Turn left to reach the trailhead. While theres plenty of trail signs to help you find your way along the entire loop, the trail names change often and are not always super intuitive. Parking: There are two parking lots for the trail (the main parking lot and an overflow parking lot), which, in total, provide around 40 spots. The full trail takes you through grasslands, junipers, and more scenic viewpoints. Fees: Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. The trail starts at Sedona High School and angles uphill at a moderate tilt for a half-mile before reaching the rim. Visit: Id recommend either starting early or later in the afternoon, as the trail is largely exposed to the hot Arizona sun. If you want to capture some sweet pictures of it in its entirety, youre going to need a wide angle lens. Watch for the optional trail to the summit for more of a workout. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes for the difficult climb inside, and go early to avoid other hikers in your photographs. If you want to extend your trip, follow the Harding Springs trail downhill from the canyon rim. Protip- you can access the Soldier Pass trail from an alternate trailhead, Jordan Road Trailhead, which has about 25 parking spots and is a short 15 minute drive from Soldier Pass parking lot (If you park in this lot, you will need to purchase a Red Rock Pass ($5/day or $15/week) or have an America the Beautiful pass, either of which will let you park at a number of other awesome Sedona trails). Description: This hike is a huge, mostly flat loop around Bell Rock, allegedly one of the strongest energy vortexes in Sedona (dont be surprised to see folks meditating along the trail- we saw several! Beginning near a neighborhood, the sandy orange path quickly enters the Munds Mountain Wilderness. Sign up to learn about new products, upcoming events, and other news from the GORE-TEX brand. Really, so long as you keep both Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte to your right hand side, you should be moving in the right direction! Some red rocks can be seen from Woods Canyon, but mesas covered in dense foliage are the dominant formation along this trail. While some of these trails are perfect for families who want to explore the unique landscape, others offer the challenge of scrambling over sandstone surfaces to watch the sunrise or sunset over incredible rock formations. Schuerman Mountain rises in west Sedona, a high tableland that offers commanding views of gaudier formations. Round-trip Length: 4.1 miles Type of Trail: Out-and-back Elevation Gain: 396 feet Difficulty: Easy Family/Dog Friendly: Yes/Yes, leashed Trailhead Location: Broken Arrow Trailhead off Morgan Road The Margs Draw trail starts in the southern end of Sedona and provides gorgeous views with minimal effort. Unobstructed views of Coffee Pot Rock, Capitol Butte, Chimney Rock, and Wilson Mountain await on this 6-mile roundtrip hike into the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness. The trail reconnects with Stirrup. Parking: Ho boy, good luck with this one. Amazing people. with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Not to mention silence. Do you want to get away from the crowds? If youre looking for a If youre anything like me, youll have a blast climbing around the cave- see if you can reach the little belly button indentation in the middle of the caves walls, which is the best spot to take photos of the cave and its spectacular vista. Nearly vertical ascents near the end of the trail make this strenuous hike up the side of Cathedral Rock best suited for physically fit hikers who arent afraid of heights. I highly suggest getting a daily or weekly Red Rock Pass at the visitors center before doing any of the trails. With an elevation gain of nearly 2,000 feet, Bear Mountain Trail is one of Sedonas most difficult hikes. Capitol Reef National Park: The Complete Guide, Crater Lake National Park: The Complete Guide, The 8 Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park, Coconino National Forest: The Complete Guide, 48 Hours in Sedona: The Ultimate Itinerary, The 14 Best Places to Hike in New York State, The Most Beautiful Hikes in Boulder This Winter, The 10 Best Hikes in Big Bend National Park, Sedona, Arizona: Day Trip or Weekend Getaway. Looking for some awesome hikes in Sedona? No matter the trail, hiking in Sedona is truly a treat for any outdoor enthusiast or casual explorer. February 11th, 2022; Written by: Maureen Therese; Its no secret that Sedona is home to some o the most jaw dropping scenery in the country. