Best wildlife trails in Sedona, Arizona

Devils Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch located in the Sedona area of the Coconino National Forest. This is a very popular hike that offers breathtaking views of Red Rock country. It is a steep but short hike. The official trailhead starts off the unpaved portion of Dry Creek Road and requires a high clearance vehicle to access. If you only have a low clearance vehicle, you can park at the Dry Creek Road trailhead at the paved section, approximately 1 mile from trailhead, or at the Mescal Trailhead located on Long Canyon Road. Depending on where you park you have a few routes to choose from to access Devils Bridge Trail, including the unpaved portion of Dry Creek Road, Chuckwagon Trail, or Mescal to Chuckwagon Trail. From the parking area off of the unpaved portion of Dry Creek Road, follow the trailmarker for Devil's Bridge Trail. The early portion of the trail was originally a jeep trail so it is smooth and traverses through washes filled with juniper and prickly pear cactus. The path gently inclines uphill and gets steeper as you continue on. About 3/4 of a mile from the parking area the trail will come to a fork and you will go left. Here you'll end up at the base of the bridge. You will then continue up a natural rock staircase from which there are beautiful views. You will reach another level of stairs which will take you up to the bridge. This popular trail is certainly a tourist attraction so make sure to arrive early to avoid large crowds. This is a fun hike for the whole family.Show more

Cathedral Rock is a short hike that offers beautiful views of the naturally occurring red rock formations in the heart of red rock country. This is a favorite hike in the Sedona area. The Cathedral Rock trailhead can be accessed off of Back'O'Beyond Road. There is a small trailhead parking area. However, the trail can also be accessed from Baldwin and Templeton trails. The trail ends with a short steep climb to Cathedral Rock. There are some steep sections so hiking shoes are recommended. There are great views along the entirety of the trail. Cathedral rock is an amazing short but strenuous hike in the southern part of Sedona. It's a distance of just about 1.2 miles round trip but the 740+ ft elevation gain make this a moderate to difficult hike with portions where near vertical climbing is required. From the trailhead the hike can be half hour to an hour each way. The views at the top of the hike are more than worth it however especially during sunset. Be sure to wear proper closed toed hiking shoes with good grip for an easier climb up and down. With two smaller parking lots that fill up fast during the day and nearby street parking that is packed at peak times, plan that into the hike. This is a must hike when in Sedona! Note that dogs are allowed in this area, but it is not advisable to bring them on this trail. The route requires a lot of scrambling, which would be too difficult for most dogs.Show more

Semi-shaded by trees and towering canyon walls make this the perfect seven mile Sedona hike if you want to beat the heat. Trekking up Oak Creek's west fork offers one of the best hiking experiences in Sedona, an area already known as a hiker's paradise. The steep canyon walls and the shade of trees make this a perfect trail if you're looking to avoid the heat of the Arizona sun. Trace the creek upstream along pleasant sandy trails and thirteen separate river crossings and enjoy the imposing views of the canyon walls towering above you. Unless the waters are high, the crossings are relatively easy, and the elevation gain on this trail is slight. The trail ends where the canyon walls close in on you and there's nowhere else to go without getting your feet wet. Enjoy the great views, make the most of the photo opportunities and marvel at how the water has etched away at the rock over the millennia. If you're suitably equipped, you can continue to wade upstream for another quarter of a mile or so. The pebbly creek bed can be a little hard on bare feet, but it might be tolerable to you - also be careful of the smoother rock surfaces underfoot which are particularly slippery. Eleven miles north of Sedona, the trailhead at the Call of the Canyon day-use area has limited parking availability, which may be an inconvenience to some, but early arrivals will enjoy a relatively uncrowded trail. Cell reception can be tricky. The offline downloaded map is recommended. Users have reported that the trails are not marked well. In the wintertime, you may want poles, spikes, or waterproof shoes.Show more

Parking in this area can be difficult and limited. Gorgeous trail, make sure to check out Devil's kitchen, the 7 sacred pools, and the secret caves - they are absolutely stunning! Show more

Red Rocks Pass for $5 needed; kiosk located at trail head parking lot. 360 degree views at top are unforgettable. Bring a wind breaker to layer up with since it could get windy and cold at summit. There is a deceptive false summit beforehand after which you do descend into a small saddle. Wasn’t difficult to climb back up this thing coming back. Wear shoes with good traction! It’s a rugged trail and some sections are on pure rock at an almost vertical drop.Show more

Good canopy and cool canyon bottom make for an excellent hike. Trail is a loose red powder. Some rocky parts where the trail crosses an old dry/seasonal creek bed. Watch out for bears.Show more

Boynton Canyon is one of the most popular trails in Sedona. If you like red rocks then this will be a perfect hike for you. The trail is great for hiking, features great views, and normally takes a half day. Parking fee: $5 One of the "vortex" points in Sedona, Boynton Canyon is popular for both locals and visitors.Show more

Parking is limited so you may need to park at the Jordan trailhead or at the Teacup parking lot and hiked the Teacup trail to Soldiers Pass, which will add over a mile each way. Please visit the park website for more updated information. Great hike with amazing views. You will want to bring sunscreen and water as there is little shade. This trail can also get relatively crowded, check out the waypoints for an alternate starting point if the trailhead marked here gets too crowded. The loop is great either direction, and there is also an optional turn off for the mesa if you want to add a little distance and elevation.Show more

This is a beautiful short trail up to a cave with fantastic views at the end! If you want to see the panorama from the back you must be brave and a good climber to get into the small, slippery cave. Don’t underestimate the length: it's rated moderate but the last part of the hike is definitely hard. Once you make it to the cave, your effort will be rewarded with an amazing view. Make sure you bring plenty of water as there are very little shaded areas. You will not have cell phone service once you leave the trailhead. Start on the Long Canyon Trail and after a little bit, you'll pass by a golf course on the right side. Once you've been walking for 0.6 from the trailhead, you'll reach a fork in the road. The left side will be blocked by a log. Take that path and you'll see a barbed wire on the right side. This means you're on the right path to the Birthing Cave.Show more

Although fairly short, this trail has to be considered one of the best in Arizona. It is extremely fun to drive and the red rock scenery is knock-out beautiful. This is an extremely popular route and traffic can be very heavy at times. Pull-outs are provided. Do not widen the trail by trying to pull over anywhere other than the pull-outs. You may have to back up. This is also a very popular hiking and mountain biking area, so be alert and courteous at all times. If you park, hike, or stop along the route, you'll need a Red Rocks Pass Located in Coconino National Forest. For current conditions call Red Rock Ranger District (928) 203-2900. Several large rock ledges require high ground clearance but the obstacles are not overwhelming because little articulation is required. The hardest obstacle is called "The Steps," which is driven downhill. This obstacle is very steep and will be intimidating to an inexperienced driver; however, stock SUVs with high ground clearance should be able get down just fine. You may scrape bottom so skid plates are recommended. This trail is very well marked and easy to follow. Show more