If you’re planning a trip to Sedona with kids, the good news is you don’t have to choose between red rock scenery and keeping everyone happy. Sedona has a surprising range of easy trails, short scenic stops, and indoor backups that work for toddlers, tweens, and everyone in between. The trick is knowing which trailheads are actually kid-friendly and which ones are better left for the grown-ups.
What Makes a Trail Good for Sedona with Kids?
Not every red rock trail is a family trail. Some of Sedona’s most famous hikes involve exposed scrambling, steep drop-offs, or miles of slickrock that are tough on short legs. For families, the best trails have a flat or gently graded start, a clear destination kids can see as a goal, and an easy turnaround point if little legs give out early.
Easy Trails That Work for Young Kids
- Bell Rock Pathway – A mostly flat, wide path at the base of Bell Rock with plenty of room to explore side paths and climb on the lower rock without committing to a full ascent.
- Airport Mesa – The loop around the mesa top is short, and even a quick walk out to the viewpoint gives kids a big payoff view of Sedona without much effort.
- Red Rock State Park trails – Several loop trails here are flat, shaded along Oak Creek, and built for an easy family pace, with a visitor center that makes a good stop before or after.
Trails for Slightly Older, More Adventurous Kids
- Cathedral Rock – The saddle viewpoint section involves some scrambling over rock, which older kids tend to love, but it’s not a stroller or toddler trail.
- Devil’s Bridge – A popular hike to Sedona’s largest natural sandstone arch. The trail itself is manageable for older kids, but the final approach to the bridge has exposure, so this one is best for families with kids who are steady on their feet and comfortable with heights.
Best Sedona with Kids Stops That Aren’t Trails
Hiking isn’t the only way to experience Sedona with kids, and honestly, mixing in some non-hiking stops keeps the day from feeling like a forced march. A few reliable favorites:
- Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village – Shaded courtyards, fountains, and enough visual interest in the architecture that kids tend to wander happily while you browse the galleries.
- Chapel of the Holy Cross – A quick stop with a dramatic setting built into the red rocks. It’s a short walk from the parking area, which makes it easy to fit in even with a tired crew.
- Oak Creek Canyon – The drive up Highway 89A north of Sedona is a destination in itself, with pull-offs and creek access points where kids can wade and explore rocks along the water.
Where to Cool Off: Slide Rock and Oak Creek
When Sedona’s heat kicks in, especially in the summer months, water is the move. Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon is the obvious answer, with natural rock slides and swimming holes that kids of almost any age enjoy. It gets busy, particularly on summer weekends, so an early arrival makes a real difference. If Slide Rock is packed, several of the pull-offs along Oak Creek Canyon offer quieter creek access for wading and skipping rocks, which is sometimes all a hot kid actually needs.
Rainy-Day and Monsoon Backup Plans
Sedona’s weather is mild most of the year, but the July and August monsoon season brings afternoon storms that can shut down outdoor plans fast, and winter can bring a dusting of snow on the red rocks. Having a backup plan ready means the day doesn’t fall apart.
Indoor and Covered Options
- Browse the galleries and shops at Tlaquepaque, which has covered walkways between courtyards.
- Head down to Cottonwood, about 20 minutes away, where the walkable Old Town has shops and places to grab a bite under cover, plus wine tasting rooms for the adults if grandparents are on kid duty.
- Jerome, the historic mining town on Mingus Mountain, has indoor shops and a mining history that tends to hook kids who like a good story, even if the winding drive up takes a bit longer.
- Time a drive through Oak Creek Canyon for when a storm rolls through. The canyon walls and forest cover make it a scenic option even in weather that would otherwise cancel a hike.
Planning a Full Day: A Simple Sedona with Kids Itinerary
If you want a loose plan rather than a packed schedule, here’s a structure that tends to work well for families:
- Morning: Start early with an easy trail like Bell Rock Pathway or the Airport Mesa loop while temperatures are cool and parking is easier to find.
- Midday: Head into Uptown or Tlaquepaque for lunch, shopping, and a break from the sun.
- Afternoon: Cool off at Slide Rock or along Oak Creek, or if weather turns, pivot to Cottonwood or Jerome for an indoor-friendly detour.
- Evening: Catch sunset at Airport Mesa or a Cathedral Rock viewpoint. Kids tend to remember the color the red rocks turn at golden hour more than almost anything else from the trip.
A Few Practical Notes for Families
- Elevation here is around 4,350 feet, which can catch visitors off guard with sun intensity even on mild days. Sun protection and water matter more than you’d think.
- Trailhead parking fills up fast at the popular spots, especially Bell Rock and Devil’s Bridge. Arriving early in the day solves most of this problem.
- If you’re staying in the area longer, Village of Oak Creek to the south is a quieter base with easy access to Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock, while West Sedona puts you closer to everyday restaurants and services between adventures.
However you structure the day, Sedona with kids doesn’t have to mean compromise. Mix an easy morning trail with a creek stop, a gallery wander, and a sunset viewpoint, and you’ll cover the best of what the red rocks have to offer at a pace that actually works for the whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest trail in Sedona for young kids?
Bell Rock Pathway is one of the easiest, with a flat, wide path at the base of Bell Rock that lets kids explore without a steep climb. The Airport Mesa loop and the trails inside Red Rock State Park are also good low-effort options with big scenic payoff.
Is Devil’s Bridge safe for kids to hike?
Devil’s Bridge works well for older, steady kids, but the final approach to the bridge has real exposure and isn’t suited to toddlers or anyone unsteady on uneven rock. Families with younger children often enjoy the trail up to the base without continuing onto the bridge itself.
Where can kids swim or cool off near Sedona?
Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon is the top spot, with natural rock slides and swimming holes. Several pull-offs along Oak Creek Canyon also offer quieter creek access when Slide Rock is crowded.
What should we do in Sedona with kids if it rains?
Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village has covered courtyards for browsing, and a short drive to Cottonwood’s walkable Old Town or the historic mining town of Jerome gives you indoor shops and things to see. A scenic drive through Oak Creek Canyon also works well during a passing storm.
Get the Local’s Guide to Sedona
Every week we send the best of Sedona and the Verde Valley: the trails worth the drive, where the locals eat, and what is happening around town. Join free.
