Back to Sedona, this time with kids and during spring break

Question

My wife and I were in Sedona 10 years ago and had a phenomenal time, it’s such an amazing place. We booked a trip to go back this year with our 2 kids, ages 5 & 7. We will be flying into Phoenix, spending 3 nights at the Grand Canyon, arriving to Sedona Saturday night and staying until Wednesday the week before Easter. When we were previously there (also near spring break) it was not crowded and we didn’t have any plans, just did the hikes we felt like doing that day. While researching some family friendly things to do, it sounds like things are MUCH more crowded now. We will be staying at Los Abrigados and have a Broken Arrow Jeep Tour booked for our first full day there. I guess my question is- will we be able to do some family friendly hikes in the mornings with the crowds/parking/traffic? We are not concerned about dinner reservations or making it to certain restaurants. That would be great but the main attraction is the scenery for this trip. Our kids are great little hikers, doing a 7 mile hike in Zion last year and have only gotten stronger since then. I commute in a major city everyday so some traffic isn’t a big deal. After hiking at the GC for a few days, we will definitely be spending time at the pool, visiting Tlaquepaque and uptown. I definitely want to get a few hikes in on Monday and Tuesday though. I guess all of the negative comments about crowds have me thinking twice about coming back. We also have the option of staying at BW Arroyo instead of Los Abrigados if one would be better than another for reaching family friendly trailheads. Thanks in advance for the help!

Answer

Returning to Sedona with kids during spring break is definitely doable, but you’re right that it will be busier than a decade ago. Early mornings are key for avoiding crowds and securing parking at popular trailheads. Since your kids are strong hikers, you have flexibility with trail options.

Here are some strategies and suggestions:

Start hikes early: Aim to hit trailheads around 7–8am. Most of the popular trails, like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Devil’s Bridge, fill up later in the morning, especially on weekends and spring break.
Choose family-friendly trails with easier parking: Trails like Bell Rock Pathway, Fay Canyon, and Doe Mountain are relatively accessible, have moderate crowds early, and offer excellent scenery without long strenuous climbs.
Broken Arrow Jeep Tour: Since you already have this booked for the first full day, it’s good to leave your hiking for the following mornings so you can take advantage of quieter trails.
Alternate trailheads: Some less-known trailheads like West Fork Trail, Chuckwagon Trail, and Soldier Pass offer beautiful scenery and fewer crowds, though they may be a bit farther from your hotel.

Hotel considerations:

Los Abrigados and BW Arroyo are both centrally located in West Sedona near Uptown. Los Abrigados has slightly better access to the main trailheads in West Sedona, like Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock, which may save you a few minutes on early morning hikes.
If your priority is minimizing drive time to trailheads, Los Abrigados might have a slight edge, but both are fine options.

Additional tips for a smooth spring break experience:

Consider shorter morning hikes before crowds build, then return to your hotel or pool in the afternoon when trails get busy.
Pack snacks, water, and sun protection for your kids since parking and trail access may involve some waiting.
Visiting Tlaquepaque and Uptown in the late morning or afternoon is ideal, as parking and pedestrian traffic are manageable.
Check trailhead parking updates online or via local visitor centers to see if shuttle services are in effect at any trailheads during spring break.

Overall, you can absolutely enjoy family-friendly hiking with your kids during spring break. Early starts and choosing slightly less crowded trailheads will help you avoid the worst of the crowds, and your existing plans for the Jeep tour and local sightseeing balance the trip nicely.