The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour

The most unusual part of this Sedona evening is the military-grade night vision equipment. Through the goggles, stars appear brighter and distant lights take on a strange, green-tinted clarity. Your guide, often Shay, points out constellations, explains what you are seeing, and shares UFO stories tied to the Sedona area. You may spot something you call an alien craft, or simply enjoy a new way to look at the sky.

I like two things right away: you move between several viewing sites instead of staying beside a shop, and the tour keeps its group size small, with a listed maximum of six. The heaters in cold weather are a thoughtful touch, too. The main drawback is practical: you must drive your own vehicle, and standing on gravel or uneven ground can become tiring.

Key things to know before you book

• The goggles are shared: One pair is supplied for every two adults age 11 and older, so you take turns rather than using one continuously.
• You drive in a small convoy: Meet at Sedona UFO Tours on West State Route 89A, then follow the guide to the viewing areas.
• Three viewing areas add variety: The route includes a site near Fay Canyon, another near Cultural Park Place, and one near Crystal Magic.
• Shay brings the energy: The guide’s presentation mixes constellation instruction, UFO stories, local references, and personal enthusiasm.
• Expect uneven ground and limited seating: Closed-toe shoes are required, and bringing a portable chair may make the night more comfortable.
• Weather matters: Cloud cover, moonlight, monsoon storms, winter weather, or area closures can affect the experience.

Looking through the goggles at Sedona’s night sky

Sedona already gives you dramatic red rock by day. At night, the focus shifts upward. The Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour uses military night vision goggles to show the sky in a way your unaided eyes cannot.

The equipment is the star attraction, even for someone who does not accept every UFO explanation. The goggles can make stars, distant lights, and moving objects easier to notice. You might see the Andromeda Galaxy, constellations, and bright points that are hard to pick out with ordinary vision. The greenish night-vision view is also simply fun. It feels more hands-on than a standard stargazing talk.

The UFO part is presented seriously. Shay explains unusual lights and shares stories of activity around Sedona. The experience will suit you best if you enjoy an open-minded conversation about unexplained sights. If you prefer a strictly scientific astronomy program, you may find some of the claims too certain or the stories too long.

That difference in tone matters. Some people will enjoy learning how to distinguish satellites from other objects and hearing local accounts. Others may feel that ordinary satellites are being described as alien craft. I would book this for curiosity and entertainment, not as a formal astronomy class or proof of extraterrestrial life.

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 and intended to be easy to find, though allowing extra time is wise because the office can be less obvious than expected.

You need to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start. This is not a casual walk-up activity. The guide has to check everyone in and get the group moving to the first site. A late arrival can mean missing the convoy, and the stated policy treats an uncommunicated late check-in as a no-show with no refund, rescheduling, or tour credit.

Bring your own car. The tour does not include private transportation, and you cannot arrive by Uber, Lyft, taxi, or another ride service. After check-in, you follow the guide’s vehicle to the viewing areas. This setup gives you control over your departure and belongings, but it also means you need to be comfortable driving at night and keeping up with the group.

The activity ends back at the original meeting point. You do not need to arrange a separate ride home from the final viewing area.

Following Thunder Mountain toward Fay Canyon

The drive begins with views of Thunder Mountain and passes familiar Sedona landmarks. You pass the road leading toward Fay Canyon and continue toward the first viewing location beside the Fay Canyon area.

This first stop gives the evening its clearest sense of place. You are outside the center of town, near the red rock country that makes Sedona famous, and the guide begins directing attention away from streetlights and toward the sky. The setting helps explain why the tour uses more than one site: moving away from central lights can make stars easier to see.

At the site, you receive the night vision equipment and learn how to use it. One goggle is provided for every two adults over age 11. That arrangement is intentional. Looking upward for a long time can strain your neck, and sharing allows one person to rest while the other watches.

Children age 10 and younger share with an adult and must be assisted at all times. They may not physically hold the goggles because of the cost of the equipment. Adults over 18 can also use an approved star pointer, which helps the guide identify objects overhead.

