Sedona in December?

Well I haven't been there for 2 years now but it's not all that Harold is making it out to be. Are there crowds? Of course. But in almost 20 years of going there that's mainly on the week-end. Only once on a Sat did we ever experience traffic that Harold claims is normal and that was between Oak Creek village and Sedona. We go there for the beauty of the area and the hiking as well as using it for a base to do day trips. Seeing the red rock country with a mantle of snow is beautiful and it'll probably be gone by mid afternoon

We visited Sedans a few years ago in December, a couple of weeks before Christmas. There were no crowds nor traffic, but someone we met there said it was definitely a lull before tourist season started again!

I'm not sure what was being said about the hippie shops, that's not why we went there. We took day trips all over the place, and there is a lot to See! Lots of great hiking as well. When we went, it was cooler in the morning, but warmed up pretty well by mid-day. The GC was about 30 when we got there.

You may want to adjust your timing a little if you can. Not saying it would "suck" if you didn't, but why go when it's crowded if you don't have to?

Harold, are you off your medication again?

Janss wrote:
Well, I am not a group-think authoritarian! Nor am I cluttering every inch of real estate! I've lived in Sedona for over 25 years in a house that was built in the 1970's. Geez!

Settle down, Beavis.

You are EXACTLY the type of person I was NOT talking about.

I was referring to the INVADERS that you ADMIT have changed Sedona...making driving 1 mile take 1 hour.

You say to look at the scenery...I'm sorry, but most of the scenery is blurred by acres of filthy pseudo-hippie-berniebot-wannabes and/or the endless mid-2000's has-been era new-age-y "art" shops and organic eateries.

No thanks.

Well, I am not a group-think authoritarian! Nor am I cluttering every inch of real estate! I've lived in Sedona for over 25 years in a house that was built in the 1970's. Geez!

Harold Fairbanks II....That's great that you never want to visit Sedona again. Makes more room for the "millions" of other people who want to enjoy the beauty of the area.

dtoste77....What you've read is correct. When it snows in Sedona, it's usually just a few inches and practically gone by noon. Actually this usually happens in Jan. and Feb. Snow makes the red rocks look really pretty. December weather will likely bring sunny days with daytime temps in the 50s and 60s, nights in the 30s or possibly dip into the high 20s.

I'd be more concerned with driving on I-40 through Flagstaff (on the way to Sedona), which is at higher elevation and therefore gets more snow. Same with Grand Canyon. But if you're in Sedona for several days, you can just check the weather for which day to take a day trip to GC.

Rancho Sedona is the only RV park actually in Sedona. Nearby is Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood and Distant Drums RV Park in Camp Verde. There are several other private parks in those towns also.

Yes, it's true traffic has increased over the years. Sedona has become very popular. If you are moving slowly in traffic, just enjoy the scenery all around you. You can still feel serenity out on a trail in the red rocks and just avoid the retail areas and art galleries if you don't like that stuff.

Don't be concerned if someone talks about all the roundabouts. I drive them easily with my MH and tow car. Also don't drive the MH in Oak Creek Canyon (Hwy 89A) between Flagstaff and Sedona. Take I-17 instead. Do take the toad up OCC though!

Having lived in Flagstaff for a time, the weather will be clear unless precipitation is predicted. In that case it will snow...even with temperatures in the 40s-50s the snow usually remains on the ground for a time.

Regarding the traffic...it will be wall-to-wall. It almost ALWAYS is nowadays, even on weekdays in the "off-season."

Sedona used to be beautiful, tranquil, colorful, peaceful, and awe-inspiring.

Now it's thousands of the same person crowding the streets, the shops, the cars, the atmosphere, and the air.

If you think there are alot of people at WalMart on Black Friday then multiply that by 10,000 and you get an idea of modern-day Sedona.

There are SOOOOOO many more amazing things to see in that area...without ALL THOSE people.

Thanks, for the feedback..

I'd still like to go and would appreciate any insight to the weather and roads in December. Will also be driving to the Grand Canyon.

Sedona USED to be great. Now it sucks.

It's wall-to-wall traffic, all group-think authoritarians cluttering every inch of real estate.

I would NEVER go there unless I was real close...and then, it's just a drive-thru (that takes HOURS). There are what seems like millions of people everywhere.

Every corner has the same new-age-y stores, the exact same atmosphere...group-think tourist town consumerism. Bleck.

Again...USED to be great. There is absolutely no reason to go there anymore...unless you like being around thousands of those sorts of people, and enjoy waiting in your car to move a foot or so.

RIP Sedona