Many people know Sedona, Arizona, for its vibrantly colored red rocks and spiritual vortexes. It’s also known as one of the nation’s top snowbird destinations. But did you know that Sedona and the surrounding area is a mountain biking and craft beer Mecca?
Ok, maybe not so much for the craft beer, but there are at least five craft breweries in and around Sedona. And the mountain biking trails? With hundreds of miles of trails to play on, snowbird or not, Sedona is a must! And we’ve got a few tips on beers, biking and camping. We’ll throw some food at you, too.
Quaint Towns Surround Sedona
Sedona isn’t really just Sedona. With so many quaint towns to explore, most only a 30-minute drive away, this is an explorer’s dream. And with biking trails and breweries strategically located throughout this Mecca, this is mountain biking and craft beer heaven. But we mustn’t forget the wine. The Verde Valley Wine Trail is one of Arizona’s top wine trails.
Each of these Sedona area towns is unique in their own characteristics, with something different to explore everywhere. Activities and excursions such as off-roading, hiking, hot air balloon and helicopter rides, shopping, dining and everything anyone needs to be entertained both outdoors and in.
We are here to guide you on your very own mountain biking and craft beer tour throughout Sedona and the surrounding area.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- List of Regional Breweries
- Sedona
- Verde Valley (Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Camp Verde & more)
- Jerome
- Flagstaff
- Prescott
- Sedona MTB Festival
We’ve broken up this charming region into towns/regions with MTB trails, breweries, and a few more tidbits of valuable information for each place.
List of Sedona Area Breweries
But before we delve deeper into each area, we know what you want…the list of breweries, plain and simple. So, here’s a list of the breweries in the Sedona area, and a few in Flagstaff and Prescott, to get you started.
- Sedona Beer Company – Sedona
- Oak Creak Brewing Company – Sedona
- Verde Brewing Company – Verde Valley
- THAT Brewery – Cottonwood and Pine
- Belfry Wood Fired Grill & Brewery – Cottonwood
- Smelter Town Brewery – Clarkdale
- Hops on Birch Beer Bar – Flagstaff
- Mother Road Brewing Company – Flagstaff
- Dark Sky Brewing Company – Flagstaff
- LazyG Brewhouse – Prescott
But don’t be afraid to explore. There are many more breweries just outside of the area, so keep on exploring everywhere you go.
SEDONA
Located at the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon in the northern section of the Verde Valley region, people from all over the world pay homage to the red rocks and vortexes that call this place home. As mountain bike lovers, we pay homage to the trails.
Sedona Craft Breweries
While there aren’t a plethora of breweries in Sedona proper, the ones that are here, are worth a visit.
Sedona Beer Company
Sedona Beer Company is one of our favorite breweries from our travels. Just off 89A, on Jordan Road, they’re a short walk from the businesses of touristy Sedona to the calming of great craft beers and delectable food.
When you’re done with the incessant gift shops that line Sedona’s most popular drag, come on into Sedona Beer Company. Mac and Kali, the owners, will treat you quite kindly while you cozy up to the bar or enjoy some sunshine on the charming patio.
Oak Creek Brewing Company & Brewery and Grill
Pay a visit to Sedona’s oldest craft brewery, Oak Creek Brewing Company. Not only do they have a cozy tasting room at the brewery off of Coffee Pot Road, but they also have a full restaurant featuring wood-fired fare at the historic Tlaquapaque Center.
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Sedona MTB Trails
Oh, where to begin when mountain biking in Sedona! There are miles upon miles upon miles of trails to be found here. Some right in town, others just outside of town close to free camping. Carroll Canyon Trails are just on the outer edge of town as you head west out of Sedona. With more blue trails than anything else here, it’s the perfect place to get your feet wet before tearing off onto the other wondrous trails on the Sedona mountain biking scene.
We spent most of our time riding the Dry Creek Trails in Boynton Canyon, just along Boynton Pass Road. With Forest Road 525, AKA The Main Drag, a mere 15 minute drive away, and less than 10 miles from Sedona proper, these Sedona mountain bike trails are both convenient and a blast to ride. There are four easy to access parking lots that connect all the trails together in one way or another. The majority of trails are made for intermediate riders, with a few greens and black trails thrown in for good measure.
But, what we really loved about this trail system, is the stunning views of the red rocks everywhere. Combine that with the flow, a few technical spots here and there, some good climbing to get your heart racing, and some good downhill to get you flying, these trails are definitely a favorite.
Be aware, though, the trailheads here can get quite busy with both hikers and bikers, especially on the weekends. But the further in you ride, the less people you’ll come across. When we visited, the parking lots were overflowing, but the trails were quiet. I had no idea where all the hikers were, but that’s ok, they weren’t on our trails.
