REVIEW · SEDONA

The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour

4.5 · 269 reviews 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) From $155 Operated by Sedona UFO Tours LLC · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The most unusual part of this Sedona evening tour is the equipment. You are not simply asked to look up at the stars. You use military-grade night vision goggles that reveal far more points of light than your unaided eyes can pick out, then listen as your guide connects those lights to UFO reports around Sedona. The effect can be startling, even if you remain skeptical about what you are seeing.

I like the easy follow-your-guide format, since you keep your own car and do not squeeze into a bus. I also like the mix of star watching, local stories, and practical sky talk, especially when guide Shay is leading the group. The main drawback is that one pair of goggles is shared by every two adults, and much of the experience may be spent standing on gravel or uneven ground.

Key points to know before booking

The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - Key points to know before booking

  • Three viewing locations: Follow the guide from central Sedona to sites near Fay Canyon, Cultural Park Place, and Crystal Magic.
  • Night vision is the star attraction: One pair of upgraded goggles is supplied for every two adults age 11 and older.
  • You drive yourself: Your own vehicle is required, and you follow the guide between locations.
  • Shay brings the energy: Her storytelling and UFO explanations are a major part of the evening.
  • Expect an outdoor wait: Closed-toe shoes are required, and chairs may be limited.
  • Weather matters: Clouds, monsoon conditions, winter weather, and area closures can change or cancel the outing.

What the Sedona UFO tour really offers

The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - What the Sedona UFO tour really offers

At $155 per person, this is not a standard astronomy walk. You are paying for a small-group evening built around special viewing equipment, guided storytelling, and access to several roadside locations after dark. The tour lasts about one hour and 45 minutes, though the exact schedule can shift with sunset and conditions.

The experience sits somewhere between stargazing, local folklore, and theatrical storytelling. If you want a formal astronomy lesson based only on accepted science, this may not be your best match. If you enjoy looking at the night sky and hearing confident explanations about unusual lights, the format can be a lot of fun.

I would treat the UFO claims as part of the entertainment and local lore, not as proven fact. The goggles themselves are the reliable attraction. They can reveal stars, satellites, distant lights, and the Andromeda Galaxy, according to the experience described by past customers. What you decide those moving lights represent is up to you.

The company limits the group to a maximum of six people according to the stated tour details. One account described a much larger group, so I would confirm the expected group size when booking if a quiet, personal evening matters to you.

More National Park Stargazing in the USA:

Meeting at 1890 West State Route 89A

The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - Meeting at 1890 West State Route 89A

You begin at Sedona UFO Tours LLC, at 1890 W State Rte 89A, Suite D. The office is centrally located, but allow time to find it. One useful warning is that the office can be harder to spot than expected, so arriving early is wise.

The company asks you to check in 30 minutes before departure. This is not a casual suggestion. The group leaves on schedule, and late arrivals can be treated as no-shows without a refund, rescheduling, or tour credit unless you have already contacted the company.

The office also includes the Alien Tour Shop and Cafe. You may want to arrive early if you enjoy UFO-themed gifts and merchandise. The tour includes a free gift for every participant, adding a small extra touch to an already unusual evening.

You need your own car from the beginning. An Uber, taxi, Lyft, or other drop-off will not work because you must follow your guide to the viewing sites. This arrangement gives you control over your ride, but it also means you need to feel comfortable driving on unfamiliar roads after dark.

Following Thunder Mountain toward the first stop

The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - Following Thunder Mountain toward the first stop

Once the group leaves Sedona, the guide leads you by car toward the first viewing area. The route passes Thunder Mountain, Red Rock State Park, Red Rock Crossing, and the road toward Fay Canyon. These sights are mostly route markers rather than formal stops, but they help you understand where the evening is headed.

The first site sits adjacent to the Fay Canyon area. The setting gives you a break from the brightest central Sedona lights and provides the first serious chance to test the goggles. You park, receive instructions, and begin looking upward.

This is also where you should notice the practical side of the tour. The ground may include gravel, dirt, or uneven pavement. Wear closed-toe shoes with good support. If you have trouble standing or walking for long periods, this outing may be uncomfortable.

The company has provided heaters during colder months, which is helpful because temperatures can drop quickly after sunset. Still, dress for an outdoor night rather than relying only on the heaters.