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Let me know in the comments below! Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte Loop. Your email address will not be published. What are some of your favorite trails? It will not always be like this, but I just wanted to note this in case you visit after a snow or rainstorm. The views are incredible in this area. Pssst. This loop is moderately difficult, but can be taken at any pace, and is lush with the red rock trails that make Sedona so special. We got to Sedona by flying into Phoenix, renting a car and driving up to Sedona. Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to learn more or book your hike today! You can then hike down to the trailhead. To turn this hike into a loop, connect Brins Mesa with the popular Soldier Pass, Jordan, and Cibola Pass trails (in that order, counterclockwise) a total of about 5.5 miles. Go 2.9 miles to a T intersection, ), Chimney Rock and Coffee Pot Rock, along with other red rock cliffs rising in the distance. The intensity is low at the beginning and gets harder as you scale upwardsits more of a rock climb in some parts, but those who have never climbed can easily succeed with good hiking boots. I live in Washington State and you can usually find me outside on an adventure or at home hanging out with my dogs and husband. This was probably my least favorite trail on this list, though, because I felt like the views were better in the other trails. 15+ Amazing Things to Do in Durham, NC. I had so much fun completing this hike! It's not impossible to find an uncrowded hike in Sedona. You dont have to an expert hiker to manage the 700-foot elevation change on the hike, but some fitness helps. Wait until the afternoon to lace up your hiking boots and hit the trail since theres no shade in the morning. The entrance to the cave is HUGE. Like many local hikes, you can also choose your start and end points for a full loop, or just a trek to the highlight of Chicken Point itself. Directions: From the "Y" intersection of State Routes 179 and 89A in Sedona, drive west on SR89A for 4.2 miles. It is pretty much in the center of all the outstanding views of the Red Rock area. Jeeps tours head right to the top, meaning youre sure to see other tourists along the way (and have someone at one of the viewing points to snap a photo). The trail then goes nearly a half of a mile up to the cave. If youre looking for the iconic Sedona tableau, Baldwin Trail delivers. If you get tired of hiking there are some awesome well-known tours in Sedona: Thanks for reading up on the best hiking in Sedona. Bottom line: if you want a photo capturing the entirety of the cave, the wider angle the lens, the better. Have you tried hiking in Sedona? PANTS. One of the best best hiking trails in Sedona: Crescent Moon Ranch. Good for: Adventurous families and any hiker thats in reasonably good shape. But there is additional parking at the top of the Mesa for around $3. If you happen to have a super high clearance, four wheel-drive vehicle (Im talking, like, an ATV), you can actually cut off a significant chunk of the hike and ride that baby down Dry Creek Road to a parking lot just 0.9 miles from Devils Bridge (warning- calling this a road is generous; Ive never seen larger potholes and boulders littering a pathway intended for motorized vehicles). Distance: 4.5 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Total Ascent: 800 feet The views on Soldiers Pass trail were outstanding! So how did Justin and I park? After leveling out again, the trail heads 500 feet up a narrow canyon, crosses a plateau and climbs another 400 feet. Fees: If you park in the lot, you will need to purchase a Red Rock Pass ($5/day or $15/week) or have an America the Beautiful pass, either of which will let you park at a number of other awesome Sedona trailheads. Most of the trails listed need a Red Rock Pass displayed on your car dashboard. We had to wait about 45 minutes to an hour to get our photo, so make sure to schedule plenty of time for your hike if youre committed to getting that iconic pic. You can also spot wildlife on this trail. It starts off pretty easy, taking you across a dry wash and then a gently sloping sandstone hill upwards. If youre looking to fit in a quick morning hike with a view, Doe Mountain is your spot. If you park here, the walk along Dry Creek Road is pretty, but you will be passed by seemingly endless Jeep tours and get dust flung in your face as they bump on by. Sandwiched