Six Vetted Picks for the Best Hikes in Sedona

Sedona is a special place, but you have to work for the best of it. On our visits to Sedona, we’ve crossed creeks, navigated snow, and trekked to some of the most impressive vistas on this side of the United States.

The best hikes in Sedona show off Sedona’s red rock scenery and its potentially transformative energy.

Our guide to Sedona’s best trails helps you make the most of this jewel of Arizona, complete with tips on how to stay safe while you’re enjoying yourself out there.

The Best Hikes in Sedona

The best hikes in Sedona show off the scenery of this place. The Soldier Pass Trail and the West Fork Trail ticked off that box for us.

Some say there’s a spiritual energy in Sedona to go along with panoramic vistas. I’ll let you be the judge of that.

The trails I’ll get into here are all hikes we completed on trips to Sedona. While we didn’t get to all of the most popular hikes, you can rest assured the tips you’ll read here are tested. I’ll include a few more hikes at the end for our own future trips, too.

Any mileage listed here are for the roundtrip distance on your chosen Sedona hike. I’m not looking to mess with anyone here.

READ MORE: I wouldn’t mess with cacti, either, especially the enormous sort at Saguaro National Park.

Oak Creek Trail

Mileage: 1.3 miles
Difficulty Level: Easy

This easy trail involves no stream crossings and iconic views for little effort. You’ll be able to see both the Red Rock Crossing Vortex and Cathedral Rock from here.

Start your hike from Crescent Moon Ranch, a more accessible spot in Sedona than most. From here, it’s a flat stroll out to the creek, an option for a dip on hot summer days.

If you’re arriving by car, bring cash for parking at the picnic site. Walk-ups pay just a few dollars, although I’m not sure where you’d be walking from.

Bring your Red Rock Pass on this one or your national parks pass.

Fay Canyon Trail

Mileage: 2.4 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate

Fay Canyon is one of the best easy hikes in Sedona. It’s perfect for travelers seeking Sedona hikes for families, too, without compromising for scenery.

There is a spur about halfway through that you likely won’t be able to resist, though, if you suffer from as much FOMO as I do.

It’s unmarked but for a rock arrow someone left behind. If you’re lucky enough, it’ll be there waiting for you.

That spur gets you to a beautiful arch and cave where you’ll likely see no one else around. It’s a perfect spot for lunch, as you’ll definitely be hungry by the time you get up there.

I was on all fours at several moments on the climb up.

Once you’re back down, head to the end of the Fay Canyon Trail. You’ll see people climbing up the rock face at what will likely be a dry waterfall. It was a bit too crowded for our liking, so we didn’t linger.

The trailhead is free with plenty of parking.

Wilson Canyon Trail

Mileage: 2.7 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate

Follow a drainage trail along the canyon floor and get a unique perspective on the Wilson Canyon Trail.

You’ll be crossing the creek multiple times throughout the hike, but with less human interference than you may find on a busy weekend on the West Fork Trail.

While likely dry throughout most of the year, you may find a trickle of water in the springtime and little falls here and there, which is all kinds of lovely.

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife here. Since you’re walking along a stream bed, you may find that you’re not alone. Javelinas, those wild pig-like critters that aren’t wild pigs, are a common sight here.

We’ve only spotted them on a trail once while exploring Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas, and they are fast.

Bring your Red Rock Pass or national parks pass on this one.

Courthouse Butte Loop & Bell Rock Pathway

Mileage: 3.6 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate

Combine the Courthouse Butte Loop with a trip to Bell Rock on this iconic Sedona hike.

Bell Rock is just one of those sites that scream, “I’M IN SEDONA!”

You’ll add some mileage to this one if you want to climb up on the Bell Rock trail, but you’ll have stunning views north if you do so.

This one starts at the Courthouse Vista Trailhead parking lot. The hike does get busy, with mountain bikers looking to share the trek with you, so starting early is a good idea.

There’s also very little shade on the back half of the trail, another reason to get there early and miss that midday sun.

Bring your Red Rock Pass or national parks pass on this one. The ticket fairies do get active around the butte. I realize how that sounds and I’m fine with it.

Soldier Pass Trail

Mileage: 4.5 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate

The Soldier Pass Trail packs quite a bit of intrigue into a relatively short distance.

You’ll come across the Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole, the Seven Sacred Pools, and the secret cave, which, thanks to Instagram, isn’t much of a secret anymore.

If you’re interested in said cave, use the map available on AllTrails to get to the Soldier Arch. Looking at the arch, the cave is just to the right. There are stone “steps” to get inside the cave, which is where I called it.

Note: You can make this one a longer loop with the addition of the Brins Mesa Trail. We didn’t tackle this one that way, but that option is also rated as moderate.

Brian went for it, though, while I stayed on level footing and ate dried prunes. It was just one of those moments that looked sketchy to me, but several folks climbed in after him.

He got some good keyhole pics while I was one with my intrusive thoughts below.

Parking at the trailhead can be difficult, so as always, get there early. We got to the trailhead by about 7:40am, and were the fifth car in line on a Thursday in February.

The lot was nearly full as we began by 8am, and there was a line of cars waiting to park in the small lot when we finally made it back down to the start at about 10:30am.

Fun fact: There are some notes on AllTrails about having a woman named Debbie come pick you up from elsewhere in Sedona, but that doesn’t seem necessary.

You do need a Red Rock Pass for this one, or your national parks pass will work as well.

West Fork Trail

Mileage: 6.5 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate

You’ll read a lot of the infamous 13 stream crossings on this one, but I’ll say it’s more like 13.5 by my count.

