Sedona, Arizona is a beautiful vacation destination known for its stunning red rock formations, great places to ride and hike, vibrant art scene, and tasty restaurants to enjoy. There are a number of good electric bike rides to enjoy that include paved routes and some off road adventures. And the views along the rides are amazing!
In addition to riding, a Sedona vacation can include scenic drives and hikes, spa excursions, Jeep tours, new age spiritual journeys, star gazing, and much more. Sedona’s location in Northern Arizona can make it a good vacation to combine with a Grand Canyon visit if you have the time.
All right, let’s check out all that the red rocks have to offer!
Fun Rides in Sedona
Sedona is a beautiful place to explore on an electric bike. Here are some popular routes for eBiking in Sedona.
Paved Routes
Red Rock Scenic Byway: The Red Rock Scenic Byway is a popular road for e-biking, offering stunning views of the red rock formations. The route is an out and back starting from either Uptown Sedona or the Village of Oak Creek. There is a wide shoulder for the bike lane. The total ride is about 15 miles.
Red Rock Loop Road: This is a scenic ride that generally starts and finishes at the Sedona High School area. It’s definitely worth doing the offshoot road to checkout Red Rock Crossing at Oak Creek. This loop has a relatively narrow shoulder so be cautious of cars & trucks on the road. The total ride is about 12 miles.
Dry Creek & Boynton Pass Road: This is a scenic West side ride from Highway 89A and Dry Creek Road out to Boynton Pass Road to Aerie Trailhead and back. Great views of all the canyons and mountains along the way. This route has a relatively narrow shoulder so be cautious of cars & trucks on the road. This out and back ride is about 13 miles total.
The ideal bike for these paved routes uses a smooth street tread, like that found on the Denago City Model 1 and 2, or Commute Model 1. If you're traveling in a van or RV, the Denago Folding eBike also offers a smooth tread with low rolling resistance for paved routes around Sedona.
Off Road Routes
Schnebly Hill: This is a popular dirt road for Jeep and ATV tours in the area and it makes for a good eMountain bike ride with amazing red rock views along the way. This out and back 13 mile (total) ride eventually ends up at the Schnebly Hill Vista Overlook about 2,000 ft higher than the start of the ride, so make sure your battery is fully charged!
Morgan 4x4 Road: This is another popular Jeep and ATV road that has amazing views and some technical slickrock terrain to ride. It ends up at Chicken Point which has amazing views all around. This out and back ride is a total of 4 miles long.
Dry Creek/Vultee Arch Road: This is a scenic dirt road out to some popular canyon hiking areas. Devil’s Bridge is worth a look if you have the time to lock up your bike and hike to this natural sandstone bridge. This ride is an out and back that starts and finishes at the Dry Creek Trailhead. Total ride length is about 8 miles.
These dirt roads are ideal for a wider tire with knobby tread, like that found on the Denago Fat Tire. For more off road ride options, checkout Trailforks and select the E-Bike filter to see what rides are available for electric bikes.
Electric Bike Tours & Rentals
If you would like to join an electric bike tour and leave the planning up to the local guides then there are some options. Also, if you would like to rent an eBike instead of bringing your own, these companies have rental options:
- Sedona Tours and Rentals offers a number of different routes to choose from and they also offer electric bike rentals.
- Sedona EZ Riders has guided and self guided tour options as well as eBike rentals.
- Ebike Sedona Tours & Rental as the name implies has tours (guided and self guided) and eBike rentals.
Other Fun Sedona Activities
Here are some other fun things you can do during your Sedona vacation:
Drive the Red Rock Scenic Byway: This 7.5-mile road from Uptown to the Village of Oak Creek winds through the stunning red rock formations, offering panoramic views and plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos.
Visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross: This beautiful Catholic chapel is built into the red rocks and offers stunning views of Sedona.
Drive up Oak Creek Canyon: This is a scenic drive from Uptown Sedona thru Oak Creek Canyon up to the “switchbacks” that climb up to the Mogollon Rim with Ponderosa Pine trees. It is an amazingly scenic drive with many views of the canyon and the creek. There are picnic and campground areas along the way. One of the best hikes is West Fork of Oak Creek; this is highly recommended.
