Sedona Red Rock Country
Arizona · National Forest · Southwest Region
Towering red sandstone buttes that glow at sunrise and sunset. Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte are recognizable worldwide. The red rock color is not exaggerated in photos, it really looks like that.
- Best season
- Spring and Fall (hot summers)
- Permit required
- Varies
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max group size
- 75 people
- Permit info verified
- April 2026
Permit Information
Sedona Red Rock Country is managed by the USFS Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District. Most small elopements fall under the no permit tier. Coconino NF does not require a Special Use Permit for weddings with fewer than 75 guests when the only paid services are an officiant and photographer and there is no sound equipment, no arches, tents, carpets, or formal seating. A Special Use Permit is required once the group exceeds 75 people, if paid vendors beyond officiant and photographer …
Planning Your Day at Sedona Red Rock Country
One-Spot Day
Sedona pairs well in a single day. Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock sit roughly 15 minutes apart on opposite sides of the Village of Oak Creek with separate trailheads on different roads. Plan a sunrise ceremony at Cathedral Rock (the climb is more enjoyable in cool morning air) and a late afternoon portrait session at Bell Rock for the warm golden hour light. Lodging clusters in central Sedona (closer to Cathedral) and the Village of Oak Creek (closer to Bell Rock) with options at every price point. Phoenix Sky Harbor is 2 hours south, Flagstaff is 30 minutes north for an alternate fly in.
Ceremony + Portraits Split
Coconino National Forest Red Rock Ranger District uses the more permissive 75 person threshold for weddings (more permissive than the 2026 USFS EXPLORE Act default). No Special Use Permit needed for groups under 75 with only officiant and photographer as paid services and no structures, sound equipment, arches, tents, carpets, or formal seating. SUP required if group exceeds 75, paid vendors beyond officiant and photographer are involved, or structures and reserved seating are set up. A small ring table and a few chairs for elderly guests are allowed without permit. Red Rock Pass required for parking ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $20 annual). No exclusive site reservations, so always share the area with other visitors. Contact Red Rock Ranger District wedding permit coordinator at 928 203 7532 or laura.varon burkhart@usda.gov. Apply 60+ days out for any permit. No weddings allowed in designated wilderness (Fossil Creek, West Clear Creek, Wet Beaver).
A Note on Light
Golden hour and sunset are when Sedona earns its reputation, with the red sandstone glowing brilliant orange to deep red between roughly 4pm and sunset in spring/fall. Sunrise on the formations from the east is equally dramatic but cooler in tone. Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) are the only realistic ceremony seasons. Summer routinely tops 100F by 10am with brutal direct sun and no shade on most red rock spots. Winter brings the cleanest skies and warm midday temps with occasional snow that dusts the red rock for spectacular but rare frames.
Ceremony Spots at Sedona Red Rock Country
- Cathedral Rock — Red rock spires glowing at sunset with Oak Creek reflections below
- Bell Rock — Accessible red rock ceremony spot with 360 degree desert views and easy trail access