Sedona Mountain Bike Festival (2026)
November 6 – November 8
You can’t make a mistake going to Sedona to ride a mountain bike. And if you want to do it in a festival setting—with shuttled rides up red rock classics, a beer garden at the base, and live music echoing off the canyon walls—this is your event.
The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival is the Southwest’s premier mountain bike gathering: three days of riding, demos, clinics, gear, food, and the kind of singletrack that makes you understand why people move to Arizona.
What to Expect
Shuttled Rides on Red Rock Classics: Ride Hangover, Hiline, Templeton, and other Sedona bangers without the climb. Festival shuttles run all weekend, dropping riders at trailheads and picking them up at the bottom. This is how you ride Sedona when someone else handles logistics.
Demo Fleet: Test the latest bikes from major brands on actual Sedona trails—slickrock, exposure, technical climbs. If you’re thinking about a new bike, this is where you decide.
Skills Clinics: Dial your cornering on slickrock, work on exposure confidence, or learn to read desert lines. Clinics run throughout the weekend for all skill levels.
Expo & Gear Vendors: Browse the latest gear, talk to reps who actually ride, and pick up deals on everything from tires to hydration packs. Vendors know their audience—this isn’t a casual bike show.
Beer Garden & Live Music: Post-ride at the Posse Grounds with local brews, food trucks, and bands that know the vibe. Swap stories, show off your dust tan, and watch the sunset light up the red rocks.
The Riding: Sedona in November is prime season—temps in the 60s-70s, trails tacky, light perfect for photos. You’re riding some of the most iconic desert singletrack in the world, with festival support making it easier than a DIY trip.
Festival Details
Dates: November 6-8, 2026 (Thursday-Saturday)
Location: Posse Grounds Park, 525 Posse Ground Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
Tickets: 2026 pricing not yet released. Expect day passes ($40-60) and weekend passes ($100-150) based on previous years. Festival registration typically opens April-May.
What’s Included:
- Access to expo and vendor area
- Demo bike rides (reserve in advance)
- Shuttled trail rides (first-come, limited capacity)
- Skills clinics (some free, some paid add-ons)
- Live music and entertainment
- Beer garden access (21+, drinks purchased separately)
Not Included: Bike rentals (if you don’t bring your own), food/drinks beyond festival vendors, lodging.
Should You Go?
Go if: You want Sedona riding with logistics handled—shuttles, demos, a crew to ride with, and post-ride entertainment all in one place. Perfect for first-time Sedona visitors or anyone who wants the festival vibe.
Skip if: You prefer solo exploration, hate crowds, or already have a Sedona crew and shuttle plan dialed. The trails aren’t exclusive to festival riders—you can ride Sedona anytime. Festival adds community and convenience, not access.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced riders who want to sample Sedona’s best without planning every detail. Bring your bike (or demo one), show up, and ride.
Getting There & Staying There
Drive: Sedona is 2 hours north of Phoenix (Sky Harbor Airport), 4.5 hours from Tucson, 6 hours from Southern California. Scenic drive through high desert and red rock country.
Fly: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is closest major airport. Rent a car (required—Sedona has no Uber/Lyft in volume). Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) is smaller, closer (45 min), but limited flights.
Lodging: Book early. Sedona fills up for this festival. Options range from budget motels in Cottonwood (20 min south, $80-120/night) to Sedona hotels ($200-400/night) to Airbnb/VRBO (book 3-6 months out). Camping available at nearby national forest campgrounds (Manzanita, Cave Springs).
Where to Stay:
- In Sedona: Close to festival, pricey, walkable to restaurants/bars
- Cottonwood: Cheaper, 20 min drive, less touristy
- Camping: Dispersed camping in Coconino National Forest (free, primitive) or developed campgrounds ($20-30/night)
What to Bring
Your Bike: Mid-travel trail bike (120-150mm) handles Sedona best. Hardtails work but you’ll feel it. Tires: 2.3-2.5″ width, tubeless recommended (slickrock + sharp rocks = flats).
Gear:
- Helmet (full-face optional but smart for Hangover)
- Hydration pack (3L minimum—desert sun, even in November)
- Spare tube, tools, pump (self-sufficiency expected)
- Sunscreen, lip balm (high altitude + reflection off red rock = burn)
- Layers (mornings cool, midday warm, evenings chilly)
Don’t Bring: Your ego. Sedona exposure and slickrock humbles everyone at some point. Ride within your limits, walk sections if needed, enjoy the views.
The Trails (What You’ll Ride)
Festival shuttles typically hit these classics:
Hangover Trail: Sedona’s most iconic descent—exposure, slickrock ledges, commitment moves. Intermediate to advanced. If you ride one Sedona trail, ride this.
Hiline Trail: Ridgeline traverse with big exposure, technical sections, stunning views. Advanced riders love it. Beginners walk sections.
Templeton Trail: Long descent through varied terrain—slickrock, dirt, rock gardens. Great intermediate option, less exposure than Hangover.
Little Horse & Bell Rock Pathway: Mellow, flowy, beginner-friendly. Festival often includes these for skills clinics or less aggressive rides.
Slim Shady & Western Shadows: West Sedona flow trails, less exposure, fun for building confidence.
Shuttles run continuously—you can lap trails, mix and match, or ride once and session the demo fleet.
After the Festival: Ride More Sedona
Three days isn’t enough. If you’re driving from Tucson, Phoenix, or California, consider extending your trip:
Add 2-3 days: Ride trails the festival doesn’t shuttle (Broken Arrow, Mescal, lower networks). Explore on your own schedule, find solitude, ride at your pace.
Tips from Locals
Arrive Thursday if possible: Friday and Saturday see the biggest crowds. Thursday is mellow, easier to snag demo bikes, shorter shuttle lines.
Ride early, expo later: Hit shuttles first thing (7-8 AM), ride morning sessions, return to expo midday when it’s hot and crowded anyway.
Eat before you arrive: Food trucks are good but lines get long. Grab breakfast in town, bring snacks, save food trucks for post-ride.
Demo smart: Reserve popular bikes in advance (online registration opens weeks before festival). Day-of demos fill up fast.
Hydrate aggressively: Even November in Sedona is dry and high altitude (4,500 ft). Drink more water than you think you need.
Don’t skip the sunset: After riding, grab a beer, find a spot with views, and watch the red rocks light up. This is why people come to Sedona.
Official Festival Info
Organizer: Sedona Mountain Bike Festival
Website: sedonamtbfestival.com
Registration: Opens spring 2026 (typically April-May)
Contact: info@sedonamtbfestival.com
Location:
Posse Grounds Park
525 Posse Ground Rd
Sedona, AZ 86336
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- Sedona trail reviews (Hangover, Hiline, Broken Arrow, and more)
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Related Content
Sedona Mountain Biking:
– Best of Sedona Mountain Biking — Complete destination overview
– Hangover Trail Review — Sedona’s most iconic descent
– West Sedona Network Review — Flow trails and red rock classics
[Links will go live when published]
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– 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo 2027 — Tucson’s legendary endurance race
– Tucson Mountain Biking — Incredible winter riding destination 2 hours south