Best Sedona Hikes: Which Trail Is Right for You?

If you’ve read a few of my Arizona posts, you’ve probably figured out that Sedona is one place I’ll happily visit over and over again. The first trip in 2000 hooked me, and every time I go back, I end up finding another hiking trail or viewpoint that reminds me why. The choice in Sedona hikes are a big reason why I keep coming back.

While I’ve been to Sedona at least 50 times over the years, I haven’t hiked all of the trails. It is pretty amazing there are so many choices in Sedona. In this post I’ve listed my favorite hiking trails in Sedona and some of the more popular trails to help you plan your next hike.

Hiking in Sedona

Originally published October 6, 2023 — Last updated September 6, 2026

If hiking is your thing, though, you’re in the right place. With more than 200 trails, there’s something for every skill level. Whether you’re looking for an easy walk with amazing views or a trail that’ll leave your legs sore the next day, Sedona has plenty of options. These are the hikes I’d tell a friend to start with.

However, you really don’t need to stress about which trail to hike in Sedona. Every trail here has views you won’t find in any other town, which is why you came here right? The red rock formations dominate the town and all of the trails are scenic. I have never hiked in Sedona and thought wow this is an ugly trail. So, don’t worry about choosing the wrong trail.

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If you’re wondering which Sedona hike is right for you, start with the quick comparison below.

First time visitor? Read the complete things to do in Sedona guide → Things to do in Sedona Arizona

Which Sedona Hikes are Right for You?

Below are the Sedona hikes I’d actually recommend, depending on what you want to experience.

Which hike should I do if I’m specifically interested in vortexes? I’ve put those hikes together separately. → Visit a Vortex in Sedona.

To learn more travel tips on red rock passes, parking, traffic and directions visit my page on → Sedona Travel Tips

 If you’re here for a weekend, I’d choose one or two hikes based on what you actually want to experience rather than trying to cram in the most popular trails.

The Sedona Hikes I’d Choose

I’ll let you in on a secret of mine, the most popular trails (Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock & Soldier’s Pass) are not even my favorite trails. They are ones that I have hiked, but not the ones I hike over and over. However, if you are looking for the classic Sedona trails these are your best bet.

 I’ve hiked throughout the Sedona area, and below are the trails I’d consider first. I’ve included the hikes I’d choose for big views, a challenging climb, an easier outing, a creekside walk, and a few others when you don’t want to spend half your day fighting for parking.

Cathedral Rock Trailhead

If you’re up for a challenging hike, the Cathedral Rock trailhead has amazing panoramic views. Don’t let the distance fool you, this hike has a lot of rock scrambling. Due to the terrain and elevation gain it is a more strenuous hike.

• Trail Difficulty: Strenuous
• Distance: 1.4 miles round-trip
• Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Elevation gain: 669 ft
• Location: South of the “Y”
• Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about Red Rock Passes.
• Dog Friendly: I wouldn’t bring my dog on this hike. Too much of the hike is spent scrambling up rocks. Legally, yes dogs on a leash are allowed. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Parking: From Thursday through Sunday Cathedral Rock trailhead requires you to use the free Sedona shuttle.
• Shuttle: Yes. Want to learn more? Read my guide on Sedona Travel Tips.
• Rest Room Facility: No
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: Yes. Want to learn more about Sedona’s vortexes? Read my guide to Sedona’s vortex hikes.

Read the complete guide → Cathedral Rock Trailhead in Sedona

Bell Rock

This trail is one of the most iconic in Sedona. Bell Rock looks like a giant red-layered cupcake and the trail loops around it with scenic red rock views in every direction. You can keep it super easy and stick to the lower trail, or venture a bit higher for a more moderate hike.

• Trail Difficulty: Easy
• Time: 2.5-3 hours
• Distance: 7 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain:185 feet
• Location: South of the “Y”
• Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about Red Rock Passes.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: Yes. Bring your own hand sanitizer.
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: Yes. Want to learn more about Sedona’s vortexes? Read my guide to Sedona’s vortex hikes.