What the military night vision goggles show

The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - What the military night vision goggles show

The goggles are shared, with one pair supplied for every two adults over age 11. Children age 10 and under share with an adult and cannot physically hold the goggles because of the cost of the equipment. Adults over 18 may also receive an approved star pointer.

Sharing is not just a cost-saving measure. Looking upward for a long time can strain your neck, and switching between two people gives each person a chance to rest. Still, it means you will not be watching continuously. If you are booking with a partner, plan on taking turns and listening carefully while the other person looks.

The view through night vision is the main reason to pay this price. Ordinary stargazing can show you bright stars and familiar constellations. The goggles add a different layer, making fainter points of light easier to see and turning the sky into a busy field of movement.

That can be thrilling, but it can also be confusing. The guide explains why some objects may not be satellites and presents interpretations of unusual lights as UFO activity. I would listen with an open mind but keep your own judgment. The experience works best when you enjoy the mystery without needing every claim to be scientifically settled.

Flash photography, audio recording, and video recording are not allowed. This protects the equipment and keeps the group focused, so arrive ready to watch rather than document the evening on your phone.

The second and third viewing areas

The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - The second and third viewing areas

After Fay Canyon, you continue to another viewing area near Cultural Park Place. The route passes Crystal Magic Psychic Center and the road toward the Stupa. The Stupa itself is not part of the tour, so do not expect a stop there.

The second site gives the evening a change of setting and keeps the experience from becoming one long stationary talk. You continue using the night vision equipment while hearing more stories about reported UFO activity over Sedona. The repeated pattern is simple: park, listen, take turns with the goggles, and scan the sky.

A third viewing area follows near Crystal Magic. The exact amount of time at each location can vary with weather, light, and the guide’s presentation. Sunset times also affect departure. Tour times may move 15 minutes earlier or later, and in some cases up to 60 minutes later than the time shown on your original confirmation. Watch for updates through the booking message system or text.

The changing locations are useful for variety, but they do not turn this into a sightseeing drive. You pass several Sedona landmarks on the way, yet the purpose is to reach darker viewing points, not to stop for daytime-style photographs.

Shay’s storytelling and the tone of the evening

The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - Shay’s storytelling and the tone of the evening

The guide can make or break this experience. Shay, also spelled Shea in some descriptions, receives especially strong praise for her energy, warmth, and ability to keep the group engaged. She combines personal stories with explanations about UFO activity, the solar system, satellites, and the surrounding area.

The tone is enthusiastic and confident. Some people will find that entertaining. Others may think the claims go too far, especially if they prefer a strict science-based presentation. You should know this before booking: the evening does not present UFO stories as a minor side note. They are central to the experience.

The best parts are often the moments when the guide helps you identify what you are seeing and explains how night vision changes your view. One account described learning why certain objects are not satellites based on their apparent height and movement. That kind of discussion adds useful context, even when the UFO interpretation remains open to debate.

If you are bringing children, keep in mind that children age 10 and under must be assisted by an adult at all times. The stories may appeal to older children, but the standing, darkness, and equipment rules require close supervision.

Standing, chairs, and comfort after dark

The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - Standing, chairs, and comfort after dark

Comfort is the biggest practical concern. The tour supplies heaters in winter, but seating may be limited. Some people have found themselves standing for much of the outing, and sitting on the ground is not permitted at the viewing areas.

The company has used zero-gravity chairs, but you should not assume there will be enough for everyone. If standing for an extended period is difficult, consider bringing your own portable chair if permitted, or ask ahead about current seating arrangements.

There are no restrooms at the viewing locations. Use facilities before leaving the meeting point and plan accordingly. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation, but public transport does not replace the requirement for your own vehicle.

The tour is not recommended for anyone who has difficulty walking or standing. Uneven pavement, gravel, and dirt are part of the setting. Closed-toe shoes are required, and comfortable clothing suited to the season will make a real difference.

Weather, clouds, and the value of flexibility

The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour - Weather, clouds, and the value of flexibility

Clear skies make a major difference. Clouds can block the Milky Way and reduce what you see through the goggles. A bright moon can also wash out fainter stars, even when the night is otherwise clear.

The company tries to operate each night but makes weather and safety decisions close to departure. Monsoon storms, winter conditions, poor visibility, acts of nature, or area closures can lead to a change or cancellation. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund.

