If you have spent any time researching Sedona, you already know the hiking is supposed to be good. What you might not know until you actually get here is just how good. Sedona sits inside one of the most dramatic landscapes in North America, and the trail network that runs through it gives you access to red rock formations, canyon views, creek crossings, and vistas that genuinely stop you in your tracks.
This is not a list of every trail in Sedona. It is the list of trails worth your time, organized by what kind of experience you are looking for, with honest notes on difficulty, crowds, and what makes each one worth doing.
A few things that will save you headaches:
Red Rock Pass. Most Sedona trailheads require a Red Rock Pass, which you can purchase at trailhead kiosks or online through the Coconino National Forest. Day passes run $5 to $7. If you are visiting for more than a few days, the annual America the Beautiful pass covers it and works at national parks across the country.
Go early. Sedona draws over three million visitors a year. The most popular trails, particularly Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Devil’s Bridge, fill up fast. Arriving by 7 or 8am on weekends makes a significant difference in both parking and experience. Weekday mornings are even better.
Weather. Sedona is hikeable year-round. Summers are warm but manageable at elevation, especially in the mornings. Winters are mild and often the most beautiful time to be on the trails. Monsoon season runs July through September and brings afternoon thunderstorms. Start early and be off exposed ridges by noon during that period.
Water. Carry more than you think you need. Most Sedona trails are exposed and dry. There are no reliable water sources on the majority of routes.
This is the one. Cathedral Rock is arguably the most photographed spot in Arizona and one of the most recognized rock formations in the Southwest. The trail is short at about 1.5 miles round trip but involves some genuine scrambling over slickrock near the top. The views from the saddle between the spires are worth every step. Go early, bring good shoes with grip, and take your time on the descent.
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous | Trailhead: Back O’ Beyond Road off SR-179
Bell Rock is one of the most accessible and rewarding hikes in Sedona. The trail loops around the base of the formation and offers optional scrambling routes up the lower slopes for as high as you want to go. The views of the surrounding valley, Courthouse Butte, and the distant red rock formations are excellent at every level. This is a great first Sedona hike and works well for all fitness levels.
Distance: 3.6 miles round trip (loop) | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Trailhead: Bell Rock Pathway trailhead, Village of Oak Creek
Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area and the destination for one of the most popular photos in Arizona. The hike in is moderate and well-marked. The payoff at the top is the arch itself, which you can walk across for the classic shot. This trail gets very crowded. Go on a weekday morning or be prepared to wait your turn at the arch.
Distance: 4 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate | Trailhead: Dry Creek Road, West Sedona
West Fork is a completely different experience from the red rock trails. This route follows Oak Creek through a lush, shaded canyon with towering walls, creek crossings, and cottonwood trees that turn gold in the fall. It is one of the most beautiful hikes in Arizona and feels nothing like what most people picture when they think of Sedona. The trail gets crowded in fall foliage season but is magical when the leaves are turning.
Distance: Up to 14 miles round trip, but most people turn around at 3 to 6 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Trailhead: SR-89A, Oak Creek Canyon (about 10 miles north of Sedona)
Airport Mesa is the local’s choice for sunset. The loop trail sits on a mesa above West Sedona and offers a 360-degree view of the red rock formations, including Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and the Mogollon Rim. It is one of the most accessible big-view hikes in Sedona and does not require a strenuous effort to get there. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset to get a good spot. Bring a layer as it cools quickly once the sun drops.
Distance: 3.5 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate | Trailhead: Airport Road, West Sedona
This is the classic Sedona sunset shot: Cathedral Rock reflected in Oak Creek at Red Rock Crossing. You are not hiking to the top here. This is a short, flat walk to the creek bed where the reflection view opens up. Photographers line up along the bank on clear evenings. If you want the iconic image of Sedona and do not want to scramble, this is it.
Distance: Under 1 mile | Difficulty: Easy | Trailhead: Crescent Moon Ranch Day Use Area
This wide, flat loop around Courthouse Butte is one of the best easy hikes in Sedona. It takes you around the base of a massive red rock formation with constant views in every direction. It connects with Bell Rock, so you can combine the two for a longer outing. Great for anyone who wants the full Sedona landscape experience without technical terrain.
Distance: 4 miles round trip | Difficulty: Easy | Trailhead: Bell Rock Pathway, Village of Oak Creek
Soldier Pass is a favorite among West Sedona locals. The trail takes you past a series of sinkholes called the Seven Sacred Pools, through a canyon, and up to a ridge with sweeping views of the city below. It is less crowded than the SR-179 corridor trails and feels more like a hike and less like a tourist attraction. Parking is limited, so go early or use the shuttle.
Distance: 4 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate | Trailhead: Soldier Pass Road, West Sedona
Bear Mountain is the hardest maintained trail in the Sedona area and one of the best. It gains over 2,000 feet of elevation through a series of steep switchbacks and slickrock scrambles to the summit plateau. The views from the top are extraordinary in every direction. This trail is significantly less crowded than the popular corridor hikes and rewards the effort with solitude and scenery that few visitors ever see.
Distance: 4.8 miles round trip | Difficulty: Strenuous | Trailhead: Dry Creek Road, West Sedona
Brins Mesa delivers one of the most dramatic panoramic views in Sedona without the crowds of the better-known trails. The hike climbs through pinon pine and juniper to an open mesa with views stretching north toward Oak Creek Canyon and east toward the red rock corridor. It is a longer, more sustained effort than most Sedona trails and consistently surprises people with how good the payoff is.
Distance: 6.2 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous | Trailhead: Jordan Road, West Sedona
Dogs are welcome on most Sedona trails with a leash. A few worth noting specifically:
Note: Dogs are not permitted on some trails, including Cathedral Rock in certain sections. Check current Coconino National Forest regulations before you go, as rules are updated periodically.
Parking at the most popular trailheads, particularly Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Devil’s Bridge, can be a genuine problem on busy weekends. The Sedona Shuttle runs regular routes to the main trailheads and is worth using if you are visiting on a peak day. It saves the parking frustration and reduces the overall footprint on the trailheads.
Sedona’s red rock formations are sandstone and are more fragile than they look. Stay on marked trails, do not shortcut switchbacks, and step on rock rather than vegetation when you leave the trail. The landscape here took millions of years to form. The hiking community in Sedona takes stewardship seriously, and so do the locals who live here year-round.
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Many trailheads in the Sedona area require a Red Rock Pass or accept an interagency pass, and some popular trailheads use paid parking or shuttle access instead. Check current requirements for your specific trailhead before you go.
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures. Summer hiking is best done early in the morning, and winter hiking is often excellent, with quiet trails and occasional light snow on the red rocks.
The famous trails fill up quickly, especially mid-morning during peak seasons. Going at sunrise, on weekdays, or choosing lesser-known trails makes a big difference.
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