Read the complete guide → Bell Rock Sedona

Courthouse Butte

If you want to get up close to one of Sedona’s most recognizable red-rock formations without tackling a strenuous summit, choose Courthouse Butte. The loop gives you changing views of Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock, with plenty of scenery along the way.

• Trail Difficulty: Moderate
• Time: 2.5-3 hours
• Distance: 3.8 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: 297 feet
• Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about Red Rock Passes.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: Yes. Bring your own hand sanitizer.
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → Courthouse Butte

Baldwin Trail & Templeton Trail – Another Easy Hike with Little Elevation gain

I love the view of Cathedral Rock. If you’re looking an easy Sedona hike this one has a gorgeous view. This trail leisurely winds through juniper trees and meets up with Templeton Trail for picture-perfect views of Cathedral Rock. Take a short detour and dip your toes in Oak Creek or go for a swim if its hot out.

• Trail Difficulty: Easy
• Time: 2 hour
• Distance: 3.2 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: 150 ft
• Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about Red Rock Passes.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: No.
• Access: Oak Creek and swimming
• Shaded: Partial
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → Baldwin Trail Sedona

Airport Mesa – Little Elevation Gain

Want a short hike with big views? Airport Mesa is one of my easiest recommendations. This is one I return to over and over. Great place to bring any out of town guest because they have a trail that works for everyone. You can hike to the summit, see a vortex site and/or walk 100 feet from the parking lot to catch a sunset view.

• Trail Difficulty: Easy
• Time: 30 min – 2 hours
• Distance: .25 mile – 1.4 miles depending on chosen trail.
• Elevation gain: 200 – 400 feet depending on chosen trail.
• Fee: No at Small Parking Area or $3.00 at the main parking area.
• Rest Room Facility: Yes. Bring your own hand sanitizer.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: Yes. Want to learn more about Sedona’s vortexes? Read my guide to Sedona’s vortex hikes.

Read the complete guide → Airport Mesa Sedona

Boynton Canyon

If you want big red-rock views without committing to one of Sedona’s longer hikes, Boynton Canyon Vista is a good middle ground. You’ll get a worthwhile view with less time and effort than hiking the full Boynton Canyon Trail.

• Trail Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
• Time: 1-5 hours
• Distance: 6 miles round-trip for the longest hike
• Elevation gain: 931 feet
• Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about Red Rock Passes.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring lots of water.
• Rest Room Facility: Yes. Bring your own hand sanitizer.
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: Yes. Want to learn more about Sedona’s vortexes? Read my guide to Sedona’s vortex hikes.

Read the complete guide → Boynton Canyon Vista Trail

Crescent Moon Park

Crescent Moon Picnic Area is my favorite park in town. This park has several easy hikes in Sedona for any age. Not only does it have one of the best views of Cathedral Rock, Crescent Moon has nice picnic areas and Oak Creek access.

• Trail Difficulty: Easy
• Time: 1-2 hours
• Distance: miles round-trip
• Elevation gain:
• Fee: $15.00 as of 2026 or a Coconino Hospitality Annual Pass. Cannot use a Red Rock Pass or an America the Beautiful Pass.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: Yes. Bring your own hand sanitizer.
• Shaded: Yes
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → Crescent Moon Sedona

Seven Sacred Pools & Soldier’s Pass Sedona Arizona hikes

This trail has it all natural pools (seasonal), a sinkhole, and red rock scenery.

• Trail Difficulty: Moderate
• Time: 2.5-3 hours
• Distance: 3 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain:
• Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about Red Rock Passes.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: No.
• Parking: From Thursday through Sunday Soldier Pass trailhead requires you to use the free Sedona shuttle.
• Shuttle: Yes. Want to learn more? Read my guide on Sedona Travel Tips.
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → Seven Sacred Pools Sedona

Devil’s Bridge Trail

Devil’s Bridge is a fantastic hike and one I decided to take as part of a birthday trip. Best if you want the classic Sedona experience and don’t mind crowds. Worth doing if you want the classic natural-arch photo, but I wouldn’t choose it just because it’s famous. If you’re considering Devil’s Bridge, read my complete guide first because the parking situation can change how far you’ll actually walk.