These are just some of the mountain bike trails we’ve explored in Sedona, but there are so many more. Other epic Sedona mountain bike trails include the likes of Schnebly Hill, Adobe Jack, Slim Shady, Broken Arrow, and more. Check out all the Sedona trails on Trailforks. And if you’re really into mountain biking, be sure to check out Sedona’s MTB Festival.
PRO TIP: Shameless shout out to Thunder Mountain Bikes. They have a vast selection of bikes (to buy or rent) and parts, but more than that, they are great humans that will help you in a pinch or simply give tips on some of the best trails to ride in and around Sedona. Thunder Mountain Bikes became Kenny’s favorite Sedona mountain bike shop when they helped him out with a snapped chain.
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Sedona’s Other Things: Wine, Whiskey, Coffee, Pizza, Camping
Everyone loves Sedona, meaning everyone is there, meaning there is quite the congestion at times getting into and out of Sedona’s shopping, dining and touristy section along 89A heading towards Flagstaff. So, you’ll either have to put up with all the people and wait times for dining, or find one of the many other quaint stores and shopping prior to entering Sedona’s popular downtown area.
This is exactly how we came across Vino di Sedona, a cute wine and craft beer bar complete with Italian appetizers and pizza. Their indoor space is warm and inviting and offers all types of wine and beer to go. Their patio space is expansive and made for the love of the outdoors with a music stage and waterfall. A great way to experience what Sedona has to offer without all the people.
As of March 2023, Sedona is also home to Redwall Lounge, which houses Redwall Distillery. Redwall offers a wide selection of fantastic spirits and cocktails. They also have several of their own spirits, including American Single Malt Whiskey, Sedona Small Batch Bourbon, Redwall Vodka, and Redwall Gin. Redwall also has a tremendous dog-friendly outdoor space with a massive fire pit and views for days!
How about some coffee? We loved this place because of its uniqueness and chocolate, but we also loved it because it’s not in the midst of all the tourists. Be sure to pay Synergy Lounge & Kitchen a visit for organic coffee, herbal elixirs, chocolate and more. It’s truly a coffee shop with character.
If you love boondocking, then you’ll love camping along Forest Service Road 525. This area used to be known as the Main Drag (Loy Butte Road), but with so many people enjoying this area it has now been changed to five specific sites: Surprise, Windmill, Cockscomb, Greasy Spoon, and Nolan.
With sites right off of 89A at Surprise, you can pull in for a quick overnight, or drive further in for the remainder of the sites with views and vistas like you can only experience in Sedona.
VERDE VALLEY
Less than 20 miles southwest of Sedona lies the heart of Arizona wine country, Verde Valley. This includes Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Camp Verde, Pine and surrounding areas.
While Verde Valley may be known for its wine, there are still breweries to explore, mountain biking trails to ride and whimsical neighborhoods to wander through.
Verde Valley Craft Breweries
If you love small taproom vibes reminiscent of places where you can walk in and order a beer and the beertender knows your style, the breweries here are those places.
Verde Brewing Company
Verde Brewing Company is located in Camp Verde in the heart of Verde Valley. Known for their beer, of course, but also for their gourmet nachos and elevated pub fare. We’ve haven’t been here, yet, but we’ve heard it’s fantastic!
THAT Brewery
THAT Brewery is located in Cottonwood and Pine. And oh what a place THAT place is. In Cottonwood, it is tucked away in an industrial neighborhood with no outdoor lights to speak of – due to the area’s “Dark Sky” designation – it’s quite an adventure in itself just locating it.
But once you walk in the doors, the warm ambiance and simplicity of the taproom connected to the brewhouse are perfectly inviting. So grab a chair, say hi to a stranger, and lose yourself here for a moment.
Belfry Wood Fired Grill & Brewery
If you’re in need of some rustic, old-world charm, mouth-watering burgers and a handcrafted beer, Belfry Wood Fired Grill & Brewery in Cottonwood is the place to visit. Housed in a restored church that once hosted many congregations since the 1920s, Belfry continues the gatherings. It may now be around a beer, but the bell, the belfry, and the love for community still stand strong.
Smelter Town Brewery
Smelter Town Brewery in Clarkdale may not be Belfry with its burgers and wood-fired menu, but just like Belfry, it offers old-world charm in a historical building that now brings people together over a beer. With a patio overlooking the small town park, it’s quite lovely soaking up the sunshine, listening to the chatters of a family picnic while conversing with the locals in this quaint small town brewery. Even better? Smelter Town is a bed and brew. Rent a room and drink the night away knowing your bed is just upstairs.
