Which desert is sedona in

And what desert would be complete without cactus? The prickly pear, hedgehog and pincushion are three of the common varieties in Sedona. Each of these has a beautiful bloom and uses it cactus needles like leaves to cool the surface area of the plant from the high heat of the desert.

The floor of Sedona also contains a special soil called cryptobiotic soil, which means hidden life. This black crusty soil contains bacteria, mosses, lichen and fungi which grow together to create a super soil which provides many nutrients and helps to hold in water. This soil takes over 75 years to form and its fragility is the reason it is important not to stray off the hiking trails. Wildlife The Sedona area contains a variety of wildlife that would best be seen by night as most of the animals are nocturnal.

Mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats and mule deer are some of the larger animals that reside here. You will find that some of the animals, such as mule deer and jackrabbits, are equipped with some pretty large ears. No, it's not to hear better. The ears are full of blood vessels which allows heat to escape so the animal can stay cooler. The animal you may be most likely to encounter in town is the pig-like javalina.

Javalinas are actually members of the rodent family, not pigs, and like to eat a bit of everything which is why you find them in Sedona neighborhoods rifling through everyone's trash. Around the Oak Creek you will find bald eagles, golden eagles, hawks and heron all trying to capture the local trout for dinner.

On land, you will see a predominance of ravens, blue jays, thrushes, woodpeckers and the ever- fleet roadrunner. The riparian environment of the Oak Creek provides seasonal refuge for migratory species such as the tanagers and the hummingbirds. The Sedona area is also home to its share of creepy crawly types which usually get a bad rap. Lizards, snakes, scorpions and tarantulas all roam the desert floor. Besides the occasional chance encounter, you almost have to go looking for these guys in order to find them.

That means more choices and better rates on rooms. Key Events : Sedona PhotoFest. Temperatures wane in August and so do room rates, bringing a beautiful balance to the end of summer. Key Events : Sedona Photography Symposium. Book accommodations and restaurants well ahead of time.

Hotel prices and temperatures start to cool off again, making October one of the best times to visit. Sedona is still gorgeous in November, with daytime temperatures in the mids. Visitors can soak up the last warm days touring the backcountry or drifting above the red rocks on a hot air balloon ride.

Aside from the usual holiday season revelry, December is one of the quietest times to visit Sedona. Slide Rock State Park: 8 miles north. Dead Horse Ranch State Park: 23 miles southwest. Montezuma's Castle National Monument : 35 miles south, off I Grand Canyon National Park : 2 hour drive from Sedona miles. Tuzigoot National Monument : 25 miles southwest. Walnut Canyon National Monument : 43 miles north.

Sunset Crater National Monument : 47 miles north. Wupatki National Monument : 60 miles north. Coconino National Forest : Adjoins Sedona. Prescott National Forest : Adjoins Sedona. Most recently, with its nearby vineyards and tasting rooms, Sedona has emerged as a destination for wine enthusiasts. Just take a look at our videos to get a glimpse inside this alluring small town.

Be inspired by our stunning scenery, then come experience it for yourself. Book Sedona Now.