• Trail Difficulty: Moderate
• Time: 2.5-3 hours
• Distance: 2 – 4 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain:
• Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about Red Rock Passes.
• Dog Friendly: I wouldn’t bring my dog on this hike. There are areas where you need to scramble up rocks and so it would depend on your dog’s agility. Legally, yes dogs on a leash are allowed. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: Yes at parking lot. Bring your own hand sanitizer.
• Shuttle: Yes. Want to learn more? Read my guide on Sedona Travel Tips.
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → Devil’s Bridge Sedona

Birthing Cave in Sedona

The Birthing Cave is kind of hidden, however the hike to the cave itself is a short easy trail. You’ll need to park at the Long Canyon Trailhead.

• Trail Difficulty: Moderate
• Time: 1- 2 hours
• Distance: 2 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: 230 feet
• Fee: No, use Long Canyon Trailhead
• Dog Friendly: I wouldn’t bring my dog on this hike. The cave is slippery and walls are sloped. Legally, yes dogs on a leash are allowed. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: No.
• Shuttle: No
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → Birthing Cave in Sedona

Doe Mountain Trail

If you want a short, fairly steep hike with a big payoff, Doe Mountain is hard to beat. The trail climbs quickly to a broad mesa with 360-degree views, making it a good choice when you want impressive scenery without spending half the day hiking.

• Trail Difficulty: Moderate
• Time: 2.5-3 hours
• Distance: miles round-trip
• Elevation gain:
• Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about Red Rock Passes.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: Yes. Bring your own hand sanitizer.
• Shuttle: No.
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → Doe Mountain

Sugarloaf & Teacup

Sugarloaf is a short, sweet climb to a scenic lookout point where you can soak in 360-degree views of Sedona including Thunder Mountain and Chimney Rock. Great spot for sunrise or sunset. Trailhead is at the end of Buena Vista Drive. Close to Amitabha Stupa Peace Park.

• Trail Difficulty: Moderate
• Time: 2.5-3 hours
• Distance: 2.5 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain:
• Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about Red Rock Passes.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: No.
• Shuttle: No.
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → Teacup Trail Sedona

Secret SlickRock

If you want Cathedral Rock views without the strenuous Cathedral Rock climb, Secret SlickRock might be the trail for you.

• Trail Difficulty: Easy
• Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Distance: .8 mile round-trip
• Elevation gain:
• Fee: No, this is not a fee site.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: No.
• Shuttle: No
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → Secret SlickRock Sedona Hike

Midgley Bridge

Midgley Bridge is a short hike near it’s namesake, Midgley Bridge. Parking is very limited. Park by the bridge and wander along the trails with views of Wilson Mountain and Oak Creek. If you are coming from uptown Sedona parking is directly to your left after you cross the bridge.

• Trail Difficulty: Moderate
• Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Distance: 1.2 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: 42 feet
• Fee: Yes, this is a fee site. Use a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. Learn more about Red Rock Passes.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: Yes. Bring your own hand sanitizer.
• Shuttle: No.
• Shaded: No
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → Midgley Bridge Sedona Hike

West Fork Trail – Call of the Canyon

If you want something completely different from the exposed red-rock hikes, West Fork is one of the most beautiful hikes in Arizona, especially in the fall. Expect red rock cliffs, tall pines, and dozens of creek crossings. It is my favorite spot to see the changing colors of the leaves.

