Sedona, Arizona Hiking and Camping

If you love hiking, then you must experience Sedona Arizona hiking. It's on the must-do list of any serious hiker, and here's why. The red rock, the geologic formations, the incredible vistas, and the assortment of different trails makes it the most beautiful experience for any hiker of any level. Sedona Arizona hiking can be enjoyed by people of all skills and levels, so it's just a matter of choosing the right trail and being prepared for the environment. Here's a guide to the trails of Sedona, Arizona.

Hiking

Cathedral Rock Trail

The Cathedral Rock Trail is slightly challenging but pretty easy nonetheless because it's only 1.5 miles up to the greatest view in town. You get a 360-degree view of red rock country, the Verde Valley, Mingus Mountain, and Jerome, thirty miles away. Bring water, sturdy shoes, and a camera. The trailhead is just three mile south of Sedona on Back O'Beyond Road, which is off route 179.

The Jim Thompson Trail

This trial was built by pioneers to transport goods from the Oak Creek Canyon's east rim down to the pioneer homes on the creek. This trail starts at the end of Jordan Road. It's easy, at almost two and a half miles long, and goes through beautiful cypress forest. You'll traverse the cliffs of Steamboat Rock and see the sail of Ship Rock. You can also get a good bird's eye view of Midgely Bridge. You can also connect to Wilson Mountain Trail from here. Wilson Mountain is Sedona's highest peak and the trail is challenging.

Brin's Mesa Trail

Brin's Mesa trail also begins at the end of Jordan Road, like the Jim Thompson Trail. Brin's Mesa is named after a bull and overlooks red rock canyons. It is 3.2 miles long and begins in a manzanita forest. You can see Snoopy from here, as well s the Teapot, Earth Angel spire, and some other formations as well. Save your energy for the last mile, which is steep and difficult!

Munds Wagon Trail

This trail begins off Schebly Hill Road, from a picnic area. The Munds Family used the route to travel between their ranch and Mogollon Rim. The trail is in excellent condition and goes for four miles. Starting at the base of Bear Wallow Canyon, and continuing around MerryGoRound Rock, ends on the rim with a great view. Easy trail.

Huckaby Trail

This trail goes two ways: south to Marg's draw Trail or north to Midgely Bridge. The southern route will connect you to the 2-mile Broken Arrow Trail (get to Devil's Dining Room from that trail).

Boynton Canyon Trail

The Boynton Canyon Trail is the Yavpai tribe's point of emergence, sacred place for them. New Age Believers think there's a vortex here. There's a trail to Kachina Woman, which is a spire which is said to be the source of energy.

Coconino National Forest

Some of the country's best National Forests are in Arizona, and the one associated with Sedona Arizona is among the top. Also check out Coconino National Forest, which is in the Sedona Ranger District. Rangers at the station will help you pick the best hiking trails to suit your needs, give you good directions on how to get to the trailhead and where to park, and also supply you with maps and field guides. Ask about trailheads for trails on Doe's Mountain, Loy Canyon, Devil's Kitchen, the West Fork Trail, and Long Canyon.

West Fork of Oak Creek

The West Fork of Oak Creek is a fun six-mile round trip loop trail through Oak Creek Canyon. It's the most stunning of all the short hikes in Oak Creek Canyon, with steep cliff walls and an extra-wide trail. You can go further up the trail if you want to go backpacking. Trailhead is located 9.5 miles from Sedona, Arizona, in Oak Creek Canyon. It's at the Call of the Canyon Recreation ARea, $7 to get in.

Bell Rock Pathway

Bell Rock Pathway is just off Route 179 just north of the village of Oak Creek and has other trails shooting off it at various points. It curls around Bell Rock, then you have to watch for cairns (piles of small rocks placed by humans to mark a trail), up the side of Cathedral Rock. It's around a five mile trip all the way around the rock.

Airport Mesa Trail

This is a trail that circles Airport Mesa, and offers the best views in town. It's three and a half miles long, and almost totally flat, which means it's an easy trail. It gives beginners the chance to experience Sedona Arizona hiking. The trailhead is off Airport Road, and the adjacent parking lot fills up early, so try and get there early in the morning before the "crowds".

Mystic Trail

The Mystic Trail is easy to get to, easy to hike, and not over-hiked. The trailhead is at an unmarked pulloff on Chapel Road, which is between Route 179 and Chapel of the Holy Cross. The trail runs between housing developments in the hills, but you won't even know they are there once you start hiking.

Vultee Arch Trail

The Vultee Arch Trail is a short one, at one and a half miles round trip. The destination is a sandstone arch that become very photogenic at certain times of the day. To get here, drive tow miles on Dry Creek Road, then turn onto a very primitive dirt road.

Devil's Bridge Trail

On the same dirt road as Vultee Arch Trail, you get Devil's Bridge Trail. This one is easier to get to than Vultee Arch Trail. The destination here is the largest sandstone arch around these parts, which is actually saying a lot! The hike is 1.8 miles round trip.

Camping

There are five campgrounds run by the National Forest Service around Sedona, Arizona, mainly in the Oak Creek Canyon area. Find out about them at the Coconino National Forest's Red Rock Ranger Station. The campgrounds are:

1. Manzanita, which is six miles north of town, and the largest and the best one. It's also the only one open all year round.
2. Pine Flat, which is seven miles north of the Manzanita camptround
3. Bootlegger is nine miles outside of town
4. Cave Springs, 12 miles outside of town.
5. Beaver Creek Campground is three miles east of I-17 on Forest Road 618. It's near the B-Var-V Heritge site.

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