12 Incredible Must-Do Sedona Hikes

Hiking in Sedona is by far one of the best ways to experience the beautiful landscape of Arizona.

With beautiful red rock formations, incredible waterfalls, sandstone arches, incredible trails, and amazing places to camp, it’s easy to see why Sedona ends up on so many bucket lists!

Sedona is one of our favorite places to visit and we have spent months in the area hiking all the trails, enjoying the views, and camping in the woods nearby.

In this guide, we’re going to tell you our top 12 favorite hikes in Sedona plus parking tips and some hidden things to see along the way!

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1. Airport Loop Trail

The Airport Trail Loop in Sedona (sometimes referred to as Airport Mesa Trail) is a must-do hike especially if you’re short on time! You won’t need to go out of your way if you’re only in town for a short visit since, as the name suggests, the trail is very close to the airport.

It’s a moderate 3-mile hike around Table Top Mountain and along the way, you’ll be treated to more than just a few of those gorgeous red rock views that hiking in Sedona is all about!

Along with the red rock views, the Airport Loop Trail also has some great views of Sedona itself and you’ll get to see the Sedona airport at the same time. There is just something about seeing the town nestled into the surrounding mountains that will make you never want to leave.

You’ll only gain 416 feet in elevation on the Airport Trail Loop, but don’t let this Sedona hike fool you! There is no shade for the majority of this trail so make sure you pack plenty of water and start early in the morning if you can.

It is best to hike this trail in the cooler months such as November in Sedona or April in Sedona. There are also a few areas of the trail that run along a drop-off so it might not be the best option for young hikers.

With a convenient location and jaw-dropping views of both Sedona, Arizona, and the surrounding landscape, the Airport Loop Trail is hands down one of the best Sedona hikes!

2. Bear Mountain Trail

Sedona hiking trails can often be quite challenging and the Bear Mountain Trail is no different. It’s just under five miles out and back and will test you both ways! The trail gains almost 2,000 feet of elevation in only two and a half short miles which means it’s steep going up and often slippery going back down.

But if you’re up for the challenge, Bear Mountain will reward you with some of the best views around!

After you climb the initial hill near the parking lot, you will see Bear Mountain in the distance and the views only get better from there. As you climb higher you will pass view after view of the valley below and the marvelous red rock formations dotted with bright patches of green.

The trail is blazed in white arrows but pay special attention to make sure you stay on the trail since there are sections where it’s easy to start heading off in the wrong direction.

It’s important when you’re hiking the Bear Mountain Trail that you get started in the right direction as well. There’s nothing worse than derailing your hike before it’s even begun! There is a trailhead that starts in the actual parking lot, but that’s for Doe Mountain. On the other side of the street, you will see a USDA sign marking the start of the Bear Mountain Trail.

It’s certainly not easy, but Bear Mountain Trail is without a doubt one of the best hikes in Sedona!

Read More: The 8 Best Waterfalls in Sedona & How to Visit Them

3. Bell Rock Pathway

Bell Rock is 4,817 feet tall and located just west of Courthouse Butte. This is great because there are tons of trailheads in the area if you want to do more than one hike. It’s also a very easy trail making it great for all ages and experience levels.

Courthouse Vista is a great place to start your hike. It’s right off of Hwy – 179 and there are just under 50 parking spots. You will need a Red Rock Pass to park in the parking lot at the trailhead or you can purchase a Day Pass for $5.00. There is a machine that takes cards at the parking lot.

Most of the trail is wide and hard-packed but the closer you get to Bell Rock the steeper the trail gets. If you’re daring enough to venture to the top of Bell Rock you can get your adrenaline pumping!

While the trails around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte are very popular and can get pretty crowded at times, it’s well worth it for the views. All along the trail, you’ll be treated to some of the most stunning topography that Arizona has to offer. 

Bell Rock Trail is north of Sedona and both Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte are between Sedona and the trail so for most of the hike you’ll be surrounded by nothing but nature.

With a well-maintained trail and views that just can’t be beaten, Bell Rock is hands down some of the best hiking Sedona has to offer!

4. Birthing Cave

While it can be a little bit difficult to find the Birthing Cave, is one of the most unique and beautiful rock formations in the Sedona area.

