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Bear Mountain Hiking Trail

4.8 (20 reviews)

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Oddly I read this sign several days after the hike. Seriously though, how is the map and compass going to help?
Steph B.

This is a gonzo tough trek up to 6500' or so. The trail offers several spectacular views of Sedona and is well worth the time it takes (4-6 hours). It's a great trail for people who like that less often trekked hike. During the whole morning we only met 7 people. My daughter who was hiking with me isn't the type to sit still or I would have sunned on a ledge all morning Reading the trail guides had us over prepared. We each started with 4-5 liters of water and food for a day. By the time we reached the summit we dumped 1-2 liters each. 3 is enough on a moderate day. We didn't eat any of the food. Just as the trail guides say, there are three "false" summits. This is a bit tough psychologically but I knew in advance. Also the peak is no where near as spectacular as some of the mid-hike ledges so don't pass up a nice vista or shady spot thinking you will get better at the top. The trail is largely broken rock. Have a good pair of hiking shoes and some mole skins if those are new. Along the trail are several natural hazards. Watch what you reach for and make sure it's not a lose rock, prickly pear, or rattle snake. We shall all this as well as mini bears (a.k.a. Chipmunks), and a Racer snake.

Andrea W.

I did this trail pretty much almost twice, because the first time, I forgot my jacket about 2/3 up the trail (I proceeded to go to Fay Canyon after I went back down the first time, then came back to hike for my jacket). The first time I came, I arrived to the parking lot around 8AM and there were 8 cars; I paid $5 and started the hike. A lot of it was still shaded so I was a bit cold (hence the jacket), and I didn't see many people along the way which was great. Reached the top at around 9:40AM, 1.5 hours. Views were great, sun was out and it was warm, and only saw a few people at the top. I started heading down around 10:15AM, and towards the bottom, there were a lot more people; I wasn't a fan of that. I got back to my car at 11:30AM, and the parking lot as well as the streets were full. The second time I came, I started around 12:45PM, and I managed to snag a parking spot even though the parking lot was pretty much full. The hike was somewhat empty and I went about 1.8 miles up to get my jacket; didn't see many people on the way back down either. So, my recommendation for this hike is: either go really early, or come around noon / 1PM to avoid the rush. Great views, fun hike, would recommend!

Jocelyn K.

Spectacular trail with amazing views. The trail is moderately difficult and steep at some points. There are times where you will have to use your hands to climb. Definitely not a climb for those with joint problems. The beginning of the trail is right next to the parking lot for the Bear Mountain Trail and the Deer Trail. It's $5 for parking and I think there is also a restroom. We came during the winter around the end of December. It's chilly, but not too cold that you have to wear a large winter jacket. After a few minutes, I was sweating from the hike and had to peel off some layers. It is about 2.4 miles one way, and the sign says it's about a 5 hour hike. Unfortunately, we were on a tight schedule, so could only get a little bit more than half way to the top. It took about 1 hour getting there, and about another hour getting down. Be careful coming down, because if you trip you could potentially fall into the many clusters of cacti.

A view from the starting spot. Yes, you will be going up and over this, and that's just the beginning...!
Gordo C.

Incredible hike with great views - and a real sense of accomplishment when you get done!! The vertical is steep enough that if you're a novice you probably should avoid this one. If you like a challenge then this one is perfect. It's 5 miles round trip but the vertical is almost 2,000 feet! It took us 3 HRs and 40 min but I hear of others taking 5+ hours (and some reviews mention 6 hours, so come prepared w water and snacks). I added a photo from the parking lot and viewing that I still am amazed that the trail leads you up and over that Mountain! And after the first steep climb you actually go a bit sideways and conquer 3 more peaks to get to the very top. From there you can actually look a bit northeast and see the San Francisco Peaks all the way up in Flagstaff! For Hikers looking for a challenge, this is a must-do!

Emma H.

