My husband and I recently hiked the West Fork Trail in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness. It…read moreis an absolutely gorgeous trail that is easy for all levels. You do have to cross a creek several times though so that is something to take into consideration. The trail is lush and there were beautiful nature sounds to be heard all the way from the whisper of wind through the canyon to the birds and frogs. It is a fairly popular trail so you don't feel too isolated for too long. If you prefer isolation it is still worth it for the views. At the beginning of the trail you cross a bridge that leads to apple trees and some old ruins. Then it is onto the hike. Red Rock Secret Mountain is home to several hikes that you can choose from. Will definitely be going back for more to discover the rest!

You simply MUST hike the west fork! I have hiked all over AZ, and it's prob the best one I have…read moredone. You can bring your dog, too! Just make sure you have a leash..although the leash law isn't heavily enforced if your dog is well-behaved. It's $10 to get in and park, but it really is worth it to help preserve this beautiful treasure of nature :)

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!

The best trip ever! Took my FJ up and the 4x4 sections were easy and fun. You have to get a 4x4…read morepermit and they only allow 12 vehicles per day. The sink hole and 7 pools are nice stops, but the cave is the highlight! From the end of the 4x4 trial the cave is a short 15-20 minute hike. Daddy long legs were everywhere after a young girl climbed around up in the cave ending. You must go!

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

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.

Less crowded trail, had a great look out of bell rock. Recommend if you want a great photo spot of…read moreBell Rock. Easy trail

Had a great hike today at the Yavapai point trails. It was a cool 93 degrees so we only hiked about…read more3.5 miles but it was so nice. The views are spectacular and the air fresh and invigorating. The earth has so much to offer and the therapeutic value and attributes are endless. Highly recommended

Coming from Colorado there isn't really any challenging hikes here unless you start to do class 3…read morebouldering and above. The Wilson Trail is a great trail with great views. Well maintained and some shade. Good parking lot

I did this trail on a Monday morning, arriving around 8:30AM and snagged the last parking spot…read more Didn't see many people, and it was a bit chilly at first. At the top, it was really warm, and the views were great! I did Sedona viewpoint first, getting there in a bit under 2.25 hours, and I enjoyed the view for a bit before heading over to N Canyon viewpoint which took about 40 minutes. The views there are great and different than the Sedona viewpoint which I thought was pretty awesome! I then went back down which took about 2 hours. Great hike with awesome views, wasn't too steep, and not very many people. Would recommend!

Excellent hike in Sedona! Have done this trail a few times and have always enjoyed it…read more Baldwin is great because it is not a very difficult hike. Great for beginners and families bring littles. You can do the entire loop, or turn around half way and come back. The hike provides great views, different terrains, inclines/declines, and shade. Being right next to Oak Creek, you can easily walk down to the Creek to cool off. Highly recommend! Very easy to access from Baldwin. Parking lot is very small and costs $5. Bathrooms at parking lot. Definitely worth checking out Baldwin Trail!

Beautiful stellar, red rock views, long the 3 mile loop that we took this morning Walk out onto…read moreslick flat rock on the Oak Creek, which is moving pretty swiftly. Refreshing view, in the state of big cottonwood trees. Plenty of opportunities for protecting books of the Cathedral rock love twist about this thing a village not it's a dog - another good reason to hike here - Baldwin Loop.

Moderately easy hike and there is a climb to get up to the subway entrance. Spectacular view and…read moreamazing experience. Please come and create your own experience.

This was my favorite hike we got to do in Sedona on our weekend trip! The trail has a mix of shade…read moreand sun, and when doing it in the early morning it is not too bad. The trail has beautiful views of the red rocks throughout. The signage is also pretty clear. We hiked to Subway Cave via Boynton Canyon Trail (4.8 miles). If this is the trail you are doing, just make sure you turn off to go towards Subway Cave instead of continuing on Boynton Canyon Trail. We got to Subway Cave around 9 am and this was the latest I would say it is safe to get here. On our way down from taking pictures there was a long line forming to get up to the top for the last scramble. If you are debating if you should scramble up to the top or not, do it! The view is jaw-dropping! I would definitely recommend this hike!