Gay Sedona

You travel to Sedona, that artsy and free-spirited enclave two hours outside Phoenix, for the beautiful red-rock canyons and the adventure that comes with them, the spiritual nature of its vortices of earth energy, and to browse through shops filled with Southwestern arts and crafts.

Surrounded by towering spires and hulking monoliths of fiery-red rock, the evergreen-studded community of Sedona, which sits at an elevation of 4,500 feet, has few peers when it comes to natural beauty. It’s also a comparatively young town, having incorporated in 1988, about 80 years after it was settled by a few enterprising and hearty pioneers. More recently, Sedona has developed into a full-fledged upscale vacation getaway with an especially keen following among hikers and mountain bikers, New Agers, artists, lesbians and gays. Sedona’s growth has been intense in recent years, marked by debates concerning where and how to develop the town while preserving its character and appeal. The population is nearly 11,000 and continues to rise steadily.

Sedona Gay Scene

Sedona is limited in its nightlife options and you’re not going to find any thumping gay nightclubs in town. This is more a romantic get-away for couples looking for nature and relaxation.

Sedona is made up of three neighborhoods, which are loosely separated by the “Y” intersection of Highways 179 and 89A. The area west of 89A is West Sedona; it’s the least touristy of the three but has some good restaurants. The area off 89A east and north of the intersection is Uptown, the first part of the town developed and now a tightly settled clutch of hotels, lodges, restaurants, and both elegant (fine art, fashion) and cheesy (T-shirts, trinkets) stores. South of the intersection, Highway 179 winds for several miles past trailheads for several great hikes to Oak Creek, with its shopping centers, upscale housing developments and resorts.

Check in with the Sedona Pride Association, a local GLBT group, to see what special events they have planned during your stay. Events include theme nights at local bars and a New Year’s celebration complete with dancing and drag shows.

When to Visit

The busiest but most pleasant times to visit are spring and fall, when days are abundant with sunshine but not excessively hot (typically in the 80s and 90s with bone-dry humidity). Summer sees temperatures climb into the low 100s, and winter, although less popular, is pleasantly cool and crisp and occasionally sees a dusting of snow.

Gay-Friendly Activities & Attractions

Visitors come to Sedona for its majestic natural beauty. There are countless hiking trails, bird-watching and picnicking spots throughout the town and surrounding area. Trailheads for hiking, mountain biking, and rock-climbing lie all around town. Just buy a Red Rock Pass from any of the visitor centers (which are well-signed from the road) and display it on your dashboard or rearview mirror; the pass entitles you to park at any lot in Coconino Forest. Many of these trails are long and strenuous, and only experienced hikers with appropriate gear should attempt them. But even novice hikers can at least scamper along some of the shorter and easier routes. At the very least, be sure to drive up the road to Sedona’s small municipal airport, which sits high on a mesa above town, affording exceptional views of the mountains; there’s also a network of short and easy hikes off this road. Other highlights for hiking and exploring include Boynton Canyon, Red Rocks State Park and Bell Rock.

Another way to appreciate Sedona’s beauty, and also learn quite a lot about the geology, Native American history, and vortices, is to book one of the dozens of tours offered here. These range from off-road backcountry drives in Jeeps or Hummers to personalized guided hikes to hot-air balloon and helicopter rides that get you exhilaratingly close to some of the steepest and highest rock formations. Tours are also available to the Grand Canyon, a little more than two hours north by car.

Coconino National Forest

The New Age following has developed in part from the belief that Sedona contains some of the Earth’s most significant vortices, or centers of natural energy. The town is surrounded by the Coconino National Forest, through which miles of rugged trails lead to the hundreds of red rock formations, and many of these hikes can get you close to actual vortices. Plenty of skeptics question the powers of these supposed energy centers, but it’s said that if you visit such a spot and close your eyes, you can often feel invigorated, renewed, or even a tad dizzy. If nothing else, it’s hard not to be blown away by the incredible view, especially from the highest points around town.

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

With all the New Age visitors to the desert town, there are lots of small, independent shops seeling various arts and crafts. Make a visit to the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village which is an outdoor market featuring art galleries, craft shops, cobblestone paths & decorative arches. A great spot to get some Instagram photos, too!

Gay-Friendly Dining

Sedona and the nearby towns each have their own small main streets with different restaurants, cafes, and dining options. Sometimes it's best to show up to the town's main street and go for a walk to see which restaurants have the best lunchtime crowds.

Old Town Red Rooster Cafe

Located in Cottonwood, Arizona just near Sedona, the town is a big larger with several chain restaurants but also many local unique spots such as the Old Town Red Rooster Cafe. With breakfast and lunch on the menu this family-run cafe serves delicious soups and has supported the local LGBTQ community in the past.

The Hudson

Open for lunch and dinner, The Hudson is a local Sedona neighborhood restaurant serving New American fare & cocktails in chic, contemporary surroundings.

Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

While there isn't much LGBTQ specific nightlife or gay bars, you should feel welcome or comfortable in any of the hotel lounges or bars, or some of these local hotspots.

Vino di Sedona

For something a bit more laid-back, and very romantic, the Vino di Sedona bar features a menu of fine wines and craft beers—with a light menu and occasional live music to help set the mood.

Safety

Sedona's main industry is tourism, and much of the activities and attractions in Sedona are targeted for romantic couples. You can expect to feel safe and welcomed throughout Sedona as a gay or lesbian couple. Many of the health and wellness resorts are happy to book couples massages for LGBTQ couples.

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