With jaw-dropping red rock views, Sedona is a photographer’s dream, with some downright incredible hikes. Since my sister moved to Arizona a few years back, I can’t visit her enough, and Sedona is one of the locations that keeps me coming back again and again.

Pretty much every trail blew my mind with epic views and there were so many places to take stunning photographs! Streams, caves, wildlife, vortexes – Sedona has it all, and best of all for hikers Sedona has trails for all levels, from easy paths to challenging routes.

In this hiking guide I’ll share some of the best trails in Sedona with a few extra thrown in for good measure, along with Sedona hiking tips, information on Sedona itself, and what to pack. Let’s hit the trails!

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Sedona is located in Northern Arizona, about an hour drive from Flagstaff or a two hour drive from Phoenix, both of which have airports you can fly into. You’ll definitely want to rent a car, preferably a 4×4 vehicle if you’re getting into the more adventurous areas, or you can tour the area with one of the Pink jeep companies, which is the iconic way to explore Sedona.

If you’re coming in from Phoenix and want a quick yet full taste of Sedona, I recommend this full-day small group tour where you’ll learn about the history and culture of the area, visit Native American ruins, take photos of some of the most beautiful Sedona views, and get a chance to explore the town of Sedona itself too.

You’ll want to avoid visiting in the summer when the temperatures can be dangerously high – upwards of 90 degrees Fahrenheit! And fun fact, in winter, Sedona can actually get snow! Your best bet is to avoid the rainy season too (monsoon season is June-September in Arizona) as many of the hikes will become too slick to do safely. Thus the best time to go to Sedona is between March to May, or October to November for mild, warm weather.

The best places to stay in Sedona for hiking are close to the city center, which is unfortunately more expensive. If you don’t mind a short drive in, you can find budget options in the nearby towns of Cottonwood, Camp Verde/Montezuma, and Village of Oak Creek.

• A Sunset Chateau:  bed and breakfast with an outdoor pool, free parking, and a garden, terrace, and waterfall with pond are available to guests. Check availability here.
• Casa Sedona Inn: 15 minutes’ drive from Red Rock State Park and has an outdoor hot tub, free parking, a restaurant and balcony or patio. More details here!
• Matterhorn Inn: featuring a terrace, offers a concierge service, luggage storage space, and outdoor pool, and free parking. See photos & book here.
• Amara Resort & Spa: a more luxury and absolutely STUNNING option, features a full-service spa, an infinity pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, concierge services, and a free ride into town. HIGHLY recommend checking it out here.
• Arabella Hotel Sedona: next to Hillside Shops & Galleries, features a pool, hot tub, free breakfast, fitness center, and a hiking trail. Book your stay here.

Trailhead location: 34.9028° N, 111.8138° W

Rating: moderate

Length: 4.2 miles out & back 

Elevation gain: 564 ft

Trail notes: 4×4 car is a MUST to get to the official Devil’s Bridge trailhead, otherwise park at the Dry Creek Road trailhead or the Mescal trailhead

Starting out with a classic! Devil’s Bridge is a popular hike that features a natural sandstone arch – the scale of which is INSANE! I couldn’t believe just how big it was until I saw the photos of myself looking crazy tiny against the rocks. Sunset is peak popularity for this trail, but if you go at sunrise you will face a fraction of the traffic and be able to get some amazing photographs. 

The hike technically starts at a trailhead on Dry Creek Road, but the last mile of the road to the trailhead is unpaved, washed out, and full of treacherous holes. It’s best to park instead at the lot just to the left of where the road transitions to being unpaved and then hike the mile down. Seriously though, wrecking the underside of your car is NOT worth it for a shorter hike! 

From the parking area, head down the unpaved portion of Dry Creek Road and look for the trail marker for Devil’s Bridge on your right after about a mile. The trail is flat and easy to follow at first, but it gradually becomes steeper. You will begin to climb up a steep but short section with a few portions of stairs and large steps ups onto rocks. If it’s recently rained, this portion is slick, so be careful. Once you reach top you can walk across the bridge – It’s not as bad as it looks in photographs, just be careful!

Location: 34°49’30.7″N 111°47’18.3″W

Rating: difficult

Length: 1.2 miles out & back

Elevation gain: 744 ft

Trail notes: requires a scramble to get to the top

Cathedral Rock is an extremely photogenic hike and is fast becoming my favorite. It’s definitely another popular one, but know your limits before you go because despite its popularity, it can be more challenging than you might expect due to areas where you’ll need to climb and use your hands. Sunset is a popular time, so make sure you park and start your hike early so you don’t arrive to a full parking lot.

