Known for its stunning red rock formations, energy vortexes, and endless outdoor recreation, Sedona is a dream destination for nature lovers—and the best part? It’s incredibly dog-friendly!

With mild winters and warm, sunny summers, Sedona is a year-round destination, though spring and fall are the most popular times to visit, thanks to comfortable hiking weather and breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re here to hike scenic trails, explore off-road adventures, or soak in the region’s peaceful, spiritual vibes, there’s something for every traveler—including your four-legged best friend.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to plan the perfect dog-friendly Sedona getaway, from the best pet-friendly hikes and scenic drives to dog-welcoming restaurants and unique experiences you won’t want to miss. Ready to hit the red rocks with your pup? Let’s dive in!

Where to stay with your dog in sedona

Sedona boasts a variety of dog-friendly accommodations that cater to both you and your pet’s comfort. Here’s a curated list of top pet-friendly hotels, ranked by average nightly rate:

1. Arabella Hotel Sedona

   • Address: 725 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336

   • Unique Features: Nestled amidst Sedona’s red rocks, Arabella offers direct access to hiking trails and features two seasonal outdoor pools.

   • Pet Policy & Fee: Welcomes up to two pets per room with a fee of $27 per night. A portion of this fee benefits the Sedona Humane Society. Service animals are exempt from this charge.

   • Average Nightly Rate: Approximately $200

2. Sky Ranch Lodge

   • Address: 1105 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336

   • Unique Features: Perched atop a mesa, this lodge offers panoramic views of Sedona’s landscapes and tranquil gardens.

   • Pet Policy & Fee: Allows pets with a fee of $50 per stay.

   • Average Nightly Rate: Approximately $220

3. The Wilde Resort & Spa

   • Address: 2250 W State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336

   • Unique Features: This resort boasts a full-service spa, outdoor pool, and on-site restaurant. Dogs receive a welcome amenity, including treats and waste bags.

   • Pet Policy & Fee: Welcomes up to two dogs per room (each under 75 lbs) with a one-time fee of $75 plus tax.

   • Average Nightly Rate: Approximately $250

4. El Portal Sedona Hotel

   • Address: 95 Portal Ln, Sedona, AZ 86336

   • Unique Features: A boutique hotel offering uniquely designed rooms and a courtyard. Recognized for its exceptional pet-friendly services.

   • Pet Policy & Fee: Pets are welcomed without any additional fee.

   • Average Nightly Rate: Approximately $300

5. Amara Resort & Spa

   • Address: 100 Amara Ln, Sedona, AZ 86336

   • Unique Features: Set along Oak Creek, this resort offers modern rooms, an infinity pool, and a spa.

   • Pet Policy & Fee: Allows pets with a fee of $50 per stay.

   • Average Nightly Rate: Approximately $350

6. L’Auberge de Sedona

   • Address: 301 L’Auberge Ln, Sedona, AZ 86336

   • Unique Features: Offers luxury cottages along Oak Creek, fine dining, and spa services. Recognized among the top pet-friendly hotels in the USA.

   • Pet Policy & Fee: Welcomes pets with a fee of $35 per night.

   • Average Nightly Rate: Approximately $500

7. Ambiente

   • Address: 900 W State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336

   • Unique Features: A luxury landscape hotel offering panoramic views of Sedona’s red rocks.

   • Pet Policy & Fee: Allows pets with a fee of $100 per stay.

   • Average Nightly Rate: Approximately $600

Please note that hotel rates and pet policies are subject to change. It’s advisable to contact the hotels directly for the most current information.

restaurants with dog-friendly patios for dining

We’re all used to dining on patios with our pups, but the views in Sedona are that pretty that you’ll want to seek out the best outdoor dining in town. Whether you’re grabbing a casual bite or indulging in a fine dining experience, there’s a place to fit you and your pups taste.

