10 Things to Do in Sedona in June

Outdoor activities, annual celebrations, arts and entertainment destinations. In the month of June you will have a wide range of tourist attractions to discover and enjoy Sedona.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

9 min read

10 Things to Do in Sedona in June

Sedona Hike in June |©Jeff Herbst

Sedona is a city located in the county of Arizona in the United States. It is a place led by rock formations (cliffs, canyons, hills, etc.) and dotted with pine forests that together create an amazing contrast. The town is also known worldwide for its spiritual energy.

Along your journey, you'll find incredible destinations such as Red Rock Crossing, Devil's Bridge, Boynton Canyon, Palatki Indian Ruins and more. You can hike hiking trails, swim in some of the natural pools and enjoy the nightlife. Or go on an off-road quad biking adventure, take in the scenery from a bird's eye view, among the best things to do in Sedona in June.

1. Hop on an ATV and take an off-road adventure through the Sedona desert

Man on an ATV|©graham
Man on an ATV|©graham

If off-road adventures are your thing and you're in Sedona in June, you'll want to take advantage of this month's moderate temperatures that usher in summer by hopping on an ATV and riding the desert trails of this region. You will be able to contemplate the landscape of reddish rock cliffs of this region from a different perspective.

This is an adrenaline-filled adventure, where you will be surrounded by wild vegetation and emblematic rock formations. Such is the case of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the gorges of Walk Devil's Bridge, the viewpoints of Airport Mesa, among other destinations in the Sedona Canyon.

Also, if you keep an eye on your surroundings on this Sedona Canyon ATV tour, you will have the opportunity to spot some of the animal species typical of these arid lands. For example, you'll see elk, javelinas, coyotes, deer, deer, snakes and more.

Book an ATV tour of the Sedona Canyon

2. Celebrate Pride in Sedona's bars and pubs

Olde Sedona Bar and Grill|©jana&rob
Olde Sedona Bar and Grill|©jana&rob

June is World Pride Month, and the city of Sedona is considered LGBTQ-friendly. So, if your trip coincides with this month, you'll have the opportunity to join in this lively celebration at local bars and pubs.

Some of the places to enjoy Sedona at night and celebrate Pride include the following:

  • Mooney's Irish bar, where you'll enjoy live music, karaoke area, bar games and special events.
  • Olde Sedona Bar, with an open-air upper deck that allows you to enjoy a breathtaking view of the region's rock formations.
  • The Sundowner Bar, with its elegant and lively atmosphere.

This is a great option to incorporate into your 2-day Sedona itinerary or longer. Ideal for relaxing after a long day of exploring the city, whether you've been on a Sedona bus tour, hiking, etc.

Book a bus tour

3. See Sedona's breathtaking rugged landscape from a bird's eye view at sunset

Sedona Sunset and Rainbow|©Chris Ball
Sedona Sunset and Rainbow|©Chris Ball

June ushers in the summer season in Sedona and with it comes an array of vibrant hues reflected in the city's rugged landscape. Take in this stunning natural scene from a bird's eye view at sunset for an unparalleled panoramic view.

This type of experience can be done by hot air balloon or helicopter. Whichever you choose, you'll soar through the skies in safety, taking in Sedona's towering rock formations - Red Rock State Park, Oak Creek Gorge, Cathedral Rock and more.

As the sun sets over the horizon, you'll see the colours of the surrounding hills and red rock canyons change before your eyes, giving you a different perspective of the region. You'll be able to take amazing pictures of Sedona's summer sunset and create some unique memories of your trip.

And, if after this experience, you'd like to explore the canyons in and around the city up close, you could join a trip to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend from Sedona or one of the Grand Canyon tours.

4. Take advantage of Sedona's low cloud cover in June and stargaze

Starry night|©Andrew Langdal
Starry night|©Andrew Langdal

Stargazing and tracking UFOs in the sky is another great thing to do during your 3 day stay in Sedona or longer. This is a very popular activity in the region and June is a good month for stargazing as the cloud cover is low.

This activity usually takes place at the Cultural Park Place scenic spot (about 10 minutes drive from downtown Sedona) as it is an area free of light pollution. Therefore, you will have a better view of the celestial bodies through the military night vision goggles used for this experience.

This adventure can be done on your own or by joining a stargazing and UFO viewing tour in Sedona. In the latter case, you will be accompanied by an expert, who will help you identify the stars and tell you the story of the energy vortexes of this land.

Book a stargazing and UFO viewing tour

5. Attend the annual Sedona Photofest

Sedona Photofest|©Tony Stone
Sedona Photofest|©Tony Stone

Whether you're a photo enthusiast or a professional, you'll want to attend the Sedona Photofest, held during the month of June. You can learn new skills and put them into practice, and you can participate in a contest to showcase your creative talent.

At this festival, you'll enjoy some seminars focused on new trends in the world of photography. You'll also take part in group walks around Red Rocks, where you'll learn framing techniques and much more.

Throughout the festival, there's also a photography competition, with the backdrop of the city's towering rock formations. You can take part and create an amazing composition or simply enjoy the work of the other photographers.

6. Try your hand at some water sports on Sedona's Verde River

Kayaking in Sedona|©Nick
Kayaking in Sedona|©Nick

June in Sedona is an ideal month for water activities, as the weather and water in Sedona tends to be neither too hot nor too cold. Take advantage of these natural conditions and join a kayaking or paddle surfing adventure on the Verde River.

