Sunrise, sunset, or midday? Here's when to go
Timing can make or break your Cathedral Rock experience. Show up at the wrong time and you'll be circling for parking, sweating in 100-degree heat, or fighting crowds on every scramble section. Show up at the right time and you'll have a magical experience with stunning light, comfortable temperatures, and space to enjoy the views.
After hundreds of Cathedral Rock hikes at every possible time of day, I can tell you exactly when to go based on what matters most to you: parking, weather, photos, or solitude.
If you want the best overall Cathedral Rock experience, go for sunrise. You'll get easier parking, cooler temperatures, better traction on the rocks, and fewer people. The light is beautiful, the scrambling is safer (rocks aren't heat-soaked), and you'll finish before the midday crowds arrive.
Sunset has its appeal—golden hour light is gorgeous and you can sleep in—but you'll deal with packed parking, afternoon heat lingering in the rocks, and crowds on the scramble sections where passing is difficult.
Parking is actually available. The lot holds about 60 cars and fills completely by 8:00-8:30 AM on weekends, earlier during peak season (March-May, September-November). Arrive by 7:00 AM and you'll get a spot. Arrive at 9:00 AM and you'll be parking a quarter-mile away on the road.
Temperatures are comfortable. Summer mornings start in the 60s-70s instead of the 90s-100s you'll face at sunset. Winter mornings are cold (30s-40s) but you warm up fast once you start climbing. Spring and fall mornings are perfect—50s-60s warming to 70s by the time you finish.
The scrambling is safer. Rock surfaces are cool and have better grip. In the afternoon, especially summer, the sandstone heats up and becomes slippery with dust. Your hands and feet stick better to cool rock.
Fewer people on the trail. You won't be stuck behind a slow group on narrow scramble sections or waiting for someone to work up courage on exposed spots. The trail gets progressively busier as the morning goes on.
Light hits the east-facing sections beautifully. The main formation glows orange-red as the sun rises. You get that classic Sedona color saturation that makes photos pop.
You have to wake up early. If you're staying in Sedona, that means a 6:00-6:30 AM departure. Not everyone's idea of a vacation morning, but the trade-offs are worth it.
It's cold at the start. Bring layers. You'll strip them off halfway up, but those first 15 minutes can be chilly, especially in winter.
Limited breakfast options beforehand. Most Sedona restaurants don't open until 7:00-8:00 AM. Grab breakfast after the hike or bring something portable.
You can sleep in. Start your hike around 4:00-5:00 PM and you'll catch golden hour and sunset from the saddle. Nice if you're not a morning person.
Golden hour light is stunning. That warm, glowing light photographers love happens in the hour before sunset. The rock formations look incredible.
Cooler than midday. Temperatures drop as the sun sets, so it's more comfortable than a 2:00 PM hike. Still hot in summer, but better than the alternative.
Parking is a nightmare. The lot is completely full. You'll park on Back O' Beyond Road and walk an extra quarter mile. On busy weekends, cars line the road for half a mile.
The trail is crowded. Everyone who slept in decided sunset was a good idea. You'll be passing people constantly on scramble sections, which is awkward and sometimes unsafe on exposed terrain.
Rocks are heat-soaked. In summer, the sandstone holds heat from the day. It's hot to touch and more slippery with accumulated dust and polish from hundreds of feet.
You're hiking down in fading light. The scramble down is harder than going up, and you'll be doing it in dim light or darkness. Bring a headlamp if you're doing sunset—you'll probably need it.
| Time of Day | Parking | Crowds | Temperature | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00-7:30 AM | Easy | Light | Cool/Cold | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 8:00-10:00 AM | Difficult | Moderate | Pleasant | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 10:00 AM-3:00 PM | Full (road parking) | Heavy | Hot | ⭐⭐ |
| 3:00-5:00 PM | Full (road parking) | Moderate-Heavy | Warm | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5:00 PM-Sunset | Full (road parking) | Heavy | Cooling | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Perfect weather, wildflowers blooming, but also the busiest time. Temperatures range from 60s-80s. If you're coming in spring, sunrise hiking is essential to avoid crowds. The trail is packed by 9:00 AM on weekends.
Go at sunrise or skip it entirely. Temperatures hit 95-105°F in the afternoon. Early morning hikes (start by 6:00 AM) are still pleasant, with temps in the 60s-70s. You'll have the trail to yourself because most tourists avoid Sedona in summer heat. This is actually a great time for experienced hikers who don't mind early mornings.
Gorgeous weather, beautiful light, and popular with tourists. Temperatures range from 65-85°F. Similar crowd levels to spring. The cottonwoods along Oak Creek turn golden in late October—stunning contrast with the red rocks.
Cold mornings (30s-40s) but pleasant afternoons (50s-60s). Way fewer crowds. Occasional snow or ice on the rocks after storms—check conditions before going. This is my favorite time to hike Cathedral Rock. You often have the trail to yourself, especially on weekdays.
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM any day: Worst combination of heat, crowds, and harsh light for photos. The parking lot is full, the trail is packed, and the sun is brutal. Just skip this window entirely.
Summer afternoons (2:00-5:00 PM): The rocks are heat-soaked, thunderstorms can roll in quickly, and you're hiking in the hottest part of the day. Even experienced desert hikers avoid this.
Holiday weekends year-round: Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving weekend—the trail is absolutely mobbed. If you must go during a holiday weekend, get there by 6:30 AM or don't bother.
Spring break (March): Sedona gets slammed with families and college kids. Parking lots fill by 7:30 AM. The trail feels like a parade. Go super early or wait until April.
Sunrise (6:30-8:00 AM): Soft, warm light hitting the east-facing rock. The formations glow orange-red. Clear air, good contrast. This is when professional photographers shoot.
Golden hour before sunset (5:30-7:00 PM in summer, 4:00-5:30 PM in winter): Beautiful warm light, but you're competing with crowds and you'll need to descend in fading light.
Avoid midday: Harsh overhead light washes out the red color and creates unflattering shadows. Your photos will look flat and overexposed.
Partly cloudy days create dramatic photos with moving shadows and light. Overcast days can be good for close-up shots of the rock formations without harsh shadows. Clear blue-sky days are classic Sedona but can be less interesting photographically.
For first-time visitors: Go at sunrise. Get there by 7:00 AM. You'll get the full Cathedral Rock experience without the frustrations that cause most people to say "it was crowded and hot."
For photographers: Sunrise, no question. Better light, fewer people in your shots, more time to set up without crowds pushing past you.
For families with kids: Early morning (7:00-9:00 AM start) in spring or fall. Kids handle the scrambling better when it's cooler, and you'll finish before they get tired and cranky.
For experienced hikers: Summer sunrise hikes (start 6:00 AM) give you the trail almost to yourself. It's hot, but if you start early enough you'll finish before it gets brutal.
If you absolutely must go later: Start between 4:00-5:00 PM, bring a headlamp, accept that parking will be difficult, and plan to share the trail with others.
Looking for more information about hiking Cathedral Rock?
• Complete Cathedral Rock Trail Guide - Everything you need to know about the hike
• Cathedral Rock Parking Guide - Where to park and how to guarantee a spot
• What to Bring - Essential gear checklist
• Other Sedona Hikes - What to do after Cathedral Rock