1. Creekside American Bistro

Address: 251 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86336
Fare: New American
Unique Feature: Offers stunning Red Rock views and a dedicated dog menu
Dog Offerings: Spacious outdoor deck where dogs are welcomed with water and treats

2. Mesa Grill Sedona

Address: 1185 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
Fare: Southwestern-inspired American cuisine
Unique Feature: Located on Airport Mesa, providing panoramic views of Sedona. Make a reservation early! They do take walk ups, but both times we called there was a 1-2 hour wait and online reservations were booked for our entire stay. This is right by the Airport Mesa vortex and Airport Scenic Lookout, providing panoramic views of Sedona, so try to plan all three at the same time if you can.
Dog Offerings: Pet-friendly patio and a special doggie menu

3. Hideaway House

Address: 231 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336
Fare: Italian-American comfort food
Unique Feature: Cozy, treehouse-like atmosphere with incredible Red Rock views
Dog Offerings: Welcomes dogs on the patio and even has a canine menu

4. Sedona Pizza Company

Address: 270 N State Route 89A Ste 11, Sedona, AZ 86336
Fare: Wood-fired pizza
Unique Feature: Casual setting in uptown Sedona with authentic Italian-style pizzas
Dog Offerings: Dogs are welcome on the patio and can enjoy selections from a special dog menu

5. Sedona Beer Company

Address: 465 Jordan Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
Fare: Craft beer and pub fare
Unique Feature: Locally brewed craft beers in a laid-back atmosphere
Dog Offerings: Dog-friendly patio, and water bowls are provided

6. The Secret Garden Café

Address: 336 State Route 179, Suite F101, Sedona, AZ 86336
Fare: Healthy café-style meals
Unique Feature: Charming garden setting with a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere
Dog Offerings: Dogs are welcome on the garden patio, and there’s a dedicated dog menu

7. Cowboy Club

Address: 241 N State Route 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Fare: Southwestern cuisine with a rustic twist
Unique Feature: Famous for its cowboy-inspired dishes like cactus fries & bison burgers
Dog Offerings: Dogs are welcome on the patio, and staff often provide water and treats

8. The Grille at ShadowRock

Address: 90 Ridge Trail Drive, Sedona, AZ 86351
Fare: Contemporary American cuisine
Unique Feature: Spacious patio with fire pits and lawn games, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Great for happy hour with $5 drink specials and the most delicious chips and salsa.
Dog Offerings: Leashed dogs are welcome on the large patio, and a special dog menu is available

9. SaltRock Southwest Kitchen & Craft Margaritas

Address: 100 Amara Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336
Fare: Southwestern cuisine with a modern twist
Unique Feature: Offers panoramic Red Rock views from the expansive patio
Dog Offerings: Pets are welcome at outdoor tables, and staff often provide water bowls

dog-friendly activities in sedona, arizona

Hit the Trails

Paws down the reason you come to Sedona – besides the dog friendliness.

Sedona’s iconic red rock walls are truly unique to the area. The walls consist of nine different layers of stone and were formed over millions of years, even long before the dinosaurs walked the land. The red coloring comes from Iron Oxide formed on the individual grains of the rocks to create the beautiful rust color Sedona is famous for. These rocks are home to over 100 trails to explore ranging from all different lengths and difficulties. With so many to choose from, here’s a few that should top your dog-friendly hiking list:

Devil’s Bridge

This is one of the most frequented trails in Sedona, and it’s one almost anyone can do. Seriously, we saw hikers of all ages conquering this hike. The trail is 4.2 miles out-and-back and it leads to a beautiful natural sandstone arch. You can walk below it and then take the stairs to the top of it, and if you choose, you can actually walk right out on top of it. Typically, there is a line to walk out onto the bridge, but the rule is that the person behind you in line will take your picture while you’re out on the bridge.

This is a busy trail that you will share with jeeps, ATVs, mountain bikes, and likely, countless other hikers. The first part of the trail is wide and easy; the back half of the trail is narrower and steeper as you climb towards the arch. There is virtually no shade on this entire hike until you reach the far end, so make sure you are prepared.

