As soon as you arrive in Sedona, you’ll wonder if this place can possibly be real. The stunning red rock formations against the blue skies are almost magical. Sedona draws people from all over to visit to see the amazing landscapes or visit the mystical vortexes. This a comprehensive list of the best Sedona hikes!
I am an avid planner and hiker. I have already done over 50 hikes this year alone and these hikes in Sedona were some of my favorites! Choosing which hikes to do in Sedona can be very overwhelming. If you have been thinking about hitting the trails, then look no further. Below you can read all about the best Sedona hikes, so you can explore this magnificent landscape!
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Table of Contents
Things to Know Before You Go
🎫 Most of the best Sedona hikes require a Red Rocks pass. The pass is intended to help conserve the beautiful rock formations in the city. You can purchase them at most of the trailheads in the city. Right now a daily pass is $5 and a weekly one is $15. They take interagency passes including the America the Beautiful pass, so you can hang that on your dashboard instead.
🌅 Sedona hikes get very crowded especially during the peak season. Start hikes early in the morning to get parking spots and experience quieter trails.
🚐 Sedona has a free shuttle that runs to Cathedral Rock, Dry Creek, and Soldier’s Pass. You can park at the Park & Ride and then use these shuttles to get to the trails!
📲 Many of the trails are not always clearly marked in Sedona. I highly recommend that you download the AllTrails app to download the maps of the trails to follow as you hike.
💦 Pack plenty of water and sunscreen for your hikes. The Sedona sun can be very strong even in the wintertime. You will want to make sure you’re prepared with extra water and sun protection.
🚙 Some trails require 4 Wheel Drive vehicles. You will want to research the trails you are going to take before you go, so you know if you can access them. Some of the very best trails are only accessible down rough roads that require 4WD cars.
10 Best Sedona Hikes!
Devils Bridge
This hike is one of the most popular in Sedona and features a red rock bridge with the valley behind it. I suggest that you start this trail at Dry Creek Road Trailhead and take the path from there if you do not have a 4WD car. The first 1.5 miles is fairly easy walk through the red rocks.
Around the 1.5 mile mark the path starts to lead up the path and gets a little steep and rocky. One of the craziest parts of this hike is how you can’t see the bridge until you get to it. It almost appears out of nowhere. It looks scary to view it from afar, but there is a fairly wide path to walk along and take pictures.
Important Notes: If you plan on doing this hike, then my biggest advice is to get there early!! We got to the trail around 6:30 am, which was perfect timing. We only saw a couple other people at the bridge and we had plenty of time to take pictures while we watched the sunrise behind us.
Level: Moderate
Miles: 3.9
Elevation: 524 ft
Don’t forget that you can take the free Sedona shuttle to many of these trails including this one!
Cathedral Rock
If you were short on time in Sedona and could only choose one hike to do in Sedona, then I would suggest this hike. This trail is only a mile long, but the walk to the top is almost straight up the cliff face. We saw quite a few people catching their breath as we made the trek up to the top.
Once you get to the peak, you’ll be greeted by magnificent views of the rocks that line the Sedona skyline. You will be able to walk all along the rim of Cathedral Rock and you can walk out to the edge for a great photo op.
Important Notes: This is one of the very best sunset spots in Sedona, but you should get there a little before the sun goes down to get a good spot for photos. Don’t forget a headlamp or flashlight to make it down the rocks after the sun goes down!
Level: Moderate
Miles: 1.2
Elevation (Ft): 741
Merry Go Round Rock
Take a trail that is slightly off the beaten path and walk all the way to Merry Go Round rock. In order to get there, you’ll want to park at the Munds Trailhead and take the Mund’s Trail all the way until the end. If you have a 4WD car, then you can take the drive up to the top of the hill and it’s a short walk from there. For people without those cars (like us), you’ll have to walk 3 miles to the top of the hill.
Luckily, the first two miles of the trail are fairly easy. The trail does go a little up and down, but it does not get steep until about two miles into it. You will have to walk on some smooth rocks and cross a few streams along the way.
At the top, a stunning view will greet you. You can see the unique rock formations, the city of Sedona, and the verde valley all in one landscape. Climb onto some of the rocks to the side for great photos and for an extra challenge you can climb down the rocks to get an amazing photo through a rocky arch to the landscape beyond.