It’s two miles out and back and it’s a moderately flat trail until you reach the final climb up to the cave, making the Birthing Cave one of the best easy Sedona hikes.

To hike to the Birthing Cave you’ll need to start at the Long Canyon Trailhead. It is free to park at Long Canyon, but there isn’t much space so finding a spot can be a little challenging. This area is also one of the most beautiful areas for a scenic drive through Sedona.  

Head out on the Long Canyon Trail but keep an eye out for a pile of logs and a split in the trail going left (Northwest). This split is very easy to miss and if you hit Deadman’s Pass Trail you know that you have gone too far.

The Birthing Cave is up a hill and pretty steep to get to, but worth the effort! It’s a stunning view from an incredibly unique cave that offers some great photo opportunities! There is a little nook in the back of the cave just big enough for one person to sit in and take in the view.

It’s not a particularly long hike, so if you’re short on time and looking for a truly unique area to take some great photos of, the Birthing Cave could be just what you’re looking for. And if you’re wondering why it’s called the Birthing Cave, we’ll let’s just say that it’s quite obvious once you arrive.

5. Baldwin Trail

Baldwin is a two-mile easy hike that only has 216 feet of elevation gain and takes you in a loop. About half the trail also has amazing views of Cathedral Rock which makes it a perfect option for anyone looking for Cathedral Rock views but a little bit easier hike.

Part of the trail also takes you along Oak Creek which can be a nice change of pace for hiking in Sedona. There is also quite a bit of shade near the creek which is great since most Sedona hiking trails are out in the sun.

We suggest hiking the trail counterclockwise. This way you can get the small amount of elevation gain out of the way early on in your hike and then most of the second half of your hike will be downhill with stunning views of Cathedral Rock and the surrounding area.

You will also finish your hike in the shaded area along Oak Creek.

If you would like to add Cathedral Rock to your hike you can take Temptation Trail which will take you right up to it! But be warned, Temptation Trail and the summit trail up to Cathedral Rock are quite a bit harder so they may not be the best option for young or less experienced hikers.

The best place to start is right at the Baldwin Trailhead parking lot. There are about 30 parking spots and pit-toilet bathroom facilities. You will need to have a Red Rock Pass or pay $5.00 for a day pass to park. The trailhead is right off Verde Valley School Road.

With minimal elevation gain and a fair amount of shade, Baldwin Trail is one of Sedona’s best easy hikes.

6. Devil’s Bridge

Devil’s Bridge is quite possibly one of the most iconic natural stone features in the Sedona, AZ area. If you’re looking for a hike with a great photo opportunity at the end, look no further than Devil’s Bridge.

There are a few different ways to hike to Devil’s Bridge depending on how long you would like to hike and if you have a 4×4 vehicle that can get you to the second parking lot. 

The larger (paved) parking lot is right off Dry Creek Rd near Boynton Rd. This parking option is free but spots often fill up very quickly due to the extreme popularity of the Devil’s Bridge trail and the rather odd layout of the parking lot.

The second parking lot is also free and will save you well over a mile on your hike but you’ll need to have a 4×4 vehicle to get there. There are very few parking spots so it is often full meaning you will need to go back to the first parking lot and start from there anyway.

No matter where you choose to start your Devil’s Bridge hike it will be well worth the effort when you arrive at this magnificent Sedona natural bridge!

This 54-foot-tall natural sandstone bridge is an perfect spot to grab a few Instagram-worthy photos that you’ll be proud to add to your feed!

Whether you’re looking for the perfect photos or you just want to see the arch, the Devil’s Bridge Trail in Sedona is a must-do hike to add to your list.

7. Cathedral Rock Trail

No list of the best places to go hiking in Sedona would be complete without Cathedral Rock. It’s absolutely stunning and practically begs visitors to come to hike it.

The Cathedral Rock trail is a relatively short 1.2-mile out-and-back trail. The trail is steep pretty much the entire way, but it gets even steeper the closer you get to Cathedral Rock. 

There are portions of the trail where you will need to use your hands and feet so this hike is probably not best for young hikers or those with physical limitations.

But if you’re willing to take on the Cathedral Rock Trail, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most picturesque scenery the area has to offer! You will have beautiful views of Cathedral Rock itself as you hike up which will keep you motivated as you head for the top. 

