Are you planning a trip to Sedona, AZ, and want to get more information on what to see? Here is some information that could help you. First off, we do recommend that you obtain a Red Rock Pass. We highly recommend getting one that includes Grasshopper Point, Call of the Canyon (West Fork State Park), and Crescent Moon (Red Rock Crossing) State Parks. Here you will find some information on the sights and web links to see pictures of the sights. At the bottom of the page, we will put our recommendations. Would you like to download a PDF copy of this page?
Sedona Area Red Rocks & Trails:
Bell Rock & Courthouse Butte:
Bell Rock is found
as you drive up Rte 179 to Sedona from Highway 17. (The mug
on the upper left of this page features a picture of Bell
Rock.) The best ways to get views and pictures of Bell Rock
and Courthouse Butte are to pull off into the scenic view
areas just before Bell Rock and just after Bell Rock. Both
offer great views as well as hiking paths that will allow
you to hike up to Bell Rock and the Butte next to it, Courthouse
Butte. (The panorama shot on the mug on this page works its
way around to Courthouse Butte on the back.) Both of these
scenic view areas require a Red Rock pass for parking.
• Bell
Rock
• Courthouse
Butte
Boynton Canyon Trail:
This trail
isn't too far from the Enchantment Resort. Head west on 89A
as if you were leaving town, and you will see Dry Creek Road
on the right. As you head down Dry Creek, you will pass Chimney
Rock on the right. At the end turn left, towards Boynton Canyon
and Enchantment. At the end of this road, a right takes you
to the Enchantment Resort and the Boynton Canyon Trail. You
will find the Boynton Canyon Trailhead on the right. Deadman's
Pass is a quite easy trail that branches off and heads up the
center of the canyon. To the left, Boynton Canyon Trail sneaks
alongside
the Enchantment Resort, but the best vistas are found on Vista
Trail, which branches to the right off Boynton Canyon Trail
by the main rock.
• Boynton Canyon Trail
Cathedral Rock:
There are several ways to view Cathedral Rock. The most
common way is to go to Red Rock Crossing (Crescent
Moon State Park - $8 admission per car, unless you
have a Red
Rock
Pass
that
includes Crescent
Moon.) This gives you the views that are commonly
seen and that include Oak Creek and that have reflections
in
the water.
A second way to reach Cathedral Rock is to drive west on Verde Valley School Road off 179 as you enter the village of Oak Creek and approach Bell Rock. About 1.5 miles after the road turns to a dirt road, there is a parking lot (requiring a Red Rock pass) on the left and the trail (a continuation of Baldwin Trail) starts across the road. This trail gives great close up views of Cathedral Rock, and the many trails there also give access to the best place to catch reflections of Cathedral Rock in the water of Oak Creek. The drive down Verde Valley School Road is in itself magnificent.
To hike
to the back side of Cathedral Rock, take Back O'
Beyond road west off 89A
towards Cathedral Rock. As you get close to the Rocks, you will see the
parking lot (requiring a Red Rock pass) for the
trail on your
left.
• Cathedral Rock
• Cathedral Rock Valley
• Red Rock Crossing
Coffeepot Rock:
As you reach the end of 179 in Sedona, take a left on 89A,
go up the hill and up on the right after a mile or so is
Coffeepot. The
most easily accessed
hiking trail with good views of the rock, albeit the back
side of the rock, are found off Soldier's Pass Trail. (For
directions, see "Teacup Trail" below.)
• Coffee
Pot Rock
Devil's Bridge:
Devil's
Bridge isn't too far from the Fay Canyon Trail. Head west
on 89A as if you were leaving town, and you will see Dry
Creek Road on the right. As you head down Dry Creek, you
will pass Chimney Rock on the right. About .8 mile from the
end is a dirt road on the right and a stand to allow the
purchase of Red Rock passes. About 1 mile down this dirt
road, the Devil's Bridge Trail is on the right. The road
is quite rough - it can be done in a passenger car but a
Jeep or SUV is recommended.
