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.

Beautiful hike! You…read morewill need to start really early if you don't want to wait in line. When I say early I mean start hiking in the dark and watching the sunrise as you get there. This is what my friend and I did, and we were the third group to make it to Devil's Bridge. We were able to take our pictures without waiting more than 5 minutes. By the time we were done though, there was already a line forming. For the hike itself, it is pretty easy, especially for the first mile out. Be aware that if you do not have a car that can off-road this is a 4 mile hike, not 2. The first mile out is just walking on this dirt road. Closer to Devil's Bridge there is a small amount of scrambling, so you will need to be able to pull your weight upwards. Devil's Bridge is an iconic sight to see and is definitely worth it if you plan ahead!

NEED TO KNOW: If you want a picture on the bridge, you will wait at LEAST an hour in line. So,…read moregive this some consideration before you head out. This is a VERY popular hike. We got to the parking lot around 7:00 a.m. on a WEEKDAY and the lot was already full. Thankfully, there are signs which direct you to the overflow parking lot at the Mescal trailhead. Parking here will add to the distance you hike but you can eat more Cheetos afterward, so there is that. There is very little to no shade on this trail so plan accordingly. It is not a particularly difficult hike except there is a little bit of climbing up some rocks in some areas (although I certainly wouldn't categorize this as "rock climbing"). Overall, I would say this is a moderate hike. If you are terribly unfit, you may not make it all the way. Sorry about that. If it were not for the hourlong wait in line for the photo opp, we probably would have been up and back within about two hours. Th bridge itself looks scarier and skinnier than it actually is. But if you were to fall, I don't think it would go well for you. The views are gorgeous but the views from just about everywhere in Sedona are gorgeous. You can be standing at the gas station and see amazing views. This was an enjoyable hike, and I would probably do it again, but I already got my picture on the bridge, so I ain't waiting in another hourlong line again.

Very fun hike with plenty of stops to see on the way. The seven sacred pools were a bit empty when…read morewe stopped by but are probably great after a rainy day. The caves at the end were awesome! Recommend climbing all the way to the top for a great view.

This is in the top 3 hikes of everywhere I've been all over the planet and it would have been much…read morebetter if I didn't forget the backpack with our water and snacks. We came during a busy season and the trailhead opens at 8 am and does get completely full. 10 minutes before the gate opens there was already a line of cars waiting to get in. They do have a shuttle at a parking lot about an hour away if it gets too busy. Because we didn't have water or food we were only out about a 3 hours and could have easily stayed for two more. The hike starts with stairs and handrails but quickly opens up into not clearly marked paths that feel like you are walking in nature and not on a path. You'll reach Devil's Kitchen quickly and the scale is much larger in person and har to capture via pictures. It's a sinkhole with no barriers around the edge so walk carefully. A lot of people come for the Seven Sacred Pools and if you come too early the lighting isn't that great. If you scramble down to the base of the pools you can walk the dry riverbed back to the trailhead for a different experience

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.

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.

A beautiful state park in Sedona, often overlooked by nearby popular trails. Make sure you drive…read morethe loop road through the park! The best thing you could do when you first come to Sedona to get a feel for the area is come to red rock State Park! You could see many of the famous sites from here as well as get a really good feel for the area. Sunsets cannot be beat up here also! The one other thing you should do first when coming to Sedona area for the first time is to stop at the chapel of the Cross on your way to Sedona from Phoenix. The state park is beautifully maintained with plenty of parking! They even have their own gift shop there. Plenty of bathrooms, and lots of trails. Some of them are very easy for all ages right next to the parking lot. You can also take a more moderate trail called eagle nest, which I loved, which is also very close to the parking lot. Highly recommend adding red rock State Park as a must when visiting the area in addition to other popular areas!

Great mile out. Mile back hike. Took the littles! It's a little rocky but we managed. It wasn't…read morecrowded when we went and found parking on the side of the road so we didn't have to pay. Don't suggest taking up your littles to the top if you don't feel comfortable with heights.

We had help finding our way. GPS stops working so have it downloaded. Could use a sign but the…read morelittle scramble up and down is worth the view. Saw javelina on the way back to trailhead.

My Dad told me about this trail and it's a great day to do it. I'm honestly surprised it's not…read morealready listed on yelp. There are multiple entrances to do this trail depending if you want to take the dirt roads in which are pretty rocky and not recommended for a low car. We parked in the high school parking lot with our pass and the trail was very easy to spot. It was all down hill going this direction with only a few spots that were uphill. The first mile of the trail is near the top of the mountain and a view of 89A and the mountains. We saw quite a few deer prints and saw a lot of birds. This seems to be a pretty popular mountain bike trail from all the tire marks I was seeing. The trail became quite more difficult around the back end. A lot is up on a near cliff and slick rock. I recommend hiking shoes. We were in tennis shoes and it was very rocky and nearly sprained my ankle a few times. The last .8 miles were spent really trying to stick to what we thought was the trail. When you come off the mountain it's not very well kept and we lost the trail for a bit. We reconnected shortly and ended it at the second dirt road entrance. From the school to the second dirt road it's 1.9 miles one way. If you're looking for longer and have more time the trail continues all the way around and is a total of 8.3 miles. Great views and a bit sketchy in some areas. Good for all fitness levels.

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!

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.

I've been wanting to visit these wetlands for some time as I knew I would see some amazing birds…read morehere and so today finally made it here! Easy to find and right off of 89A in West Sedona. Parking is easy and maps and sign posts posted throughout to make your visit enjoyable. I got to see a bunch of water fowls including coots and their babies, mallards, great blue heron, green heron and many other smaller birds also! A lovely place go spend a few hours and there are restrooms and shaded picnic areas also. Definitely an awesome place for birding and being out in nature is really the best medicine!

Great place for a walk and bird watching! Best to go early in the morning. Many trails to walk.read more