Once you reach the top, the sprawling landscape below stretches out in all directions in a way that’s sure to take your breath away if the hike hasn’t already.

Like most of the hiking trails near Sedona, AZ the parking spaces at the trailhead are rather limited and so they fill up very quickly. There are also pit-toilet bathroom facilities and so you will need a Red Rock Pass or you will need to pay $5.00 to park.

Don’t let this short hike fool you, it’s not for the faint of heart. But if you make it to the top you’ll be treated to one of the best views in Sedona!

8. Soldier Pass

Exactly how long the Soldier Pass Trail in Sedona is depends on where you start. 

Most people prefer to start at the Soldier Pass Trailhead just off of Forest Service Road 9904 but like most of the amazing hiking trails in Sedona, the parking lot is rather small. Since space is so limited you may have to park at the Dog Park about a mile away.

Once you’re out on the trail you’ll find that while it may have its parking headaches Soldier Pass is well worth the effort since it has more things to do and sites to stop at than most hiking trails in Sedona.

The first stop is known as Devil’s Kitchen, a massive sinkhole. Stone sections have fallen clean away from the walls down into the opening leaving boulders with oddly smooth and geometric sides.

There is a sign that will tell you all about how the sinkhole was formed so it makes a great place to rest for a while and learn a little about the area.

Next up is the Seven Sacred Pools, a series of natural rock formations that hold water after snowmelt or a large amount of rain. It’s not uncommon for the pools to be dry given the climate.

This is also a great place to catch the red rocks illuminated by a Sedona sunrise. And if you are lucky enough to see the pools with water in them it’s a photo opportunity you won’t want to miss.

There’s also our favorite hidden cave in Sedona on this hike. To get there, follow the fork in the path about 1/2 mile past Seven Sacred Pools. Turn right and head up the trail towards the mesa top.

This section of the trail is steep and slippery, so be careful and consider not bringing kiddos up to this cave. Once there, you’ll be able to explore inside one of the coolest caves in Sedona and possibly be greeted by a man playing a flute inside the cave!

Read More: 21 Incredible Places to Camp in Sedona

9. Fay Canyon

Fay Canyon is without a doubt one of the best kid-friendly hikes Sedona has to offer! It’s a relatively short 2.6-mile out-and-back hike that’s very flat and doesn’t have any drop-offs.

Keeping little hikers entertained can often be a struggle, but Fay Canyon has you covered. There are several stopping points along the way with interesting things to see.

One of the most popular is a sandstone arch that’s a great learning opportunity to talk about how these wonderful rock formations came to be.

It’s only a short hike off the main trail and well-marked so you’re sure to have no trouble finding it. Be sure to keep a hand on your little ones though as this offshoot of the trail is rated as moderate.

Fay Canyon is also one of only a handful of hikes in Sedona that has plenty of parking at the trailhead. This makes it a great option for anyone not wanting to wake up super early to try and get a parking spot at one of the other more difficult to get a spot at trailheads.

There is a pit toilet at the trailhead and you will need a Red Rock Pass or you will have to pay $5.00 for a day pass to park.

10. Sugarloaf Trail

Sugarloaf Trail is another hiking trail in Sedona that can be a little confusing. There is the Little Sugarloaf trail that runs in a loop starting at the Thunder Mountain Trailhead. That trail is just West of Chimney Rock and while it’s a great hike, it’s not the one we are talking about today.

We’re referring to Sugarloaf Trail which starts at the Teacup Trailhead. The Sugar Loaf Trail starts by following the Teacup Trail but after a short while, you’ll reach the Sugar Loaf Loop which is the trial you want to be on.

Sugarloaf is an easy hike that’s just under 2 miles long and great for young hikers or if you’re looking for a great Sedona sunset spot! You can simply hike in a loop around Sugarloaf Mountain or there is an option to take a side trail that will bring you right to the top.

While the hike to the top might be a bit much for some younger hikers, the views are spectacular no matter which way you go.

Make sure that you pack plenty of sunscreen and a great hat for everyone since most of the trail is in direct sun so it’s probably not the best option for a hike in the middle of the day.

Like most hiking in Sedona, the trailhead has rather limited parking. It is free though which is great if you don’t have a Red Rock Pass and don’t want to pay the $5.00 for a day pass.

