Sedona Vs. Grand Canyon: Which is Better to Visit in 2023?

It’s no secret that Arizona is home to some of the most breathtaking sights you can find in the United States. The Grand Canyon is what most people imagine when they think of Arizona, but Sedona is another iconic location. So, which is better, the Grand Canyon, or Sedona?

The Grand Canyon has better and more iconic views than many of the classic trails in Sedona, Arizona. However, you can find similar views and red rock formations in Sedona with trails that are much easier to hike. Sedona has better lodging, restaurants, and activities, and it’s more ideal for families than the Grand Canyon.

You can hike the trails in Sedona and at the Grand Canyon for free. Lodging is slightly more expensive in Sedona, but there are also many better options and even some luxurious resorts to find. Follow along as we compare Sedona to the Grand Canyon and see which iconic destination is better for you.

Sedona Vs. Grand Canyon

Terrain

Overall, the terrain at the Grand Canyon is typically harsher than what you will find in Sedona. That’s not to say that Sedona doesn’t have harsh trails, the but Grand Canyon is rockier and steeper. The steep trails and harshly cut trails make it hard to get your footing in certain areas.

You will find more drop-offs at the Grand Canyon than in Sedona. Sedona is home to large stretches of desert grasslands which offer much smoother terrain than what you find at the Grand Canyon. That said, it’s important to research trails ahead of time as both the Grand Canyon and Sedona have some harsh terrain.

Views

Tourists typically visit the North Rim and South Rim because they have the best views and landmarks. The West Rim is the least popular tourist destination at the Grand Canyon, but the views are still impressive.

Landmarks

Both the Grand Canyon and Sedona are home to countless landmarks. Of course, the biggest landmark at the Grand Canyon is the canyon itself. The South Rim is home to key landmarks such as the Hopi House and El Tovar Hotel and Stables. Mather Point, Yavapai Point, and Bright Angel Viewpoint are among the best landmarks that offer unforgettable views as well.

The views and landmarks you will experience vary based on where you spend your time at the Grand Canyon. The North Rim and South Rim are the most popular parts of the Grand Canyon because that’s where you will find all the landmarks and trails. There are no notable landmarks in the West Rim.

Sedona is home to many impressive landmarks as well, such as the Chapel of the Holy Cross and Oak Creek Canyon. The landmarks in Sedona are more spread out as the city measures 18 square miles. You also have more variety because Sedona is a full city whereas the Grand Canyon is a river valley.

Difficulty

It is typically considered harder to hike the Grand Canyon than many of the trails in Sedona. The National Park Service even warns visitors that there aren’t any easy trails in the Grand Canyon. That said, you can still find relatively easy trails at the Grand Canyon, such as the Shoshone Point trail which only takes an hour.

The South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon is also considered relatively easy as it only takes 1 ½ hours, but it gets steep at some points. Otherwise, Sedona may be the best option for you if you’re worried about difficulty.

Foot Traffic

While the Grand Canyon may be more of a notable landmark than Sedona, it typically gets fewer hikes. According to the National Park Service, less than 10% of people who visit the Grand Canyon hike the trails. Large crowds of people often gather to tour and visit the Grand Canyon, but only seasoned hikers typically hit the trails.

Conversely, between 200 and 400 people hike in Sedona on busy days. There may be more foot traffic on the trails in Sedona, but the trails encompass 400 miles so it’s easy to avoid large crowds.

Cost

There is no cost to hike in Sedona or the Grand Canyon. However, you can book premium tours of each area with private companies. For example, you can find private stargazing tours in Sedona that cost roughly $180 per person. You can also find guided hikes and SUV tours in Sedona.

The Grand Canyon has many more tours to choose from. This includes everything from helicopter tours that cost $350 per person to guided Hummer rides through key landmarks. You can avoid all of these costs if you simply hike the trails in the Grand Canyon and Sedona without a guide, however.

Accommodations

The Grand Canyon and Sedona both have accommodations to make hikers and visitors more comfortable. However, the Grand Canyon wins when it comes to water refill stations. While they encourage you to buy the souvenir refillable water bottle, anyone can get free water at the Grand Canyon.

The South Rim has 8 water filling stations, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon has 3 water filling stations. While there are places to refill water bottles throughout Sedona, there aren’t as many options as the Grand Canyon. You can refill your water bottle at stores and gas stations in Sedona, but none of the trails currently have refill stations.

Unfortunately, your best option is to buy as much water as you think you’ll need at a local store in Sedona before you hit the hiking trails. It’s recommended that you bring at least one liter of water for every 2 hours you plan to hike. However, it never hurts to bring more as it gets up to 97 degrees in Sedona during the summer.

Lodging

There are many great lodging options in Sedona and near the Grand Canyon. Both destinations feature hotels, resorts, and RV parks that cost between $80 and $350 or more per night. However, if you are looking for traditional hotels and resorts, then Sedona is the best option.

The Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock is more luxurious than anything you can find near the Grand Canyon. Otherwise, Sedona and the Grand Canyon have similar inns and motels at reasonable nightly rates.  

