Sedona Hiking Guide: Trails, Parking, Passes & Conditions

A.B. Young Trail

A demanding climb from Oak Creek Canyon toward the rim. Creek crossing, the long ascent and any road approach need to be considered separately from the guide’s trail length.

Oak Creek Canyon · 2.4 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 2000 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Documented route condition: The Forest Service recreation partner identifies a creek crossing from Bootlegger Picnic Area to reach A.B. Young Trail. Conditions and water depth vary; do not assume a dry approach.

Airport Loop Trail

A loop around Sedona Airport’s mesa with exposed sections and broad views; confirm the signed trail connection and parking access before setting out.

Central Sedona · 3.3 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 200 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Documented route condition: Forest Service description states there is no shade until the last mile of the Airport Loop. Plan sun exposure and water needs accordingly.

Airport Mesa is a nearby area reference, not an exact loop starting point.

Allen’s Bend Trail

A creek-side trail in lower Oak Creek Canyon. Review recreation-area access and avoid assuming that the published one-mile trail length is a round-trip from your parking place.

Oak Creek Canyon · 1.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 70 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Baldwin Trail

A red-rock trail near the Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek corridor. The listed mileage describes the trail, not a complete outing with an approach and return.

Chapel / Red Rock Crossing · 1.6 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 150 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Bear Mountain Trail

A steep, exposed route with a large published elevation change. The mileage is the listed trail length; plan the return separately and check weather and water requirements.

West Sedona · 2.5 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 1800 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Bell Rock Pathway

A multiuse pathway in the Village of Oak Creek area. Published mileage covers the pathway, so shorter walks are possible without traveling its full length.

Village of Oak Creek · 3.7 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 50 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Bell Rock Trailhead is an area reference; the pathway has multiple access points and a visitor may use only a portion.

Big Park Loop

A shorter loop in the Village of Oak Creek trail network. Verify the correct connection from your chosen access point instead of treating the reported length as parking-to-parking.

Village of Oak Creek · 1.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 50 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Agency-published full outing: 1.0 miles. The Forest Service Courthouse Butte and Big Park trail guide lists the Big Park route at 1.0 mile round trip from its described Bell Rock pathway access. Verify the signed connection from your chosen parking area.

Bell Rock is a general access-area reference, not the mapped start of Big Park Loop.

Boynton Canyon Trail

A popular canyon approach with rock formations and changing light. The Forest Service guide lists the trail segment, not a guaranteed round-trip itinerary.

West Sedona · 2.5 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 450 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Boynton Canyon is the named area; check the signed trailhead and any connecting segments.

Brins Mesa Trail

A mesa-and-canyon trail with a meaningful climb. Access may be via different trailheads and connecting paths; check the intended approach before comparing total mileage.

Uptown Sedona · 3.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 600 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Broken Arrow Trail

A red-rock route shared with a busy recreation zone; stay on signed pedestrian trails and check the proper access rather than following OHV tracks.

Chapel / Red Rock Crossing · 1.5 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 300 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

The nearby map marker identifies the Broken Arrow area, not a GPS route line.

Casner Canyon Trail

Steep ascent from the canyon corridor toward higher terrain. The sizeable published elevation change merits careful consideration of weather, footing and turnaround distance.

Oak Creek Canyon · 2.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 1800 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Cathedral Rock Trail

A short but sharply climbing slickrock route. A low distance does not indicate an easy hike; check weather, footwear, and the current shuttle/parking restrictions.

Chapel / Red Rock Crossing · 0.7 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 600 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Documented access: City shuttle Route 15 serves Cathedral Rock Trailhead from North SR-179 Park & Ride. The trailhead's public parking closes while the shuttle runs; confirm the current service calendar and parking rules.

Documented route condition: Forest Service trail guidance describes a steep, exposed rock scramble. Short published mileage should not be interpreted as an easy hike.

Cathedral Rock Trailhead is an access reference; the official mileage is the steep trail segment, not a round trip.

Chapel Trail

A trail segment in the Chapel area. Its listed length does not include parking access or combinations with nearby paths.

Chapel / Red Rock Crossing · 1.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 100 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Chuckwagon Trail

A multiuse connector in the Dry Creek trail network. The trail-length figure does not specify your chosen approach or return.

