Sedona Leads Sustainable Tourism with New Transportation Plan

The city of Sedona, Arizona has implemented a comprehensive transportation plan to reduce traffic congestion and improve the experience for residents and the 3 million annual visitors. 

The plan centers on an expanded shuttle system connecting popular trailheads throughout the area, responding to growing concerns about traffic backups. City officials report visitors often faced long waits at trailheads during peak seasons while residents struggled with everyday commutes.

“Sedona residents made it very clear to elected officials and city staff that the city of Sedona needed to prioritize making substantial road, transit, bike, and walking improvements,” says Andrew Grossmann, Tourism Manager for the City of Sedona. 

This feedback was the catalyst for the city’s development of the Sedona Transportation Master Plan.

Transportation Initiative Brings Results 

The transportation initiative represents a collaboration between the city of Sedona, business owners, residents, and state and federal agencies. 

The projects in the plan, collectively known as Sedona in Motion (SIM), are designed to improve traffic flow, support transit, provide non-motorized travel options through improved walking and bike-riding paths, and improve safety. 

A large portion of the funding comes from the half-cent Transportation Privilege Tax, and the City has identified other revenue sources, such as Federal grants and, when needed, additional sales and bed taxes, to assist with project implementation.

SIM focuses on reducing environmental and traffic impacts while preserving Sedona’s beauty and livability. One success has been the reduced travel time from Oak Creek Canyon through Uptown. 

In 2020, the City completed roadway improvements, including a median that reduced jaywalking, a second lane, and two roundabouts. These changes cut congestion by almost 90%. 

The addition of shuttles to popular trailheads, including Cathedral Rock, Little Horse, Soldier Pass, and Devil’s Bridge, has been one of the most significant improvements. The Sedona Shuttle Connect also offers on-demand public transit to widespread areas, and rides can be requested via phone or app. 

The Sedona Shuttle Trailhead Service has positively impacted neighborhoods near high-use trailheads. "Requiring people to take free transit in order to hike at these trailheads has restored peacefulness to these neighborhoods," says Grossmann. 

It has also eliminated the need to search for parking; visitors simply use the designated park-and-ride lot and are shuttled to the trailhead at no cost. 

The city of Sedona expects to welcome its millionth transit rider this March.

Connecting Visitors 

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Sedona’s commitment to community involvement extends beyond transportation improvements, with innovative programs encouraging visitors to engage with the area meaningfully. 

Volunteer Sedona & the Verde Valley (VSVV) is a local non-profit that offers tourists and residents the opportunity to participate in environmental stewardship and community service. 

“Sedona’s landscapes are one of its biggest draws– and keeping them pristine is a major part of what we do,” says VSVV founder Spring Graf. This collaboration aligns with Sedona's new shuttle system, allowing volunteers to access trail maintenance sites and cleanup locations without adding to traffic congestion.

The organization emerged from Graf’s personal experience with voluntourism in Maui following the 2023 wildfires. Returning to Sedona, she recognized that the city, with its 3.2 million annual visitors, had no centralized resource connecting those visitors with meaningful volunteer opportunities. "There doesn't need to be a crisis to start a volunteer movement," Graf notes.

VSVV now partners with 42 local organizations and coordinates environmental initiatives, including trail maintenance, watershed protection projects, and graffiti removal efforts. During a 2025 Weekend of Service last month, 143 volunteers contributed 359 hours to local nonprofits, demonstrating growing interest in this approach to tourism. 

This reflects tourism industry trends; when surveyed in 2022, over 80% of global travelers said that sustainable tourism was important to them and that they were willing to adopt sustainable travel incentives, which has led to an ecotourism global market size of 172 billion.  

Visitors and residents can connect with VSVV through their website at VolunteerSedona.com. 

A World-Class Destination Embracing Responsible Tourism

Early results from the Sedona in Motion plan show promising outcomes. The development of shared-use paths has improved safety by moving cyclists and pedestrians onto dedicated pathways separate from vehicle traffic. 

“I'm incredibly proud of the collective effort that is underway in Sedona to better manage our visitation throughout the year," says Grossmann. "The continued expansion of our transportation options, shared-use paths, and visitor education will further establish Sedona as a leader in responsible travel.”

Beyond transportation improvements, Sedona offers world-class attractions that draw visitors from across the globe. The area features more than 200 miles of hiking trails and mountain biking routes set against the backdrop of the iconic red rock formations.

Throughout the city, restaurants showcase Southwestern cuisine, with many cafés serving traditional dishes like chilaquiles, mole, chimichangas, tacos, and various salsas made with local produce. 

For a unique taste of the region, try the savory smoked brisket enchiladas at Elote Cafe or the ceviche at Costa by Madrid. 

The Verde Valley wine region adds another dimension to Sedona's appeal. Vineyards and tasting rooms throughout Sedona, Cottonwood, and Jerome establish the area as Arizona's premier wine destination.

Grossmann adds, “I look forward to a future where it becomes the norm for our visitors to travel to and within Sedona without their own car while still being able to access the bounty of experiences we offer."