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.

This is a decent hiking spot. While it does have a ton of space, it still is kind of small too and…read moregoes around in a quick circle. The biggest complaint I have is needing to pay for parking because it's not that big of a hiking trail or spot. But it can still give you a decent view of the scenery as well as see beautiful rock formations. Will also say that the spot where the memorial for where the constellation crashed is touching. However, again this is not the best hiking spot.

The Constellation trail is a great local hiking area with a series of trails through the north end…read moreof the granite dells outcropping. So if you're looking for a short easy one to three hour walk this is a great place to visit. See my older review about the naming of this park dedicated to the Navy Constellation which crashed here. There is ample parking at the trailhead and restrooms. Make sure to bring your water though because it can be hot in the summer. However their are great trees to provide rest areas. It is full of birds and wildlife.

Absolutely beautiful grounds, and free!! Easily walkable paths for the kids. The large bug…read moresculptures were super cool. Kiddos loved the play area and could have stayed there all day. We look forward to coming back next time we're in Prescott.

Great place for short, well marked hikes with a lot of variety. Grab a trail map near the…read moreamphitheater and take the highlands trail for 360 views on the north part of the loop, plus creek side walking and interesting geology. The trail guide points out numerous topographic, geologic and historical areas. Finish up with a walk along the gardens. There are many benches along the way and also a children's play area.

The trail head at Green Gulch offers a lot of variety with open grass and shrub at the beginning,…read morerocky stream bed forested trails, and valley views from the Red Mountain trail. You begin on #9419 Charcoal Gulch trail which is a wide double track road suitable for ATVs. At about one mile the trail meets up with Red Mountain Trail #43 to the right which becomes narrower and rocky and winds through beautiful stream beds with abundant shade. After about a half mile on #43 switchbacks start climbing up to Red Mountain which offers great views to the east and north to Prescott Valley. This climb is rocky and a bit steep so will get your lungs going. Good hiking boots are needed, prefab let high top for ankle stability. We did a total of about 3 miles out and back but you can make this much longer as this trail connects to #42 Prospector Trail which is part of Lynx Lake. We will plan to go back and checkout a bit of #42 next time. On a cloudy and cool Friday in December we encountered only one person on the flat beginning section of the trail so this a great area for some solitude.

This stunning lake is just outside of Prescott. The scenery is spectacular, with amazing rock…read moreformations around and in the lake. There are several hiking trails around it. There is some boating/kayaking allowed. Boat ramps, some playground equipment, picnic tables. It costs to get in, but you can buy an annual pass which gets you into other parks in the area. We love coming here when we're in the area.

Beautiful trail with lots of pathways and cool scenery. Also can get a really nice view of the lake…read moreand hear the ducks. Would for sure recommend checking this trail out if you can and just enjoy the scenery.

Great place to start! Good parking and so many trails from this spot. Highly recommend the…read moreTrailforks app to guide you in addition to the pretty good signage.

There several trails from this parking lot located a couple miles west of the Thumb Butte…read moreRecreation area. We did a loop of the 318, 332 and 325 trails. Portions of this hike were in valleys near drainage areas, some with paths wide enough for ATVs, though I am not sure if they are allowed. You cross through Willow Creek about a third of the way in and in February it was flowing with a small stream and was quite peaceful and lush. There are views towards Thumb Butte from the 318. Overall the is a nice, relatively easy workout close to town. The trails can be busy with cyclists and hikers, no doubt due to the easy access on a paved road and free parking. Go on a weekday if you can.

Visited on Saturday, November 1st, and arrived around 1 PM. Parking was $3. We first stopped at the…read morelower lake since the upper area was pretty busy, but quickly learned that the lower lake is lure fishing only--no bait allowed. So, we made our way back up to the upper lake, where bait is permitted. The upper lake was fairly crowded and a bit noisy (sound really carries there), but it's a beautiful spot overall--small, peaceful, and scenic. We stayed for about two hours, didn't catch anything, but did spot a few fish swimming around. Still a pleasant visit!

Our new goto fishing spot! Trout! Well kept park Nice…read moretrails we enjoy it everytime....winter is lovely there

Very beautiful and relaxing, we creek walked the opposite direction of The Crack, heading South…read moredown the creek, there still was pockets of people we encountered. Very tranquil place. Saw a few fish.

Parking - I highly suggest to get early because this is popular place and it quickly fills up…read more While they do have extra space at other lots for parking it just gets very jammed up. Hike- Put lots of sunscreen on, bring a hat, lots of water, some snacks of food, and the right shoes! The hike itself is not bad, it's pretty much flat for the most part. It does have some incline, but nothing an average person can't handle. I think the only reason people complain because the heat drains out a lot of energy and water in your body. If you do feel tired they do have a couple shaded areas by trees to rest. Keep following the signs that say Bell Trail. You do have options to stop and check out other smaller cliffs and little river pools but we chose to see the big cliff. Take it slow, enjoy the view and make it all the way to end of bell trail and jump of the cliff! It's amazing . You can spend basically the whole day there if you want but have what you will need in your backpack for that day.

This place is a joke. They tried to make me work 40 hours plus one week. On top of "Therapy"…read more Forced Labor! This isn't a get-well place; This is an internment camp.

The trails is very long (more than 4 miles one way) and I couldn't make it to the summit since…read morealmost at the end there were no signs on what path to take and the one that I chose, I ended up with dead-end in the middle of burnt trees and I had to come back without finishing it. The path is not very steep but can become difficult at some points. Make sure you take plenty of water, snack and a good hat with you.

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.