The red dust rising off Schnebly Hill Trail at sunrise does not care about trending lists. But the rest of the travel world is starting to catch up to what off-road riders have known for years: Sedona is something else entirely.
Expedia just made it official. Sedona, Arizona landed at number four on Expedia’s 10 Destinations of the Year for 2027, a list built from real flight and accommodation search data tracking the fastest-growing destinations in the world. Search interest in Sedona jumped 55 percent year over year, and Expedia also awarded the city its Smart Travel Health Check, recognizing Sedona as a destination that manages its tourism thoughtfully and responsibly.
That recognition matters. It means more visitors are coming, and the ones who plan smart will get more out of the landscape than the ones who just drive the main road and stop at the overlooks.
Quick Answer: Sedona ranked #4 among Expedia’s fastest-growing destinations for 2027, with search interest up 55% year over year. A self-guided Honda Talon rental puts you inside the red rock landscape that most visitors only photograph from a distance.
Why Sedona Is Having a Moment
Sedona has always earned its reputation. The sandstone formations that frame every horizon. The canyon systems carved over millions of years into something that looks almost deliberately dramatic. The trails that climb from the desert floor to panoramic overlooks above the Verde Valley.
What has changed is that the wider travel world is paying attention.
Expedia’s data reflects a surge in real trip planning, not just casual browsing. More people are actively searching for flights, booking accommodations, and committing to Sedona as a destination worth the trip. The 55 percent jump in year over year interest is one of the sharpest growth rates on a list of ten global destinations.
For adventure-minded travelers, that context matters. Getting here in 2027 with a real plan to explore beyond the pavement puts you in a category apart from the crowd gathering at the roadside viewpoints.
What Most Visitors Miss
Sedona’s paved roads deliver beautiful scenery. But they are a fraction of what is actually out there.
The backcountry trail network that runs through the Red Rock Ranger District covers terrain that no tour bus or rental car ever touches. This is where the landscape reveals itself at a different scale. Canyon walls that rise directly beside you. Desert washes that cut through ancient geology. Elevated ridgelines with views that stretch across the entire Verde Valley.
Trails like Outlaw Trail, Diamondback Gulch, Vultee Arch Road, Ranch Loop, and Schnebly Hill Trail each cover a distinct character of Sedona’s terrain. Some are broad and immersive. Some are narrow and technically engaging. All of them put you somewhere that the standard Sedona itinerary never reaches.
A self-guided Honda Talon rental from Sedona Off Road Center is how you get there.
What a Self-Guided Honda Talon Rental Gives You
Sedona Off Road Center rents Honda Talon side by side vehicles for self-guided adventures across Sedona’s off-road trail network. Before you head out, the team walks you through route options, current trail conditions, and maps so you know exactly where you are going and what to expect.
From there, the day is yours.
No tour schedule. No group pace. No predetermined stopping points. You decide which trail to ride, how long to linger at each viewpoint, and how deep into the backcountry you want to go. Rental options include shorter rides for travelers working around a broader itinerary and half-day or full-day rentals for riders who want to cover real ground.
Helmets are provided for all riders. Closed-toe shoes are required. If you want eye protection from trail dust, bring your own sunglasses or goggles.
Rental lengths available: 2-hour, half-day, and full-day options.
Riding Responsibly in Red Rock Country
Sedona earned its Smart Travel Health Check from Expedia for a reason. The landscape here is extraordinary because it has been managed carefully, and every rider who follows the rules helps keep it that way.
Stay on designated OHV routes at all times. Sedona’s trail network is mapped and marked, and cross-country travel off marked routes is prohibited throughout the Coconino National Forest. Observe all posted closures. Yield to hikers and other trail users. Pack out everything you bring in.
The backcountry stays open and intact because the people riding through it treat it with care. Be one of those riders.
Book Your Off-Road Adventure Before Sedona Gets Any Busier
With search interest up 55 percent and one of travel’s most respected data sources pointing travelers directly at Sedona, the window to experience the backcountry before the crowds find it is now.
The viewpoints will be full. The main road will have traffic. The trails, for riders who plan ahead and book their Honda Talon rental, will still feel like they belong to you.
Book your off-road adventure at sedonaoffroadcenter.com/rentals or call (928) 284-4735.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Sedona trending as a travel destination in 2027?
A: Expedia ranked Sedona #4 among its 10 Destinations of the Year for 2027 based on real flight and accommodation search data, with interest growing 55 percent year over year. Sedona also received Expedia’s Smart Travel Health Check for responsible tourism management.
Q: What makes a UTV rental the best way to experience Sedona?
A: A self-guided Honda Talon rental gives you access to backcountry trail routes that are completely unreachable by car, along with the freedom to move at your own pace, stop wherever the landscape earns it, and explore the red rock terrain from the inside rather than from a roadside pullout.
Q: How do I book a UTV rental with Sedona Off Road Center?
A: Visit sedonaoffroadcenter.com/rentals to reserve your Honda Talon online, or call the team directly at (928) 284-4735 to discuss trail options, rental lengths, and availability for your travel dates.
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Created on 10-22-26