Night vision goggles turn Sedona’s sky into a different world. This Original Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour mixes real astronomy talk with campfire-style UFO storytelling, all while you scan for constellations you can usually miss.

Two things I really like about this tour are the upgraded military night-vision goggles and the energetic, hands-on guidance from hosts such as Shay and Chey. One thing to weigh first: it’s mostly standing on uneven pavement/gravel, with limited seating, and there are no restrooms at the viewing locations.

Quick take: what makes this tour work in Sedona

• Military-grade night vision goggles let you see far more than the naked eye
• Three viewing areas across Sedona, including near Fay Canyon and Crystal Magic
• Heaters in winter so you are not freezing while you look up
• Small group size (max 6) keeps it more personal than a big bus tour
• Strict rules on check-in and no flash/recording keep the gear safe and the night on schedule

Price and logistics: what you pay for (and what you must do)

At $155 per person for about 1 hour 45 minutes, this is not a budget “walk around and point at stars” kind of tour. The price mostly covers the gear and the guided nighttime hosting: you get upgraded military night-vision goggles and a guide who talks you through what you’re seeing (and what you might be mistaking for something else). You’re also paying for convenience in the form of a planned route and multiple stops, which helps because Sedona’s light pollution and sky conditions can vary fast.

The tradeoff is that this is not a tour where you show up and get picked up. You’ll start at Sedona UFO Tours LLC at 1890 W State Rte 89A Suite D, then you’ll use your own vehicle to follow the guide to the viewing spots. That means no Uber, Lift, or taxi. If you don’t drive, plan on that early, because you’ll be stuck without a ride once the tour begins.

Check-in is also firm. They ask you to arrive 30 minutes early to check in, and late arrivals are treated as no-shows with no refund or reschedule. So if you want an easy night, give yourself extra time to park and find the office.

Your first stop: meeting at 1890 W State Rte 89A (and what to do before dark)

You’ll meet at the Sedona UFO Tours LLC office on State Route 89A in Suite D. Arrive early enough to do two things that help later: get oriented, and avoid rushing in the cold (or before the lights go down). The tour also mentions an Alien Tour Shop & Cafe, which is a nice way to kill time if you want a snack or to browse before heading out.

One practical tip: the address is clear, but at night, Sedona roads can feel busy and confusing. If you’re arriving from out of town, I’d rather you confirm parking access and the exact suite number during daylight. There’s at least one case of the office being harder to find in the dark, and that’s exactly the moment you want zero stress.

The drive-by scenic part: Thunder Mountain, Red Rock crossings, and Fay Canyon-adjacent dark spots

This tour is built around movement. You follow the guide from the meeting point to the first viewing area, passing well-known Sedona scenery along the way. The tour description includes stops around Thunder Mountain (as you travel to the first spot) and road segments near Fay Canyon.

The first viewing location is adjacent to the Fay Canyon area. That matters because “dark enough to see stars” isn’t a yes-or-no thing in Sedona. You’re trying to land in a pocket where the sky is better and the background glare is less. Your odds improve when the guide selects sites along Route 89A and nearby areas rather than just setting up in one place.

You’ll also pass Red Rock crossings on the way. In daylight, that looks like scenery. At night, it’s about access: these roads make it possible to reach safe pull-offs for small groups.

Night vision goggles: how they change what you think you see

This is the centerpiece. You’re provided night vision goggles, described as upgraded and military-grade. You get one pair per two adult travelers (age 11 and up), meaning there’s shared viewing time unless you’re traveling in a group of two adults.

Why this matters: night-vision viewing makes the sky feel closer. Several people highlight that the goggles make stars and targets look “wild” compared to the naked eye. Some also report seeing familiar objects more clearly, like the Andromeda galaxy, which is a huge win if you’ve never seen it before.

There’s also an important physical reality: using night vision usually means a lot of looking upward. One review specifically called out neck strain from staring at the sky for too long. If you’re prone to neck pain, plan to switch viewing spots frequently and take short breaks between each explanation.

