Sedona is a haven for adventurers full of vortexes, red rocks, and some of the best hiking trails. It was one of those places with beauty at every turn. Just driving through town and seeing the Red Rocks all around you was jaw-dropping and stunning. Researching the hikes in the area takes time and effort, so I wanted to compile a list of the best hikes with the details to make planning your trip easier.
If you are planning a trip to Red Rock country, below I have listed the best hikes in Sedona along with some other details that are important to know.
How to Get to Sedona, Arizona
Most Sedona visitors choose to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport because it is the closest major International airport. It is a 2-hour drive (119 miles) to Sedona from the Phoenix airport. Another option is the Flagstaff Airport, which is about a 40-mile drive to Sedona.
When is the Best Time to Visit Sedona?
September to March (so fall and spring) tends to offer the best weather for hiking in Sedona. If you can, avoid summer as the temperature can get up to 100° weather.
What is a Red Rock Pass and Do You Need One?
Most of these hiking trails require a Red Rock Pass.
The Forest Service created the Red Rock Pass program to help keep Sedona trails as maintained as possible. Sedona hiking trails tend to need plenty of maintenance due to the popularity of the travel destination. So, the money earned from the program helps keep the trails in great condition.
The daily Red Rock pass is $5, the weekly pass is $15, and the annual pass is $20. You can purchase a Red Rock pass online or in-person at the parking lots that require one.
Best Hikes In Sedona
Cathedral Rock
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Hiking Distance: 1.2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 741 feet
- Trailhead Location: 34°49’30.7″N 111°47’18.3″W
Details: This trail is short but primarily uphill. The amazing views, in the end, make the uphill climb 100% worth it. Be sure to go around the left-hand side to the front and climb up to an additional viewpoint. The parking lot gets full quickly, so I would opt to be there as early as possible.
Devils Bridge via Chuckwagon Trail
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Hiking Distance: 5.7 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 728 feet
- Trailhead Location: Dry Creek Road, 34.9028° N, 111.8138° W
Details: If you have a high clearance 4WD vehicle, you can take Dry Creek Road and park at the Devils Bridge Trailhead. The Chuckwagon Trail offers beautiful views until you reach the Devils Bridge Trailhead. Just follow the signs along the path which is fairly flat along the way.
Boynton Canyon and the Subway Cave
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Hiking Distance: 6 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 738 feet
- Trailhead Location: Boynton Canyon Trail, 34°54’27.6″N 111°50’56.7″W
Details: Once you hike past the resort, about 2 miles from the trailhead, veer right off the main trail to follow the creek bed until you reach an area with a small gap between walls up above you. This will lead you to the Subway Cave which is considered a “secret” cave off the beaten path.
Birthing Cave
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Hiking Distance: 2 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 291ft
- Trailhead Location: Long Canyon Trailhead 34°54’46.9″N 111°50’10.0″W
Details: Its teardrop shape is what makes the Birthing Cave hike so unique. It is thought to have healing powers and bring about healthy pregnancies, so people will travel to experience the cave. Be quiet and respectful of others while here whether you believe in its powers or not. Due to the limited space and how wide the cave is, you will need a wide-angle lens (phone or camera) if you wish to get the whole cave in a photo.
You will continue hiking for about 0.6 miles until you reach a fork. Go left towards the red cliffs. Once you get up close, keep an eye out for a small hiking trail that will lead directly to it. The last part of the trail is steep.
Soldiers Pass
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Hiking Distance: 4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 650 feet
- Trailhead Location: 34°53’03.4″N 111°47’01.8″W
Details: You will follow the path at the start of the trail until you reach Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole about 1/4 of a mile in. As you continue past the sinkhole and go about another 1/4 mile, you’ll come up to the Seven Sacred Pools. When you see a tree with a sign tacked to it reading “Wilderness Area,” follow the fork to the right and climb up to some secret arches!
Bell Rock
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Hiking Distance: 0.8 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 600 feet
- Trailhead Location: Courthouse Vista
Details: From the Courthouse Vista parking lot, you will continue on to the Bell Rock Access Trail and then take the Bell Rock climb to get up to the top for the panoramic views. Another option is the Bell Rock loop trail.
Merry Go Round Rock (Carousel Rock)
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult
- Hiking Distance: 6.4 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1299 feet
- Trailhead Location: Munds Wagon Trail
Details: While this trail gains quite a bit of elevation, it is a gradual and steady climb. When you get to Merry-Go-Round Rock, you get amazing panoramic views of Bear Wallow Canyon and Munds Mountain.
Bear Mountain
- Difficulty Level: Difficult
- Hiking Distance: 4.9 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 1,975 feet
- Trailhead Location: 34.8983127,-111.874322
Details: The trail sometimes becomes faint, but keep your eyes peeled for white diamonds painted by rangers on the red rocks that will lead you straight to the top. This trail offers panoramic views of Sedona. If you go at sunrise, you might even see some hot air balloons for the perfect morning!
Doe Mountain
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Hiking Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 511 feet
- Trailhead Location: Doe Mountain / Bear Mountain Parking Lot
Details: This is one of the easiest trails in Sedona that offers beautiful 360-degree views of Sedona!
Fay Canyon
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Hiking Distance: 2.6 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 383 feet
- Trailhead Location: Fay Canyon Trailhead
Details: This is a short scenic hike through a canyon. About 0.5 miles into the hike, you can take a side trail and hike to a natural stone arch. This side trail is not marked, but it will be on the right side with a pile of rocks at the entrance. It is marked on All Trails as well which can help you locate when to turn off.
When the actual trail ends, you can scramble up some rocks for a beautiful view of Fay Canyon.
Other Sedona Trails:
- Airport Mesa: 3.2-mile loop.
- Courthouse Butte Loop / Bell Rock Pathway: 3.9-mile loop.
- Teacup/ Sugar Loaf Summit: 1.9 miles round trip.
- Marg’s Draw: 4 miles roundtrip.
- Oak Creek Canyon – West Fork Trail: 7.8 miles roundtrip.
- Loy Canyon Trail to Loy Butte – 9.8-miles roundtrip.
Sedona is one of those beautiful places that I plan to travel to many more times in my life. I hope you fall in love with all the area has to offer and enjoy planning your trip with some of the best hikes in Sedona!
xx,
Ashley
Related Reading: Grand Teton National Park / Big Bend National Park
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