Important Notes: When you research this trail, you may find the shorter Merry Go Round hike. The 1.5 mile hike is only accessible with a 4WD vehicle. Otherwise, you’ll have to take the Munds Wagon to Merry Go Round Rock Trail.
Level: Moderate
Miles: 6.2
Elevation (Ft): 1,261
Boynton Canyon
This beautiful trail is one of the most scenic in the area. It’s a relatively flat out and back trail to a gorgeous view over the canyon there. As you pass through the canyon, you’ll also get fantastic views over the neighborhood nearby. There are also four energy vortexes around this area, which is one of the unique parts of Sedona!
Although many people visit this area, to see the Subway Cave, I encourage you to skip this part as it is off-trail. Instead you can enjoy the panoramic views from this serene trail. It’s definitely worth a visit!
Important Notes: This trail is very fragile and so is the ecosystem there. It is very important that you leave no trace and treat your environment with respect. Do not touch any sensitive areas and be a responsible visitor.
Level: Moderate
Miles: 5.3
Elevation (Ft): 700 feet
Red Rock Crossing
Red Rock Crossing is a whole area of the Sedona landscape that follows Oak Creek. This trail is easy and short, but you may have to get wet to get to the best views. Most people take the Red Rock Crossing trail across the river to get amazing views of Cathedral Rock.
In the summer, you may see visitors swimming in the river itself. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see the reflection of the rock in the water below. This is a wonderful place to take photos or to see the sunset over Cathedral Rock.
Important Notes: You will need waterproof shoes if you want to cross the creek for the reflections! We didn’t have waterproof shoes and we ended up walking in freezing cold water barefoot.
Level: Easy
Miles: 1.0
Elevation (Ft): 64
Soldier’s Pass
This is yet another trail that features a cool cave formation. Early on into the trail you’ll be able to see the seven enchanted pools where you can see reflections of the red rocks above them. Similar to a lot of the other Sedona trails it starts off relatively easy, but as you get closer to the cave it gets a lot steeper.
At the very end you will have to climb rocks to get into the cave itself. Once you’re in there, you’ll see three openings that peer out to the red rocks behind them. You can continue on to Brins Mesa, but we chose to turn back at the cave.
Important Notes: There are only 14 spots at the trailhead for parking. Luckily, Sedona now has a free shuttle that runs right to this spot. You can park at the Park & Ride and then take the shuttle from there.
Level: Moderate
Miles: 3.2
Elevation (Ft): 644
Birthing Cave
I’m including this trail on the list of best Sedona hikes because a lot of others really enjoy it. Although, we found it a little bit underwhelming and it was also very crowded. You’ll have to park at the Mescal Trailhead and then walk from there to the Birthing Cave.
This trail is not well marked, but it is fairly flat until the very end. At the end of the trail, you’ll need to walk up the cliff side to get to the cave opening. You can really only take in the shape of the cave from the center of it with a camera. Otherwise, it’s just a large opening with a nice view beyond.
Important Notes: Again, this trail is not well marked and so you should have it downloaded on AllTrails. It can be easy to lose the path, because there are other trails along the way. The cave walls are very slippery, so wear shoes with good traction.
Level: Moderate
Miles: 2.0
Elevation (Ft): 291
West Fork Trail
If you love the Narrows in Zion or you’ve dreamed of hiking through gorgeous canyons, then this is the trail for you! The West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon wanders through the woods, over rivers, and past gorgeous red canyon walls. It’s by far one one of the best Sedona hikes that I’ve done!
Technically, this trail ends at a large canyon pool. But, if you are willing to get wet and you’ve brought the proper water shoes, then you can continue further into the canyon. This was my favorite part of the hike as we waded through water while water reflected on the canyon walls. It was truly a magical experience!
Important Notes: After the trail ends at the pool, it is not maintained. So, be very careful and go slowly through the water. It gets slippery so you’ll want good water shoes!
Level: Moderate
Miles: 6.5-8.5
Elevation (Ft): 550
Bell Rock
Are you looking for a fantastic short hike or incredible sunset views? Then, you should add the Bell Rock trail to your Sedona itinerary! This rock formation is one of the most iconic in the entire area.
