The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour

Look up, then look again. This unusual Sedona evening pairs high-powered military night vision goggles with stories of UFO activity, dark-sky viewing, and a short guided drive through the red rock country. I like the clever use of the goggles, which can reveal far more stars and moving lights than your unaided eyes, and I like the lively storytelling, especially when Shay is leading the group.

The main drawback is that this is not a quiet, classic astronomy program. The UFO claims are presented with conviction, and skeptical visitors may find some explanations too far-fetched. You also need to stand on uneven ground for much of the experience, share one goggle between every two adults, and drive your own car between locations.

Key Points To Know Before You Go

• Military night vision changes the view: One pair of upgraded goggles is supplied for every two adults over age 11, letting you take turns while resting your neck.
• You follow the guide in your own car: This is not a shuttle tour, so arrive with a personal vehicle and be ready to drive between viewing locations.
• Three night-sky stops create variety: The route includes a first site near Fay Canyon, followed by locations near Cultural Park Place and Crystal Magic Psychic Center.
• Shay brings plenty of energy: Her UFO stories, sky explanations, and easy humor are among the most praised parts of the evening.
• Standing is part of the deal: Chairs may be limited, and some groups have found themselves standing for a long time. Closed-toe shoes are essential.
• Clouds can change the night: The tour depends on clear conditions, and bad weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

What This Sedona Night Tour Is Really About

At $155 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend 105 minutes outdoors. You are paying for specialized equipment, a guide-led experience, and an entertaining approach to the Sedona sky rather than simply finding a dark pullout and looking upward for free.

The goggles are the central attraction. Under normal conditions, your eyes can pick out bright stars and familiar constellations. Military-style night vision can make faint points of light, distant movement, and the shape of the sky much more noticeable. Even if you reject the UFO claims, that change in perspective can be genuinely interesting.

The tone depends heavily on your expectations. If you want a serious astronomy lesson focused on planets, stellar evolution, and precise constellation work, this may not be the right choice. If you enjoy unusual stories, unexplained lights, and a guide who treats the subject with enthusiasm, you are more likely to have a good time.

The strongest part of the experience is its mix of technology and personality. Shay has received especially warm praise for her energy, humor, and ability to keep the evening moving. Her explanations include why some lights are unlikely to be satellites, along with information about the surrounding Sedona area and reported UFO activity.

Still, the subject is presented as more than a playful theme. The guide may identify lights as UFOs or alien craft with complete confidence. That is part of the show, but it can frustrate you if you expect every claim to be supported by conventional evidence. I would approach the tour with curiosity and a sense of humor, not as a scientific investigation.

Meeting At 1890 West State Route 89A

The tour begins at Sedona UFO Tours LLC, at 1890 W State Rte 89A, Suite D. The meeting point is centrally located, but the office can be hard to spot, so give yourself time to find it.

You are asked to arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in. This matters. The group leaves for the first viewing site on schedule, and late arrival can mean a missed tour with no refund, rescheduling, or tour credit unless you have already made contact with the company.

Bring your own vehicle. You will follow the guide’s car from the meeting point to each location, then return to the same starting point at the end. A rideshare, taxi, or drop-off is not suitable for this experience because you must have a car for the route.

The office also includes the Alien Tour Shop and Cafe. If you enjoy unusual souvenirs, plan a little extra time before the start. One useful tip is to arrive early enough to browse rather than trying to squeeze shopping into the check-in period.

The Drive Toward Fay Canyon

Once the group sets off, the route passes Thunder Mountain, Red Rock State Park, Red Rock Crossing, and the road leading toward Fay Canyon. These are not formal sightseeing stops, so you should not expect time to get out, take photographs, or explore each place.

The drive gives the guide a chance to point out features around Sedona and set the mood for the night. It also helps you understand the route before darkness makes the red rock formations less visible. If you are hoping for a sunset stop, that is not the purpose of this tour, although one account described seeing a beautiful sunset just before the evening activity began.

The first viewing location sits near Fay Canyon. This is where the night vision goggles usually become the star of the show. You will be shown how to use the equipment and then look across the sky for stars, constellations, and possible moving objects.

First Viewing Site Near Fay Canyon

The Fay Canyon area provides the first proper pause from the road. You will likely spend a meaningful stretch of time here listening to the guide and looking through the goggles. The equipment is shared, with one pair provided for every two adults over age 11.

Sharing is intentional. Looking straight upward for a long period can strain your neck, and taking turns lets each person rest. It does mean you will not have continuous use of the goggles. If you are traveling with children, those age 10 and under must share with an adult and may not physically hold the equipment because of its cost.

Adults over 18 may also be given an approved star pointer. Younger visitors can take part, but an adult must assist children at all times. Families should decide in advance who will share with whom, since the arrangement is part of the tour rather than a last-minute exception.

The viewing area may include gravel, dirt, or uneven pavement. Closed-toe shoes with a firm sole are the sensible choice. This is not a polished observatory platform, and anyone who has trouble walking or standing should think carefully before booking.

Passing Cultural Park Place And Crystal Magic

After the first site, you continue by car toward the next locations. The route passes Cultural Park Place and Crystal Magic Psychic Center, with the second viewing area near Crystal Magic. You may also pass the street leading to the Amitabha Stupa, but the tour does not visit the stupa.

These driving segments are short pieces of the larger experience, not guided walks. You should stay with the group and follow the lead vehicle closely. The advantage is flexibility: you remain in your own car, keep your belongings with you, and avoid being packed into a bus or van.

The disadvantage is that the evening feels less like a single, settled stargazing session. You stop, stand, look upward, and then relocate. Some people enjoy the changing settings, while others may prefer one comfortable location with seats and more time for astronomy.

