16 Best Sedona Sunrise Spots You Must See (2024)
Looking for the best Sedona sunrise spots? You’ve come to the right place!
Watching the sunrise in Sedona is one of the best ways to experience this insanely beautiful place. The way the sun illuminates the red rocks first thing in the morning is one of the prettiest things you’ll ever see!
The most recent time we visited Sedona we were searching for some off-the-beaten-path sunrise spots to get away from the crowds. Every list we found only included the top Sedona sunrise spots, so went on a mission to find all the best spots to watch the sunrise from (popular AND not popular.)
While there are tons of places to experience a Sedona Arizona sunrise, we’re going to give you our 16 favorite spots where you will find the best sunrise in Sedona.
Whether you prefer to get active with a Sedona sunrise hike or you want to check out the best sunrise in Sedona without hiking, we have a location that is sure to be perfect for you!
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Average Sedona Sunrise Time by Month
| January | 7:34am – 7:26am |
| February | 7:25am – 6:57am |
| March | 6:56am – 6:15am |
| April | 6:14am – 5:37am |
| May | 5:36am – 5:15am |
| June | 5:14am – 5:16am |
| July | 5:17am – 5:36am |
| August | 5:36am – 5:59am |
| September | 5:59am – 6:20am |
| October | 6:21am – 6:46am |
| November | 6:47am – 7:15am |
| December | 7:16am – 7:34am |
Map of Best Places to See Sunrise in Sedona
The 16 Best Sunrise Sedona Spots
1. Devils Bridge
Devils Bridge is one of the most popular locations in Sedona and is known for its iconic natural stone features which makes it a prime destination for hiking and photography. You can capture even better pictures if you get there at sunrise or even sunset.
Sunrise during the summer months at Devils Bridge is around 5:00 AM, but the bridge is illuminated the most beautifully a few hours after sunrise and a few hours before sunset which is typically around 7:30 PM during the summer months.
Since Devil’s Bridge is the best sunrise hike in Sedona, it can also tend to be the busiest trail with large crowds near the bridge. You will definitely want to set out extra early in order to avoid waiting in long lines to take pictures on the bridge.
2. Soldier Pass Trail
Soldier Pass Trail has a ton of things to do and sites to stop and see which means you’ll have a bunch of opportunities to see different sunrise Sedona AZ views along this trail!
This trail is approximately 4.3 miles long and it can take around 2 hours to complete the loop.
Along the Soldiers Pass Trail, you will see the Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole and the Seven Sacred Pools where you can stop and catch the Sedona sunrise by one of the popular waterfalls in Sedona. Or you can continue down to Soldiers Pass Cave to get a different sunrise perspective of the area.
It is worth noting that parking at Soldiers Pass Trailhead can be pretty tricky even if you get there around early morning sunrise time Sedona is often full as there aren’t many parking spots.
You can check out parking at Jim Thompson Trailhead, Jordan Road Trailhead, or Brines Mesa Trailhead, but from there you’ll need to hike Cibola Pass Trail to Jordan Trail to Soldier’s Pass.
3. Sugarloaf Mountain
The Sugarloaf Mountain Loop Trail is one of the more underrated sunrise hikes Sedona has to offer. In our opinion it’s one of the best spots to check out some of the best Sedona views that you wouldn’t expect from a less popular trail!
In order to get to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, you will take a fairly easy hike along the Teacup Trail until you reach a fork in the path. You will then take the Sugar Loaf Loop Trail which is to the right of the fork.
Along the Sugarloaf Loop Trail, you will catch sights of Sedona Town, Wilson Mountain, Coffee Pot Rock, Thunder Mountain, Chimney Rock, and so much more.
The hike to get to the Sugarloaf Trail Sedona sunrise will take about 20-30 minutes, so plan accordingly so that you won’t miss any part of the amazing sunrise!
The combination of the easy hike and the close proximity to town are just a few of the reasons why Sugarloaf is one of our favorite Sedona sunrise spots. The last time we were there there was even a group of people having a singalong at the top which was super fun!
4. Bell Rock
The Bell Rock sunrise is arguably one of the best sunrises in all of Sedona due to the amazing geological landscape of the red rock butte that you will get to see against the beautiful sunrise colors!
This spot is very popular with both sunrise and sunset hikes due to the proximity to Oak Creek Village as well as all of the additional hiking opportunities in the area. Not to mention the iconic geological formations that everyone comes to see!
In order to check out the Bell Rock Sedona sunrise, you should take the Bell Rock Access Trail that will get you to the very top of the summit for the absolute best viewpoint.