For this experience, you'll need to drive about 30 minutes from downtown. When you get to the Verde River you will find a number of places where you can hire canoes, paddles, surfboards and other equipment. You can also hire an instructor to teach you the basics of kayaking and paddle surfing if you're a beginner.

With this tour along the Verde River, you 'll immerse yourself in Sedona's scenery while having fun paddling alone or with an instructor. You'll get to breathe in the fresh air, connect with nature and, if you're on the water at sunset, enjoy a magical sunset.

7. Take a dip in Sedona's natural pools and beat the June heat

Grasshopper Point Sedona|©BdoubleT&I
Grasshopper Point Sedona|©BdoubleT&I

There's nothing better to cool off in June in Sedona than a dip in the town's natural pools. You'll beat the seasonal heat and enjoy an incredible natural scene: cliffs and other rock formations with the characteristic orange-red colour and sandstone texture of the Sedona region.

Some of the places you can visit for this adventure include the following:

Grasshopper Point

Grasshopper Point is a natural pool surrounded by cliffs that, due to their red colour, create an interesting contrast with the blue water. Here you can swim, have a picnic or go hiking.

Midgley Bridge

The Midgley Bridge is a metal bridge located very close to Sedona's city centre and gives you a full view of Oak Creek Canyon and Wilson Mountain to the west. The best part is that from this platform you have access to a swimming creek, which you can reach via the Huckaby Trail.

Red Rock Crossing

Red Rock Crossing is considered one of the most peaceful places in Sedona to get away from it all, connect with nature and spend a day swimming in the warm waters of its swimming hole.

Plus, from Red Rock Crossing you'll get a great view of the famous Cathedral Rock. And, if you have time in your itinerary, walk to the Crescent Moon Picnic Site for picnicking, fishing or other activities.

8. Take a hiking trail and be amazed by Sedona's scenic beauty

Sedona Hike|©Mslice
Sedona Hike|©Mslice

Hiking is a good idea in June, as this is a month that marks the start of the summer season, so although it's a hot month, the temperature is moderate compared to Sedona in July or August. Tour the city's major rock formations and be amazed by the scenic beauty.

There are many places where you can take a leisurely hike, breathe in the fresh air and take unique photographs. For example, some of them are:

  • The Devil's Bridge; a natural bridge with a panoramic view.
  • Red Rock State Park, where you'll find numerous trails and a rugged landscape that will take your breath away.
  • Boynton Canyon, home to several wooded areas and one of Sedona's famous energy vortexes.
  • Oak Creek Canyon, with its picturesque natural scene, is surrounded by forests and many trails.

9. Have a great time at the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village

Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village|©Peter Hopkins
Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village|©Peter Hopkins

Another must-see destination in Sedona is the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village, an open-air market that combines art with cultural and culinary diversity. You can also relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the city during June from a different perspective.

Upon arrival, you'll notice that the market is inspired entirely by traditional Mexican architecture. You can stroll around the entire place finding beautiful ornamental fountains, life-size sculptures and landscaped areas. All of this, bathed by the warm rays of sunshine that welcome the summer this month.

You will also have access to the gallery area where you will see temporary and permanent exhibitions with sculptures, installations, collections of carpets, photographs, ceramic objects and more. You can also visit several restaurants such as Rincon Mexicano, René & Wine Bar, among others, offering Mexican and French cuisine; a number of shops with handicrafts, souvenirs, fashion and much more.

10. Visit the Palatki Indian Ruins in Sedona and discover the art and history of this place.

Palatki Heritage Site, Sedona|©John Linton
Palatki Heritage Site, Sedona|©John Linton

During your stay in Sedona you have the option to visit the Palatki Indian Ruins. You can take advantage of the pleasant June weather, which usually doesn't exceed 27ºC, and hike through this wonderful place with its long trails dotted with art and history.

The route is very easy. You will find a couple of paths (one of them with about 60 steps) that will lead you to an area of cliffs where the dwellings of the disappeared Sinagua population are preserved. You'll also see another trail with petroglyphs, pictographs of the natives who once inhabited these lands.

And if you want to learn more about these ruins, Palatki has a visitor centre and a bookshop. Both are freely accessible and you can browse through books, archival documents, photographic records and all the other materials you'll need to get your documentation right.

Temperatures in Sedona in June

Sedona June|©Keith Sorensen
Sedona June|©Keith Sorensen

June in Sedona is considered the perfect month to visit Sedona. You'll enjoy temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 27ºC, which is ideal for any outdoor activity without worrying about heat stroke.

June also has longer days with 11.9 hours of daylight and a maximum of eight days of rain. You can make the most of your trip and join the best Sedona tours and day trips, tour the rock formations, take to the skies in a hot air balloon or helicopter, water activities and more.

Sedona prices in June

Sedona retail view|©Dudes McCool
Sedona retail view|©Dudes McCool

June is the middle of the high season, so prices for accommodation and air travel tend to be higher. This compares to other seasons, such as winter in Sedona.

You may also notice an increase in the cost of some tours and guided excursions, water bottles and food. This is due to the fact that temperatures are the lowest in the summer and are ideal for outdoor activities. As a result, the number of tourists is noticeable.