Book tour(s) or drive ourselves?

Question

Hello,

Our group of 6 (55-65 years old) will be in Sedona in September for 2 full days Thursday/Friday. We all love the outdoors and are in fairly good shape for easy hikes, but our goal is to see as much as possible with as little effort as possible :-) My list includes the usuals - Red Rock Scenic Byway, Cathedral Rock, Bell rock, few others TBD, but I see many posts about the traffic and parking issues in the area. Would it be more efficient for us to book a tour(s)? I see a lot of offroad tours - this is not for us. If we drive ourselves, do you have any pointers? I know we have to start our days early :-) Thank you in advance!

Answer

Sedona is a beautiful area with stunning red rock formations, and your plan for 2 full days is definitely doable for sightseeing and easy hikes. The choice between booking tours and driving yourselves depends on your priorities for convenience, flexibility, and maximizing your time.

Driving Yourself:

Driving yourself gives you flexibility to stop whenever you like and choose how long to spend at each spot. However, parking can be limited, especially at popular trailheads like Cathedral Rock or Bell Rock. Traffic can also be heavy on the Red Rock Scenic Byway during peak hours, though September is a bit quieter than summer.

Start your day early (before 8 am) to beat traffic and find parking at popular trailheads.
Use trailhead lots off the main road whenever possible; some have shuttle access.
Download offline maps or GPS navigation apps since cell service is spotty in some canyon areas.
Plan one scenic drive and one hiking-focused day, or split by area (e.g., north Sedona vs. south Sedona).

Booking Tours:

Guided tours can save stress, as the driver knows the best times and spots, and you don’t have to worry about parking or traffic. For your group and fitness level, consider scenic or photography tours rather than off-road adventures.

Scenic van or jeep tours that stick to paved roads offer commentary and convenience without the rough terrain.
Private small-group tours can tailor the stops and pacing to your preferences.
Morning tours are best to avoid crowds and heat, especially for easy walking or short hikes.

Suggested Approach:

Day 1: Drive yourself along the Red Rock Scenic Byway, stopping at Bell Rock, Chapel of the Holy Cross, and other viewpoints. Include a short, easy hike at one spot (Bell Rock or Courthouse Butte Loop).
Day 2: Consider a guided scenic tour that targets viewpoints or hidden spots you might miss on your own. Alternatively, if you want complete flexibility, start early to hike Cathedral Rock early in the morning and follow with more drive-by stops.

Overall, for a group like yours that enjoys outdoors, driving yourselves early in the day for the major spots works well, and booking one short guided tour could complement your experience and reduce stress with logistics and parking.