• Devil's Bridge
Doe Mountain Trail:
This
trail isn't too far from the Enchantment Resort. Head west
on 89A as if you were leaving town, and you will see Dry
Creek Road on the right. As you head down Dry Creek, you
will pass Chimney Rock on the right. At the end turn left,
towards Boynton Canyon and Enchantment. At the end of this
road, a right takes you to Enchantment, a left takes you
to the Fay Canyon and Doe Mountain Trails. You'll see a fairly
large parking lot (requiring a Red Rock pass) on the left
for the Fay Canyon Trail, the next parking lot on the left
will be for the Doe Mountain Trail.
• Doe Mountain Trail
Grasshopper Point:
As you head north on 89A from Sedona towards the Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff,
you will find Grasshopper Point on the right. ($8 admission per car, unless
you have a Red Rock Pass that includes Grasshopper Point.) This hike, a bit
more exertion than Wilson Trail requires, is truly spectacular. Most of the
photos you will see here were taken on the trail to the left.
• Grasshopper
Point
Fay Canyon Trail:
This trail isn't too far from the Enchantment Resort. Head west on 89A as if
you were leaving town, and you will see Dry Creek Road on the right. As you
head down Dry Creek, you will pass Chimney Rock on the right. At the end turn
left, towards Boynton Canyon and Enchantment. At the end of this road, a right
takes you to Enchantment, a left takes you to Fay Canyon Trail. You'll see
a fairly large parking lot (requiring a Red Rock pass) on the left, and the
trail is marked on the right.
• Fay
Canyon Trail
Palatki Indian Ruins:
Palatki
isn't too far from the Fay Canyon Trail. Head west on 89A
as if you were leaving town, and you will see Dry Creek Road
on the right. As you head down Dry Creek, you will pass Chimney
Rock on the right. At the end turn left, towards Boynton
Canyon and Enchantment. At the end of this road, a right
takes you to Enchantment, a left takes you towards Fay Canyon
Trail and Palatki. Continue past the Fay Canyon Trail and
Doe Mountain, and about 4 miles after the road turns to a
rough dirt road, take a right and follow the signs to Palatki.
(Note: Palatki closes daily at 3 PM.)
• Palatki
Slide Rock State Park:
As you head north on 89A from Sedona towards the Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff,
you will find Slide Rock State Park, a popular spot, on the left. Our pictures
were taken on an unusually chilly February day as it draws so many visitors
when the weather is nice.
• Slide
Rock
Snoopy Rock:
Snoopy Rock is on
the right as you make a right turn onto 89A at the end of
179 in Sedona. Make sure you look for Lucy as well.
• Snoopy
Rock
Teacup Trail & The Sphinx:
Teacup
Trail, which is off Soldier's Pass Trail, takes you to the
back of Coffee Pot Rock. As you drive on Soldier's Pass Road
from 89A, Coffee Pot Rock starts to look less like a Coffee
Pot and more like an Eagle. Some call it 'Eagle Rock' when
viewed from that perspective. As you near the end of Soldier's
Pass Road, there is a sign on the right for Soldier's Pass
Trail. There are a number of hiking trails here - about 1/4
mile in on Soldier's Pass Trail, Teacup Trail intersects
it. A left on Teacup Trail takes you right up to Coffee Pot
Rock. A right on Teacup Trail (and bearing left after you've
climbed a ways) takes you along The Sphinx, to the Seven
Pools, and meets up with both Brins Mesa Trail as well as
Soldier's Pass Trail to return to the starting point. The
canyon has the back side of Coffee Pot Rock on one side,
the Seven
Pools
in the
middle,
and The Sphinx on the other side.
• Teacup Trail
• The
Sphinx
West Fork State Park:
Much further north on 89A from Sedona towards the Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff,
you will find West Fork State Park (also called Call of the Canyon) on the
left. It is rather easily passed by, there is a sign that says Parking as you
approach the park. ($8 admission per car, unless you have a Red Rock Pass that
includes West Fork.) West Fork has a rather spectacular hike, and it takes
more exertion than the others we talk of here. You will cross a shallow creek
a number of times, so be prepared to either slog through the water or balance
on the rocks as you cross. West Fork is a must see, it is really spectacular.
• West
Fork
Wilson Trail:
As you head north on 89A from Sedona towards the Oak Creek
Canyon and Flagstaff, immediately after you cross the bridge
just
north of town, you will find Wilson Trail on the left.
The relatively easy hike gives really nice views of the
canyon.