Camping

The Grand Canyon and Sedona both have many great campsites whether you bring a tent or an RV. In Sedona, the campsites are first-come, first-serve, but you can make reservations to claim the spot you want. However, you must make a reservation to camp at the Grand Canyon for most of the popular sites.

Sedona and the Grand Canyon each have toll-free numbers you can call to reserve your campsite. Mather is often considered the best campsite at the Grand Canyon because of its convenient location and memorable views. Desert View Campground is another popular campsite at the Grand Canyon, but spots go quickly as it’s one of the few sites where reservations aren’t required.

The best campsites in Sedona include Munds Park, Manzanita Campground, and Oak Creek Mobilodge. Oak Creek Mobilodge and Turquoise Triangle RV Park are the best campsites in Sedona if you have an RV. Otherwise, Camp Avalon is the best campsite in Sedona for simply camping in a tent.

Dining

While there are good places to eat near the Grand Canyon, you have many more options in Sedona. Sedona may have a small population of just over 10,000 people, but there are lots of restaurants in the city. Most notably, you can find lots of delicious and authentic Mexican food in Sedona, Arizona.

There are fewer restaurants to choose from near the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon Village has only a few restaurants and taverns, such as the El Tovar Dining Room. That said, you can also find great food 6 miles south of the Grand Canyon in Tusayan, Arizona.

Transportation

The Grand Canyon has offered free shuttle rides for 4 decades. However, these free shuttles typically only operate at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. There are 4 shuttle routes to choose from, and they last between 50 and 80 minutes round-trip depending on which one you choose.

This includes the Village Route, Kaibab Rim, Hikers’ Express, and Hermits Rest routes. However, the Hermits Rest route is seasonal and only runs from March through the end of November. You can find more options for shuttles in Sedona, but not all of them are free.

This shuttle service in Sedona includes free parking and transportation. You can visit iconic trails like Cathedral Rock Trailhead and Dry Creek Trailhead with this service, and it’s the best option in Sedona.

Tourism

Sedona and the Grand Canyon are both major tourism hubs in the United States. However, Sedona is the best destination if you don’t want to navigate quite as many tourists. Sedona typically sees 3 million tourists per year, which is a lot, but it’s not as many as the Grand Canyon.

Comparatively, around 5 million people visit the Grand Canyon each year. That means that you must navigate larger crowds, and it also affects the cost and availability of lodging in the area. This is largely because the Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, so it attracts many international tourists.

Is Sedona or the Grand Canyon Better?

The Grand Canyon is better than Sedona in terms of the sights, but Sedona offers more variety. You can find similar red rock formations in Sedona to what you’d find at the Grand Canyon. It’s much harder to hike the trails at the Grand Canyon than in Sedona.

Sedona is better for families than the Grand Canyon. Not only are the hiking trails easier in Sedona but there are also many activities for non-hikers and families. You can find more hotels, restaurants, activities, and art installations in Sedona than you would near the Grand Canyon.

Sedona is also just 2 hours away from Phoenix where you can find many zoos and even the iconic Castles N’ Coasters theme park. The Grand Canyon may be more culturally and historically significant, but Sedona is an equally great destination.

Can You go to the Grand Canyon From Sedona?

You can go to the Grand Canyon from Sedona on the same day. They are 120 miles apart, so you can expect it to take over 2 hours to get to the Grand Canyon from Sedona while driving. Many people hike famous trails in Sedona and the Grand Canyon in a single day.

However, you would need to shorten your time spent in each destination if you wanted to visit both in a day.  Because of that, it’s typically recommended that you split your time between Sedona and the Grand Canyon on separate days so you can soak in your surroundings.

What is the Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon?

Spring and fall are the best times to visit the Grand Canyon. That is when you encounter smaller crowds and fewer tourists, which makes it easier to enjoy the views. You also won’t have to deal with congested trails which can make difficult hikes even harder.

Avoid the Grand Canyon throughout summer if you want to avoid dense crowds. The daytime highs fluctuate between the 92 degrees to the upper 90s during summer which makes it much harder to hike the trails at the Grand Canyon.

What is the best Time to Visit Sedona?

The best time to visit Sedona, Arizona is between March, April, and May. You will experience smaller crowds and more pleasant temperatures. It’s also easier to book a hotel room for a good rate during spring because the big tourism boom hits Sedona in June and lasts until late August.

How Many Hiking Trails Are There in Sedona?

There are over 200 hiking trails in Sedona, Arizona. The combined length of these trails comes out to over 400 miles. Each of the trails varies in length, terrain, and layout, but few of them are as difficult as what you find at the Grand Canyon.

So, Which is Better, the Grand Canyon, or Sedona?

Sedona is better for non-hikers and families, but the Grand Canyon offers better views. There is much more to do in Sedona than at the Grand Canyon because there are more hotels, spas, restaurants, and art centers. The Grand Canyon has more iconic views, however, and it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World which makes it worth visiting.