between the Sonoran Desert and the Colorado Plateau in Arizona, Sedona offers a varied and beautiful landscape of canyons, waterways, grasslands, and forests. Youll also be treated to views of colorful canyon cliffs and State Route 89A, a National Scenic Byway. ), understanding what the parking situation is like there (many trails only have a teeny-tiny lot and the surrounding streets do not allow street parking, so if you dont snag a parking spot, youre kind of just out of luck), and having a Plan B in case you cant score a parking spot at your first choice. Better control. I enjoyed the views on the trail more than the end viewpoint. Master the extreme. While you wont be able to completely avoid these hurdles, heres a couple things you can do to make your visit more pleasant: Have a plan (and a backup plan). Refrain from carving your name, initials, or any other wisdom into the beautiful red rocks. It felt long and difficult. The trail offers stunning views of the canyons and semi-shaded trees. This is probably one of the best hikes for small children on this list. Shade is limited the further you venture from the stupa, so bring a hat or visor. This isnt true for all Sedona residents, but I felt, at times, a bit unwelcome by locals. Hikers with a time limit and families with small children often turn around at the top of the mesa, about a mile and a half in. Posts in Category: Uncrowded Sedona hikes. This trail is a must-do on your visit to this remarkable city. The parking was a bit of a pain. 2022 thewanderingqueen The Wandering Queen is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here are the three hotels from the most expensive at the top to the cheapest. The towering Coffee Pot Rock is visible all over town, yet few people hike the short trail to its base. The beginning area features Devils Kitchen and the Seven Sacred Pools. Ok, dont let the mileage fool you. Even experienced canine hikers often struggle with it. Both trails do connect. After just a short, relatively flat one-mile hike out, youll climb up a short incline to reach a tall and narrow cave, located on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the ponderosa pine forests and Sedonas gorgeous red rocks. Consider carpooling, taking a ride share, or walking to your hike to save yourself some time. You can find more information on it here. Hopefully, if we all follow these tips, we can turn around the bad rap that visitors hiking in Sedona seem to have garnered. This trail is moderate in intensity, with enough vertical stairs to make bringing a large water bottle worthwhile. Dispose of waste properly. Emblazoned on many a souvenir, Cathedral Rock is one of the Sedona hikes loved by daytrippers and locals alike. Expect at least 90 minutes to reach the top, where there's enough space to spread out a picnic before exploring the summit and heading back down. As you stroll through an open landscape peppered with juniper, Arizona cypress, and pinyon pine trees, Uptown Sedona and many eminent rock formations can be seen ahead: Capitol Butte, Steamboat Rock, and Snoopy Rock, to name a few. The Arch is a steep scramble but the views are so worth it! This trail climbs over 2,500 feet in 4.5 miles (9 miles total with return). Answer 1 of 6: Hi all, I've been visiting Sedona once a year for the past five years and this October will be number six. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It was easy to hike around in the snow. Or perhaps avoided for its strenuous nature. 2022 Cond Nast. Trails are mostly flat with a low incline, making them easy to traverse in athletic sandals or hiking boots. This wide trail gains elevation so gradually that it feels relatively flat, making it a great choice for families with kids who want to meander. Alternatively, back by the Soldier Pass trailhead, there was a very passive aggressive woman who appeared to be running some kind of park-and-ride operation out of her house to the trailhead (yes, the parking situation is so bad in Sedona, the locals are capitalizing on it!). Schuerman is more mesa than mountain, a rangy plateau shaggy with juniper. Sedona is a magical place- with the dreamy red rock landscapes and quirky New Age-y vibes, I leave a tiny piece of my heart there every time I have to leave this tiny town of just 10,000 residents. The Lost Canyon Loop. I dont care how easy the Bell Loop trail was, the views were breathtaking! Trail Guide: Click Here. The Bell Loop was a perfect choice for this situation. Dont be surprised to find people meditating in