One more tool: adults over age 18 are provided an approved star pointer. That can help you keep track of what the guide is identifying, especially when you’re juggling goggles and cold hands.

Stop near Fay Canyon: start with stars and UFO stories, not a lecture

At the Fay Canyon-adjacent location, you park, put on the goggles, and start scanning right away. This is where the tour aims for that immediate sense of wonder: millions of stars and constellations that become easier to spot with the night vision.

Then the guide layers in the UFO narrative. The tour experience describes tales of UFO activity over Sedona at each stop. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, the way it’s framed is the point: you’re not just staring at dots. You’re being asked to notice patterns, compare what you see to common sky objects, and consider why lights might look “wrong” through the goggle view.

Also, plan for standing. The tour notes that it may not be recommended for travelers who have difficulty standing or walking, and several comments mention limited seating. If you need to sit often, bring a strategy: ask early about what’s available, and wear shoes with real traction.

Stop near Cultural Park Place: the “different pocket of sky” effect

After Fay Canyon, you move to the next viewing area near Cultural Park Place. This stop is important for one reason: Sedona’s night-sky visibility can change fast depending on where you park. Even if the sky overhead looks similar, the background glare and the angle of sight can make a big difference.

This is also where the story pacing keeps you engaged. The guide continues sharing UFO activity stories tied to what you’re seeing. You’re not just following a script—you’re getting explanations that connect the sky objects in front of you with what people associate with UFO sightings.

One practical note: because the tour runs for about 1 hour 45 minutes total, you’re not stuck at any one stop for a whole afternoon. You get time to look, listen, and reset as you travel between locations.

Stop near Crystal Magic Psychic Center: where the narrative leans into Sedona mythology

Your next viewing location is described near Crystal Magic Psychic Center, with the route including passing by that area on the drive. This is where Sedona’s reputation shows up most: not just red rocks and stargazing, but the whole UFO/woo/old-stories vibe that Sedona has become known for.

The tour keeps the focus on the sky using night vision while the guide tells UFO tales tied to Sedona. If you want a tour that takes the topic seriously as a story tradition, this is the stop that delivers that mood. If you want pure astrophotography facts, you might find the UFO talk a lot. But even then, night vision still does the heavy lifting for the viewing portion.

You’ll also pass by the road you’d take to see the Stupa, but the tour does not go to the Stupa. So if you’re hoping to add a bonus religious landmark, plan that separately.

Weather, moonlight, and why some nights look better than others

This tour is weather-dependent. It says they attempt to run every night, but they may make decisions due to weather, acts of God, or specific area closures. Inclement weather can also change timing around check-in.

Two weather factors are especially relevant for stargazing:

• Cloud cover can erase the Milky Way and hide faint targets.
• Moonlight can wash out detail, even when it’s technically clear.

One review mentioned cloud cover and an almost full moon affecting Milky Way visibility, but the experience still included mysterious distant lights and clear storytelling. Another review said cloud cover led to a voucher to return. I can’t promise that exact outcome every time, but I do think it’s fair to expect that not every night will be equally crisp.

So here’s the practical mindset: if your main goal is the Milky Way at its sharpest, pick a night with a better forecast and lower moon. If your goal is the night-vision experience plus a guided UFO-themed sky story, you’ll likely be happy even if the sky is partly clouded.

What to wear and bring: the comfort details that decide whether you’ll enjoy it

Sedona nights can swing cold fast, and this tour acknowledges that with heaters in winter. Still, you’re outside on uneven pavement/gravel or dirt, and closed-toe shoes are required. Bring layers: a hoodie won’t cut it if you’re standing still for long stretches.

Because the tour can involve extended looking upward, consider eye and comfort fixes:

• Wear a hat or something that blocks wind.
• Swap goggles viewing time if you share.
• Take short breaks when the guide finishes a segment.

Seating is a sore spot. Some comments mention limited chairs and a preference for standing rather than sitting, plus one mention that sitting on the ground wasn’t allowed. That doesn’t mean you’ll be standing every second of the tour, but it does mean you should not count on cushy comfort.