The Second And Third Viewing Locations

The later viewing locations near Cultural Park Place and Crystal Magic give the guide more chances to discuss UFO reports and interpret lights in the sky. Each stop adds another setting rather than a completely different activity. The basic pattern remains storytelling, sky watching, and shared use of the goggles.

That repetition can work well if you enjoy the subject. It gives you several chances to spot something interesting and compare what you can see with your unaided eyes. Several people have found the equipment itself fascinating, especially when it reveals stars or the Andromeda Galaxy.

For a traditional stargazing program, though, the astronomy content may feel light. The emphasis is UFO activity, mysterious lights, and personal accounts. If you visit during a notable astronomical event, such as the Perseid meteor shower, you may want to ask how it will be covered. The focus can remain firmly on UFOs rather than on the night’s broader astronomy.

Clouds and moonlight also matter. A nearly full moon can wash out the Milky Way, and cloud cover may limit what you can see. One particularly useful feature is that poor conditions may lead to a voucher for another visit, though weather decisions are made at the company’s discretion. If the sky is your main reason for booking, choose your date with the weather in mind.

Standing, Chairs, And Staying Comfortable

The practical weak spot is seating. The tour information notes heaters during colder months, which is welcome in Sedona’s winter evenings. But the number of chairs can vary, and some groups have had far fewer chairs than people.

You might stand for much of the 105-minute experience. Sitting on the ground is not allowed, so consider bringing a compact personal chair if the company permits it, or ask ahead about available seating. The supplied guidance does not promise a chair for each person.

Wear warm layers in winter and sturdy closed-toe shoes all year. The temperature can feel much colder once you stop moving, especially while looking upward. A neck rest between turns with the goggles is also wise. The equipment is impressive, but your neck may remind you that the sky is directly above you.

There are no restrooms at the viewing locations. Use facilities before leaving the meeting point, since the tour moves among outdoor sites and does not provide private transportation.

Group Size And The Feel Of The Evening

The published maximum is six people, which would make for a small and personal outing. A small group should make it easier to hear the guide, take turns with the goggles, and ask questions.

However, one account described a group of 16 people and only four chairs. Because that differs from the stated maximum, I would confirm the expected group size before paying if a quiet, intimate outing is important to you. Group size affects almost everything here: how long you wait for the goggles, how easily you hear stories, and whether seating feels adequate.

The guide is the other major factor. Shay has earned particularly strong praise for her warmth, humor, and enthusiasm. One person said they could have listened to her for hours. That kind of engaging delivery helps during the standing portions and makes the tour feel more like a live storytelling session than a technical lecture.

Is $155 A Fair Price?

The value depends on what you want to take home. At $155, you are paying a premium for access to specialized night vision equipment and a guide who can turn a dark roadside into a memorable evening. You are not paying for a long drive, a meal, private transport, or an observatory visit.

I think the price is easier to justify if you are excited by UFO stories, want to try military-grade night vision, and appreciate a guide-led experience. It is harder to justify if your goal is simply to see stars, since Sedona offers other ways to enjoy the night sky without this theme or price.

The free gift adds a small extra touch, and winter heaters address a real comfort issue. Still, the shared goggles, possible lack of seating, and short duration should be part of your calculation. At approximately one hour and 45 minutes, the tour is compact rather than an all-night astronomy outing.

Who Should Book This Experience?

I would recommend it to curious first-time visitors, families with older children, couples looking for something different, and anyone who enjoys paranormal stories without needing every claim settled. The night vision equipment gives the evening a clear point of difference, and the setting around Sedona adds atmosphere even when the UFO sightings remain debatable.

It can also work for locals. One family booked it for a child’s ninth birthday and found the experience memorable. The equipment is unusual enough to keep children interested, though younger children need close adult supervision and cannot hold the goggles themselves.

I would be cautious about booking if you dislike standing, have difficulty walking on uneven surfaces, need regular restroom access, or want formal astronomy. Skeptics are welcome, but you should be comfortable hearing extraordinary interpretations delivered seriously.

Audio and video recording are not permitted, and flash photography is prohibited because of the sensitive equipment. Follow those rules carefully or the tour can be cut short.

Cancellation And Weather Rules

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

The experience depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the company cancels because of poor weather or insufficient participation, you should be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. Tour times may shift with sunset, sometimes by 15 minutes and occasionally by as much as an hour, so watch for updates sent through the booking system or by text.

Final Verdict: Book It If You Want A Story, Not A Laboratory

Book this tour if you want a lively, unusual Sedona night with impressive goggles, UFO tales, and a guide who brings real enthusiasm to the subject. The best part is not proving that every light is an alien craft. It is seeing the night sky in a new way and enjoying the conversation that follows.

Skip it if you want a quiet, seat-filled astronomy lesson or if standing outdoors is difficult. Before booking, confirm the group size, ask about seating, arrive 30 minutes early, and bring your own car. With those details sorted, this can be a memorable change of pace from Sedona’s usual daytime hikes and scenic drives.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts approximately one hour and 45 minutes, including the drive between the meeting point and the viewing locations.

Where does the tour begin and end?

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

Do I need my own vehicle?

Yes. You must use your own vehicle and follow the guide to the viewing locations. Rideshares, taxis, and similar drop-offs are not accepted for this activity.

How many night vision goggles are provided?

One pair is provided for every two adults over age 11. Children age 10 and under share with an adult and must be assisted at all times.

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 happens if the weather is poor?

The tour may be canceled because of bad weather. In that case, you should be offered a different date or a full refund. Cloud cover during the tour may also affect what you can see.