I always, ALWAYS forget how lucky I am to live next door to Sedona.
I recently went for a hike through the stunning red rocks with a college friend who was visiting for a week, and we checked one of the more popular trails off my bucket list.
While we were weaving through prickly pear and agave, and clamoring over chunks of red rock and through ankle-deep snow drifts, my friend and I overheard myriad languages and accents from other hikers.
Sometimes, I forget Sedona is a world-class hiking destination because I’m so lucky to have it in my backyard.
I thought I’d take a second to write a post that includes some of the more popular easy-to-moderate hikes in the Sedona area that I really enjoy.
Keep in mind that what I consider “easy” and “moderate” may vary for some individuals. If you don’t have any experience hiking, I’d suggest you consult with your doctor or a professional hiking guide to get an understanding of your body and overall fitness levels. Sedona is about 4,350 feet above sea level, and that elevation may affect people in different ways.
A few quick notes: A lot of trailheads in Sedona are pay-to-park: You can use a Red Rock Pass, OR an America the Beautiful interagency pass in lieu of the Red Rock Pass, if you happen to have one. (That’s the National Parks pass, if you’re unfamiliar.)
If you’re hiking in Sedona (or, anywhere, really), please be respectful to both the landscape and to other hikers. Follow Leave No Trace principles — that means PACK OUT your orange peels and pistachio shells! Keep conversations to a reasonable level. Leave your Bluetooth speakers at home. Practice trail etiquette by yielding to uphill hikers, leashing your dogs and abiding by all posted rules. DON’T CARVE INTO THE ROCKS. If a trail says no drones or bicycles, listen. If there isn’t available parking at a trailhead, do not park in the road. Either pick a different trail or use the Sedona Shuttle if it’s running. If you’re driving to and from trailheads in Sedona, be cognizant of other motorists as well.
All the trails I’ve mentioned below are well-marked public trails, but cellphone service may be spotty and general hiking hazards may be present. Pack plenty of water, snacks, a trail map and a first aid kit. Know your limits. Research weather forecasts and trail conditions prior to hiking. Be safe and smart, especially if you’re a novice hiker.
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“EASY” HIKES
These are hikes under 5 miles that can be done in a few hours or less, and don’t have drastic increases in elevation. Some trails might be considered a little more challenging than others.
Fay Canyon: 2.3 miles | 193 feet. This is, in my opinion, a severely underrated trail. It’s a sandy out-and-back and is mostly flat. Tip: Once you reach the “end of trail” sign, keep going! Scramble up those rocks to take in the view. There’s a large parking lot at the trailhead and there’s usually plenty of room for parking.
Bell Rock: 0.8 miles | 203 feet. This is a very short trail with a little bit of climbing at the end, but it’s fairly easy! The lot is pay-to-park but there’s often a decent amount of parking. If 0.8 miles isn’t enough for you, Bell Rock hooks into a network of trails, so you can choose your own adventure.
Airport Loop: 3.2 miles | 416 feet. Trailhead parking is almost always full — so a quick tip: Keep driving up to the airport. Drive past the paid lot across the street from the overlook, and continue until you get to Sedona Airport guest parking. You can park for free there, and then walk down to the trailhead. Just be wary of vehicular traffic.
Robbers Roost: 3 miles | 462 feet. This is an out-and-back trail, and you absolutely need a high-clearance vehicle to get to the parking lot. Otherwise, you can park off the lot and walk to the lot before starting your hike on the trail. Don’t mess with the arch sites.
Brins Mesa: 3.5 miles | 650 feet. There are a TON of trails around the Brins Mesa area, but the one I’m referencing here is a simple out-and-back up to the top of Brins Mesa that results in stunning views. If you park at the Brins Mesa trailhead (you’ll need a high-clearance vehicle to get to the parking lot, which is pay-to-park) and hike the out-and-back trail to the mesa, it’s a fairly moderate trail that results in a 360 view of the Coconino’s Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness area.
Devil’s Bridge: 4 miles | 520 feet. Full disclaimer: Devil’s Bridge is not my favorite because it’s so crowded, but there’s no denying that this is one of Sedona’s more popular hikes, which is why it’s on this list. Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone bridge in the area, and this out-and-back trail will lead you right to the top of it. During peak hiking times, there will often be a long wait (sometimes an hour or two — I’m not exaggerating) to take a photo at the end. The parking situation for this trail depends on your vehicle’s capabilities.
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“MODERATE” HIKES
These hikes can be a little longer, and have a bit more elevation gain to them but nothing drastic. Consider planning for an entire morning or an entire afternoon if you’re embarking on one of these hikes — and bring extra water, sunscreen and snacks!
Cathedral Rock (Trail #170): 1.6 miles | 605 feet. AllTrails lists this one as “hard” since it’s a lot of elevation gain in a short distance, but it’s pretty accessible with rope-railed check steps and only a small amount of moderate scrambling. I believe it’s easily doable as long as you’re wearing good shoes with excellent traction and take breaks as needed! The view at the top is well-worth the climb. The hike brings you to the saddle of Cathedral Rock (which happens to be one of Sedona’s famed energy vortexes) and gives you stunning views from either side.
West Fork of Oak Creek (Trail #108): 6.5 miles | 564 feet. This hike is very popular. Good luck finding parking at the trailhead! The parking lot is managed by a contracted vendor, so it costs money to park, and the parking lot fills up FAST. Either arrive early, use a rideshare service or be patient and wait for a spot in the lot. I know it’s tempting to just park along 89A, but try to avoid doing that. It’s incredibly hazardous. You will have to cross a few creeks and your shoes may get wet: Pick either fast-drying trail runners or waterproof hiking boots.
Boynton Canyon (plus the “Subway Cave”): 7.2 miles | 980 feet. This is another wildly popular hike. The “Subway Cave” portion of Boynton Canyon isn’t listed on the AllTrails guide, because it isn’t an official trail. However, it’s incredibly popular and very easy to find. If you detour to the cave, you’ll add some mileage and elevation to your hike. Since it’s not an official trail, please treat it with the utmost respect. Try to make as little impact on the environment as you can. You will not have the subway cave to yourself, and you will likely have dozens of other hikers around you.
Bell Trail: 7 miles | 600 feet. This is the trail that leads to “the Crack,” a popular swimming hole. The hike is pretty flat but there’s not a lot of shade. If you go in the spring, prepare for very cold water, but if you decide to try this hike in the summer or fall, bring your swimming gear! Because the swimming hole is so popular, prepare for a ton of hikers congregated at the end. There’s an overflow parking lot, so parking isn’t as tough to find here as it is at some other Sedona-area trails.
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I’ll be updating this post every so often with new trails, but I figured I was overdue to post something since I’ve spent a good amount of time now hiking in Sedona.
Happy trails!
This post was originally published Feb. 25, 2024. It was last updated Sept. 26, 2024.
