Love & Latitudes Travel Blog

Driving north through the deserts of Arizona, the Sonoran desert gives way to the high-desert grassland. Saguaros slowly disappear as you meander through rocky hills, tall grasses, and valley views. Finally, you turn off the I-17 onto Red Rock Scenic Byway. The excitement is tangible as you round the initial corner—and your vision field fills with those iconic red rocks of Sedona, Arizona.

I still remember the first time I visited Sedona, crammed into a rental car with three other college students, one of which would become my spouse 9 years later. We spent the day climbing rocks, getting lost on hikes, and finding tears in our jeans. I’d like to think I’ve gotten a lot more careful and competent since then.

I’ve since been to Sedona countless times. So often that each time, I hit a new trail and visit a new restaurant to keep the experiences fresh and different. During this recent trip, I took a moment to visit some of the local shops, which I often overlook in my enthusiasm to explore the outdoors. It was a nice change of pace, but all in all, I still appreciate the natural aspects of Sedona over the townie stuff.

Nevertheless, one of the greatest gifts offered by nomadic living is the opportunity to visit the places you love over and over again. An extra special treat is experiencing locations in all four seasons.

And the biggest treat of all is experiencing these places in all seasons—which brings us to February 2023, when I finally got to experience Sedona in the snow.

It’s been a long bucket list item of mine to see these iconic red towers dusted with flakes of bleach-white snow. When I saw there was snow in the forecast while we were in Phoenix, I jumped at the opportunity. And boy, did it pay off.

Isiah and I had an amazing time hiking in the snow in the early morning before anyone else arrived, building a little snowman by a river, tossing snowballs, flying my drone in appropriate areas, and so much more. It wasn’t all easy though. The red clay-like dirt gets crazy sticky when the snow melts, which leads to stuck tires and yucky boots. We also spent more than a few mornings and evenings huddled in our van, trying to keep warm. But overall, it was an absolute delight.

If you’re visiting Sedona in the snow, here are keep some things in mind: