Sedona mid September what hikes

Question

We are going to be in Sedona from a Friday to Wednesday mid September this fall.

I have two activities I want to do- a hot hair balloon ride and a fly fishing guide for the morning for my husband so those activities will take up two half days in the AM.

The hikes I have on the schedule so far are cathedral rock, soldiers pass, devils bridge

Friday we won’t really have time for a hike by the time we get in and get to our hotel and get dinner and what not so just planned a short easy trail walk by our hotel- though we could throw in something easy for sunset if any suggestions? By easy I mean won’t take long to get to the views- I know all the hikes seem to have the word scramble all over em :)

Saturday I have soldiers pass in the am and then cathedral rock for sunset

Sunday am fly fishing for the morning and then devils bridge in the afternoon

Monday am hot air balloon

So Monday afternoon and Tuesday all day is open and possibly Wednesday am - before we fly out in the evening are all open.

I wanted to drive to Grand Canyon and spend a few hours there but also antelope canyon looks cool? Should I be making time for that? It’s expensive with the guide - and the fly fishing and hot air balloon are already expensive so idk if I wanna add one more thing I have to pay several hundred to do.

Answer

Mid-September in Sedona is generally warm but more comfortable than the peak summer months, with mornings and evenings being quite pleasant for hiking. Since you already have several iconic hikes planned, you can structure the remaining days and options for easier walks and scenic stops to maximize your experience without overextending yourself.

For Friday, after arrival and dinner, a short and easy hike for sunset would be ideal. Sedona has several trails that are short, accessible, and provide beautiful viewpoints:

Airport Mesa Trail: About 2–3 miles round trip, mostly flat, offering panoramic sunset views over Sedona’s red rocks.
Bell Rock Pathway: Easy, relatively flat, and great for sunset photography with Cathedral Rock in view.
Little Horse Trail: Short loop with nice views and minimal scrambling.

Saturday and Sunday are already well-planned with Soldiers Pass, Cathedral Rock, and Devils Bridge. For those, make sure to bring plenty of water and start earlier in the afternoon for the sunset hikes to avoid scrambling in fading light.

For Monday afternoon, after your hot air balloon ride, you could fit in a gentle hike or scenic drive:

Red Rock Crossing / Crescent Moon Ranch: Flat, short, and picturesque along Oak Creek, perfect for a relaxing post-balloon walk.
Schnebly Hill Road Scenic Drive: If you prefer to avoid a hike, this 7-mile drive offers incredible red rock vistas.

Tuesday is a free day and gives you a choice for a longer excursion outside Sedona. Regarding the Grand Canyon and Antelope Canyon:

Grand Canyon South Rim: About a 2-hour drive from Sedona. Even a few hours allows you to see iconic viewpoints like Mather Point, Yavapai, and Desert View. No guide is necessary for a short visit.
Antelope Canyon: Requires a guided tour and is located near Page, AZ, which is a 4–5 hour drive from Sedona. While breathtaking, the time and cost commitment is significant for a short trip.

Given your schedule and budget, a short Grand Canyon visit is more feasible than Antelope Canyon. You could plan an early morning drive to the Grand Canyon, spend 3–4 hours at the South Rim, and return in the late afternoon. This would provide a memorable experience without the high cost and longer travel time of Antelope Canyon.

Wednesday morning before your flight could be used for a relaxed walk or visit to a local viewpoint or gallery if time allows. Some options:

Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock Viewpoints: For one last easy photo opportunity.
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village: Short stroll among galleries, shops, and cafes.

Overall, your itinerary is well-balanced with adventure, iconic hikes, and scenic experiences. Keeping Grand Canyon as the only “extra” excursion beyond Sedona activities will ensure you enjoy the trip without feeling rushed or overspending.

Sedona mid September what hikes

More Sedona Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions