morning (8am–11am)
Book Arizona Safari Jeep Tours (5.0 stars, 5,700+ reviews) for the earliest available slot. This is the centerpiece of the trip. Open-air jeeps on terrain no regular car can reach, guides who keep kids engaged the entire time. Budget $120–$250 depending on tour type. Book directly on their website, not through third-party platforms.
Late Morning–Afternoon (11am–3pm)
After the jeep tour, take the family to Posse Grounds Park (4.7 stars) for a free, low-key hour. Playground and open lawns — kids can burn off energy without going anywhere expensive. Free. Bring snacks and water.
If your kids are into science or nature, add The Science Vortex (4.9 stars) in Cottonwood, about 20 minutes from Sedona. Hands-on science experiments for kids, $20–$40 for a family of four. Confirm hours before driving out — they're limited.
Afternoon (3–5pm)
Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park (4.8 stars) is an easy 45–90 minute stop that's entirely free. The massive white stupa against the red rock background is visually unlike anything kids have seen before. Walking trails are easy enough for all ages.
Day 3: Adventure and Hidden Gems
Morning (7:30–11am)
Devil's Bridge Trailhead (4.8 stars) is Sedona's most famous natural arch and the best bragging-rights hike for kids. Start early — before 8am if possible. Budget 2–4 hours round trip, $10–$15 for the Red Rock Pass. Use the shuttle from Dry Creek trailhead rather than driving to the direct trailhead — the parking situation there is the worst in Sedona. Wear closed-toe shoes; bring water.
Mid-Morning (11am–1pm)
Sedona Wolf Sanctuary (4.9 stars) is a guided encounter with rescued wolves at $60–$100 for a family of four. By appointment only — book at sedonawolfsanctuary.org before your trip. Kids need to follow calm, quiet behavior guidelines near the wolves, which makes it feel even more like a real wildlife experience.
Afternoon (1–4pm)
Sedona Bike Skills Park (4.8 stars) at Posse Grounds is a free bike park with pump tracks and features for all skill levels. If you have bikes, plan to spend 1–2 hours here at $0 cost.
Or swap this for Birthing Cave (4.7 stars) — a free hike to a massive natural alcove with no Red Rock Pass required. Round trip 1.5–2.5 hours. A good option if the kids are still feeling adventurous.
Late Afternoon
Snoopy Rock (4.8 stars) on the way out of town — pull over on AZ-179 and spot it from the roadside. Free. Takes 10 minutes. Kids always want to take a photo.
What This Trip Will Cost
| Activity | Cost (Family of 4) | |---|---| | Crescent Moon Picnic Site (Red Rock Pass) | $10–$15 | | Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout | $0 | | Zclaw Arcade | $20–$50 | | Arizona Safari Jeep Tours | $120–$250 | | Posse Grounds Park | $0 | | The Science Vortex (optional) | $20–$40 | | Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park | $0 | | Devil's Bridge (Red Rock Pass) | $10–$15 | | Sedona Wolf Sanctuary | $60–$100 | | Sedona Bike Skills Park | $0 | | Total (mid-range estimates) | $240–$470 |
Food, lodging, and transportation are separate. Pack lunches for trail days — it saves $40–$60 per day compared to buying food near trailheads.
Practical Tips for Your Sedona Family Trip
- Parking strategy: Popular trailheads fill by 9am in summer and 10am in spring/fall. Either arrive before then or use the Red Rock Pass shuttle service from alternate trailheads.
- Red Rock Pass: Buy the $20 annual pass if you're doing more than four days of hiking across all USFS sites. Otherwise, the $5/day day pass is fine.
- Gear for kids: Closed-toe shoes are required for jeep tours, zip lines, and most hikes. Flip-flops stay in the car.
- Water shoes: Essential for any Oak Creek activity. Bring them even if you don't think you'll need them.
- America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year): Covers Grasshopper Point and Call of the Canyon day-use fees. Worth it if you visit multiple national parks in a year.
- The Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (4.6 stars) has free maps, restrooms, and staff who can help you find kid-appropriate alternatives if your first choice is full.