Where to Stay in Sedona: Uptown, West Sedona, VOC or Cottonwood?
Where to stay in Sedona from a local guide: how Uptown, West Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, Oak Creek Canyon and Cottonwood compare for hikes, dining and wine.
The best area to stay in Sedona depends on what you came to do: Uptown if you want to walk to dinner and shops, West Sedona if you want trailheads and everyday prices, the Village of Oak Creek if you want golf and easy Bell Rock access, Oak Creek Canyon if you want the creek outside your door, and Cottonwood if wine tasting is the main event. Sedona is small, so you’re never far from anything, but where to stay in Sedona still shapes how much time you spend in the car versus on the trail or at the table.
We’ve been driving guests around Red Rock Country since 2004, and our guests stay in every corner of it. Here’s how each part of town actually feels on the ground, who it suits, and what to know before you book.
Sedona’s layout in 60 seconds
Sedona sits at the junction of two state highways. State Route 89A runs north from Cottonwood, through West Sedona, into Uptown and then up Oak Creek Canyon toward Flagstaff. State Route 179 runs south from Uptown past Tlaquepaque, the Chapel area and Bell Rock to the Village of Oak Creek and Interstate 17. Where the two highways meet is the roundabout locals call “the Y.”
That matters because almost every visitor drives one of those two corridors several times a day, and both get busy on fall and spring weekends. Picking a base on the side of town where you’ll spend most of your time is the easiest way to save an hour of traffic over a long weekend.
Uptown Sedona: walkable, central and lively
Uptown is the tourist heart of Sedona, the stretch of 89A just north of the Y. Visit Sedona describes it as walkable to restaurants, shops and galleries, and that’s the main reason people stay here. You can park once and spend the evening on foot, which is a real advantage if your group plans to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.
Good for: first-time visitors, couples, anyone without a car for part of the trip, and people who like to stroll after dinner.
Keep in mind:
- It’s the busiest part of town, with the most foot and car traffic on weekends.
- Hikes are close but not right outside the door. The Jordan Trail area and Brins Mesa are nearby, and Visit Sedona notes the Cibola Pass loop is an easy two miles.
- Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is a short drive or a long walk across the Y on 179.
Just below Uptown along the creek, L’Auberge de Sedona is the classic splurge: cottages on the banks of Oak Creek with wood-burning fireplaces and private decks, plus lodge rooms and suites. It’s tucked away from the bustle but still close enough to walk up to Uptown.
West Sedona: trailheads, local restaurants and better value
West Sedona is the long commercial stretch of 89A heading toward Cottonwood. It’s where locals shop, eat and get their coffee, and it usually has more lodging choices and lower prices than Uptown. Visit Sedona calls out its neighborhood feel and proximity to the Devil’s Bridge and Boynton Canyon trailheads.
Good for: hikers, families, longer stays and travelers who want a quieter evening.
Keep in mind:
- You’ll drive to almost everything, though the drives are short.
- The restaurants are excellent and less touristy, but you won’t stroll a shop-lined main street here.
- Sunsets from the Airport Mesa area and the west side canyons are close by.
At the far end of the west side, up Boynton Canyon, sits Enchantment Resort. It’s surrounded by canyon walls and feels a world away from town, which is exactly the point. Plan for a longer drive to Uptown and wine country from there, and treat the resort itself as part of the trip.
Village of Oak Creek: golf, Bell Rock and an easier exit
The Village of Oak Creek (locals say “VOC”) is south of Sedona proper along SR 179, at the foot of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Visit Sedona notes it’s home to three golf courses and flat, accessible trails like the Bell Rock Pathway and the Courthouse Butte Loop. The Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock is the best-known property, and it sells pool day passes and spa access.
Good for: golfers, visitors who want easy flat hikes, and anyone arriving from Phoenix who wants to skip the drive through town at the end of a long day.
Keep in mind:
- You’re on the south side of Uptown, so dinner in Uptown or Tlaquepaque means a drive up 179, which can slow on busy weekends.
- It’s the closest Sedona-area base to Interstate 17 if you’re heading back to Phoenix.
- The Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte lots are Forest Service fee sites. Our Red Rock Pass guide covers where you need a pass and what it costs.
Oak Creek Canyon: creekside cabins and fall color
North of Uptown, 89A drops into Oak Creek Canyon, a narrow, wooded canyon that’s one of the prettiest drives in Arizona. Lodging here is mostly small: cabins, creekside lodges and a few motels, many with limited rooms. In late October and early November, the canyon’s fall color is the big draw.
Good for: couples, slow-travel weekends, and anyone who wants to hear running water instead of traffic.
Keep in mind:
- Cell signal and dining options are limited once you’re up the canyon.
- Visit Sedona notes Slide Rock State Park fills to capacity early on hot weekends, and the canyon road backs up when it does.
- Some canyon properties are seasonal. Check the current dates directly with the property before you plan around one.
Cottonwood: the wine lover’s base
If you came for Verde Valley wine, staying in Cottonwood puts you in the middle of it. Old Town Cottonwood’s Main Street is lined with tasting rooms and restaurants you can walk between, and Visit Sedona notes the valley has more than two dozen vineyards from Cottonwood to Jerome. Lodging there often costs less than in Sedona, and Cottonwood’s a short drive to Jerome, Clarkdale and the Page Springs wineries.
In Old Town itself, The Tavern Hotel at 904 N. Main Street is a good example of what Cottonwood does well: a converted early-1900s building, now a boutique hotel, steps from the tasting rooms. For campers, Dead Horse Ranch State Park sits along the Verde River with 123 campsites; Arizona State Parks says it often sells out in spring and fall, so reserve early.
Good for: wine-focused trips, budget-conscious travelers, and anyone pairing Sedona with Jerome.
Keep in mind:
- The red rocks are a drive away, not out your window. Expect a 25-to-35-minute drive to Uptown depending on traffic.
- Our walkable Old Town Cottonwood guide covers the tasting rooms and timing.
When to book, what to book and what to bring
When to book. October, November and spring are Sedona’s peak seasons. For a fall or spring weekend, book lodging as early as you can, especially in Uptown and along the creek. Midweek stays are usually easier to find and often cheaper.
What to book first. Lock in lodging, then the experiences with limited spots: dinner reservations at view restaurants, spa time, and any guided tour. If wine tasting is on your list, decide early whether you’ll drive yourself or let someone else drive. We see it every week: the group that books a designated driver has a far better day than the group arguing over who gets to taste. Browse Verde Valley wineries and vineyards or see what a full-day Wine Tours of Sedona outing covers.
What to bring.
- Layers. Sedona mornings in late fall can be cold even when afternoons are warm.
- Real hiking shoes and more water than you think you need.
- A Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass if you’ll park at Forest Service trailheads.
- A plan for dinner. Popular spots fill up on weekends, so reserve ahead.
Quick picks by trip type:
- First visit, no car for evenings: Uptown.
- Hiking-focused: West Sedona.
- Golf, or arriving late from Phoenix: Village of Oak Creek.
- Romantic and quiet: along Oak Creek, below Uptown or up the canyon.
- Wine-focused or budget-minded: Cottonwood.
If you’d like help building a wine day around wherever you’re staying, reach Sedona Wine Tours at (928) 504-2445, [email protected] or www.sedonawinetours.group.
Wherever you land, Sedona wine country is close by, and our Tour Chooser will match you with the right tasting day in about a minute.