Take a hike: There are numerous hiking trails in Sedona, ranging from easy to challenging. Some popular trails include Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Devil's Bridge. Hiking Project is a good smartphone app for locating and getting distance and elevation information on hikes.
Enjoy a spa day: Sedona is known for its world-class spas, so treat yourself to a massage or other relaxing treatments.
Go on a spiritual journey: Sedona is considered a spiritual and healing destination, renowned for its vortexes—areas believed to emit powerful spiritual energy. Many people visit Sedona for self-reflection, meditation, and spiritual retreats to find peace and balance.
Visit the art galleries: Sedona has a thriving art scene, with many galleries showcasing local and regional artists, including Native American pottery, jewelry, and other handmade items.
Take a Jeep tour: A Jeep tour is a fun and adventurous way to explore the red rocks and learn about Sedona's history and geology.
Experience the night sky: Sedona's dark skies provide excellent conditions for stargazing. You can experience the wonders of the night sky, join astronomy tours, or simply enjoy the serene beauty of the stars.
Explore the area: If you have the time, a day trip to Old Town Cottonwood and Jerome are worth the trip. Old Town has nice shops and restaurants and Jerome is an old copper mine town turned artist haven built on the side of a mountain.
Getting to Sedona
Sedona is located in northern Arizona, approximately 120 miles north of Phoenix and 30 miles south of Flagstaff. Below are some transportation options for getting to Sedona.
Fly: The closest airport to Sedona is the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, which is approximately 30 miles away. If you are considering adding a visit to the Grand Canyon then flying into Flagstaff can be a good way to see both Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Alternatively, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is about a 2-hour drive from Sedona.
Drive: Sedona is easily accessible by car via Interstate 17, which connects Phoenix and Flagstaff. The drive from Phoenix to Sedona takes about 2 hours, while the drive from Flagstaff takes about 45 minutes.
Shuttle: There are several shuttle companies that offer transportation to Sedona from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, and other locations in the area.
Bus: Greyhound and other bus companies offer service to Flagstaff, from which you can take a shuttle or taxi to Sedona.
Train: The closest train station to Sedona is in Flagstaff, where you can take a shuttle or taxi to Sedona.
Once you arrive in Sedona, there are several transportation options for getting around, including rental cars, taxis, and shuttle services. And of course you can ride your eBike!
Also, since you are in Northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is not too far and it is definitely worth a visit if you have the time.
Places to Stay in Sedona
There are a bunch of hotel, resort, and vacation rental options to choose from in Sedona. The best area to stay in Sedona depends on your preferences and the experiences you want to have during your visit. Here are some areas to consider for your stay in Sedona:
Uptown Sedona: This area is the heart of Sedona and offers a central location with easy access to shops, restaurants, and art galleries. It's a great choice if you prefer convenience and being in the midst of the town's bustling atmosphere.
West Sedona: Located west of Uptown, this area is a bit quieter and offers a more residential feel. It's a good choice if you want a peaceful retreat while still being within easy reach of amenities and attractions.
Oak Creek Canyon: Situated just north of Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon is known for its stunning beauty and scenic drives. It offers a peaceful and picturesque setting, with a range of cabins and vacation rentals available. This area is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy outdoor activities.
Village of Oak Creek: Located about 6 miles south of Uptown Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek offers a more relaxed and residential setting. It's a great option if you prefer a quieter atmosphere, access to golf courses, and beautiful views of the red rocks.
Consider your preferred activities, budget, and the kind of ambiance you desire when choosing the area to stay in Sedona. Regardless of where you choose, Sedona is relatively compact, and most attractions and outdoor activities are within a short driving distance. But do be aware that traffic can be busy during popular times.
Enjoy eBiking the Red Rocks!
Sedona is an amazingly scenic place to ride your electric bike. And as you can see there are also a bunch of other fun things to do in the Sedona area.
Have fun planning your Sedona vacation and enjoy your rides!
-Pete