Devil’s Bridge Sedona: Is the Hike Worth It?
Devil’s Bridge is one of those Sedona hikes where the hike is short, but the final climb is steep and rocky. Finding parking can turn this short hike into a much longer outing.
I believe the views at the end of the trail make it worth visiting. You can walk across Sedona’s popular natural arch, or if you’re afraid of heights just admire the expansive views at the end of the trail. Here’s what I’d know before going.
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Hike Devils Bridge in Sedona
Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone bridge in the area. It also ranks as one of the most popular hikes in Sedona, so get here before 7 am if you want to grab one of the limited parking spots. I had a high-clearance vehicle when I visited during the week and was lucky to be able to find a parking spot right next to the trailhead.
If I didn’t have the option of parking with a high-clearance vehicle I would choose to hike to Devil’s Bridge via Mescal trail because it is the shortest route and the terrain/views are the same as if you hike the longer way via Chuckwagon Trail. If you’ve hiked other hikes in Sedona I would say this hike is easier than Cathedral Rock, but harder than Bell Rock due to the elevation gains.
The trail itself is not long, only 1.6 miles out and back, however unless you have a high clearance vehicle you will need to park at one of two parking lots. This will add up to 4.2 miles to your hike. Depending on where you park it can take 2-4 hours to hike.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance via Chuckwagon Trail: 5.8 miles out and back
- Distance vis Mescal Trail: 4.2 miles out and back
- Distance via Dry Creek Trailhead: 1.6 miles out and back (high-clearance vehicles only and just a few parking spots)
- Time: 2 – 4 hours
- Elevation gain: 370 ft
- Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass.
- Parking: From Thursday through Sunday Devil’s Bridge trailhead can be reached by utilizing the free Sedona shuttle.
Via Chuckwagon Trail
From the Devil’s Bridge paved parking area you’ll walk about miles on Chuckwagon Trail until you reach the trailhead. Dry Creek road is popular for jeeps and high clearance vehicles. It isn’t recommended that you hike on this road since vehicles do drive down it. You can hike to the Devil’s Head trailhead via the Chuckwagon Trail. You will find this trailhead at the back of the parking lot to your right. Follow this trail to Devil’s Bridge Trailhead.
It should take you about 30 -40 minutes to get to the trailhead. There is a sign for the trailhead, which will be on your right. To reach the bridge from here you’ll hike for just under a mile.
Devil’s Bridge Hike
You will gain about 370 feet in elevation. The trail starts out wide and fairly level, but it quickly turns into a steep rocky climb.
After about .75 of a mile, you will reach a division in the path. There are a small cavern of rocks with a spot you can crawl under. If you want to walk across Devil’s Bridge, stay to the right and follow the route toward the rocky staircase. The left route takes you underneath the bridge.
View the Bridge from Below
If you want to see the bridge from underneath take the path to the left. This will take you to the base of the bridge. I like seeing all the different viewpoints so we walked down to see the bridge from underneath. Then we just backtracked and continued on to see the top of the bridge.
Devil’s Bridge – Above
When you get to this point of the trail there is a little bit of a scramble up a rocky staircase. The final climb is rocky and much steeper than the first part of the trail. This will lead to a pretty wide open viewing area. You can take a break here, drink some water, take in the views.
From here you will have a great view of Devil’s Bridge and the surrounding area. If you want to reach the bridge continue up to the next level.
You don’t have to cross the bridge to enjoy the hike. You can stop at the viewing area and see the arch from below or from the side. When we visited there were only a handful of people waiting to walk across the bridge. Everyone was nice, took turns and offered to take photos for people. Maybe I just had good timing during the week, but I have heard that it is more common for a longer line to form now.
Devil’s Bridge is around 50 feet high and it is wider than it appears from afar. You can walk across it. It starts out about 10-12 feet wide and then gradually gets narrower to maybe 5 feet wide.