Such a spectacular trail. Difficulty would be described as moderately difficult. There were pretty steep ascents/descents where all four limbs came into play. There were many times where we felt like we were off the trail and headed the wrong direction as it is not always clearly defined. However, having to pick our way and use our senses made it that much more challenging and fun! Multiple times, we stopped in awe of the view: it shows you almost the entirety of the Verde Valley as Bear Mountain is on the edge of the canyons. The trail is 2.5 miles one way and about a 2000 ft climb. Bring plenty of water and start early (before 8am) as it took us about 4 hrs to hike. It is not for the beginning hiker unless you are in very decent shape. The trailhead actually starts across the parking lot through a grassy meadow.

Diane B.

My 58 year old body made it to the top! With my 57 year old hubby as my tour guide, we were successful in following the trail. Very well marked. Lots of great photo ops and the view from the top is breathtaking.

Not even to the top yet -- this VIEW!
Cynthia C.

My boyfriend and I have done this trail twice now, and the earlier you go, the better. Its pretty lengthy and challenging but well worth it. Give yourself about 5 hours round trip depending how often you stop to rest and take in the view. Bring lots of water do not underestimate. The view is incredible when you get to the top!

CK G.

Best kept secret of Sedona Hike! We went there twice and always impress us. 2.5 miles one way. The hike is difficult but the view will take your breath away!

Angela S.

LOVE this trail! It's beautiful and a workout! If you live near Phoenix, I like to compare it with camelback Echo Canyon trail. It's twice as long and I think same difficulty level.

Jocelyn F.

Great trail. But it's quite difficult. Coming down I couldn't believe that I did it! There's a definite End of Trail marker, so keep going. I swear we climbed about 5 mountains before we got there. But I'm glad we pushed through. It took us 3 hours up, and 2 hours down. We stopped to rest plenty of times. Had some grapes 1/3 way up, half a sandwich about 2/3 if the way up and an apple halfway down. Definitely pack snacks. We took 1.5 gallons of water between 2 people and had enough. Sooner you start in the day the better. The sun is hot after 1 pm. You'll want water, snacks, sunscreen and I was glad to have a hand towel. Would have loved to have baby wipes but I forgot. And if you have ankle braces or know how to tape ankles, I would absolutely do it once you've reached the summit. As always, doing down is much harder on the joints than going up. I am proud to say that I've conquered this trail!

Gorgeous views the entire way up!

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Ask the Community - Bear Mountain Hiking Trail

Review Highlights - Bear Mountain Hiking Trail

You could probably do Bear and knock off Doe Mountain afterward, then make your way down the road to Fay Canyon (a 2-miler) for a very efficient day of hiking.

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Airport Mesa

Airport Mesa

4.4(146 reviews)
6.3 mi

Most places give you a sunset. Airport Mesa apparently felt that was underachieving…read more Sharon and I headed up there in the evening to catch the famous Sedona sunset, which on its own would have been worth the trip. The sky started doing that Sedona thing -- layers of orange, pink, and gold spreading across the horizon while the red rocks glowed like they had their own internal lighting system. Just when we thought the show had hit peak beauty, we turned around. And there it was. One of the most majestic moonrises I've ever seen slowly lifting over the horizon like it had been perfectly scheduled to steal the second act. The sunset painting the sky one direction... and the moon rising bright enough in the other that I briefly wondered if I should've brought sunglasses. It felt like Sedona decided to give us the best of both celestial worlds. Sunset in front of us. Moonrise behind us. Nature's version of surround sound. The overlook itself is easy to access and well worth the stop. People gathered quietly, cameras out, everyone sharing that universal look that says, "Are you seeing this too?" Moments like that remind you why places like this are special. Beauty that stops you mid-sentence. The kind that makes everyone pause, breathe, and just take it in. Pro tip: arrive a little before sunset and stay a little after. You never know when the universe might decide to put on an encore. Five stars, no question.

Airport Mesa is located near the airport, but has a viewing area to see…read more panoramic views of Thunder Mountain, Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock. It's one of Sedona's vortexes. There is an overlook area and a trail. The trail is moderate and not very difficult. A easy stop in Sedona to see beautiful views. There is parking lot and the fee is $3.