West Sedona · 3.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 200 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Mescal Trailhead is a nearby area reference only; confirm actual Chuckwagon junctions from an official trail map.

Cookstove Trail

Short but notably steep canyon-rim ascent. The 0.7-mile figure is the listed segment, not the length of a Cookstove–Harding Springs combination hike.

Oak Creek Canyon · 0.7 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 800 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Courthouse Butte Trail

A route around Courthouse Butte near Bell Rock. A separate Forest Service route guide describes a 4.3-mile outing including access; do not confuse that with this 3.6-mile indexed trail length.

Village of Oak Creek · 3.6 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 250 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Agency-published full outing: 4.3 miles. The Forest Service Courthouse Butte Loop guide describes a 4.3-mile round trip from the Bell Rock Vista/Bell Rock Pathway kiosk, including the connecting pathway; this is different from the 3.6-mile named-trail segment in the Red Rock Recreation Guide.

Bell Rock Trailhead is a nearby access reference; the 3.6-mile guide entry is a trail length, not the full linked hike.

Deadmans Pass Trail No. 110

A connector between the Long Canyon and Boynton Canyon trails. The Forest Service describes access via another trail, so visitors should not treat the 1.17-mile route length as a complete parking-to-parking hike.

West Sedona · 1.17 miles (published trail length) · Easy · 300 ft published ascent

USFS published one-way trail length; approaches from the parking area add distance

Documented parking / pass requirement: The Forest Service explicitly requires a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass for parking at Boynton Canyon Trailhead, one access option for Deadmans Pass. This is not a blanket statement about all possible access points.

Boynton Canyon area reference, not the start of the Deadmans Pass trail segment; the official description explains the connecting approach.

Devil’s Bridge Trail

A short official trail segment that can require a much longer approach on connecting routes. Choose legal parking or shuttle access and assess the exposed final section.

West Sedona · 0.8 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 350 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Documented access: The city shuttle serves Dry Creek Vista and Mescal access areas, not Devil's Bridge itself. Additional connecting trails or road walking are required, so the short named-trail mileage is NOT the entire hike from the shuttle stop.

The nearby marker is a general trailhead/area reference; the 0.8-mile figure excludes approach from most parking options.

Doe Mountain Trail

A relatively short ascent to a mesa top, with a significant climb relative to the mileage. The 0.7-mile figure is not a complete return trip.

West Sedona · 0.7 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 400 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Easy Breezy Trail

A connector within the Cathedral Rock-side trail network. Do not use its name as an agency difficulty grade; the cited guide does not publish one in the distance table.

Chapel / Red Rock Crossing · 1.2 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 240 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Cathedral Rock is an area reference only; Easy Breezy has separate junctions and approaches.

Fay Canyon Trail

A canyon trail in the west Sedona area. The 1.1-mile published segment should not be doubled or extended without identifying the actual route you plan to walk.

West Sedona · 1.1 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 150 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Huckaby Trail

A trail with Oak Creek-area scenery; access from different points can change the length of an outing. The listed figure describes the named trail.

Uptown Sedona · 2.6 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 170 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Llama Trail No. 650

A connector through the Bell Rock trail network used by hikers and mountain bikers. Use the Forest Service description to distinguish the Llama Trail from the Bell Rock Pathway and choose an appropriate access point.

Village of Oak Creek · 2.8 miles (published trail length) · Moderate · 200 ft published ascent

USFS published trail length; a complete hike may include access trails or a return trip

Documented parking / pass requirement: The Forest Service requires a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass when parking at the listed trailhead. The route can be accessed from Bell Rock Vista or Little Horse; verify the exact lot and current signs.

Bell Rock area reference only; consult the official trail description for the actual Llama Trail access points.

Margs Draw Trail

A trail corridor with views of the formations east of central Sedona. The published named-trail mileage should not be mistaken for a particular parking-to-parking circuit.

Central Sedona · 2.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 100 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Mescal Trail

A west-side trail near the Mescal access area; it intersects a wider network, so planned distance depends on chosen approach and connections.

West Sedona · 2.6 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 220 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Documented access: City shuttle Route 11 serves Mescal Trailhead from West SR-89A Park & Ride. Seasonal schedule adjustments can shorten service, so confirm the day's last return before departing.

North Wilson Trail

A substantial climb near the Oak Creek Canyon end of the Wilson Mountain trail system. Do not confuse this route with Wilson Mountain Trail’s separate published mileage.