This flexibility matters because a cloudy night can turn a high-priced sky experience into a long wait with limited views. One past participant received a voucher after cloud cover spoiled much of the viewing, while another still enjoyed the mysterious lights and stories despite clouds and a nearly full moon.

I would avoid booking this as your only major Sedona activity on the final night of your trip. Give yourself room to move it if weather becomes uncertain. The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, except when the company cancels under its stated weather or minimum-number policies.

Is $155 a fair price?

The price is high for a 105-minute outdoor activity. You are not paying for transportation, a meal, or a private guide. You also need to supply your own vehicle and share the goggles with another adult.

The value improves if you are genuinely curious about night vision technology and enjoy a lively UFO presentation. The equipment creates an experience you cannot reproduce simply by standing outside your hotel. The small stated maximum group size is another plus, though I would confirm it directly because group size affects the personal feel.

The value drops if your main goal is quiet, traditional astronomy. A local stargazing program led by an astronomer may be better for learning constellations, planets, and accepted explanations for what appears in the sky. This tour gives equal weight to mystery, personal accounts, and unusual lights.

For a couple, the shared goggles can be fun because you compare what each person sees. For a family, children may love the strange lights and the sense of adventure, but younger children need help with the equipment and may tire from standing.

Who should book this Sedona night tour?

Book it if you want something different from jeep rides, canyon overlooks, and daytime red rock stops. It suits curious couples, families with older children, and people who enjoy UFO lore without needing to accept every claim as fact.

It is also a good match if you like active participation. You follow the guide, take turns with the goggles, listen for changes in the sky, and decide what you think you are seeing. The experience is more engaging than simply sitting in a vehicle while someone points out stars.

Think twice if you dislike standing, darkness, shared equipment, or strong supernatural claims. You should also skip it if you want a guaranteed view of the Milky Way. Sedona weather and moonlight can change the night, and no guide can force the clouds away.

FAQ

How long does the Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 45 minutes.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Sedona UFO Tours LLC, 1890 W State Rte 89A, Suite D, Sedona, Arizona. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Do I need my own vehicle?

Yes. You must drive your own vehicle and follow the guide to the viewing locations. Uber, Lyft, taxis, and other transportation cannot be used in place of your own car.

How many night vision goggles are provided?

One pair of upgraded military night vision goggles is provided for every two adults age 11 and older. Children age 10 and under share with an adult and must be assisted at all times.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children may participate, but those age 10 and under must share goggles with an adult and may not physically hold the equipment.

Are restrooms available at the viewing sites?

No. There are no restrooms at the viewing locations, so use facilities before leaving the meeting point.

What should I wear?

Wear closed-toe shoes suitable for gravel, dirt, and uneven pavement. Seasonal outdoor clothing is also important, and heaters are provided during colder months.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You may also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour for the night vision experience and the storytelling, not as a guaranteed UFO sighting or formal astronomy class. Shay’s lively presentation, the three viewing areas, and the goggles create a memorable evening for people who enjoy mystery and spectacle.

Before paying, confirm the current group size, prepare for standing, and check the weather. If you arrive early, bring your own car, wear sturdy shoes, and keep your expectations flexible, this can be one of Sedona’s most unusual nights out.

More like this

Sedona Stargazing Tours, compared.

The full Sedona Stargazing Tours list →
Sedona Stargazing Tours LLC
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 881 reviews· from $89

Sedona Stargazing Tours LLC

Read our review →
The Night Sky Star Story, Galaxy, and Sedona Story Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 243 reviews· from $100

The Night Sky Star Story, Galaxy, and Sedona Story Tour

Read our review →
Nighttime UFO & Stargazing Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.4· 148 reviews· from $160

Nighttime UFO & Stargazing Tour

Read our review →
Sedona Dark Sky Sunset & Night Hike With a Private Guide
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 86 reviews· from $185

Sedona Dark Sky Sunset & Night Hike With a Private Guide

Read our review →
Sedona UFO/Stargazing Tour (price per goggle not per person)
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 47 reviews· from $160

Sedona UFO/Stargazing Tour (price per goggle not per person)

Read our review →
Stargazing Tour with Telescopes and Video Astronomy in Sedona
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 40 reviews· from $125

Stargazing Tour with Telescopes and Video Astronomy in Sedona

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Where to look up

Pick a desert, a summit or a telescope.