Start at the Courthouse Vista trail for a shorter walk to the Rock. Then, follow the signs for the Bell Rock climb. There are points where you’ll have to figure out the best way to get up, until you’ve reached the top. Once you get to a good lookout spot you can take in panoramic views over Sedona!
Important Notes: Climbing the rock is very slippery and there are areas where you’ll need to use your arms as well. Go slowly and make sure to take care while you trek up!
Level: Moderate
Miles: .8
Elevation (Ft): 200
Doe Mountain
I’ve got one last short trail that is great for the whole family! The Doe Mountain trail climbs up 500 feet until you get to stunning panoramic views over the Sedona red rocks. Although it’s a bit of a stairmaster and can be a little of a push to climb up, it’s worth it at the end.
Once you get to the top of the trail, there will be a flat edge that extends for while. You can choose a spot to sit down and enjoy the views. It’s great because it’s a quick trail with a bit of a challenge, but it has a great payoff.
Important Notes: Doe Mountain trailhead shares a trailhead and parking area with Bear Mountain. So, it tends to fill up on busy days. Try to get there early for a space.
Level: Moderate
Miles: 1.5
Elevation (Ft): 500
Sedona Hikes Planning
How to Get to Sedona
The easiest way to get to Sedona if you’re coming from out of state is to fly into Phoenix and rent a car. Phoenix is just a 2 hour drive away and it has a large airport with many flight options.
If you’re traveling by car, then you can take highway 89A to get to this beautiful city. It’s a 4.5 hour drive from Las Vegas and half an hour from Flagstaff. It’s a great place to visit because it’s so accessible!
How to Get to the Trails
While you can drive to the hikes, many of the parking lots fill up. So, Sedona now has a free shuttle which runs to some of the most popular trails. You can take this shuttle to Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, and Soldier Pass!
These shuttles run year round from Thursday to Sunday and then during peak times of year they run every day. Shuttle services begin at 7 am and end at 5:30 pm. So, you can park at the Park & Ride and take the shuttle to the popular trails instead of worrying about parking!
Where to Stay in Sedona
Luckily, Sedona has tons of options for places to stay. You can book high end luxury resorts or you can stay in a cute home in the area. If you want to be close to things I recommend staying in Sedona proper. However, you can also stay in Cottonwood or Oak Creek as well.
If you are a camper like me, then you can stay at one of the five designated camping spots on Forest Road 525. There are also a large variety of campsites you can book ahead. There are tons of great places to choose from for your Sedona stay!
Great Hotels in Sedona:
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Final Tips for Hiking in Sedona
Sedona is one of the most magical places to explore and hike. I’ve been a few times, but I feel like there are still so many trails to wander. If you are going to Sedona remember to get to trails early, take the shuttles, and leave no trace!
Let me know in the comments if you found this guide helpful!
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Sedona looks absolutely magical and it’s been on my list for quite some time. Thank you for the AllTrails tip. Your favorite, Subway Cave, looks like a must see.
Subway Cave was definitely the best of it all! We loved it so much. I highly recommend.
I would love to go on all of these trails. I’ve been seeing photos of many of them and I’m totally in love. I love that you also included some less touristy trails too. Thanks for sharing these amazing hikes.
Of course! Sedona can get so crowded, so it’s really nice to get off the beaten path.
Sedona looks so amazing! I want to go on all of these hikes, but I think my top two are Subway Cave and Cathedral Rock at sunset. Your photos are just stunning!
Subway Cave was definitely our favorite hike! I’m so glad you enjoyed.
Both the place itself and your photos look stunning! These landscapes seem out of this world! Thanks for the tip to download the All Trails app, must be so useful!
Of course! I think that helped us a lot. We almost got lost a few times without it.
Sedona is so gorgeous, and I’d love to go back and hike more! I was with my parents the last time.
Love this! We are only going for a day this week and are not seasoned hikers at all. What’s your suggestion?
I would suggest trying the Cathedral Rock hike, it’s short but steep. So, you could take a lot of breaks, but the views at the end are great! Otherwise, you can try Birthing Cave, because it’s also short but has great views!
Hi! We are going to Sedona as part of our trip to Arizona for our honeymoon. Do you have an itinerary of the best order to hit all these spots in a day??
So, I wouldn’t recommend doing these all in one day. If you only have one day then I would do Devil’s Bridge for sunrise, choose a day hike, and then do Cathedral Rock for sunset