Star Gazing at Sedona

Sedona’s dark skies, free from city light pollution, make it one of the best places for stargazing. On clear nights, the stars shine brilliantly, creating a mesmerizing celestial display. Visitors can marvel at the Milky Way, identify constellations, and even spot planets with the naked eye. Many local tours and observatories offer guided experiences, but simply stepping outside and looking up can be equally magical. It’s a must-do for anyone seeking a serene and awe-inspiring connection with the universe.

If you choose to reside at sedonafamilyvacation, the best place for star gazing is the front yard. Below are a few other options you could explore.

Two Trees Observing Area

Two Trees Observing Area is located off State Highway 89A near the intersection of Forest Road 525A and Forest Road 761B. There’s a field where you can pull off the road, turn off your ignition, and let your eyes adjust. This area is a popular spot for the Sirius Lookers, Sedona’s astronomy association.

Nearby Two Trees Observing Area, you can also stargaze at the Highway 89A Trailhead.

The Jordan Trailhead Observing Area

The Jordan Observing Area is another favorite spot of the Sirius Lookers. It’s located at the Jordan Trailhead, at the end of West Park Ridge Drive. This is a dirt road can be washed out or sandy at times but is usually passable for most cars. At the end of the road, there’s a parking area with a big field where you can set up to enjoy the stars.

Crescent Moon Picnic Site

Crescent Moon Picnic Site is located at the end of Red Rock Crossing Road, near the parking for the day use area. As a picnic and day use area, there are some open spots far away enough from the trees, as well as a few trails you can walk along to find a good night sky vantage point.

Merry-Go-Round Rock along Schnebly Hill Road

It’s a bit of a drive to get to Merry-Go-Round Rock along Schnebly Hill Road. The road winds its way up the mountains and rock formations well away from any lights in Sedona. There’s a small pullout area near Merry-Go-Round Rock where you can park and walk away from the roadway to get a good stargazing spot. Be sure to bring a good red flashlight to help you see your way.

Turkey Creek Trailhead

Turkey Creek Trailhead is located on Verde Valley School Road outside Oak Creek, which is south of Sedona. The trail itself is a 3.4-mile out-and-back that includes some interesting geology and rock formations by day. At night, it’s better to stick near the trailhead and park in the lot.

Baldwin Trail

Baldwin Trail is a ring route around one of the rock formations near Cathedral Rock, and can only be accessed from the town of Oak Creek. It’s a popular biking trail by day, but at night, you could take a short walk along the 1.6-mile loop to find a spot for stargazing. The trailhead and parking are located on Verde Valley School Road beyond Turkey Creek Trailhead.

Centennial Trail

Centennial Trail is one of the few hikes you could do at night since the trail is only 1 mile out-and-back. With a good flashlight or red headlamp, make your way from the Cultural Park trailhead to an overlook that by day shows Mingus Mountain, Cockscomb, Doe Mountain, Bear Mountain, and Secret Mountain. At night, you’ll see a whole lot of stars!

Dry Creek Road

Dry Creek Road heads north out of the western part of Sedona. While there are no specific spots for stargazing, it’s a great road to get away from the lights in town. Some popular trails, like Devil’s Bridge and Brins Mesa, start along Dry Creek Road, so there’s plenty of roadside parking and a few parking lots you can base yourself from.

Boynton Canyon Trailhead

Boynton Canyon Trail is one of several trails off Boynton Pass Road after the end of Dry Creek Road. It’s a 6.1-mile trail most people pass over for other, shorter trails in the area. It has a good lot near the trailhead where you can park to base yourself for some stargazing.

Bonus! You’re near the Boynton Canyon Vortex, which may or may not have any impact on how impressive the stargazing experience will be.

Fay Canyon Trailhead

Fay Canyon Trailhead is located further along Boynton Pass Road. The trail itself is a 2.2-mile out-and-back trail, a bit long for a night hike despite the prospects of a great overlook about two-thirds out. Instead, park at the trailhead and step a few feet onto the trail (or Cockscomb trail, which also passes this trailhead) for dark sky viewing.

Doe Mountain / Bear Mountain Trailheads

Doe Mountain Trail is a short 0.7-mile switchback-heavy that is great by day if you want to summit one of the mesas in Sedona. At night, park in the large parking lot that also serves Bear Mountain Trailhead Bear Mountain Trail is a 4.3 out-and-back, so definitely not great for a night hike. From the trailhead lot, you’ll have plenty of open space to enjoy the stars with red rocks in every direction.

Aerie Trailhead

Aerie Trailhead is located near the Doe Mountain/Bear Mountain Trailhead; it’s the farthest one down past the end of Boynton Pass Road. Aerie Loop is a five-mile trail that’s popular with mountain bikers and crosses several of the other trails in the area. The parking lot isn’t huge but can accommodate about a dozen cars, so there’s plenty of room for everyone who wants to go stargazing.

Beaverhead Flat Scenic Overlook

Located south of the Village of Oak Creek, Beaverhead Flat Scenic Overlook isn’t exactly in Sedona, but it’s a favorite spot for locals who want to escape crowds at other places for stargazing in Sedona that I’ve already listed. This spot gives you a great view of the Verde Valley and the Beaverhead Flat Trailhead has a large parking area where you can set up a telescope if you have one.