Knowing what to wear in Sedona in June is fairly simple once you understand how quickly the desert warms up. The weather was warm, predictable, and well suited for hiking, sightseeing, and eating outside, so I used nearly everything I brought without needing a long list of backup options.
The main thing to plan for is the strong desert sun rather than major temperature changes. Lightweight clothing, comfortable shoes, sun protection, and plenty of water covered most of our trip.
Here is exactly what I wore, what worked best, and what I would include on a Sedona packing list for June.
Sedona June weather can change noticeably throughout the day, but I never found it difficult to dress for. Mornings were slightly chilly, especially around sunrise. Once the sun came up, temperatures warmed quickly.
The middle of the day was definitely hot, but the dry desert climate made it feel much more comfortable than I expected. Hiking was still very enjoyable as long as we carried plenty of water, used sunscreen, and started earlier in the day when possible.
Evenings were my favorite. The temperature was perfect for sitting on a patio, walking around Uptown Sedona, or eating dinner outside without feeling too hot or needing a heavy layer.
Lightweight athletic clothing worked best for every hike we completed.
I wore athletic shorts each day because I think I would have been pretty hot in leggings. On top, I alternated between a sports bra and a moisture-wicking tank top. Both kept me comfortable, even as the temperatures increased later in the morning.
I wore a hat on some hikes for additional sun protection. It was especially useful on exposed trails with very little shade, although I would not consider it essential if you dislike wearing hats.
Sedona hiking clothes for June do not need to be complicated. Clothing that you would normally wear for an outdoor summer workout will work for most casual and moderately difficult trails.
Travelers looking for routes that match this type of clothing and footwear can start with my Best Easy Hikes in Sedona for Beginners.
For most of the hikes I completed, comfortable tennis shoes worked perfectly.
I did not attempt any extremely strenuous or technical hikes, so I never felt like I needed heavy hiking boots. Tennis shoes provided enough comfort and traction for the lower portion of Bell Rock, Raven’s Cave, West Fork Trail, and the other relatively easy trails on our itinerary.
Your footwear needs may be different if you plan to climb higher onto the rocks, scramble, or complete more rugged trails. For typical sightseeing and easier Sedona hikes, a supportive pair of tennis shoes should be sufficient.
I packed water shoes, and they were particularly useful at West Fork Trail.
The maintained portion of West Fork includes multiple creek crossings, although we could complete those without changing shoes. The water shoes became more useful after the maintained endpoint, where we continued directly through a narrow section of the creek.
If your plans include walking through Oak Creek or continuing beyond the main West Fork Trail, I would bring a pair. They take up very little room and are much better than spending the rest of the hike in wet tennis shoes.
My West Fork Trail Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Hiking Sedona's Most Beautiful Trail explains exactly where we used them, how long the hike took, and what the creek crossings were actually like.
Yes. I was glad I packed sandals and would bring them again.
I wore mine while shopping around Uptown Sedona and going to casual lunches and dinners. They were much more comfortable than wearing tennis shoes all day after hiking.
Sandals can also work for some of Sedona’s easiest, flatter trails if you are comfortable hiking in them. I would still choose tennis shoes for rocky or more rugged routes, but sandals are useful for exploring town and filling the gap between hiking shoes and nicer dinner footwear.
Sedona restaurant attire is fairly relaxed, even at some of the nicer restaurants.
I packed a mixture of skirts and blouses, casual dresses, and jeans with a nice top. I never felt underdressed or out of place.
You do not need formal attire, but packing a couple of nicer Sedona vacation outfits is worthwhile if you plan to eat at restaurants such as Mariposa or Cress on Oak Creek. A casual dress, skirt, or nice top is enough.
One of my favorite things about Sedona is that Western clothing fits right in. I wore cowboy boots and a cowboy hat several evenings, and they felt completely appropriate, especially at restaurants with outdoor patios and mountain views.
For help deciding where those dinner outfits will actually be useful, see my Best Restaurants in Sedona: Where to Eat for Every Budget.
For most of the trip, I did not need one.
The only time I wished I had packed a light jacket was during a very early morning hike. It was cool before the sun came up, but within about an hour, the temperature had warmed enough that I would have taken it off anyway.
If you are planning sunrise hikes, pack one lightweight jacket or sweatshirt that you can easily place in your backpack once the day warms up. For the rest of the trip, short sleeves and lightweight clothing should be enough.
A hat was helpful, especially on trails with minimal shade, but I would not call it a required item.