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Airport Mesa
Airport Mesa - On top of airport mesa

On top of airport mesa

Airport Mesa

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Oak Creek Canyon

Oak Creek Canyon

4.8(9 reviews)
4.6 mi

Oak Creek Canyon is the gateway to Sedona. Take SR89A for a scenic tour of the beautiful red rock…read moreformations and into the town of Oak Creek. You will ohhh and ahhh at the view that is just breathtaking. Pull outs along the way.

Every summer we come up north because Phoenix is just too hot for my mother after her heat stroke…read morein 2024. We were parked off the side well away from the road and had just eaten a lovely lunch when 3 vehicles(2 trucks. One was black and one was silver. An SUV dark gray with a man and woman) with Nevada plates pulled off and blocked the road and the flow of traffic and practically on top of us. I'm beginning to see and understand the very real complaints from people who live in Sedona when they talk about entitled and aggressive behavior from tourists. My mother exited the vehicle and spoke to the small man in the SUV(around 4'2 and he was very aggressive) I didn't hear that conversation and was on the phone when all of the sudden the small angry man popped up in front of my window spouting off about delusional scenarios where I'm taking pictures of his kids(I saw no children) and acting unhinged. I verbally ripped into the person because I don't respond well to unhinged weirdos standing right next to my window. He kept rambling incoherently about his delusions and then mentioned the litter box for the cat(yes, I bring my cat when I leave for 6 months). Apparently the lunatic thought depriving a cat of a bathroom while traveling seemed reasonable. His delusions were all over the place because he was mad for being called out for dangerously blocking traffic, being entitled and acting like an unhinged lunatic because they said they just needed to take a minute. And that's another thing I'm tired of is tourists peeing all over this area when there are bathrooms and rest stops!! Definitely the weirdest behavior I've seen up north and that's saying a lot. But!!! They are from Nevada so this can't be blamed on Arizonans. But the scenic drive is still spectacular.

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Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Canyon

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Bell Rock - Daily Pass

Bell Rock

4.7(237 reviews)
9.7 mi

I'm not saying Bell Rock called my name... but if you'd heard it too, you probably would've shown…read moreup. There's something about Bell Rock that pulls you in. Maybe it's the shape. Maybe it's the energy. Maybe it's just that classic Sedona magic. Whatever it is, I felt it. Now let's start with the one challenge: parking. Limited spots and a bit of patience required. It took a while to find a place, but I decided to call that my warmup. Pro tip: arrive early or later in the afternoon if you want better odds at a spot. Once you hit the trail, everything changes. The path is wide and welcoming. No punishing climbs. No technical scrambling. Just an easy walk surrounded by those famous red rock views that make Sedona feel like another planet. And the quiet. That's the part that sticks with you. Step onto the trail and the noise of the world fades away. You're left with open sky, towering rock, and that peaceful stillness that reminds you why people come here in the first place. Whether you're a seasoned hiker chasing summits or someone who just wants a beautiful walk through nature, this trail delivers. Put this one on your Sedona list. Because sometimes the best hikes aren't the hardest ones... they're the ones that simply make you stop, breathe, and look around. Some places you visit... and some places feel like they were waiting for you. Bell Rock might just be one of those.

Bell Rock is the best place to hike in Sedona. It's a flat and easy trail for about half way up,…read moreand the signage makes it's easy to follow the path. The views are absolutely spectacle from all angles and places on the mountain and trail. There's truly nothing more beautiful than the red rocks in Sedona and Bell Rock is a place to see the true beauty. Parking can be tricky but patience is key, as people are always coming and going. Whether you're an avid hiker or a true rock climber, this mountain is for you!

