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When the sun sets on the red rocks, Sedona puts on a second show. The town was named an International Dark Sky Community in 2014, which means outdoor lighting is designed to keep the night sky dark. On a clear, moonless night you can see thousands of stars, and for much of the year, the Milky Way, right from a backyard.
When to go stargazing
- Around the new moon. A bright moon washes out faint stars. The week around the new moon gives the darkest skies.
- After full dark. Give it about an hour and a half after sunset for the sky to get truly dark.
- Milky Way season. The bright center of the Milky Way is best seen from spring through early fall, highest in the sky on summer nights.
- Winter nights. Long, crisp nights with bright constellations like Orion. Bundle up, since temperatures drop near freezing.
Meteor showers worth planning around
- Perseids (mid-August): warm nights and one of the year's best showers.
- Geminids (mid-December): often the strongest shower of the year. Bring blankets.
Peak dates shift slightly each year, and the moon's phase makes a big difference, so check a current astronomy calendar before you book.
Tips for a great night under the stars
- Let your eyes adjust. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Use a red flashlight or your phone's red-light setting instead of a white screen.
- Get away from bright lights. Even a few minutes outside the busiest parts of town makes a difference.
- Bring layers. Desert nights cool off fast, even in summer.
- Try a guided tour. Local astronomy tours bring telescopes and point out planets, star clusters and galaxies.
- Make a day trip to Flagstaff. Lowell Observatory, about 45 minutes north, offers public viewing programs and history.
Our favorite way to stargaze: from the hot tub
The best seat in Sedona might be your own backyard. Turn off the porch lights, slip into the hot tub and look up. Many of our homes sit in quiet neighborhoods with wide-open views of the night sky.
Uptown Sedona
Chapel Area
Chapel Area