There is no restroom at the viewing location. Keep that in mind before leaving the meeting point, especially if you are traveling with children or plan to drink something at the tour shop.

Two more stops near Cultural Park Place and Crystal Magic

After the Fay Canyon area, the convoy continues to two more viewing locations. One is near Cultural Park Place, and another is near the Crystal Magic Psychic Center along or near 89A. The route also passes the street leading toward the Amitabha Stupa, but the stupa is not part of the tour.

These stops are useful because the sky can look different from one position to the next. The guide continues the discussion of UFO activity and points out stars and moving lights. You may find that one location offers a better view of a particular section of sky, while another gives the talk a different local reference point.

Do not expect three major sightseeing attractions. These are viewing areas, not monuments or formal observatories. The value comes from the combination of location, equipment, and narration. You are moving through Sedona at night to look upward, not collecting a checklist of landmarks.

The route also adds a small amount of adventure. You are not sitting on a bus while someone handles everything for you. You check in, drive behind the guide, park, walk over uneven pavement, gravel, or dirt, and take part in the setup. That active format is appealing if you like a simple outing with a bit of mystery. It is less suitable if you want a polished, seated program.

What Shay’s presentation adds

Shay receives especially strong praise for her energy, friendliness, and ability to keep the evening moving. Her style is enthusiastic and story-driven. She talks about the surrounding area, explains what to watch for, and shares her own experiences with unusual lights.

The best part of the narration is its accessibility. You do not need to know astronomy before arriving. The guide can help you identify constellations and understand why certain objects are not satellites based on their apparent movement or position. That makes the experience more than simply passing around goggles.

The presentation is not neutral in the academic sense. Shay is enthusiastic about UFO activity, and the tour’s theme shapes how lights in the sky are interpreted. If you enjoy a strong point of view, that is part of the fun. If you need every claim backed by conventional evidence, keep your expectations in check.

I would describe the tone as part stargazing lesson, part local mystery show. The best approach is to enjoy the sky first and treat the UFO stories as a lively invitation to think about what you are seeing.

Sharing goggles, pointers, and chairs

The equipment policy deserves careful attention before you pay $155 per person. One pair of upgraded military night vision goggles is supplied for every two adults over age 11. You will not each receive your own pair.

That sharing arrangement can work well for couples and families. One person watches while the other relaxes, then you trade places. It also helps reduce neck strain. Still, if you are booking mainly for uninterrupted personal use of night vision, the arrangement may disappoint you.

Adults over 18 receive access to an approved star pointer. The pointer gives you a better chance of following the guide’s explanations, but it is not a personal souvenir or an item you operate freely throughout the evening.

Seating is another variable. The tour provides some chairs, and heaters are used during colder months, but the available seating may not match the full group. Several accounts describe a lot of standing, and one especially negative experience describes a much larger group than the advertised maximum of six. Since the formal maximum is six, that larger report may reflect a particular operating condition, but I would still prepare for time on your feet.

A lightweight folding chair is a sensible addition if you have room in your car and the operator permits you to bring it. At minimum, wear supportive closed-toe shoes. Sandals and delicate shoes are poor choices on gravel or dirt after dark.

Weather, moonlight, and what you may actually see

This is an outdoor activity, so the sky controls the quality of the evening. Cloud cover can block stars and make the night vision experience less impressive. A bright moon can also wash out the Milky Way, even when the weather is clear.

One account describes clouds clearing enough to continue, but the nearly full moon still reduced the view of the Milky Way. That is a useful warning: clear does not always mean ideal. The tour can still be enjoyable under less-than-perfect conditions, especially because the guide’s stories and the goggles remain part of the program, but you should not expect a perfect star field every night.

The company attempts to operate nightly and makes weather decisions close to departure when needed. Monsoon and winter periods can bring special weather rules. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. A minimum number of participants is also required, and a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date or a refund.