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Bell Rock - Banana yucca flowers/ Bell rock trail

Banana yucca flowers/ Bell rock trail

Bell Rock - Parking Lot View (05/22/25). #BellRock #CourthouseButte @VisitSedona #Sedona #Hiking #Traveling

Parking Lot View (05/22/25). #BellRock #CourthouseButte @VisitSedona #Sedona #Hiking #Traveling

Bell Rock

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Broken Arrow Trail

Broken Arrow Trail

4.8(62 reviews)
8.0 mi

Another trip up and back on the famous Broken Arrow Trail. This is my 4th time running this trail…read moreand it never disappoints. It's a short trail but a really fun trail. We saw a stock Tacoma and a stick Jeep getting dirty today. Nit recommend but they made it. I was in a Raptor today with 37" tires and I think we bottomed out two or three times. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is stock make sure you have a short wheel base and absolutely must have 4 wheel drive.

Overall a delightful hike-…read more We arrived early, so parking was easy (they had about 14 set spots)- however when leaving we noticed the lot was beyond packed & people were circling for spots (bit of advice) As we walked along the bumpy trails there was an element of rock climbing & inclined spots Also note- watch out for the Pink Jeep Tours; professional intense driving (they look like a great time) but their roads intersect with the trail a fair amount & they drive up certain viewpoint walks- The trail started off well marked, then hit a viewpoint area, and signage dropped off-while we thought we were scrambling up Chicken Point, we discovered we were just scrambling for fun & were able to view the real Chicken Point from the top of our mountain Then we wanted to take Hog Wash trail back-but couldn't find the loop connect at the end of Broken Arrow I still rate the trail very high because our random scrambles were quite challenging & entertaining- it's a great area to explore based on your capability- and offers many varying side paths

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Broken Arrow Trail - Ford Raptor made it with no problems

Ford Raptor made it with no problems

Broken Arrow Trail
Broken Arrow Trail - Ford Raptor made it with no problems

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Ford Raptor made it with no problems

Boynton Canyon Trail

Boynton Canyon Trail

4.6(99 reviews)
3.0 mi

We hit Boynton Canyon Trail early. And I mean early enough that the air still had a chill to it and…read morethe light was just starting to spill over the rock. That's not a suggestion, it's the move. Give this place a head start on the day or it'll make you pay for it later. The trail opens gently, almost deceptively so. Wide path, easy footing, a kind of calm that makes you think you're in for a casual walk. Then the landscape starts to shift. The canyon walls rise, the color deepens, and the space narrows just enough to pull your attention forward. It's not a straight shot either. The trail has a rhythm to it. It bends, it reveals, it hides just enough to keep you moving. What stands out is how the environment changes as you go. You're not just walking toward a viewpoint. You're moving through layers. Open desert gives way to pockets of shade, then back out into sun where the red rock feels almost alive under that early light. The contrast is constant, and it keeps the whole thing interesting without needing anything artificial. We went as a group, mixed pace, different levels of enthusiasm, and it worked. Some pushed ahead, some took their time, but nobody felt like they were struggling to keep up or being held back. That's a rare balance. It's approachable without being boring, and it gives you just enough challenge to feel like you earned the views. And the views are worth it. There's a moment where the canyon really opens up, and you get that full Sedona effect. Towering formations, deep reds, shadows cutting across the rock in ways that change minute by minute. It's the kind of scene that makes people stop mid-conversation and just look. Phones come out for a second, then go right back into pockets because you realize it doesn't translate. Silence shows up out there in a way that's hard to find. Not total silence, but a kind of quiet that feels intact. Wind moving through, the occasional bird, footsteps on the trail. That's it. It clears your head whether you planned on it or not. By the time we were heading back, the temperature was climbing fast. That early start paid off. You could feel the shift, the desert reminding you who's in charge once the sun gets high. If you go later in the day, it's a different experience entirely, and not in a good way. A few practical things. Bring more water than you think you'll need. Wear real shoes. This isn't the place to test your balance in something flimsy. And pace yourself. It's not a race, and the trail is better when you let it unfold. There are a lot of hikes around Sedona that get attention, and for good reason. This one earns its spot. It's not just about the destination. It's the progression, the way the landscape pulls you in and keeps revealing itself piece by piece. Get there early, take your time, and let it speak for itself. Five stars without hesitation.

