Thinking about a trip to the Sedona area since I have never been there and want to go before it gets too crowded and hot..Is early May a good time? Everything leaved out? Also, any suggestion on value type motels...around $80 is probably cheapest I will find.
Thanks in advance.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Peter Coskun on April 24, 2013 at 12:24 AM
Joe, May is a great time to visit the Sedona/Oak creek area. Flowers are typically blooming from early May to June. It get's warm, but if your shooting sunrise it's not too bad. The west fork trail north of Sedona is a great hike for wildflowers if you get in there before sunrise to make it to the subway area just as the light glows in the canyon. Regarding motels, I don't know what the price ranges would be, but I do know most would be over $80. Camping would be a much cheaper option if that is something you would be into.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on April 24, 2013 at 1:41 AM
Joe, Cottonwood is only 19 miles southwest of Sedona on 89A and should offer more affordable motels.
The trees along oak creek should be leaved out in another week near Sedona. The cottonwoods have completed and the sycamores need another week. Timing will be later further up Oak Creek Canyon.
Flowers, according to the dates on my images from th elast two years, June 12-20 is good for West Fork, with the 12th being the better time for the monkey flowers on the walls of the subway about a 2 hour hike up the canyon. Right now, globemallow and some white aster are blooming around Sedona. I did not notice any prickly pear or hedgehog blloms tonight.
Thanks, Doug..that is very helpful...I may delay my trip a couple of weeks based on your information...will give you shout and say hello when I get there.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Rodney Ninow on April 24, 2013 at 7:36 PM
Yup Cottonwood is the place to stay. Camping, of course, even cheaper. One night at the motel 6 in May is $56 weekdays.
If you're still monitoring this thread, I can add a few things as I used to live in Oak Creek. Oak Creek is slightly less expensive than Sedona and has better access to some formations (but worse for others, of course).
In Oak Creek, the lowest rates always used to be at The Sedona Village Lodge, although I don't know anyone who actually stayed there.
If you're up for food in Oak Creek, Wildflower Bakery and the restaurant at the Country Club (corner of Verde Valley School Road and Bell Rock) were my preferences in town. If you can make it, though, Elote is to die for. If you're a fan of microbrews, check out Oak Creek Brewing Company's Amber and Nut Brown Ales...
That said, the "grand scenics" in Sedona tend to be shot either during the rare snowstorm or during monsoon season in the midsummer. If it's been a wet winter, you'll get some wildflowers.
Discussion
6 repliesThanks in advance.
Joe Rogers
The trees along oak creek should be leaved out in another week near Sedona. The cottonwoods have completed and the sycamores need another week. Timing will be later further up Oak Creek Canyon.
Flowers, according to the dates on my images from th elast two years, June 12-20 is good for West Fork, with the 12th being the better time for the monkey flowers on the walls of the subway about a 2 hour hike up the canyon. Right now, globemallow and some white aster are blooming around Sedona. I did not notice any prickly pear or hedgehog blloms tonight.
Joe Rogers
If you're still monitoring this thread, I can add a few things as I used to live in Oak Creek. Oak Creek is slightly less expensive than Sedona and has better access to some formations (but worse for others, of course).
In Oak Creek, the lowest rates always used to be at The Sedona Village Lodge, although I don't know anyone who actually stayed there.
If you're up for food in Oak Creek, Wildflower Bakery and the restaurant at the Country Club (corner of Verde Valley School Road and Bell Rock) were my preferences in town. If you can make it, though, Elote is to die for. If you're a fan of microbrews, check out Oak Creek Brewing Company's Amber and Nut Brown Ales...
That said, the "grand scenics" in Sedona tend to be shot either during the rare snowstorm or during monsoon season in the midsummer. If it's been a wet winter, you'll get some wildflowers.
Joe Rogers