If you already enjoy wearing hats, bring one. The extra coverage is useful during exposed hikes and midday sightseeing.
If you do not like hats, sunscreen and sunglasses should provide enough protection as long as you reapply sunscreen and remain mindful of how much time you are spending in direct sun.
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
The clothing was straightforward, but a few accessories made a noticeable difference during our trip.
A small Osprey backpack made it easier to carry water, snacks, electrolytes, sunscreen, and any layers we removed after sunrise.
You do not need a large backpack for most day hikes, but choose one that is comfortable enough to carry for several hours.
A reusable Brita water bottle was one of the items I used most.
Sedona’s dry air can make it easy to underestimate how much water you are losing, especially because you may not feel as sweaty as you would in a humid destination. We carried water on every hike and while sightseeing throughout the day.
I packed LMNT electrolyte packets and was glad I had them.
They were easy to add to a water bottle before or after hiking and were particularly useful on longer, hotter mornings. Water is the priority, but electrolytes were a helpful addition during several active days in the desert.
Carry snacks on longer hikes, even if you expect to eat shortly afterward.
We brought simple, easy-to-carry options that could stay inside the backpack without melting or making a mess. This was particularly useful on West Fork Trail, where we spent around five hours hiking.
Sunscreen is more important than bringing several different layers.
Many Sedona trails have limited shade, and the strong sun can catch up with you quickly. Apply face sunscreen before leaving your hotel and carry body sunscreen to reapply during longer hikes or sightseeing days.
I wore sunglasses constantly.
They were useful for driving, hiking, walking through town, and eating outside. I would bring a secure pair that you do not mind wearing during active parts of the trip.
Many of Sedona’s scenic stops require very little hiking but still have plenty of direct sun. My Best Photo Spots in Sedona: 9 Scenic Locations I Loved can help you plan which viewpoints and outfits make sense for each day.
Honestly, I would pack almost exactly the same way for another June trip to Sedona. I am a pretty efficient packer, and everything I brought was used at some point during the trip.
The warm, predictable weather made it easy to pack light without feeling unprepared or bringing clothes for several completely different conditions.
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Booked this Bryson City yurt for the ‘ber months and it’s already my top fall pick this year. 🍂
The Junaluska Yurt sleeps six but feels more like a stylish cabin than a yurt, two real queen bedrooms with actual doors, a full kitchen, and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. Check-in is just a door code texted to your phone, no lobby, no waiting.
The real win is outside: wraparound porch, private fire pit, free firewood, a gas grill, and Smoky Mountain sunsets that stop you mid-sentence, picture all of that with October color on the ridgeline. Heads up, the last stretch in is a gravel road, so skip the low-profile rental, and there’s no restaurant onsite, you’re minutes from Bryson City, Dillsboro, and Sylva for dinner.
Two to three nights is the sweet spot. (We actually stayed in the dead of winter and it was still stunning, fall just takes it up a notch.) Full review linked in bio.
Italian food felt like the last thing I expected to find in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains... until I sat down at Ilda in Sylva.🍝
They call it Italian-Appalachian, and that’s not just a tagline. Homemade pasta, craft cocktails, local ingredients pulled straight from the mountains around it, this is the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re two hours from the nearest city. It’s cozy, it’s a little upscale, and it is not a walk-in kind of place, call ahead, because tables go fast on weekends.
It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. But if you’re already making the trip out to Sylva, this is the one reservation worth planning your day around.
Full write-up, including what to order, link in bio.
Booked my fall cabin before September even started, and I’m not sorry about it. 🍂
These are the stays that make you actually want the cold to hurry up fireplaces, mountain views, the kind of porch you don’t leave. Not every one of these is going to fit every trip, but if a cozy fall getaway is on your radar, this is the roundup to start with.
One of my favorite travel seasons is almost here, and I have zero chill about it. 🍁✈️
There’s just something about fall trips cooler air, apple orchards, that first flannel of the season, food that actually makes sense with the weather again. I’m already mentally packing for it before September even starts.
If fall is your favorite time to travel too, tell me where you’re headed... I’m taking notes for the list.
Pack your bags... ✈️🧳My hiking and road trip gear shop just got a refresh, and this is everything that actually earns a spot in my bag. The dry bag pulls double duty for beach days and trail days, the Osprey backpack is the one I grab for anything motorcycle or day-hike related, and the GoPro comes with me literally everywhere at this point.
Nothing on this list is filler it’s all stuff I’ve used, packed, and repacked more times than I can count. Full shop linked in my bio if you want to build out your own kit before your next trip.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