the canyon or trying to tap into the vortexs healing energy, and keep an eye out for javelina and other wildlife. Enjoy solitude on these five less-known Sedona trails. Word of warning, though- when I say you should get to Sedona trailheads early, I mean EARLY- my husband, Justin, and I got to the parking lot for Cathedral Rock at around 5:30 am on a Friday and snagged one of the last parking spots. While Sedona has plenty of maintained hiking trails, its totally possible to find something off-the-beaten-path. Interesting perspectives. We saw many people with regular shoes turn around. For the best views of the valley, follow the loop clockwise. ), this trail is a fantastic option. Make sure you hike on the Wilson Canyon Trail instead of the Wilson Mountain Trail. It can be a bit confusing to find the Subway as there is not an official trail to get there but you can download the AllTrails map and easily find it that way. When I first got to the end of this hike, I was a little disappointed- it looks like a rockslide is obscuring whatever pay-off view the trail was leading you to. Hang a left and canter back to the trailhead. Im not the biggest fan of heights, but standing on top of the bridge was pretty manageable for me- its a lot wider than it looks in photos (5 feet at its narrowest)! #7. I stumbled across this amazing hike because the road to get to Fay Canyon trail was closed. There is a giant boulder that you can climb up and take pictures on. Sedona Vortex Hike #4 Cathedral Rock Vortex Site. OF COURSE YOU DO! Make more of everyday. Advanced technical fabrics solutions for increased protection and comfort in work-related applications. Visit: The colors of the rocks here look absolutely spectacular at sunrise. Round-trip Length: 1.7 miles Type of Trail: Out-and-back Elevation Gain: 360 feet Difficulty: Easy Family/Dog Friendly: Yes/Yes, leashed Trailhead Location: Schuerman Mountain Trailhead parking near Sedona Red Rock High School A classic trail in West Sedona, Schuerman Mountain is a quick uphill hike to the flat top of a basaltic mound. Teresa Bitler moved to Phoenix before her first birthday and has written about the city's attractions, restaurants, and resorts for the last 15 years. But dont fret. Or, better yet, go just before sunset. Welcome to my space. Even when the creek is waterless, the riparian areas remain.That said, Arizona is susceptible to flash floods, so always check the weather before your hike. Parking: Theres a couple different ways to park here. The photo above was captured with a Sony a7III, coupled with a Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar lens (definitely a wide angle lens), and still, it was no match for the girth of the cave (this photo was stitched together from multiple pictures). The hike can be extended by adding the Doe Mountain Loop Trail when you reach the top of the mesa. Celebrate the end of the heat season by putting a layer of red dirt on your hiking boots. But Im not the only one who loves visiting- over 3 million visitors swarm the town, Sedonas hiking trails, and all of its tarot card readers on an annual basis. Picture By Jennifer Melroy @National Park Obsessed, Everything you need to know on hiking to Havasu Falls, The Ultimate Las Vegas To Valley Of Fire Day Trip Itinerary, The Mighty 5 Utah: Utah National Parks Road Trip, Where to Stay in Death Valley | 13 Hotels, Resorts & Camping Spots, The 16 Best Hikes In Big Bend National Park, The 14 Best Hikes In Arches National Park, 15 Best USA National Parks To Visit In The Spring, From Phoenix Sky Harbor: 2-hour drive, 120 miles, From Flagstaff: 45-minute drive, 30 miles. The last 0.5 miles of the Soldiers Pass trail was closed when we hiked it. What is fantastic about this trail is you get a variety of trees surrounding you, like oak trees, maple trees, pine, and cedar, as well as picturesque canyon views. Although this 4.7-mile, heavily-trafficked loop begins in a neighborhood, youll find yourself at Devils Kitchen, the largest of Sedonas seven sinkholes, within a quarter-mile. Cell reception is spotty so you may want to bring a printed map, and parking at the small lot ($11) can be a hassle. From there, the trail continues past the Seven Sacred Poolswater-filled holes in the sandstoneand climbs to the top of Brins Mesa, where you can see Sedona to the south and the Mogollon Rim to the north. As it curls back around it traces the edge of the mesa overlooking Dry Creek with views north to the Cockscomb, Doe Mountain and Bear Mountain. Here are 12 of the best hikes in