Is Sedona safe?
Very safe for crime. Heat, dehydration, flash floods and trail accidents are the real risks; many rescues involve unprepared hikers.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Sedona at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Petty theft from parked cars at trailheads is the main crime; violent crime is rare. |
| At night | Streets are quiet after dark; Uptown has a few bars. Few lights on rural roads, so drive slowly for wildlife. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Tell someone your hiking route, carry water and avoid remote trails after dark. |
| Other risks | Heat and dehydration, especially May–Sep; Flash floods in washes during monsoon, Jul–Sep; Slips on slickrock and loose trail edges |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Overpriced 'vortex' or spiritual readings with vague promises
- Timeshare presentations offering free tours or gifts
- Paid parking lots at trailheads that are not official
Take care
- Unsupervised hikes in extreme heat
- Dry washes during monsoon storms
- Valuables left visible in parked cars
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Sedona compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottsdale | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Sedona safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Tell someone your hiking route, carry water and avoid remote trails after dark.
Is Sedona safe at night?
Streets are quiet after dark; Uptown has a few bars. Few lights on rural roads, so drive slowly for wildlife.
What is the crime rate in Sedona?
Petty theft from parked cars at trailheads is the main crime; violent crime is rare. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Sedona?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Sedona
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Sources
- City of Sedona
- Red Rock Ranger District (U.S. Forest Service)
- Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.