The hike up is short but its difficulty lies in the steepness and the need to use your hands and feet to climb up at portions. I highly recommend having quality hiking boots and not doing this hike in scandals or street shoes. After a steep hike up, you’ll be treated with an absolutely epic view of Sedona. Head left to find the Cathedral Rock pillar, or head right for the classic photography vista. After sunset, the trail back down can be difficult to follow, so bring a headlamp and keep track of where the trail markers are.

Location: 34°53’03.4″N 111°47’01.8″W

Rating: easy to moderate

Length: 4.1 miles out & back

Elevation gain: 620 ft

Trail notes: here’s where you can photograph the Seven Sacred Pools and the Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole!

Soldier’s Pass Trail is one of the most popular trails for a reason! It was the first trail I ever hiked in Sedona and I had to return to it again for the amazing photographic opportunities it provides. The nice part about Soldier’s Pass Trail is that you can decide your own difficulty since it is an out & back trail, and it is also relatively flat. 

From the parking lot (which is TINY btw, get there early and don’t park in the neighborhood), you will head down across a river wash and back up a slight hill. At the top, head left and you will see a sign on your right for the Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole, which is still active! From there follow the trail a bit further to reach the Seven Sacred Pools, an iconic photo spot. If you visit on a still day, you can catch some reflections, and if you head there after a rainstorm the pools will transform into a waterfall! Continue past the pools if you want a longer hike (note: as of this writing in February 2020 the last 0.5 mile of the trail is currently closed).

Location: 34°53’35.9″N 111°51’54.1″W

Rating: moderate

Length: 1.5 miles out & back or 2.75mi if you walk the entire trail around the top of the mountain

Elevation gain: 492 ft

Trail notes: walk around the trail up top for 360 degrees of views

When I went for sunset at Doe Mountain, I was the only one at the top to enjoy the vista, so if you want a little more solitude with 360 degrees of epic views, head up this mountain. As you walk around the top you can see increasingly stunning views, including Courthouse Butte, Mescal Mountain, Fay Canyon, and Bear Mountain – you won’t want to put your camera away! 

This trail is a quick and fun trek up to the top. A few switchbacks and you’ll be impressed how quickly you get very high up. The trail is easy to follow on the way up, but once you make it to the top the trail around the very top is a little harder to find, and gets right up to the edge at some points so be very careful. Walk around as far as you’d like – all the way around or turn back when you are ready, just make sure you take a note of where the trail to go back down is.

Location: 34°48’21.3″N 111°45’59.4″W

Rating: moderate

Length: 3.9 mile loop

Elevation gain: 357 ft

Trail notes: you can park at either the Courthouse Vista trailhead or the Bell Rock trailhead

Courthouse Butte features a few different hikes you can embark on and features nonstop views throughout of Courthouse Butte itself, Bell Rock, and Mogollon Rim. You can park at either the Courthouse Vista trailhead or the Bell Rock trailhead, so if one fills up you can check the other!

While you’ll find the parking lots rather full and busy, once you start getting further on this trail the crowds will disperse out quite impressively, allowing you to find plenty of solitude. The trail is rated as moderate, but I honestly found this to be a very easy hike, family-friendly and dogs are allowed on leash. The trail is wide and allows you a little more degree of exploration around rocks than other trails in the area, and it’s a popular area for mountain bikers.

Location: 34°47’29.6″N 111°45’41.7″W

Rating: moderate to difficult

Length: 1.5 miles out & back 

Elevation gain: 700 ft

Trail notes: requires a difficult scramble to get to the top

Location: 34°51’19.7″N 111°46’50.5″W

Rating: moderate 

Length: 3.2 mile loop  

Elevation gain: 416 ft

Trail notes: trail can be muddy after rain, and has areas with steep drop-offs

The parking at the Airport Loop trail is extremely limited, so your best bet is to park at the airport parking lot up top ($3 fee to park), which will add an extra 1.2 miles to the trek. But it’s well worth it for the incredible 360 degree views you’ll be treated to as you hike a complete loop around the airport!

At the start of the hike, head left up a set of stairs to find another secret vortex and some stunning views you’ll definitely want to capture. Heading back down and to the right, start the trail heading clockwise. While there is some elevation gain, most of the trail is fairly flat, but it does get rocky and muddy in places, especially after a rain. Certain areas of the trail are close to the edge with steep drop-offs, so if heights make you nervous this may not be the best trail for you. This is one of the shadier trails and if you go at sunset you will definitely have some downright incredible light to photograph the rock formations.

Location: 34°52’27.7″N 111°47’45.5″W

Rating: easy

Length: 1.1 miles out & back

Elevation gain: 298 ft

Trail notes: alternate hike: Sugarloaf loop trail around the base, an easy 1.9 miles 

If you want amazing views without a lot of hiking, take a sunrise trek up Sugar Loaf to the summit and watch the day begin in the town of Sedona down below. It was incredible to see the twinkling lights give way to dawn color, and there’s another secret vortex here!