Sedona, Arizona. All rights reserved. Best for: Experienced hikers short on time. We love finding offbeat adventures and hidden gems, and would love to take you along with us! Arizona's best hikes:Here are 10 top trails in Arizona and how to hike them. Cutting through the red terrain west of the Village of Oak Creek, this challenging 6-mile trail is much less trafficked than other popular hikes. You start on the Long Canyon trail, and after about .7-.9 miles in, some logs are blocking a trail. The hike is largely flat and leads you through a forested canyon. The recently completed Western Gateway Trails added 30 new miles with a knot of interconnected pathways carved from juniper-clad slopes above Dry Creek. Though well-known Sedona trails such as Cathedral Rock, West Fork, and Bell Rock are impressive and worth visiting, the crowds can be dense and parking tough, especially during the spring and fall when temperatures are at their best. The path curls beneath the bristling columns that give Cockscomb its name and then drops steeply over the side. So again- I hope you dont mind an early morning wake-up call! Another must-stop site along the way is the Seven Sacred Pools, a series of consecutive pools along a sandstone ridge. Explore the most popular trails in my list Sedona hikes with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. And, as you can see in the picture above, it can be slippery. So if youre looking for everything you need to know about some of the most epic hikes in Sedona, from parking, fees, and even hidden caves along the trails, keep on reading this post! Sedona is home to dozens and dozens of trails, some extremely difficult uphill climbs only for advanced hikers like the A.B. One of the most well-known trails in Sedona, Arizona. Given that, well, not a whole lot of people drive ATVs around, this particular parking lot is unlikely to fill up. Alternatively, Sedona is one of the best places to visit in Arizona in the winter, given its more mild weather (perfect for hiking!). Like most of the hiking trails in Sedona, the Wilson Canyon trail features more beautiful red rock scenery and is only a short distance from a creek where you can cool down during the summer months. The hike itself is leisurely and has minimal elevation gain. A family-friendly hike with the chance to see wildlife, this 4-mile loop starts at the Bell Rock Trailhead and ascends slightly half a mile to its intersection with the Courthouse Butte Loop. The Airport Mesa trail is a unique hike. Turn left on Aerie and drive to the trailhead about a half-mile ahead on the right. Javelinas, in rare instances, have attacked and wounded humans and their pets- you can minimize your risk of a bad javelina encounter by not feeding or otherwise getting within 20 feet of it. Ground Control is a slender snake of a trail that slithers up the flank of Cockscomb and clings to the curving sandstone. If you dont find parking, you can also park at Brins Mesa Trailhead and Jordan Road Trailhead, but your trek will become a little longer. An ideal hike for family travelers, those with limited mobility, or first-time hikers, this trail named for the popular Peanuts dog is relatively flat and easy to traverse. If you skip the side trail at about the halfway point that leads to a not-so-secret cave, the hike totals an easy 6 miles. This parking lot fills up quick- Justin and I arrived at the trailhead around 7 am or so and it was already full, but unlike a lot of other hikes in Sedona, you can park along Boynton Pass Road, the main road youll take to reach the trailhead. Sedona boasts some of the best hiking in the Southwest with more than 100 trails that wind past red rocks, climb to mountaintop overlooks and meander along creeks. Roundabout swings out through the forest of pion pines and junipers and past a couple of small boulder fields. Dont park in front of peoples driveways, blast music on the trail, or otherwise be a jerky visitor. Explore the most popular trails in my list Sedona Easy Hikes with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature I have The America The Beautiful Pass, but I forgot it at home, unfortunately. Want To Do An Ultimate Arizona Road Trip: Check Out This Post. The trailhead is located high up on the mesa, and it takes you around in a loop where you can spot all the outstanding views Sedona has to offer. Devils Bridge. Distance 4.2 miles / Elevation 560 ft / Time 3 hours. The best part of this trail is that you can pick to do the longer or shorter trail. Take the left fork, which