If you’re able to do so, bringing a small personal chair would be ideal in your mind—just note the tour’s rules about where you can sit. Since the rules aren’t spelled out beyond not allowing ground sitting, I’d treat seating as “limited” and pack for standing.

Group size: why the max of 6 feels like the sweet spot

This tour caps at 6 travelers, and that changes the vibe. It’s not a huge group where you can’t hear the guide. It also makes the goggle sharing more manageable and helps the guide control lighting and safety.

That small-group model is also one reason the tour can switch between three viewing locations without turning into a chaotic convoy.

UFO stories vs real stargazing: how to decide what you want from the night

This is where expectations matter. The tour name says UFO, but the experience also includes stargazing and constellations. In the conversations about what you see, some people liked the science framing—like explanations about why certain lights aren’t satellites because of their orbital height.

Other people felt the UFO narrative was longer or too outlandish, and a few wished more time went to astronomical highlights like meteor showers (one review mentioned the Perseids and said it wasn’t discussed).

So ask yourself: do you want a night that balances both, or do you want a purely astronomy-first show? If you like guided storytelling that still points at real sky objects, this will likely land well. If you only want facts about planets, stars, and meteor activity, you might find the UFO framing takes up space.

Either way, the goggles make the star aspect real. Even if you tune out the UFO talk, you’re still getting a different view of the night sky than most first-time stargazers ever see.

Who this tour is perfect for (and who should pass)

I think this tour is best for:

• First-time visitors to Sedona who want a signature night activity
• People who love a guided story as much as they love the sky
• Couples or small groups comfortable driving to set locations
• Anyone who’s curious about UFO sightings but open to learning what else might explain lights

It’s less ideal if:

• You have trouble standing or walking (uneven ground and long viewing time)
• You need restrooms nearby (none at the viewing locations)
• You’re not okay with strict rules about timing and electronics (no flash, no recording)
• You hate the idea of sharing goggles and taking turns

Value check: is $155 worth it?

For many Sedona activities, $155 buys transportation and a view. Here, you’re buying gear time (night vision goggles), a guide who talks the sky and the UFO topic, and the ability to visit multiple viewing sites rather than one spot.

That makes it feel closer to a tech + guided experience than a standard sightseeing tour. The small group limit also helps the value because you’re not stuck behind a crowd.

The value weakens a bit if you arrive late, are expecting lots of seating, or come for purely astronomy facts with minimal UFO storytelling. But if you align with the tour’s actual format—goggles first, guided narrative, multiple Sedona sky pockets—the price starts making sense quickly.

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

Book it if you want:

• A night-vision stargazing experience that feels hands-on
• A guided night that blends sky objects with Sedona UFO storytelling
• A small-group tour with multiple viewing stops

Skip it if:

• You want a restroom-friendly, mostly seated stargazing program
• You can’t drive and follow a guide in your own car
• You’re easily turned off by UFO talk and prefer strict astronomy-only explanations

If you’re on the fence, pick a date with clear skies and check your moon phase plans. Then show up early, wear shoes you can stand in, and treat it like a guided night adventure rather than a quiet lecture. That’s when it really pays off.

FAQ

How long is the Sedona UFO and Stargazing Night Tour?

It runs about 1 hour 45 minutes.

How much does the tour cost per person?

The price is $155.00 per person.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Sedona UFO Tours LLC, 1890 W State Rte 89A Suite D, Sedona, AZ 86336.

Do I need my own vehicle?

Yes. You’ll follow your guide to the viewing locations, and they do not allow Uber, Lift, taxi, or other transportation in place of your own vehicle.

Are night vision goggles included?

Yes. Night vision goggles are included, with one pair provided per two adults over age 11.

Are heaters provided?

Yes, heaters are provided during colder months.

Are there restrooms at the viewing locations?

No. There are no restrooms at the viewing locations.

Can I record video or take photos with flash?

No. Audio and video recording are not permitted, and flash photography is also not permitted.

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 6 travelers.