It is a little scary walking towards the end of the bridge because that’s where it is the more narrow, however you don’t have to walk all the way down either.
Views from Devil’s Bridge & Area
The hike and the bridge are what I would expect in Sedona, to me its the views from the top of the bridge that make this hike worth the effort.
Tip: Before Your Visit Find the latest information or any closures → Official USDA Forest Service site.
Where is Devil’s Bridge Trailhead & How to Get There
It’s the main intersection (roundabout) in town where Highway 179 meets Highway 89A.
If traveling from Phoenix to 179 you will go west on 89A at the “Y” intersection. Turn on Dry Creek Road and follow the road for two miles. At this point Dry Creek Road or Forest Road 152 will turn to your right. This part of the road is not maintained. Maps are available for the northwest Sedona area at the Visitor Center and Forest Services.
Devil’s Bridge Trail Parking Options
Devil’s Bridge Parking Lot (paved) – Hike via Chuckwagon Trail
This is the longer way to hike to Devil’s Bridge. Where Dry Creek Road meets Boynton Pass you turn right and in about a third of a mile there is a paved parking lot. Somewhere around 36 vehicles can park here. From this parking area you can hike to Devil’s Bridge via the Chuckwagon Trail. It is about a 2 mile one-way hike to reach the Devil’s Bridge trailhead from here.
Dry Creek Trailhead Parking Lot (High-clearance)
If you have a high clearance vehicle, another option is to continue driving for another mile and park closer to the trailhead. The terrain is rough and you will need a high clearance vehicle.
You will notice a sign for the trail head . On your right there will be a small parking area where maybe five or six vehicles can park. If you’re lucky there might be a spot open. From this spot it is about .8 of a mile hike to Devil’s Bridge.
Devil’s Bridge Parking Lot – Hike Via Mescal Trail
Alternatively you can park at Mescal Car Park off of Long Canyon Road. Continue straight down Boynton Pass Road, make a right on Long Canyon Road and the parking lot is on your left. From here you can cross the street and hike to Devil’s Bridge via the Mescal Trail. The Mescal trail will become the Chuckwagon Trail. Veer left on the trail when it hits a Y in the path. Continue straight, you will end up crossing Dry Creek Road and the trailhead is just across the road.
Devil’s Bridge Sedona Shuttle
If you’re visiting during a holiday or Thursday – Sunday, you can take a shuttle to the paved parking lot on Dry Creek Road/Devil’s Bridge Parking Lot or the Mescal parking lot further up the road.
If you’re taking your dog on the Sedona Shuttle it either needs to be leashed and muzzled or in an approved carrier.
Tip: Find Where to Park for the shuttle → Official Sedona Shuttle Route site.
Safety on Devil’s Bridge Trail
This hike is not shaded. In the summer, Sedona temps are in the high 90’s. I don’t recommend hiking longer trails like this in the summer. It is a better hike for cooler months. If visiting in the summer, I would not recommend hiking this trail unless you start at 5 or 6 am. Bring a hat and plenty of water. Dehydration is a real risk on any desert hike, especially one with no shade. The general guideline is to bring 1 liter of water per person per hour of hiking.
Devil’s Bridge FAQs
It is a easy to moderate hike with some steep scrambling at the end.
4.2 – 5.8 miles depending on which parking lot you start from.
2-4 hours depending on where you parked.
370 feet
Yes, Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass here.
Dogs on a leash are allowed on the trail. However, this is hike requires some scrambling up rocks at the end and it has no shade. I personally would not bring my dog on this hike.
Yes, there is a limited amount of parking
Yes, at the parking areas.
Water. The general hiking guideline is to bring 1 liter for each hour of hiking. Sunscreen, there is no shade on this trail. Good hiking boots, not tennis shoes. You need footwear with traction so you can grip the side of a mountain.
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Adventurer At Heart
Hello, my name is Amber! I'm an Arizona-based traveler obsessed with nature and history.