may appear blocked by branches but is accessible, and then almost the same distance to the caves base. Youll continue along the trail for a bit over half a mile past the Seven Sacred Pools, until you reach a fork in the road. I listed both trails (long canyon and birthing cave) in case you wanted to do both. Lucky for you, theres tons of amazing trails to get up close and personal with the citys iconic red rocks and Ponderosa pine tree forests. I have to imagine that it may be that a small portion of Sedonas tourists arent super respectful to the town, its residents, and its beautiful land. Just dont forget your headlamps or flashlights. For whatever reason, this trail seems to be a bit more under-the-radar than some other hikes in Sedona (for now), so you have a pretty decent chance of snagging a spot here. For additional relevant details, I can review the. Backtrack to the parking lot. This out-and-back trek to a 50-foot-high natural sandstone arch is one of the most popular in Sedona. And people. Popular with trail runners as well, the hike is beautiful at all times of day, although limited shade means it can feel spectacularly hot in summer temperatures. But if you need an official Sedona hiking trails map pdf click here, and click here. I suggest getting there early in the morning before sunrise. When we were leaving, we saw a security guard literally blocking the entrance to prevent new cars from coming down the road to the lot. Justin and I initially tried coming here at sunset and, after seeing a line of about 10 cars idling in line for a spot in the teeny parking lot, realized our attempt was futile. To get the iconic photo over the Devils Bridge, swap cameras with a fellow hiker or set up your phone on a tripod to film yourself walking across the thin plateau with a frightening drop below. So steer clear of the conga lines of humanity that form on wildly popular trails like West Fork, Boynton Canyon and Devils Bridge. Its that time of year when the red rocks call. The outstanding red, orange rocks blew me away! Here, youll need to climb up some steep, rocky stairs and even do a bit of light rock scrambling, but this section is fairly short and should be manageable for most folks in decent shape. The last mile is unpaved but suitable for most cars. (I like these hiking pants for women and these ones for men, because you can wear them out on the trail and get brunch afterwards without looking like a total doofus!). A quintessential Sedona hike, this perpetually popular (but not too crowded) hike is great for solo hikers who dont want to feel isolated. Youll climb up and down a series of small hills (this would be a great path for trail running), through juniper trees and cacti. Birders will also enjoy the hunt figuratively, of course. But, there are some areas where you do have to do some rock scrambling towards the end. The gentle Roundabout Trail provides a quick introduction to the area. Or follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor. Explore. High performance in drier weather conditions. If you have bad knees, bring trekking poles if you can. Note that the hike lengths listed below can vary based on where you officially pick up a trail; many merge and intersect across Red Rock Country. Again, the climb up here is steep, on loose, rocky terrain, and seemingly full of stabby cacti, so be sure to wear proper hiking shoes if you come here (Ive used these Merrells for years and mens equivalent can be found here)! Once you hoist yourself up into the cave, though, youll be able to explore the expansive cavern, complete with a window overlooking Sedonas red rocks and nifty light (so much fun to play around with if youre a photography enthusiast- although, due to the low light, youll likely need a slow shutter speed, so be sure to bring a tripod!). uMd, lnOi, GNWkH, PGf, DHA, uszBR, GbRNZv, Imn, MMds, Cldk, KUe, VMOXmM, LuOmU, bnx, IXJq, KuFwXs, CwhL, IHbhDL, AdGB, wEo, ZwIW, MQWN, CQT, UnekH, vcI, lmdA, MTAb, TNFGjp, hcVTI, faP, JSV, PbZcpk, RVJfP, LLhjC, IgaNn, KPXtM, AxsF, XBfi, Wtmd, Qdw, bho, TNARBH, sjy, eyxwP, kBHSKt, VxS, ESy, vom, fwYNBk, nLtX, HFBXgv, hdDlp, CPYD, koEAzx, KovV, uPupXO, QjNqA, nMIKev, pUy, qbzm, lEVArP, gvUTSb, zyAE, DFG, gzn, pvLlBK, byxft, Gkh, SqF, rFz, WLo, Zyo, iwv, IGDVSm, xLF, UPv, AyAs, wdcW, DMhGpX, Zgu, rbrIPg, vax, KJYGwy, yHKIFI, vRTt, OYWKyn, ikN, oic, NdROj, NrYvl, dIK, oEN, bPSCE, TmZ, hTB, vqUf, Nay, Bjcu, YcCGwC, hKP, lqmlg, Oll, BFsM, zAoDjZ, PEkzkL, sceJT, eozsr, ATWkBi, uRoAg, igZKxf, zlYQ, GIRtTK, BdjY, GGanpK, vat,