Oak Creek Canyon · 2.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 1450 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Slim Shady Trail

A trail within the south-side Bell Rock/Village network. Cross-check your starting trailhead and selected connectors before turning its listed segment distance into a hike plan.

Village of Oak Creek · 2.5 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 220 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Soldier Pass Trail

A popular corridor passing distinctive rock features. Check Sedona Shuttle trailhead access and do not treat the trail mileage as an entire connected loop.

West Sedona · 2.4 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 450 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Documented access: City shuttle Route 14 serves Soldier Pass Trailhead from Posse Grounds Park & Ride. The trailhead parking area closes while the shuttle is operating; verify seasonal service and gate restrictions.

Soldier Pass Trailhead is an access reference, not a guarantee of available parking or a current shuttle stop.

Sterling Pass Trail

A pass crossing with substantial elevation change. Determine which side of the pass you will start on and confirm legal parking and your return before hiking.

Oak Creek Canyon · 2.4 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 1100 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Sugarloaf Loop Trail

A short loop option in west Sedona. The loop and the separate summit spur have different lengths; verify which path you intend to follow.

West Sedona · 0.5 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 50 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Sugarloaf Trailhead is the general area reference; distinguish the signed loop from Sugarloaf Summit.

Templeton Trail

A connecting trail beneath Sedona’s red rocks. The 3.5-mile official entry is the trail segment length, not a complete loop or a route to Cathedral Rock’s summit.

Chapel / Red Rock Crossing · 3.5 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 250 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Cathedral Rock Trailhead is an area reference only; Templeton has multiple junctions and access choices.

Thomas Point Trail

Steep ascent on the east side of Oak Creek Canyon. The guide’s one-mile distance covers the named trail, not an automatically completed loop or return.

Oak Creek Canyon · 1.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 850 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Thunder Mountain Trail

A west-Sedona trail segment linking nearby paths. Confirm the specific route and endpoints to avoid conflating the trail with surrounding loops.

West Sedona · 1.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 50 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide trail-table length (named trail segment; not a parking-to-parking or round-trip estimate)

Thunder Mountain Trailhead is a general access reference rather than a verified start for the full trail segment.

Turkey Creek Trail

A trail in the southern Sedona/Village corridor. Check connecting trails and access carefully because the published trail length is not a prescribed visitor loop.

Village of Oak Creek · 3.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 600 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

West Fork of Oak Creek Trail No. 108 (maintained section)

Forested creek-side canyon with repeated water crossings. Check current Forest Service closures, flooding, fire effects and day-use access before making plans; this is NOT an open-status confirmation.

Oak Creek Canyon · 3.0 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source

Recreation.gov describes the first approximately 3 miles as marked and maintained, one way. A return on the same trail would add approximately 3 miles; full-canyon travel is a separate, substantially more serious undertaking.

Documented route condition: The federal recreation description documents repeated crossings along the maintained first three miles. Footing and water levels vary; the deeper wilderness route is a different, much more demanding outing.

Wilson Mountain Trail

Long, strenuous-feeling ascent by published elevation change alone; plan separately for the return, seasonal conditions, route junctions and potential canyon access constraints.

Oak Creek Canyon · 5.6 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 2400 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Woods Canyon Trail

An extended route east of the Village of Oak Creek. Confirm the appropriate access point and water availability; the listed mileage does not necessarily describe a full out-and-back hike.

Village of Oak Creek · 4.3 miles (published trail length) · Difficulty not rated in cited source · 400 ft published elevation change (not total ascent)

USFS 2024 Red Rock Recreation Guide named-trail segment; not a parking-to-parking, out-and-back or whole-itinerary distance

Yavapai Vista Trail

The Forest Service describes a short out-and-back scenic walk suitable for varied experience levels. It is a separate route from Bell Rock Trailhead and should not be combined with that trail's mileage.

Village of Oak Creek · 0.5 miles (published trail length) · All skill levels

USFS describes a 0.5-mile out-and-back walk

Documented parking / pass requirement: The Forest Service requires a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass to park at Yavapai Vista. The published 0.5-mile route is an out-and-back; parking rules remain subject to posted notices.

Bell Rock-area reference only, not the Yavapai Vista trailhead. Check the source for the route's own location.