To hike this trail, you will start at the Courthouse Vista Lot so that you can connect to the Bell Rock Access Trail which will also be labeled as the Bell Rock Loop Extension.
5. Red Rock Crossing (Red Rock Loop Road)
Apart from being the best place to watch sunrise in Sedona, Red Rock Crossing or Red Rock Loop Road is also a fantastic place within Coconino National Forest to go exploring!
But back to the sunrise, Red Rock Crossing offers a nice short 1-mile loop trail where you can catch the sun rising between the Cathedral Rock pillars.
After you take some pictures and enjoy the sunrise, you can follow the trail to Oak Creek for a swim or you can extend your hike by taking one of the many intersecting trails that cross Red Rock Crossing.
Red Rock Crossing is definitely one of the best sunrise hikes Sedona if you are looking for lots of things to do after you catch some spectacular sunrise pictures.
This area of Sedona is on the way to Cottonwood, where you can go on some awesome kayaking near Sedona, so this could be a fun afterward activity.
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6. Boynton Canyon Trail
The Boynton Canyon Trail is 6.1 miles round trip where you will be able to see the most beautiful vista views of the sunrise in Sedona AZ. Along this trail, you’ll also get to see a hidden cave!
The hidden cave in question is the Subway Cave which is one of the most photographed caves in Sedona. We definitely recommend watching the sunrise from the cave if it isn’t too busy!
If it is super packed you can keep hiking the Boynton Canyon Trail to one of the other beautiful viewpoints and just check out the cave on your way back.
7. Sedona Airport Mesa Loop
The Sedona Airport Mesa Loop is by far one of the best sunrise hike Sedona spots that there is!
By hiking the Sedona Airport Mesa Loop, you will be able to access the Airport Vortex Summit Trail which will lead you to the Airport Mesa Vortex Site.
This vortex site is one of the most accessible Sedona vortexes and is a super easy and beautiful place if you’re looking to watch a gorgeous Sedona sunset or sunrise.
Alternatively, you could take a longer hike from the Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout where you’ll get amazing panoramic views of Sedona’s red rock formations, but keep in mind that it costs $3 to park in the lot.
8. Mezcal Trail
The Mezcal Trail or Mescal Trail is a great sunrise hike in Sedona if you prefer a short and sweet trail while still having lots to take in and see!
At approximately 1.2 miles round trip, the Mezcal Trail still packs in a ton of beauty and views of the red rock range. While the trail is short, you could spend around an hour just enjoying the sunrise and the views.
If you are looking to spend more time in this location, you can take the trail all the way down to the Devil’s Bridge.
9. Doe Mountain
Doe Mountain Trail is an easy hike that will take you about 20 to 30 minutes to get to the top of the mountain. Once at the top, Doe Mountain offers panoramic views of Sedona making it the best place to watch the sunrise in Sedona!
To get to the top of the mountain, you will start the trail at Doe Mountain/Bear Mountain parking area and hike until you reach the Aerie Trail Junction. If you skip the junction and continue forward, you should reach the top of Doe Mountain easily.
If you miss the sunrise or aren’t an early bird, then Doe Mountain is also a popular spot to catch the Sedona sunset. But since the evening hours tend to be busier, you will need to arrive well in advance to get a parking spot.
10. Cathedral Rock Trail
Cathedral Rock Trail is one of the most popular hikes in all of Sedona! This is because Cathedral Rock is one of the most iconic buttes in Sedona with its towering height and dramatic pillars.
Starting at Cathedral Rock Trailhead, you can get to the summit in about an hour with a bit of a steep climb.
Due to the popularity of this hike, the trails will be very well-marked and super easy to navigate, but parking can also be challenging. The trailhead parking is even closed at times and if it is you’ll need to take the shuttle bus.
If you would rather avoid the crowds you could check out Lovers Knoll. Lovers Knoll is an easy-to-access viewpoint that is a pullout from the Red Rock Loop drive. You will be able to see Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, and other recognizable landmarks of Sedona at Lovers Knoll.
But if you’re really interested in avoiding the crowds, the best time to visit Sedona is in the fall when the crowds have dwindled.
11. Fay Canyon
Fay Canyon Trail is a fairly short and easy trail that is known for being kid-friendly and considerably shaded from the sun.
Fay Canyon is approximately 2.4 miles round trip and it will take you past the two main attractions of the trail which are the Fay Canyon Arch and Fay Canyon Viewpoint.
You will have to continue past the ‘End of Trail’ sign in order to reach the viewpoint, but you are rewarded with a spectacular view of the entire Fay Canyon. The view is especially beautiful during the sunrise Sedona time!