• Wilson
Trail
Our Recommendations:
There are several views that can be be appreciated without any hike. As you drive on 179 through the village of Oak Creek on your way to Sedona, you will see Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte on your right. There is a substantial viewing area with several hiking trails just before you reach Bell Rock. There are also two viewing areas following Bell Rock. A good view is available from your car, and the hiking trails are relatively easy. From the middle of the three view areas, just after you've passed Bell Rock, the hiking trail leads you right onto the back side of Bell Rock. The vista from there is spectacular.
While you are on Main Street checking out the galleries and gift shops, across the canyon is a great view of Snoopy Rock. At the north end of Main Street, in front of you is Submarine Rock.
From 89A headed west towards Cottonwood, on the right you will see Coffee Pot Rock. To get closer, take a right turn (north) onto Soldier's Pass Road. If you'd like to hike right up to Coffee Pot, follow the directions above to Teacup Trail.
Further west on 89A towards Cottonwood, take a left just before the high school onto Upper Red Rock Loop Road. As you proceed, you will see three stops on the left to pull over and get magnificent views of Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, and others. For convenience, we think of this view of Cathedral Rock as Cathedral Rock Valley.
A little further down the Upper Red Rock Loop Road, you will see a sign for Crescent Moon Park / Red Rock Crossing on the left. Take the left, and follow the road until you see Crescent Moon Park on your left just before the road ends. This will take you to the most photographed views of Red Rock Crossing, and is a must-see for any visitor to Sedona. The hike to get down to the Oak Creek and the views is level and approx 200 yards from the parking lots. There is a trail that you can follow along the creek for some great additional views. The hike here is one of the easiest in Sedona.
So now that we've seen the basics, what additional sites should you see?
For those who desire great views and fairly level hikes with little exertion:
1.
The trails around Bell
Rock and Courthouse Butte off the primary visitor's area.
2. Deadman's Pass Trail off the Boynton
Canyon Trail.
3. The Fay Canyon Trail in the Secret Mountain Wilderness.
4. The Palatki Indian Ruins in West Sedona.
With a little more exertion, these hikes are recommended:
1. The Vista Trail off the Boynton
Canyon Trail.
2. The Cathedral Rock Trail up the back side of Cathedral
Rock from Back O'
Beyond road west off 89A
towards Cathedral Rock. There are also trails to the left and right once
you reach the initial plateau, the trail to the left actually winding all the
way to Bell Rock.
3. The Teacup
Trail, with great views of Coffee
Pot Rock, The Sphinx, the Seven
Pools, and Brins Mesa. Taken in it's entirety, Soldier's Pass Trail, Teacup
Trail, and Brins Mesa Trail make up a loop of almost 6 miles. Do all or a part
as you choose, you won't regret it. You will also be able to enjoy the views
many tourists pay Jeep tour companies to show their customers.
4. Grasshopper
Point Park has rocks that are a little different from the type of red rock commonly
found in
Sedona, and is a hike that is highly recommended.
A little further out are two other hikes that must be considered:
1. West Fork Park winds through a canyon cut by the West Fork of Oak Creek. You will cross
the creek a number of times, so when we go there, we take
extra footwear so we can change for the drive home. There
are rocks that can be stepped on to cross the creek, but
we seem to always wind up standing in the creek. The views
are breathtaking. Plan for this hike to take three or four
hours.
2. Devil's
Bridge Trail is a path that takes you to the base
of (left fork) or the top of (right fork) a beautiful natural
stone arch. This trail is approx one mile each way, and is
a gradual upslope on your way in, a gradual downslope on
your way back to your car. Or better yet, your 4 wheel drive.
It can be done in a passenger vehicle if that's what you
are driving, just take your time and be careful.
Additional Recommendations:
1.
For families, Slide
Rock State Park is a favorite, especially in the summertime.
Have a picnic, go for a swim, enjoy the beauty of Oak Creek
Canyon.
2. It's several hours from Sedona, but do take
one day of your Sedona visit for the Grand Canyon, the most
incredible natural
wonder on earth. On our first visit to the Grand Canyon over
20 years ago we learned what the term "Breathtaking" really
means.
Sedona surely is beautiful. Enjoy your visit!