This hike is short and sweet, but it can be confusing to find the right trail as the Sugar Loaf trail crosses with the Teacup and Thunder Mountain trails, so make sure you take a photograph of the map from the parking lot before you begin. Start on the teacup trail, go straight until you reach a fork and then head right. You will soon reach a four-way split, with the Teacup trail behind and in front of you and the Sugar Loaf Loop trail as both options on your right. Head straight if you want to do the loop, take the second right trail (the trail furthest from you on the right). When you reach another split, go right to quickly ascend to the summit.

Location: 34°49’47.8″N 111°47’58.5″W

Rating: easy

Length: 0.7 miles out & back

Elevation gain: 78 ft

Trail notes: look out for wildflowers!

Finish up your Sedona hikes with an easy trek to some of the best sunset views in the entire area. If you’re short on time, visit the Secret Slickrock Trail. 

Park before Chavez Crossing Road deadends – you will see a few parking spots on your left. Most people get out and head straight for sunset views, but for views you can enjoy with fewer people, cross the road and look for the break in the fence for the trail. Follow the trail straight down to where it begins to open up over the slickrock. Look out for wildflowers, and if it has recently rained, you may even be able to capture some reflections!

Location: 34°53’36.7″N 111°51’53.8″W

Rating: difficult

Length: 4.9 miles out & back 

Elevation gain: 1975 ft

Trail notes: challenging elevation gain with 360 views at the end

Bear Mountain is a longer and more difficult hike with quite a lot of elevation gain, but the 360 views from the top will make it all worth it. Bring a jacket even if it’s hot out; the top can get quite cold and breezy, make sure you wear quality hiking boots, and definitely pack lots of water and snacks.

The trail can be difficult to follow so make sure you’re keeping track of the trail markers. There will be a few sections you’ll need to climb up with your hands, and there are two false summits before the end – just make sure you keep track of how far you’ve gone. Finally, give yourself plenty of time to take in the views!

• Oak Creek Trail: easy 1.1 miles
• Teacup to Coffeepot Trail: easy 2.2 miles
• Fay Canyon Trail: easy 2.6 miles
• Brins Mesa Trail: moderate 4.5 miles
• Boynton Canyon Trail: moderate 6.1 miles
• West Fork Trail: moderate 7.2 miles
• Loy Canyon Trail: difficult 9.8 miles

• Parking in most areas is extremely limited, especially in the busy season, so get to trails early in the day (carpooling is also key!)
• Red Rock Pass: At many trails, you’re required to have a Red Rock Pass, which is $5 for one day or $15 for the week
• Carry plenty of water! The desert gets hot quickly and dehydration can be dangerous.
• Hike early or late in the day to avoid the worst of the heat, but if you’re out late make sure you pack a headlamp.
• Wear a hat and lots of sunscreen – remember to reapply every two hours, especially if you’re sweating!
• Sedona is at high elevation, so you may find that you’re out of breath more easily hiking here than elsewhere.
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife and beware of dangerous wildlife such as rattlesnakes, scorpions, and even bees.
• Pack a first-aid kit and educate yourself on basic emergency procedures.
• Pack for the weather – the desert can get quite rainy and also shockingly cold in winter, so make sure you have the appropriate attire!
• Leave no trace: As always, stray on trail – it’s hard to see but there are actually delicate bacteria in the soil that are easily damaged, even by a single footprint. Erosion is also a big problem in this area, so only hike on established, official trails. Pack out your trash and don’t collect any rocks or anything else with you. Finally, take only photographs and leave this area pristine for everyone to enjoy equally!

• The Grand Canyon – just a two hour drive away and you can see this incredible National Park before or after your Sedona hiking trip! Recommended tour: Grand Canyon Classic Tour
• The Sonoran Desert – two and a half hours in the car will get you to absolutely stunning and unique desert views
• Antelope Canyon – about a three hour drive and you can reach this stunning slot canyon. You MUST book a tour to enter, this is the one I recommend (that will even pick you up in Sedona, perfection!)
• Flagstaff – just north of Sedona is a town where you can SKI at in winter (just in case Arizona didn’t have enough adventure!) and enjoy alpine lakes in summer
• Montezuma Castle – see an incredible piece of Native American history carved into the side of a cliff – check out this tour to combine it with your Sedona trip
• Horseshoe Bend – it’s a three hour drive to this classic view (it’s very popular for a reason!)
• Monument Valley – make your Sedona trip into a full road trip and add this stop, about 4 hours away, to see towering sandstone buttes
• Need more Sedona ideas? Check out these tours from GetYourGuide:

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