Nearby Fay Canyon, you could swing by Mystic Vista. This hidden gem is known as one of Sedona’s vortexes as well as a beautiful 20-30 minute hike through the middle of the wilderness and formations of Sedona.
12. Bear Mountain Trail
Bear Mountain Trail is going to be one of the most challenging Sedona sunrise hikes on our list. The hike takes a total of 3.5 hours to get to the top of the mountain and the summit hike is approximately 4.9 miles of high elevation.
Despite the difficulty, Bear Mountain is well worth the effort as it is the best place to see sunrise in Sedona! We love the 360° views at the summit of the surrounding Coconino National Forest. You can even see the Fay Canyon and San Francisco Peaks in the distance.
You will find parking for this trail at the Bear Mountain Trailhead or at the Doe Mountain parking lot across the street from the trailhead.
And if you really want the best view there are hot air balloon ride options that can take you by Bear Mountain!
13. Birthing Cave
Birthing Cave, known for its unique teardrop shape, is a secret cave that is accessible from the Long Canyon Trail. This cave is a favorite amongst Sedona locals and is also thought to have sacred powers.
We were a bit confused by the name until the first time we hiked out. But let’s just say when you get there the shape makes sense with the name.
Since getting to the Birthing Cave will take you off the beaten path, you definitely won’t want to get lost. Take the Long Canyon Trail for about 0.6 miles and then take the forked path to the left. The last time we were there there was a little bit of a downed wooden fence and you could see where people were hiking.
Continue in that direction for 0.3 miles. You will reach a steep and narrow path that will lead you the rest of the way to the cave where you will be treated to the best place to watch the sunrise in Sedona!
This location is another one that has very limited parking at the Long Canyon Trailhead No. 122 parking lot. You should try to arrive extra early to avoid any parking issues and to beat the crowds so you get the best seat in the cave.
14. Dry Creek Vista
Dry Creek Vista is a dry river bed that is known for its scenic views of rock formations and the sunrise and sunset.
This makes it a popular destination for hiking and biking, but most people associate Dry Creek Vista Trail with accessing Devil’s Bridge.
You will first drive down Dry Creek Road for a short distance and then park in the paved parking lot. This is where the Dry Creek Vista Trail begins and it will lead you down an easy-to-hike dirt road trail to the Devil’s Bridge if you want to catch the sunrise there instead. The entire hike is approximately 4.6 miles round trip.
We’d also like to point out that this road gets a lot of 4WD vehicle and Jeep tour traffic, so you will want to beware of that.
If the traffic is something you want to avoid, Chuck Wagon Trail and Mezcal Trail are both additional scenic hikes that can connect you to Devil’s Bridge and Dry Creek Trail.
15. Chapel of the Holy Cross
The only man-made spot on this list, the Chapel of the Holy Cross has some amazing architecture that highlights the amazing natural surroundings of Sedona. This is the best place for sunrise in Sedona if you are looking for a super unique experience!
There are three small parking lots on the way up to the chapel which can make parking challenging, but even if you have to park further away it’s an easy and quick walk up the hill.
Once you get to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, you can go inside most times and even light a candle for a loved one if you so choose. But whether you choose to view the sunrise from inside the chapel, from the outside, or from afar the Chapel of the Holy Cross offers an amazing backdrop for the sunrise!
16. Munds Wagon Trail to Merry Go Round Rock
Merry Go Round Rock is one of the most beautiful rock formations in Sedona and is a super popular spot for pictures! There are endless caves, holes, ruins, and other amazing hidden gems in this location.
In order to get to Merry Go Round Rock, you will have to hike a moderately difficult 6.4-mile trail called Munds Wagon Trail. While it may be a long trek, it is still a beautiful hike that will lead you to the Pointed Dome, The Teapot, and Munds Mountain.
Once you reach Merry Go Round Rock you can experience the best Sedona sunrise hike at ground level or you can scramble the formations and explore.
How to See a Sedona Sunrise without Hiking
Take a Jeep Tour
Sedona Jeep tours are a super popular way to explore all of the areas of Sedona that are harder to get to.
All of the Jeep tours will typically include a knowledgeable guide and a one-of-a-kind experience. There are a ton of jeep tour options to choose from as well as times to go, so you could choose between catching the Sedona sunrise or the Sedona sunset.
If you want to experience more than the geological wonders that Sedona has to offer, you can opt for this Sunrise Wildlife Safari Tour that will show you all of the animals you might be missing during the day!
Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride
One of the most exciting and unique ways to experience Sedona is definitely via a sunrise hot air balloon Sedona ride!
