Sedona wildlife is abundant, thanks to a confluence of diverse habitats that support a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Three distinct regions–high desert, national forest, and riparian valley– come together in Red Rock country to create an ecologically important and fragile ecosystem that’s home to rare species of birds, endangered plants, and wildlife large and small.

The desert terrain accommodates a mix of mountain and desert vegetation thanks to the high altitude of 4,500 feet and an arid climate. Prickly pear cactus, with paddle-shaped pads and needle-like spines, produces magenta-colored fruit that is a favorite of Sedona wildlife. In spring, its hot pink and bright yellow flowers dot the landscape. Juniper trees, with twisted trunks and aromatic berries, are plentiful, as are desert succulents like agave and yucca. Fragrant shrubs like sagebrush and creosote scent the desert air after a rain, which brings seasonal wildflowers like desert marigold, indian paintbrush, and black-footed daisies. 

The Coconino National Forest has a mix of landscapes, including juniper and pinyon woodlands, Ponderosa pine forests, and desert areas. These provide refuge to 100 species of mammals including elk, black bear, and mountain lions. Hikers are more likely to see smaller mammals like coyotes, prairie dogs, deer, pronghorns, and foxes. The forest is also home to 300 species of birds like bald eagles, blue herons, and songbirds, as well as a wide variety of reptiles.

The free-flowing Verde River, designated a “Wild and Scenic River” by U.S. Congress, runs through the fertile Verde Valley where tall cottonwoods, willows, and sycamore trees thrive. These provide food and shelter for wildlife including 20 threatened or endangered species like the Razorback Sucker fish and the narrow-headed garter snake. The river also attracts birds of Sedona, including bald eagles who nest here, the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, and hummingbirds.

All three of these landscapes attract a unique combination of Sedona AZ wildlife and plant life, creating a rich destination for a nature retreat. Watching wildlife in their natural habitat promotes a deep sense of well-being in humans by reducing stress and heightening our sensory awareness. 

Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel, immerses guests into the Sedona environment in the most luxurious way.  Each private atrium offers a 180-degree view of the red rocks and the Coconino Forest through floor-to-ceiling bronzed windows that erase the visual boundary between indoors and outdoors. 

Many animals are most active at dawn and dusk, and this massive window onto nature allows guests to have a chance of an early morning wildlife sighting. A touch of the bedside button parts the black-out shades for an IMAX-like view of the landscape. You might spot a desert cottontail hopping through the brush, a covey of quail, or a roadrunner.

Up on the rooftop deck, listen for the cascading whistle call of the canyon wren, a desert songbird. You might also spot some of the better known birds of Sedona like mountain bluebirds, the brightly colored Vermillion Flycatcher, and hummingbirds. The Broad-tailed, Anna’s, and Black-chinned varieties are frequent guests in the area.

Take a hike or a drive to these places below to view more Sedona wildlife nearby.

Red Rock State Park is a 286-acre nature preserve where hikers can see abundant wildlife year-round. Visitors frequently report sightings of coyotes, bobcats, and Mule deer, so named because their ears resemble those of a mule. You might also see javelinas, members of the collared peccary family. These are pack animals, so if you see one, there is most certainly a squadron of them nearby. Look out for smaller creatures like tarantulas, lizards and, on occasion, the black-tailed rattlesnake.

Oak Creek meanders through part of the preserve, creating a lush habitat. Several species of frogs, the Sonoran mud turtle, and rare native fish make their home here as do avian species like the Common Black Hawk, Wood Duck, and Common Merganser. Five miles of winding and interconnecting trails traverse the park, leading hikers through high desert flora and riparian landscapes. Pick up a map at the Visitor Center and explore on your own, or join one of the guided nature or bird walks.

Sedona Wetlands Preserve is a prime location for birdwatching. Located just south of the Sedona wastewater treatment facility, this wetland ecosystem was created in the middle of desert scrubland through a joint effort by the city of Sedona and the Northern Arizona Audubon Society.  Waste water that’s been treated to A+ effluent quality standards is released into 27-acres of man-made basins, ponds, and marshes designed as a bird habitat. The preserve attracts migratory ducks and shorebirds who flock here in the fall and winter. In the spring and summer, more than 250 varieties of songbirds feed on the vegetation. 

The ponds are surrounded by walking paths with viewing platforms, benches, and interpretive signage. Bring binoculars to spot falcons, the Common Black Hawk, herons, and waterfowl. Rare species to look for include the Black Tern and the Yellow Grosbeak. Check the schedule for seasonal birding field trips to the Preserve led by The Audubon Society.

Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon is a great place to see Coues white-tail deer who are often feeding in the apple orchard. Other sightings include javelina, coyotes, and black bears. The park also attracts over 140 bird species including year-round residents and seasonal migrants. Watch for the bright blue Steller’s jays, hummingbirds, hawks, herons, and turkey vultures. Wild brown trout live in Oak Creek, which is also stocked with rainbow trout.

Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale takes guests on a scenic “Wilderness Route” journey in vintage rail cars between two protected sanctuaries, the Coconino and Prescott National Forests. Journey into a canyon along a century-old route accessible only by rail. The four-hour round-trip journey winds through high desert terrain and along the Verde River, allowing guests to view these two rich ecosystems amidst their respective flora and fauna. In winter, spot birds of prey like migrating bald and golden eagles. In spring, the landscape is blanketed with colorful wildflowers and blooming cactus.

The simplest way to connect with nature in Sedona is to immerse yourself in the surrounding landscape and be mindfully in the present moment. You can view all this beauty from the comfort of an Ambiente atrium, a nearby hiking trail, and a leisurely rail journey through a canyon. Every step along the way will reveal something new if you look and listen. Notice the tiny wildflowers that bloom between rocks, a hawk that glides silently overhead, and the coyotes that yip in the night. A retreat to Sedona and time spent in nature will recharge the batteries and rejuvenate the soul, leaving you feeling calmer and more in tune with the rhythms of the natural world.