If the sky is your main reason for booking, check the forecast and keep your schedule flexible. If you are visiting during a full moon, expect a different experience from a moonless night. The tour may still show bright objects through the goggles, but faint stars and the Milky Way may be harder to see.

Is $155 a fair price?

At $155 per person, this is not a bargain stargazing walk. You are paying for specialized night vision equipment, a guide, access to several viewing areas, a small-group format, and the unusual UFO focus. The price also includes a free gift and access to the Alien Tour Shop and Cafe.

The value depends on what you want. If you are looking for an ordinary dark-sky view, you may find less expensive ways to sit outside and look up. If you want a hosted experience with military night vision goggles and a strong UFO theme, the price is easier to justify.

The small listed group size helps. A maximum of six should give you more room to ask questions and follow the guide’s pointing. The shared goggles reduce the value slightly for solo bookers, since you pay the full per-person rate but share equipment with another adult.

Couples may get the best practical use from the setup because sharing one goggle feels natural. Families can enjoy it, too, but younger children require close adult help, and anyone hoping for a chair should plan ahead.

Who will enjoy this Sedona night tour?

I would recommend it to you if you like unusual local stories, outdoor activities, and a little uncertainty. It works well for couples, families with older children, and curious visitors who want an evening that is different from a standard sunset viewpoint.

It is also a good fit for people who are skeptical but willing to play along. You can enjoy the night sky, learn how the guide identifies objects, and decide for yourself how convincing the UFO explanations are. You do not need to arrive as a believer.

I would think twice if you have difficulty standing or walking on uneven ground. The tour is not recommended for that situation, and there are no restrooms at the remote viewing site. I would also skip it if you want a quiet, formal astronomy lecture or guaranteed personal use of the goggles.

The activity is offered in English and confirmation arrives at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation, but public transportation cannot replace your own vehicle for the actual tour.

Practical booking advice for a smoother night

Plan to arrive early, use the restroom before departure, and bring a warm layer even if the afternoon feels mild. Winter heaters help, but you will still be outside, and desert temperatures can change quickly.

Wear closed-toe shoes with a firm sole. Gravel, dirt, and uneven pavement are part of the setup. A portable chair may be worth bringing if you are comfortable carrying it from your car.

Do not plan to record the experience. Audio and video recording are not permitted, and flash photography is prohibited because of the sensitive equipment. Breaking that rule can end your tour early.

Tour times can shift with sunset, sometimes by 15 minutes and in some cases by as much as an hour. Check messages before leaving your hotel and confirm the current departure time. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book the Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour?

Book it if you want military night vision goggles, lively UFO storytelling, and a hands-on evening outside Sedona. The experience has a clear personality, and Shay’s enthusiastic delivery adds warmth and humor to the night.

Do not book it expecting a silent observatory, a guaranteed UFO sighting, or an individual pair of goggles. You will drive yourself, share equipment, stand on uneven ground, and accept the guide’s strong interest in extraterrestrial explanations.

For the right audience, the tour offers more than a dark sky. It gives you a new way to look upward, a reason to pay attention to moving lights, and an entertaining Sedona story to take home. At $155, I would call it a specialty experience rather than a universal must-do, but it is a fair choice for curious people who want their stargazing with a little mystery.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, though timing can vary with sunset, weather, check-in, and conditions at the viewing areas.

Where does the tour begin and end?

You meet 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 use your own vehicle and follow the guide to the viewing locations. Uber, Lyft, taxis, and other transportation services cannot be used for the tour.

How many viewing locations are included?

The route includes three viewing areas: one adjacent to Fay Canyon, one near Cultural Park Place, and one near Crystal Magic.

Do I get my own night vision goggles?

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

Are restrooms available at the viewing location?

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

What should I wear?

Wear closed-toe shoes because you may walk on uneven pavement, gravel, or dirt. Warm clothing is also useful in colder months, when heaters are provided.

Can I take photos or record the tour?

Audio and video recording are not permitted. Flash photography is also prohibited because of the sensitive equipment.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.