While a sunrise hot air balloon ride in Sedona can be pricey it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to have especially if you are wanting to avoid hiking. The entire ride trip typically lasts between 3 to 4 hours and launches before sunrise around 4:00 AM.
Enjoy a Scenic Drive
If heights aren’t your thing or you’re looking for a more laid-back and convenient way to see the sunrise Sedona Arizona, then going on a scenic drive near Sedona might just be the best option for you!
There is a handful of what we would consider the best scenic drives where you can experience all of what a sunrise in Sedona has to offer.
- Verde Valley School Road – Verde Valley School Road is a 10-mile stretch of road that starts at the Village of Oak Creek and ends at Red Rock Crossing Trail. This road will give you pretty great views of the area’s red rocks, and there’s plenty of room for you to pull over for pictures!
- Red Rock Scenic Byway – The Red Rock Scenic Byway is known as the gateway to the Red Rock Country of Sedona. The entirety of this route will take you about 20 minutes to drive, and it will provide you with the best views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte during sunrise time in Sedona.
- State Road 89A – Connecting Sedona to Flagstaff, State Road 89A is considered one of the most beautiful drives in America! The section that goes through West Sedona is what you’ll want to check out during sunrise though. This is where you will see the red rocks of Thunder Mountain and Coffee Pot Rock against the beautiful sunrise.
- Boynton Pass Road – The Boynton Pass Road will take you around a scenic loop that only takes a few hours. This drive will take you past the amazing sunrise views of Fay Canyon, Bear Mountain, Boynton Canyon, and so much more!
Tips for Watching Sunrise in Sedona
- Check the local weather – You will want to check out the local weather before you go out to watch the sunrise. The last thing you’ll want is to go through all of the effort to see the sunrise just for the sunrise to be obscured by bad weather or for you to get rained on.
- Dress accordingly – Going along with checking the local weather, you will want to dress according to the weather and the landscape. Definitely wear comfortable shoes since most of these locations require some walking. You will also want to take into consideration the change in temperature from the early morning sunrise to the mid-afternoon temps.
- Bring your camera – You will want to remember these sunrises forever, so definitely bring your best camera and any additional gear to capture all of the beautiful scenery!
- Pack a bag – You should pack a bag with all of the sunrise essentials like a blanket to sit on, water, snacks, and maybe some extra clothing layers if the temperature fluctuates.
- Arrive early – Even though you’re already getting up super early to make the sunrise, you should also allow time for the drive and to find parking since some of these spots have limited parking area spaces.
- Take the Sedona Shuttle – Since parking at many of the trailhead parking areas can be difficult due to the limited spaces and the busyness of the trails, you might want to consider taking the Sedona Shuttle to your desired location. The Sedona Shuttle usually only operates on Thursdays through Sundays from 6:30 AM to 5 PM. This isn’t necessarily an option if you want to catch the sunrise but it’s still something to utilize at other peak times!
- Time out your hike – If you plan to hike to your destination or start at a particular trailhead parking area, you will want to time out how long the hike will take to your desired destination so that you can get there right in time for the best sunrise views.
- Buy a Red Rock Pass – The Red Rock Pass gives you access to the Red Rock Country and Coconino National Forest. Since some of these Sedona sunrise hike trails require the Red Rock Pass, you will want to come prepared with either a daily, weekly, or annual pass.
Sunrise in Sedona Photography Tips
- Go scouting during the day – If you are spending several days in Sedona, then you might want to take advantage of the extra time that you have by scouting out a prime sunrise or sunset spot. You could end up finding a hidden gem that you otherwise wouldn’t have known about before!
- Bring your camera gear – Since sunrise and sunset mean low light, you might want to consider bringing a tripod if you have one. A wide-angle lens is also recommended so that you can capture as much of the landscape as possible in the frame. Apart from actually taking the pictures, you should pack an extra battery and SD card just in case!
- Choose a lesser-known sunrise trail Sedona – Since some of the best sunrise hikes in Sedona are incredibly popular photography destinations, you might want to consider choosing a lesser-known location in order to avoid any crowds or parking issues. You’ll still capture a beautiful and unique sunrise even if you aren’t at Devils Bridge.
Wrap-Up: The Best Sedona AZ Sunrise Spots
We hope that this article helped you better determine where to watch the sunrise in Sedona, but we know that you won’t be disappointed anywhere in the beautiful Southwest.
We’ve seen breathtaking sunrises in so many different spots around Sedona, we know you’ll love it no matter where you choose.
Whether you choose to go hiking in Sedona or opt for a more adventurous method of transportation, you will find yourself a spectacular and photo-worthy sunrise at any of these 16 locations!
