West Sedona
West Sedona is the practical half of town — the spread-out commercial and residential corridor running west along SR 89A from the Y. Grocery stores, the cinema, the Chamber of Commerce, chain restaurants, mid-range hotels.
It's not picturesque and it isn't trying to be. What it is, for a visitor, is the gateway to the trailheads: Dry Creek Road runs north from here to Doe Mountain, Bear Mountain, Fay Canyon, Boynton Canyon and the Devil's Bridge approaches, and Soldier Pass Road climbs to its own trailhead.
If you're here to hike, this is the sensible place to base yourself.
The facts
- What it is
- Commercial / residential corridor
- Where it is
- SR 89A west of the Y
- Good for
- Trailhead access, groceries, better-value lodging and food
- Not good for
- Walkable browsing — it's a driving strip
The roads that matter
Nearly every famous northwest-side trailhead is reached from West Sedona, and the geography is worth having in your head.
Dry Creek Road runs north off 89A. It leads to Dry Creek Vista and Mescal (the Devil's Bridge approaches), and continues to the Boynton Pass Road junction for Fay Canyon, Doe Mountain, Bear Mountain and Boynton Canyon. Most of this corridor is currently inside or against the fire closure area, which is why West Sedona's trail options are unusually thin right now.
Soldier Pass Road climbs north to the 14-space Soldier Pass trailhead — also currently closed. Note that Soldiers Pass Road past Carruth Drive is permanently no-parking and enforced.
Airport Road climbs to Airport Mesa from 89A near the West Sedona/Uptown boundary — open, and the best sunset in town.
Posse Grounds Park & Ride (20 Carruth Drive) is here too, serving shuttle Route 14.
Living here for a few days
West Sedona is where you find the things a trip actually runs on: a real supermarket, a pharmacy, petrol at non-tourist prices, and restaurants that locals eat at rather than visit once.
Lodging here is generally better value than Uptown or the resorts, and you're closer to the trailhead roads — which on a summer morning, when you want to be walking at 5:45am, is worth more than being able to walk to a gallery.
The trade-off is that it's a driving strip. There's no pleasant evening stroll here; you drive to dinner and drive back.
For a first-time visitor who wants atmosphere, Uptown wins. For anyone whose trip is mostly hiking, West Sedona is the better call.
Frequently asked questions
Is West Sedona a good place to stay?
Yes if you're here to hike — it's closest to the trailhead access roads and generally better value than Uptown or the resorts. Less good if you want to walk to dinner.
What trailheads are in West Sedona?
The access roads are here rather than the trailheads themselves: Dry Creek Road leads to Dry Creek Vista, Mescal, Fay Canyon, Doe Mountain, Bear Mountain and Boynton Canyon; Soldier Pass Road to Soldier Pass; Airport Road to Airport Mesa.
What's the difference between Uptown and West Sedona?
Uptown is the compact, walkable tourist core with galleries and shops. West Sedona is the spread-out corridor west along 89A where residents shop, and where the trailhead roads begin.
Are West Sedona's trails open right now?
Many aren't. The Dry Creek Road and Boynton Pass Road corridor is largely inside or adjacent to the Pocket Fire closure area, and Soldier Pass is explicitly closed.
Facts on this page last verified July 28, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.