Sedona hikes with kids can be challenging at times, but Sugarloaf is a great opportunity to get out there with the little ones and experience everything this beautiful area has to offer!

11. West Fork Trail / Old Creek Canyon

Dog-friendly trails in Sedona are relatively common so if you’re looking to do some hiking in Sedona with your little trail buddy you’ll have plenty of options to choose from!

While most of the hiking trails in Sedona will leave you hiking in the direct sun, West Fork Trail and the Old Creek Canyon are quite different. 

Large portions of the West Fork Trail are through the trees and along the water which are two things you won’t often find hiking in Sedona.

The creek is not only a welcome change to the typical hiking conditions in the area, but it also makes it a great place to hike with your dog since they’ll love splashing and playing in the water.

It is a relatively long hike that’s about seven and a half miles and rated as moderate. But it’s worth every step! The beautiful canyon walls along the creek are magnificent and will leave you wondering just exactly how long it took Old Creek to form them.

Call of the Canyon Picnic Site is where you will find the trailhead for West Fork Trail and the Old Creek Canyon. There is paved parking but there is also an $11.00 fee per vehicle for up to five people.

With drastically different terrain and plenty of water for your four-legged friend to splash around in, West Fork Trail is certainly one of the best dog-friendly hikes in Sedona.

This is also a great hike to do if you are on a Sedona to Antelope Canyon road trip as this hike is on the way to Antelope Canyon and a great way to break up your day driving.

12. Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock Pass is a moderate hike that’s just under two miles and starts at the Thunder Mountain Trailhead. You can also hike the Chimney Rock Loop if you start from the Andante Trailhead. It is a little shorter, but there are even fewer parking spots at the Andante Trailhead.

If you and your dog are looking for a little more strenuous hike, Chimney Rock could be just what you’re looking for! While this is a relatively short hike it packs a punch in such a short distance.

If you and your doggo make it to the top you’ll be treated to some of the best views around. The Chimney Rock summit is a perfect place to see all of the gorgeous red rock cliffs that make Sedona such a special place.

Chimney Rock also has a wonderful overlook view of the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park which is an absolutely beautiful Buddhist structure that seems to fit perfectly into the surrounding area.

If you’re looking for dog-friendly Sedona hikes then take a moment to check out Chimney Rock, it could be the trail you’re looking for.

Planning Your Sedona Trip

Red Rock Pass

If you’re going to be hiking in Sedona you’re likely going to need a Red Rock Pass. A National Parks Pass can be used as a red rocks pass, and you can grab one here from REI like we do every year.

Alternatively, you can check out the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for a list of the places you can grab one before you hit the trail.

1 Day – $5.00
7 Day – $15.00
Annual – $20.00

Packing for Hiking in Sedona

Being adequately prepared is a must when heading out for hiking in the Sedona area. It doesn’t matter if it’s a multi-day exertion in the mountains or a short trip out and back- the sun can get really hot here so it’s a must to be sun-aware.

Here’s a list of some essential gear as well as a few things that are nice to have for your Sedona hike:

• Water Hydration Pack – Most of the hikes in Sedona are in the direct sun and there is rarely water along the way. Water is a must, and a nice hydration pack is great to have.

• Sunscreen – Don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun as well! Little to no shade on the trail means more than just dehydration. A sunburn is a bad way to end a great hike.

• Hiking Boots – A great pair of hiking boots will keep you safe and prevent slips and falls on loose rocks on the trail. Not only that, but your feet will thank you when you get home!

• Snacks – Even a short hike can work up an appetite quickly and you’ll certainly need some calories on the go for those longer hikes. A bag of trail mix, some fruit, or a protein bar is a must for a day out hiking.

• Clothing Layers – As hot as it can be in the direct sun when you head out at the trailhead, the weather can turn surprisingly cold when you hit the windy summits of some of Sedona’s amazing hikes. Dress in layers so you’re comfortable the entire hike!

• Camera Backpack Holder – This certainly isn’t essential by any means, but it’s so nice to have! This camera clip attaches to your backpack and so your camera is right there when you need it, but you don’t have to carry it the entire time!

We hope this article about the best hikes in Sedona helps you get inspired for your trip. We would love to connect with you! You can learn more about us here or read more of our recent blog posts here. Also, follow us on Instagram (@UnearthTheVoyage) and Facebook to see what we are up to next!

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