Two parking lots are located off Dry Creek Road and virtually impossible to get a space in, particularly on the weekends, unless you arrive really early. We parked off the main road prior to turning onto Dry Creek. Thankfully, we were early enough that we got a close spot.

If you’d like to avoid the crowds and the dusty jeep trail, start at the Chuckwagon trailhead for a slightly shorter four-mile trip. This trailhead is off Long Canyon Road on the right-hand side. Be sure to study the map at the trailhead as it’s important not to miss a key left turn at the first trail intersection you come to. The Mescal Trail begins right across the road. We visited on a Monday morning and started our hike at 7a. The 4×4 path wasn’t busy, so we opted for that route as a more direct path.

Dogs are safe to walk on the 4×4 path up until the 4×4 parking lot about 1.5 miles in. From there, agile pups can try their paw at the rock steps ascending up to the bridge, or if you’re like me you can catch a lift in a K9 Sport Sack. In Doodle Mom’s opinion, this felt like the safer route since this part of the trail is pretty narrow and steep. We also felt like it was easier coming down then going up.

Even though we started early (or at least what felt like it), we still waited 30 minutes at the bridge for our turn to walk out. Our recommendation is to start as early as possible to beat the crowds and potentially the heat.

Bell Rock Pathway

The unmistakable shape of Bell Rock is easy to spot along Highway 179, near the village of Oak Creek. Tourists come here to hike, bike, and sightsee. The sloping walls, which are deceivingly steep up-close, make this landmark an enticing object for hikers.

The Bell Rock Pathway trail is a very easy and accessible pathway and suitable for hikers of all ages and abilities, but it does offer some optional challenges if you who want to climb a short distance up the bell. We stayed on the Pathway for an easy hike after adventuring up Devil’s Bridge that same morning.

The main Bell Rock Pathway runs from Bell Rock Vista parking area to Courthouse Vista parking lot. This section is 3.6 miles one-way, but we recommended parking at the Courthouse Vista parking area and just doing the first 1.5 miles and return the same way. Once you have your back to Bell Rock, that’s when you should turn around.

Once again, the parking lot is small here and we had to circle a few times but there is no fee to access.

Cathedral Rock Trail

This popular trail offers fantastic views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, the colorful Mogollon Rim, and once you reach the saddle, vistas of the rolling landscape to the west. Cathedral Rock is also home to one of Sedona’s famous vortexes, which is supposedly located at the saddle.

The trail runs up the east side of Cathedral Rock, across a relatively flat area, then ascends up the rocks, crossing the Templeton Trail. Some sections are quite steep and can be a bit tricky. It will definitely require the use of hands and feet – and a backpack for your pup if you don’t think they can make the journey alone. The trail is about one-mile round trip with a total elevation gain of 550 feet. The trailhead is located halfway down Back O Beyond Road, off Highway 179, between Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek. There are two parking lots that are very small, so plan to arrive early and do a bit of circling. Once you snag a spot, you’ll need to pay at the parking machine to get your $5 day pass to display on your dashboard.

Drive the Red rock Scenic Byway

Coming in at #4 by U.S. News of top things to do in Sedona, the 7.5-mile Red Rock Scenic Byway has plenty to see and do. Plan to spend 2-5 hours along Interstate 17 to take in the scenic viewpoints, try a hike or bike a trail. There are also two vortexes to check out, Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock in the Village of Oak Creek (also called Big Park).

We enjoyed Courthouse Vista, the Bell Rock Pathway, which is considered an easy hike, and Cathedral Rock Trail, which is considered moderate. When visiting the area, check out your hiking options with All Trails where you can filter by length and difficulty.

catch a killer sunset

While you can catch a pretty sunset just about anywhere in Sedona, visitors flock to Airport Scenic Lookout an hour or so before sunset to take in the views and watch the sun go down. There’s a large parking lot across the street with a $3 fee and viewing spots are first come first serve.

Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Catholic chapel situated between red-rock towers with amazing views, making this another spot to check out at sunset. We didn’t have time to catch a sunset here, but we did go by to see it after our hike at Cathedral Rock. It’s just a few minutes down the road.

find a vortex

Although all of Sedona is considered to be a vortex, there are specific sites where the energy is more intense. The four best known Sedona vortexes are found at Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon—each radiating its own particular energy. Some are thought to produce energy flowing upward while at others the energy spirals downward, entering the earth.

We ventured to Airport Mesa to see a different vantage point of Sedona and experience one of the vortexes. This site is the most visited vortex location in Sedona with more than 4 million visitors a year. Airport Mesa is located on Airport Road 5 minutes south of Uptown. There’s a very small pull off for parking, so you may need to circle a few times, but once you snag a spot the vortex location is right at the start of the trailhead and you’ll be treated with some amazing views. You can find the exact vortex spot at the start of Airport Loop featured in the middle photo below, and while we didn’t necessarily feel it we enjoyed the visit. Had we researched it prior, we definitely would’ve hiked Airport Loop. I believe this trail connects to the scenic overlook parking lot, so you could make a whole afternoon of it.

Note: Plan to visit Airport Mesa later in the day so you can check out the sunset up the street at Sedona Airport Scenic Outlook.

Explore Uptown

Surrounded by red rocks and Oak Creek, visitors can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Uptown Sedona while shopping for souvenirs. With its Native American influences and spiritual wellness popularity, each side of the street running through Uptown Sedona are littered with crystal shops, art galleries, souvenir stores and restaurants.

The most popular art and shopping market within Uptown Sedona is Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. Fashioned after a traditional Mexican village, Tlaquepaque, meaning the “best of everything,” has been a Sedona landmark since the 1970’s. With over 50 specialty shops and exclusive art galleries, many art treasures and distinctive gifts can be found around every corner. Make sure you stop into BowWow Sedona so your pup can get a souvenir too.

Note: If you’re an ornament collector like Doodle Mom, make sure you stop by the Christmas Ornament Shop. They have the best selection.

Go Off-roading with barlow Jeep Rentals

This one is not for the faint of heart and should only be considered if you and your pup are cool with a lot of bouncing around in a vehicle. And by cool, I mean constant gyration for hours.

As you may have seen from Instagram, we found out we are not the off-roading type, but it was an adventure nonetheless. If this is something you fancy, Barlow Jeep Rentals is your place. They offer rentals in Sedona, AZ and Moab, UT. You can rent a Jeep for 24+ hours and several within their fleet are dog-friendly (no extra pet fee). Upon arrival, you’ll need to have the proper rental paperwork (driver’s license, insurance card and proof of full coverage) and they’ll provide super helpful maps for finding 4×4 trails and explain the proper gears to use once you find them. They’ll even provide a cooler with ice for your off-roading adventure.

TAKE A DAY TRIP

Sedona is just 2 hours south of the Grand Canyon and can make for a great day trip if you’ve already covered all the ground you’re interested in exploring around Sedona.

The Southern Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon is dog-friendly and 12.7 miles of canyon viewpoints stretching from South Kaibab trailhead to Hermit’s Rest. You can easily park at the visitor center and start the trail near Mather Point. The trail is paved, so be prepared in the summer when it heats up. After your walk, if you want to cool off, head to the Mather Point Cafe for some ice cream to go.

Grand Canyon National Park charges an entrance fee of $35/vehicle, or you can purchase an America the Beautiful pass for $80 to enter all national parks for a year.

If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can head to Horseshoe Bend from the Grand Canyon to catch the most amazing sunset. This will make for a long day in the car, so consider an overnight near Page, AZ if you want to squeeze all of this in. If you plan to stay in the area, plan to check out Antelope Canyon via Lake Powell (guide coming soon!) before heading back to Sedona.

We weren’t really sure what to expect when visiting Sedona, but it totally stole our traveling hearts. We hope to visit again soon to add more trails to our list, but until then we hope you enjoy this guide!

Let us know in the comments if there’s anything we should add to this guide or if you tried one of this activities and what your experience was like.