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Verde Valley MTB Trails
The place to go in Verde Valley for some serious mountain biking fun is Dead Horse Ranch State Park on the Verde River in Cottonwood. The majority of the trails here are intermediate rides with some rocky terrain thrown in making a few spots more technical than others. But with 42 miles and 20 trails, the $7.00 per vehicle or $3.00 per bike charge to get in is reported to be worth it.
When we visited, we only had time to explore this area before meeting friends for a beer (priorities), so we came across an unnamed trail system and decided to head there instead. Conveniently close to a neighborhood, but lacking any type of stunning views (or shade for that matter), the Backbone Trail is a three-mile out and back beginner to intermediate trail. Still a good way to get a quick ride in, if that’s all the time you’ve got.
While most mountain bikers head to Sedona, it’s worth a visit to Verde Valley to check out their trails, as well. For a few more in this area, click here to explore more on Trailforks.
Verde Valley’s Other Things: Wining, Dining & Shopping
You can’t mention Verde Valley without mentioning the wine. No matter how much of a beer lover we all might be, at least for me, there’s a time when I love sipping on a glass of red wine. And doing so from a local vineyard or winery is a treat. Just like my beer, I love for my wine to be local, as well. Be sure to check out the many wineries along the Verde Valley Wine Trail.
Even with our focus on breweries and biking, we love to wander the streets of the places we visit. Sometimes that means exploring the main streets that host most of the shopping and dining districts. Other times that means wandering off the beaten path and through the neighborhoods checking out the architecture and styles of houses, wondering if we could live and work here. Whatever your style, be sure to wander Old Town Cottonwood where you’ll find window shopping opportunities, restaurants, wineries, coffee shops, and time to people watch.
A few of those well-known places to eat and taste and enjoy the company you’re with are Bing’s Burger Station, a 50s style diner; Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Oesteria, coming from Merkin Vineyards owned by Maynard James Keenan, lead singer of Tool; and Pizzeria Bocce, world-class pizza with an extensive patio space to enjoy the cool Arizona evenings.
Planning just a day trip here from the Sedona area is completely doable, and if a day is all you have, choose a few places and enjoy those without worrying about what you might be missing out on. Because whatever you choose here, it’s going to be great. But if you have more time to spend, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
JEROME
Perched atop a mountain, this historical mining town is a must-see and has a lot to offer. Except craft beer! Wine? Around every corner. Craft beer? Good luck. Okay, but putting that aside for a moment, there is a lot of history to explore here and a lot of interesting stores to wander into. What we loved the most, though, was strolling up and down the hills through the neighborhood and people-watching. It’s the simple things.
Jerome Craft Breweries
Ok, now about the beer. First, there are no craft breweries here. Granted, there are opportunities to find craft beer, but they are extremely limited. Especially when the only craft beer bar is currently closed (maybe opening again). A quick glance into the door Wicked City Tap & Cork, named after Jerome’s infamous nickname, Wicked, this place seems to call for a trip back to Jerome, even if only to stop here.
No craft beer at the beer bar or at the local tavern and not much to talk about at the many wineries in town, there were a few taps of local beer at the world-famous Haunted Hamburger. Because it is one of the top destination restaurants here, it is often quite crowded. Still, no beer for us.
Hungry and a bit irked, we finally found a couple bottles of Arizona beer at the Hilltop Deli. Located just above the shenanigans of main street, we were rewarded with food, beer, and the perfect patio to watch the insane amount of tourists that visit this historic town on a weekend.
Jerome MTB Trails
Just like the beer scene, the mountain biking scene is also non-existent in Jerome. If you’re a motorcycle fan, the road to Jerome would be quite the scenic drive. Only open to vehicles less than 50 feet in length, this could be the way to travel. If you’re a bit more of an expert mountain biker, just outside of Jerome is Mingus Mountain where you can test your skills on your MTB or your OHV.
Jerome’s Other Things: Ghosts, History & Wine
Those many places to explore include historical sites such as the Gold King Mine, the Douglas Mansion and Museum or the Sliding Jail. Since we’re not quite the historical types, we couldn’t tell you hide nor hair about these places, but they are popular with those that love history.
I do believe I mentioned the love of wine in this area. Jerome is no different. Even if you’re more of a beer drinker, I encourage you to choose one of the many wine tasting destinations throughout Jerome. One, it’ll give your palate a break from beer, and two, it’ll make you appreciate the price of beer. I do love some good red wine, but I do not like the price of it. But if you’re exploring, sipping on a good glass of red at a cozy tasting room in quaint Jerome, Arizona, is a good way to do so.
