Booking choice: The flagship telescope tour, from $127 per person. Check dates Tour details
Sedona's sky is dark, but three things you cannot book away change what you see: the moon, the clouds and the time the sky gets fully dark.
Here is how the tour operators themselves handle each one, and how to pick your night.
The quick answer
Avoid the run-up to the full moon: the flagship operator advises skipping the 4 nights before it and the full moon night. Tours run all year, with later start times in summer. Book early in your stay so a cloud-out can be moved.
When is the best time of month to stargaze in Sedona?
Away from the full moon: the operator advises skipping the run-up to it.
The flagship operator recommends avoiding the 4 nights leading up to the full moon, and the full moon night itself, if you want a star-filled sky. It shows the same telescope targets every night regardless of moon phase.
For the rest of 2026 the full moons fall on October 25, November 24 and December 23, Arizona time, then January 22, 2027 (from the Old Farmer's Almanac, converted from Eastern time). Count four nights back from each and keep those free of a telescope booking.
Found a dark-moon night in your dates? Check availability for the flagship tour.
Check dates for the flagship telescope tourWhat happens near the full moon?
The sky brightens and faint objects fade; guests who went near the full moon say they saw less.
One guest wrote that a full moon prevented them from seeing a lot, and advised checking the moon before booking; another said the moon was simply too bright. The Sedona UFO Tours night tour does not run during or around the full moon at all.
What time do the tours start?
After dark, so later in summer: the flagship operator runs two tours a night at times that change by month.
| Months | Flagship start times |
|---|---|
| November to April | 7:30 pm and 9 pm |
| May to August | 9 pm and 10:30 pm |
| September | 8:30 pm and 10 pm |
| October | 8 pm and 9:30 pm |
Late start in summer? Book an early-trip night and keep the next one free.
Check dates for the flagship telescope tourWhich season is best for stargazing in Sedona?
Any season works, because the flagship operator runs tours all year; what changes is the start time and the weather risk.
Winter tours start earlier in the evening. Summer starts later, and the National Weather Service defines Arizona's monsoon season as June 15 to September 30, so keep summer plans flexible. Whatever the month, dress for a cold night.
What if it is cloudy on my night?
The tours need good weather; if one is cancelled for weather, Viator offers a different date or a full refund.
The flagship operator says it attempts to reschedule cloudy nights, with back-up dates on a space-available basis. One flagship guest was moved to the following night after a weather cancellation, and a storytelling-tour guest praised the guide's flexibility about rescheduling. You can also cancel yourself for a full refund up to 24 hours before.
Flexible on dates? The small-group tour has the same weather policy, with groups of twelve or fewer.
Explore the small-group telescope tour Tour detailsCan the start time change on the day?
Yes: the flagship operator says start times can change on the day for weather and special night-sky events.
The UFO night tour warns its times can move with sunset, by as much as 60 minutes later than your confirmation, and on stormy days it may decide only at check-in. It sends updates through the Viator messaging system or by text. Keep your phone on and check messages on the afternoon of the tour.
How do I pick the best night of my trip?
Check the moon calendar, choose an early night of your stay, and keep a back-up evening free.
Then dress warmly and read the directions before sunset. For what to pack, see what to wear stargazing in Sedona.
Ready to lock in a dark night? Free cancellation runs to 24 hours before.
Check dates for the flagship telescope tourFrequently asked questions
Is summer a good time for stargazing in Sedona?
Yes, though tours start later (9 pm and 10:30 pm from May to August on the flagship tour) and the monsoon season, June 15 to September 30, brings more weather risk.
Can you see the Milky Way from Sedona?
Yes on dark, clear nights; several guests mention seeing it. A bright moon makes it much harder to see.
Do tours run on full moon nights?
The flagship tour runs and shows the same telescope targets, but its operator advises avoiding that week for a star-filled sky. The Sedona UFO Tours night tour does not run around the full moon.
Ready to book
Choose your night
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Sedona Stargazing Tour
- Constellation overview with a laser pointer
- Turns at large GPS auto-positioning telescopes: planets, galaxies, nebulas, star clusters
- Wide-view binoculars and a chair between turns
Small-Group Stargazing with Telescopes
- Large-aperture telescopes with premium eyepieces
- Live views of deep space on a 4k monitor
- Groups of up to twelve
Night Sky Star Story & Galaxy Tour
- Constellation stories with a laser pointer and planisphere
- Big-screen constellation images and hands-on visuals
- Chairs and blankets