Started this hike a little later than planned (around 10AM), but it still turned out to be such a…read moregreat experience. If you're heading to the Subway Cave, I highly recommend downloading AllTrails beforehand. Once you're on the trail, it's not very clear where to turn off. We saw a few people along the way, but no one nearby when it actually mattered... which led to a little confusion. I only went off track for a few minutes, but my friends ended up going about a mile too far before turning back The hike is about 5 miles round trip. You'll spend roughly 2 miles on the Boynton Canyon Trail before reaching the turnoff for the Subway Cave. Overall, it's a pretty easy and enjoyable hike - mostly flat and shaded through beautiful forest scenery. The final stretch up to the Subway Cave involves some rock scrambling, but it's manageable. Once you're there, you've got a couple options: you can climb up to the left for an incredible view or head to the right and climb up a different way for another great vantage point. I saw some people (even toddlers!) navigating around the rocks, but personally that part felt a little nerve-racking for me. Parking fills up quickly so plan ahead. That said, there's plenty of street parking nearby off the street, and they run shuttles on weekends, which helps a lot. Definitely bring water. It can get hot, especially later in the day. Even though this is a popular hike, I didn't have to wait at all for photos. People were hanging out and soaking in the views, but it never felt crowded or rushed. Total time for me was about 2.5 to 3 hours, including time spent relaxing and exploring at the cave. Overall, such a beautiful and rewarding hike. Just don't miss that turn!

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Boynton Canyon Trail
Boynton Canyon Trail
Boynton Canyon Trail

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Red Rock State Park

Red Rock State Park

4.4(182 reviews)
6.1 mi

Red Rock State park was the passport to our Sedona adventure. I didn't realize there was such an…read moreextensive trail system. On my list now is to figure out how to stitch all these trails together and come back and do a mega hike. Please come and create your own adventure.

We took the whole family out to Red Rock State Park, and it ended up being one of the most balanced…read moredays we've had out here. Not overwhelming, not chaotic, just... right. If you've spent time around Sedona, you know how quickly things can feel crowded and overrun. This place is the opposite. It feels more intentional, more preserved. You're still surrounded by those iconic red rock formations, but here they're framed by open meadows, clusters of trees, and the steady presence of Oak Creek winding through the park. We set out as a group, a mix of adults and kids, and found trails that worked for everyone. That's the beauty of this place. You don't have to be chasing a summit to enjoy it. The trails are well-marked, manageable, and still interesting enough to keep you engaged. You're moving through changing terrain the whole time. One minute you're walking through sunlit grass, the next you're tucked into shade near the water, then you turn a corner and the red rock rises up again like it's been waiting for you. The creek pulls you in. There's something about moving water in the desert that makes you slow down without realizing it. We stopped more than once just to sit for a minute, let the kids explore a bit, listen to the sound of it moving over rock. No rush, no pressure to keep pushing forward. Wildlife shows up if you're paying attention. Birds moving through the trees, the occasional lizard darting across the trail, subtle signs that this isn't just a scenic backdrop, it's a living system doing its thing. What stood out most was the pace. This isn't a place that demands anything from you. It lets you take it in at your own speed. Some of us pushed a little farther down the trail, others hung back and soaked it in. Nobody felt like they were missing out. It's also one of those rare parks that feels curated without feeling artificial. You can tell it's cared for. Trails are maintained, signage is clear, and there's a quiet respect for the environment that seems to carry over to the people visiting. By the time we looped back, nobody was checking the time. That's usually a sign you picked the right place. If Sedona at its busiest feels like a spectacle, this feels like a conversation. Same landscape, different tone. And sometimes that's exactly what you want.

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Red Rock State Park
Red Rock State Park - Nightshade

Nightshade

Red Rock State Park - Snoopi

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Bear Mountain Hiking Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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