I only bit it once, crossing streams, not because of the streams themselves, but because of the icy paths we were navigating on a chilly February morning.

Number 12 was the doozy.

Got sticks? Bring ’em on the West Fork Trail. If you’re visiting around the same time as we were in the late winter months, you’ll likely see snowpack on the trail, too.

Fun fact: Don’t quit before you get to the end, though, as there’s quite the magical payoff. You’ll find yourselves surrounded by canyon walls at the turnaround point, and it’s all as lovely as it sounds.

The trailhead is about 10 miles from downtown Sedona in the Coconino National Forest’s Oak Creek Canyon.

Watch for it on your left as you pass Slide Rock State Park. Bring cash for parking and arrive early if you’re visiting in the more popular months.

We got there right as the trail opened at 8am, which was a bit of overkill for the season; we were one of two cars in the lot.

Those chilly morning temps meant we pretty much had the trail to ourselves, though, making it all worth it.

More Beautiful Hikes in Sedona

We could visit Sedona a dozen times, and it still wouldn’t be enough to see all of the best hikes in and around the city. Here are a few more that remain on our list:

• Bear Mountain Trail: The total mileage on this one (4.9 miles) may not sound like much, but you’re navigating nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. If you’ve done Fay Canyon along the way, you’ll be able to see that trail from above.
• Birthing Cave: Get to the seat at the back of this cave and have beautiful views of Sedona within two miles. As it’s short, the Birthing Cave hike is a popular Sedona hiking trail. Start early. Catch this one at the Long Canyon Trailhead.
• Boynton Canyon Trail: Explore Sedona’s box canyons on the Boynton Canyon Trail. This one is over seven miles through red rock country, which makes this region of the state so impressive.
• Cathedral Rock Trail: This is one of the most popular trails in Sedona. That’s why we skipped it. It was just WAY too busy. If you start early, you can tick this 1.2-mile out-and-back hike off before the biggest groups arrive.
• Devil’s Bridge Trail: Mileage varies on this one, but the most common approach results in a 4.6-mile trek from the parking lot. The other requires 4WD for Dry Creek Road. The bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch overlooking Sedona.
• Sedona Airport Loop Trail: Also known as the Airport Mesa Trail, this 3.3-mile trail results in panoramic views of the Oak Creek Valley. This is also a popular vortex hike in Sedona.

READ MORE: Starting in Phoenix on your Sedona trip? Use my guide to plan your trip there.

Tips Before Hiking in Sedona

I don’t want you flying blind here, especially in a place as magical but potentially challenging as Sedona. Check out my tips before you hit the road for your red rocks excursion:

• The best time to hike in Sedona is the spring, before the scorching summer sun and hordes of visitors. We’ve visited in both February and March, preferring those transitional seasons when the crowds aren’t as thick.
• Most of these hikes require a Red Rock Pass, a permit you can purchase for daily, weekly, or annual use. There are some that don’t require a pass, though, like the Mescal Mountain Trail.
• Transitional seasons can mean you’re navigating some snow, particularly at higher total elevation gain hikes. Snow can make things more whimsical, if more slippery. Just hike prepared.
• Trekking poles aren’t a bad idea in snowy conditions. They’ll keep you a bit more stable than I was. I was slipping around like I didn’t have full control over my limbs on some of the more snowy trails.
• Sedona truly has options no matter your level of fitness or who you’re traveling with. There are several easy, even family-friendly trails in Sedona. The Fay Canyon and Oak Creek trails are both pretty easy.
• Stay hydrated. Carry more water than you think you’ll need on Sedona hikes, especially in the summer months. It gets hot out there. Stay extra hydrated on any high-elevation hikes, too.
• Sedona trails are generally dog-friendly, but you need to make sure your pets are leashed. Bring extra water for your pooch. If there’s rock scrambling on a hike that your dog isn’t used to, it may be best to leave them behind.

What to Wear for Sedona Hiking

What to wear hiking in Sedona comes down to the season.

In general, here’s a brief list of the essentials for your Sedona hikes:

• Hiking backpack with water bladder
• Hiking pants or workout shorts
• Hiking shoes
• Light jacket
• Light tee or tank top
• Moisture-wicking top
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Sunscreen
• Wool socks

In the winter or transitional months, you may benefit from some additional gear, like thermals or a jacket shell that you can peel off once you’ve warmed up. 

Note: If your hiking shoes are waterproof, that should be sufficient to navigate snowy terrain on your hikes.

Where to Stay in Sedona

We stayed at the Oak Creek Terrace Resort on our most recent trip to Sedona. I’d recommend it as an affordable but comfortable stay with a nice outdoor area for those seeking Sedona accommodations with a view.

There are hammocks, people!

If you like options, use the map below to browse around Sedona hotels and apartments:

There are lots of scenic spots in Sedona.

Sedona is easily my favorite place in Arizona. I think it’s because it doesn’t feel like the rest of the state. Phoenix is all sprawl, while places like Tombstone can feel like a trap.

Sedona hiking trails take you to places you wouldn’t expect and views that you may expect of red rock canyons and the more distant San Francisco Peaks.

Sedona’s hikes may even be healing for some. While I didn’t have a spiritual experience myself, I certainly wouldn’t stop you from prioritizing that when you’re out there hiking Sedona trails.

Planning a road trip out this way? Check out these guides:

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• A California Guide for the Best Trip to the State

More travel guides for hiking destinations:

• Hike in a Waterfall at Infamous Sky Pond
• A Hiking Guide to Colorado’s Garden of the Gods
• See the Best of Bogotá From the Top of Monserrate
• A Guide to the Best Trails at Glacier National Park
• A Shortcut Guide for Machu Picchu’s Inca Trail

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