On the note of wine, a must stop destination in Jerome is Puscifer – The Store. This shop is a strange extension of the band formed by Maynard James Keenan (owner of Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards). The store itself has everything you could need for a day out, a wine bar, one of a kind merchandise, a barbershop, vinyl, gelato, etc… If you have a couple hours to kill in Jerome, Puscifer is the place to go.
I could tell you to stop by Caduceus Cellars or eat at the Haunted Hamburger or take a ghost tour, but what you should really do is wander the town itself without any prerequisites. Stop in shops that fit your personality. Find the places that call to you. So many people only visit well-known sites, but there are many hidden gems here and throughout the entire Sedona area. It’s up to you to find them and create your own adventures and places that you love.
FLAGSTAFF
A day trip to Flagstaff from Sedona is a requirement for the 30 mile scenic route along 89A that gets you there. Leave your big rig in Sedona, as this road winds its way through Oak Creek Canyon.
Sedona is where the mountains meet desert. 89A from Sedona to Flagstaff is where the desert truly becomes mountains. Be prepared for what mountains mean. Here, it’s very likely you’ll come across snow. And on the weekends, you’ll also come across a lot of people taking the same scenic route.
If you plan on hiking or stopping anywhere along this route, be patient. Finding parking at any of the quaint shops or at the trailheads is like finding gold. I recommend turning this Sunday drive into any other day, say maybe a Wednesday drive. Although during peak season, this is a well sought after day trip any day of the week.
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Flagstaff Beer and Biking and Other Things
We haven’t spent much time in Flagstaff, but there is plenty to experience. If you want to follow in our footsteps, here you go:
- Hops on Birch Beer Bar
- Mother Road Brewing Company
- Dark Sky Brewing Company
- Pizzicletta Napolean Style Pizza
We haven’t been biking here yet (shameful, we know), so let us know what you think. Check out Trailforks for detailed trail information in and around Flagstaff.
With many breweries, trails, restaurants and more to explore in Flagstaff, you might want to plan on spending a few days here, but if you’ve only got a day, then at least you got a taste of the good stuff.
PRESCOTT
Most people don’t do a day trip to Prescott from Sedona, but you could. It is only a 90 minute drive from Sedona. You do drive through Cottonwood and Jerome.
I’d say you should just pack up your rig and head on over to Prescott for a few days, instead of one. There’s plenty of places to stay, drink, eat, ride and more.
Prescott Beer and Biking and Other Things
And we’ve covered all of that for you when we visited LazyG Brewhouse in Prescott. From Whiskey Row to mountain biking to homemade tiramisu at Limoncello to Superstition Meadery, Prescott is impressive. Want a hint? It’s pronounced pres-kit, not pres-cot. Now you can sound like a local.
Sedona MTB Festival
Another event to keep your eye out for in Sedona every year (usually early March) is the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival. This festival is a three day event which, as the name might give away, is centered around the area’s fantastic mountain biking.
But that’s not all, the festival rounds itself out with a beer garden, live music, and local food! This just might be one of the best ways to experience Sedona’s world class mountain biking alongside an entire community of like-minded people.
It was hard to leave Sedona and the Verde Valley area, along with Prescott and Flagstaff. But, here’s the deal. If we leave, it means we get to explore more places to give you more guidance. But it also means we get to come back.
Want More?
Check out Tucson’s beer scene.
Not quite done touring Arizona? We get it. We’ve got a lot going on in Arizona. Click here for more, and be sure to check out our tour of Tucson’s best breweries.
Quick Tales on Where to Bike
Welcome to Bikin’ Bits – a bit about bikin’ – so you don’t have to look to find the trails you want to ride. Where we tell you the loops to ride, the loopdy-loops to ride, the uphills, the downhills. Where to MTB!
Need More Sedona Fun?
Check out Sedona Beer Company’s story. And when done, be sure to pay them a visit!
Thanks for totally ignoring Sedona’s first brewery, Oak Creek Brewery, with a tasting room at the brewery off of Coffee Pot Road and a full blown restaurant at the Tlaqapaqe
Center on Highway 179.
Ugh! I do apologize. Thank you for catching this! Since we haven’t been there yet, I completely forgot to include it in the article. Amended and updated!
The brewery, near coffee pot, is better then the restaurant. It is much more relaxed. Worth the trip to go back and try. The Hefeweizen is world class, in my opinion.
Thanks for letting us know. We love hearing about what others think about different beers and learning about their favorites! Everyone has such different tastes, and this makes beer and life so much fun.