• Trail Difficulty: Easy
• Time: 2.5-3 hours
• Distance: 6 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: 221 feet
• Fee: $15.00 as of 2026 or a Coconino Hospitality Annual Pass. Cannot use a Red Rock Pass or an America the Beautiful Pass.
• Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs must be on a leash. Don’t forget to bring water.
• Rest Room Facility: Yes. Bring your own hand sanitizer.
• Shuttle: No.
• Tip: My phone reception was fine for the first mile or so and then I lost cell service.
• Shaded: Yes
• Vortex: No

Read the complete guide → West Fork Trail in Sedona

Sedona Hiking Tips

Here’s what I always tell friends and remind myself:

• Get there early. Parking fills up fast, especially on weekends. The most popular trails require you to take the Sedona Shuttle during busy periods.
• Hiking trails in Sedona usually open at 7:00 am in the warmer months (April – September) and 8:00 am in the cooler months (October – March). They usually close at dusk.
• Bring plenty of water.
• Wear trail shoes with good grip. Sedona trails can be rocky and slippery.
• A Red Rock Pass is required at many trailheads. You can get one at visitor centers or kiosks (most take credit cards).
• Dogs are welcome on many trails, but they must be leashed.

What is the Best Time to Visit Sedona?

Is a Guided Hike in Sedona Worth It?

I’ve explored Sedona mostly on my own, however here’s when I think a guided hike in Sedona is actually worth paying for.

1. You’re looking for someone else to take care of the logistics.
2. You don’t want to drive anywhere.
3. You’re interested in exploring the area but want to know about the history, nature or culture of the area.
4. Looking to see spots on the hike that you may have missed if hiking alone.
5. Short on time, you can make the most of it with a tour.

Take a hike → Guided Yoga Hike or an Easy Guided Red Rock Hike.

Want to spend less time hiking? See our best non-hiking Sedona experiences.

Sedona Hikes FAQ

Where Are the Hikes?

Great hikes can be found throughout the entire Sedona and Oak Creek Village area. We divided the hikes based on the part of town they can be found in using the “Y” as our compass point. In this post I will refer to the “Y” when providing directions.

Directions to Sedona Hikes

To learn more travel tips on red rock passes, parking, traffic and directions visit my page on → Sedona Travel Tips

If you want to organize the hikes based on where you are staying I’ve compiled the list below. Hikes are near the Village of Oak Creek, West Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon.

South of the “Y” – Hikes Near the Village of Oak Creek –

On your way into Red Rock country stop at the Visitor Center to pick up any maps and Red Rock passes you will need. The map below shows Oak Creek Village, The Y, West Sedona and Uptown Sedona as navigation points.

• Cathedral Rock Trailhead
• Bell Rock
• Courthouse Butte
• Broken Arrow Trailhead
• Baldwin Trail

West Sedona Arizona Hikes

Once you head west from the “Y” on 89A, you’re in West Sedona territory. This area is home to some of the most popular hikes. Hikes with trails west of Sedona’s “Y” intersection include:

• Airport Mesa
• Boynton Canyon
• Crescent Moon
• Seven Sacred Pools & Soldier’s Pass
• Devil’s Bridge
• Birthing Cave
• Doe Mountain
• Sugarloaf

Oak Creek Canyon Sedona Hikes

Heading north of the Y on 89A through uptown Sedona, you’ll enter lush canyon country. This area is leads you to some beautiful hikes along Oak Creek Canyon. Some of our favorite hikes in this area include:

• Midgely Bridge
• West Fork Trail

Sedona Guides

Sedona Guide

First-Time Visitor Guide – The Best Things to Do, See & Explore

Explore Sedona

Jeep Tours

Explore Sedona’s back roads and red rock canyons with local guides.

Jeep Tours

Scenic Drives

Explore Arizona’s prettiest drives including Oak Creek Canyon & Red Rock Byway

Scenic Drives

• Book a Flight to Sedona: To Sedona the closest airport is Flagstaff Pulliam and Sky Harbor in Phoenix.
• Rent a Car to Sedona: You can rent a car in Flagstaff or Phoenix and drive to Sedona. Alternatively, you can leave the driving to someone else and take a bus tour from Phoenix to Sedona.
• Where to Stay in Sedona: Choose from hotels, motels, resorts, airbnb, vrbo, cabins, and camp sites in Sedona.
• Tours to Take in Sedona

For fee sites you may need a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass. You can purchase at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce or Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center. Alternatively you can purchase a pass at the trailhead kiosk (credit cards only).

Sedona Tours