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Balancing Rock Trailhead

5.0 (1 review)

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4 years ago

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Thumb Butte Park - More top views

Thumb Butte Park

(31 reviews)

OK. This is a super short and super easy hike. It is slightly challenging if you take the direct…read moreroute straight up. Going this direction, it is paved all the way to the base of the rock formation forming the top. Going this direction is also steeper than going the opposite direction (CCW). From here, you're climbing, not hiking. But that part is pretty easy too...just be careful and stay within your limits. Perigrin falcons nest on the top rock section and this section does have a nesting closure period which I believe is summer through fall...but you should research the exact range as I'm not sure. If you keep your eyes open, you can see them most times of the year...but they're fast! You can also get to the base of the rock section forming the top, by a dirt path. The grade is easier, but the path there is longer. You'll occasionally see mountain bikes on this path, so heads up. Regardless of which path you use to get to the top, keep your eyes open (& ears a listening) for rattlesnake. I've seen them multiple times hiking this area. I've also seen numerous hikers that let their dogs run free (against park rule). It would not be a good day for your dog if it gets bitten.

6 words that say it all: This hike will kick your butt! lol My son and I hiked this around…read morewintertime when it was still cold outside, I paid the $5 parking fee and we soon began our walk up the steep hill. If you have bad knees like I do, walking up is easier than down, my knees hurt so bad every step I took walking down because it was such a long steep down. I was able to make it to the top with my 7-year-old, surprisingly he enjoyed it all. Depending on your viewpoint, I saw someone had just arrived in the parking lot when we were getting ready to leave, thought it'd be nice to just give him my ticket so he could save $5. We were only there for like 1.5 hours. Tip: Also, if you just want to drive by it and take a nice mini scenic drive(because you're like me and you're curious to know what else is up that road..), keep driving on the road past the paid parking and you'll notice people will park on the side of the road and walk the more flat areas, there are further trails you'll notice. I drove the whole thing till it takes you to some nice houses that seem like they're in the middle of nowhere, more beautiful and all the high trees, you drive through the houses in a loop which will lead you back on the same road to head back into town. You'll see it, or just view it on your maps. I've driven it several times, absolutely beautiful views on this mini scenic drive, probably about 15-20 min drive.

Cathedral Rock - Red bee hive looking

Cathedral Rock

(345 reviews)

Recommend: Hiking boots, sun screen, backpack for water bottle, and long pants…read more Park and ride shuttle parking lot filled up before 10AM. Go early if you are a morning person. This will help to finish the hike before noon. If you are not a morning person, download the Sedona shuttle app, follow the shuttle into the lot for a parking spot. The trail up to the cathedral rock can be narrow and steep at some sections. Going up is more difficult than coming down based on our experience. The view at the top - spectacular!

I've climbed some impressive trails in my day... but Cathedral Rock clearly woke up that morning…read moreand chose violence. Sharon and I decided we were obviously elite athletes, so naturally we set out to hike it. About a quarter mile in, our lungs filed a formal complaint. Now to be fair, the trail doesn't exactly ease you into things. It basically looks at you and says, "Oh... you thought this was a walk?" From there it's steep rock, scrambling, and a steady reminder that gravity is very real. We stopped. We rested. We evaluated several recent life choices. And then we kept going. At some point along the climb it hits you: this might be the only hike where the staircase goes straight up the side of a postcard. I made it as high as I reasonably could before deciding that discretion is sometimes the better part of valor... and oxygen. So we turned back. And honestly, that's when the best part of the experience happened. As we paused on the way down, we chatted with hikers from all over North America heading up and down the trail. Every single person asked the same thing: "How far did you make it?" Not a single raised eyebrow when we said we didn't summit. Meanwhile I had been judging myself like I'd just been cut from the varsity team. From where we rested, the view over Sedona was absolutely gorgeous. Calm. Expansive. Peaceful. One of those views that makes you stop talking for a minute and just take it in. Also, small public service announcement: I originally thought this hike led to the famous chapel built into the red rocks. That would be Chapel of the Holy Cross... which is a very different destination and a much easier visit. Definitely double-check your notes before committing to this particular adventure. The trail is challenging, the scenery is spectacular, and the experience has a little bit of magic to it. Five stars for a hike that reminds you the goal isn't always the summit... sometimes it's just appreciating the view from exactly where you are.

Balancing Rock Trailhead - hiking - Updated May 2026

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