Fall settles over Sedona slowly. The desert heat of summer fades, the sky holds onto that impossible blue a little longer each evening, and the cottonwoods lining Oak Creek begin their annual shift into gold.
If you're weighing a fall visit, browse Sedona Premier's collection of vacation rentals for one-of-a-kind desert-inspired homes for the whole family.
Here's what to expect this season, from the weather and crowds to the events and activities worth building your trip around.
What’s the Weather Like in Sedona in Fall?
Photo Credit: Adventuring With Friends
Fall in Sedona is the shoulder season with a gradual change from hot summer temperatures to milder climates. Early September still carries a trace of summer's monsoon, while November settles into genuine sweater weather.
- September: Highs average around 86°F with lows around 62°F. The tail end of monsoon season can bring occasional afternoon showers.
- October: Highs cool to about 77°F with lows near 52°F. This tends to be the driest, most stable month, and the one most associated with peak foliage.
- November: Highs drop to around 64°F with lows near 40°F. Mornings and evenings turn genuinely chilly, and higher elevations like Oak Creek Canyon occasionally see an early dusting of snow.
With large temperature swings, layers are essential for fall travel. A rental with a hot tub or fire pit turns those cool fall evenings into part of the experience rather than something to bundle up against.
How Crowded is Sedona in Fall?
Photo Credit: Timothy L Barnes
Fall is Sedona's second busiest season after spring, and crowds build steadily from mid-September through late October.
The single busiest stretch tends to be the last weekend of October, when peak fall color draws heavy traffic into Oak Creek Canyon and popular trailhead parking can fill before 9 am.
November is noticeably quieter, aside from a bump around Thanksgiving week. If you'd rather skip the lines at overlooks and trailheads, visit midweek or plan your trip a few weeks past peak foliage.
For a broader comparison of how fall stacks up against Sedona's other seasons, our guide to the absolute best time to visit Sedona breaks down the tradeoffs season by season.
Sedona's Fall Events in 2026
A handful of Sedona's best annual events land squarely in fall, and 2026 has a full calendar.
Fall Fest at Slide Rock State Park
- Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 8 am – 3 pm
- Location: Slide Rock State Park
- Cost: Free with paid park entry ($20 per vehicle)
Fall transforms Oak Creek Canyon with beautiful fall foliage and a celebration of the season at Slide Rock State Park. Bring the entire family to enjoy educational demonstrations and kids’ activities.
Sedona WagFest & Fair
- Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 8.30 am – 11.30 am
- Location: Posse Grounds Park
- Cost: Free
Dress up your pet, show off your pet’s talents, or enjoy pet-friendly games at this annual fair with vendors and activities for dogs and their humans. It’s a nice fit if you're bringing a pet along to one of our pet-friendly rentals.
Sedona Arts Festival
- Date: October 10 & 11, 2026
- Location: Sedona Red Rock High School
- Cost: Ticketed two-day pass
This long-running fine arts festival showcases a variety of beautiful artwork and impressive vendor stands. Shop with more than 125 local and regional artists, set against the town's red rock backdrop.
Sedona Plein Air Festival
- Date: October 16 – 24, 2026
- Location: Sedona Arts Center and D.A. Ranch
- Cost: Free to watch artists paint, ticketed for the closing sale
Watch professional artists paint in real-time outdoors, capturing stunning red rock views and Sedona landscapes. Visit one of the free public locations or support your favorite SPAF artists at ticketed locations.
Fest of Fall
- Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11 am – 5 pm
- Location: Posse Grounds Park
- Cost: Free
Sedona welcomes fall with a family-friendly celebration featuring food trucks, live music, games, and a kid’s zone.
The Best Things to Do in Sedona This Fall
Photo Credit: Danita Delimont
The combination of cooler air, lower humidity, and (outside of October weekends) thinner crowds makes fall one of the best windows for outdoor activity in Sedona.
Hike West Fork Trail for Peak Fall Color
Oak Creek Canyon is bursting with fall colors in fall. Admire the red leaves of the bigtooth maple, the golden hues of the boxelders, and the brilliant yellows of the willow trees shading this gentle trail path.
Mid-October is the peak period to see the fall colors in Oak Creek Canyon. It's the most popular fall hike in Sedona, so an early weekday start makes a real difference.
For more trail options in every season, see our guide to Sedona's best hikes.
If you'd rather stay in the saddle than head out on foot, cooler fall temperatures also make it a good season for horseback riding around Sedona's red rocks.
Drive Highway 89A Through Oak Creek Canyon
Start your journey at the Oak Creek Vista Overlook to gaze over the fall foliage coloring the Coconino National Forest. Drive the winding switchbacks of Sedona's most popular fall drives through a canyon corridor where red cliffs meet gold sycamores and maples at every turn.
The Oak Creek Vista Overlook closes at the end of November, so don’t miss out on it.
Watch the Sunset at Cathedral Rock and Red Rock Crossing
Cathedral Rock's reflection in Oak Creek is one of Sedona's most photographed views, and it's especially striking when framed by the cottonwoods turning yellow along the bank.
Pack a blanket and something from your rental's kitchen for a low-key meal at Crescent Moon Picnic Site before the sun drops.
Taste Wine Along the Verde Valley Wine Trail
Fall harvest is the best time to enjoy wine tastings and vineyard tours offered by the Page Springs cluster of wineries, just a short drive from Sedona.
The best part? Wine experiences at scenic tasting rooms overlooking Oak Creek. See our guide to Sedona's best wineries for a full rundown of the trail.
Pick Apples at Slide Rock's Historic Orchard
This orchard at Slide Rock State Park has been part of the historic Pendley homestead since 1912. It welcomes visitors to pick their own apples throughout fall. It’s the perfect activity for families.
Plan Your Fall Getaway to Sedona
Fall in Sedona is a magical time of year to visit, and not just because of the area’s renowned energy vortexes. Cooler trails, a stacked events calendar, and golden light on the red rocks make it one of the easiest seasons to build a trip around.
When you're ready to book, take a look at our spacious vacation rentals and find your dream home away from home nestled in the red rocks.
