8 Easy Hikes in Sedona, Arizona

With red sandstone buttes, spires, and mesa rock formations filling the scenery and mountains spanning the horizon, it’s no wonder Sedona is such a special destination. Luckily, due to the relatively level landscape surrounding the small city, there are many easy hikes in Sedona, Arizona!

Because of this, Sedona is also a great spot for first-time solo hikers! So it’s pretty easy for all visitors to enjoy their time in Sedona while immersing themselves in the beautiful landscape of Red Rock Country.

Where is Sedona?

Sedona is a beautiful city located in central Arizona, surrounded by Coconino National Forest. It’s about a two-hour drive north of Phoenix and an hour’s drive southwest of Flagstaff.

When to Go Hiking in Sedona

Sedona is a popular tourist destination year-round boasting opportunities for hiking, off-roading, mountain biking, rock climbing, dining, shopping, and relaxation. Each season offers a different experience, especially when it comes to hiking.

Spring is for Wildflowers!

Spring is a great time to go hiking in Sedona. Temperatures are comfortable with highs averaging in the 70s in March and April, and reaching the 80s in May. Nighttime temperatures are in the 40s – 50s. Spring is the best time of year to see blooming cacti and wildflowers.

Summer is for Sweating!

Summer in Sedona is HOT. Temperatures average in the 90s – 100s from June through September. If you plan to visit in the summer hike early and bring a lot of water – at least a liter for each hour on the trail.

Fall is for Colorful Leaves!

Like spring, fall is also an incredible time to visit Sedona. Temperatures cool off, with highs averaging in the 70s and the landscape is even more beautiful as leaves change. The yellow leaves on the Cottonwoods contrasting the red rocks are a site you don’t want to miss!

Winter is for (occasional) Snow!

If you’re lucky, it occasionally snows in Sedona, however, it doesn’t last long. But if you’re able to visit Sedona during a snowstorm, it’s well worth it! A light coat of fresh white powder on the red rocks in the morning is a site to see! But arrive early because the snow melts off quickly. Winter daytime temperatures usually average in the 60s but drop into the 30s at night.

Tips for Easy Hikes in Sedona, Arizona

As a popular vacation destination receiving around 3 million tourists a year, there are a few things that hikers need to consider when exploring the beautiful Red Rock Country.

You Need a Pass to Park at Trailheads

Many of the easy hikes in Sedona, Arizona require a parking pass. Most trailheads are located on national forest land in Red Rock Country. A Red Rock Pass is required at these locations. Red Rock Passes are available for purchase at any of the trailheads that require them.

Red Rock Passes are available for $5 for a day, $15 for a week, and $20 for a year. The America the Beautiful National Park Pass is also accepted where Red Rock Passes are required.

High clearance vehicles

Off-roading is a popular activity throughout Sedona. Some trailheads have multiple starting points. Most easy Sedona hiking trails are accessible via a paved road in any vehicle. However, a few trailheads require high-clearance vehicles to access. Often this can be avoided by parking your car where the road gets rough and hiking the bumpy road to the trailhead.

Start Hiking Early

Hiking trailheads fill up early. Plan to arrive at the trailhead before 8 am if you want a chance to park. I’d recommend arriving before 7 am on weekends and holidays.

Hike During the Week

If it’s at all possible to avoid visiting Sedona on the weekend, you should do so. Traffic gets very hectic throughout the town and around trailheads. Weekdays from Monday – Thursday are far more enjoyable on trails and when exploring downtown Sedona.

Take a Shuttle

If hiking in Sedona over the weekend, you’ll have to take a shuttle to the trailheads. The free shuttles are a fast and efficient way to reach trails after parking lots quickly fill. Shuttles run daily during busy periods and over the weekends when the town is slightly less crowded. Check shuttle schedules and updates here.

Stay Hydrated

Make sure you drink plenty of water. Add electrolytes to your water to help with hydration. Dehydration can cause fatigue, muscle cramps, and worse. It gets hot in the desert so stay on top of your water consumption; it’ll help you enjoy your trip.

Best Easy Hikes in Sedona, Arizona

Luckily enough there are plenty of easy hikes in Sedona. Many of the trails interconnect so you can hike for as far or as little as you’d like. Aside from actually climbing up rocky peaks with a rope, most of the landscape in Sedona is relatively flat. These are some of my favorite easy Sedona, Arizona hikes to explore.

Red Rock Crossing

1-mile loop, 60 foot gain

Red Rock Crossing is an easy Sedona hike that features views of Sedona from Oak Creek. The trail is flat and a great option for all hikers. It’s one of the few hikes where you’ll see water in front of the iconic Sedona landscape.

Seven Sacred Pools via Soldier Pass Trail

1.1 miles out & back, 110-foot gain

The Seven Sacred Pools are a series of pools in the red sandstone with impressive peaks lining the horizon in the distance. The Seven Sacred Pools trail starts at Solider Pass Trailhead, a starting point for multiple trails. It’s one of the best easy hikes in Sedona, Arizona, and offers impressive views.

Bell Rock Pathway

0.8 miles out & back, 200-foot gain

The Bell Rock Pathway is a path starting from the Courthouse Butte parking lot and goes onto the base of Bell Rock. The trail is flat up to the base of Bell Rock. If you continue to hike you’ll quickly gain a bit of elevation as you ascend the base of Bell Rock.

The Bell Rock Pathway is one of the best easy hikes in Sedona, Arizona for its highly rewarding landscapes as well as the flora along the trail. There are many interconnected trails around Bell Rock if you want to lengthen your hike.

Oak Creek Trail

1.3 miles out & back, 45-foot gain

Oak Creek Trail is a scenic national forest trailhead following along a stream, cliffs, and through Oak Creek Canyon. It’s a beautiful spot to take a stroll, especially in the fall when the Oak tree’s leaves are changing. At just over a mile round-trip the Oak Creek Trail is one of the most rewarding easy hikes in Sedona, Arizona.

Fay Canyon Arch

1.5 miles out & back, 250-foot gain

Another easy hike in Sedona with highly rewarding views is Fay Canyon Arch. The Fay Canyon Trail starts along Boynton Pass Road and climbs minimal elevation up to a triangular open rock formation that creates the Fay Canyon Arch.

Soldier Pass Trail

4.5 miles out & back, 850-foot gain

Solider Pass Trail offers a few hiking options. Depending on how far you go, you’ll encounter more elevation gain and stunning views the whole way. Starting from the Solider Pass Trailhead you’ll first reach the Seven Sacred Pools about a half mile in. From there the trail forks. First, continue right to reach Soldier’s Arch. Then briefly follow the trail back to the fork and continue up over Soldier Pass.

There you’ll enjoy panoramic vistas of the Sedona landscape. Completing the round-trip Soldier Pass Trail is a moderate hike, but still doable for most active visitors to Sedona.

Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte Loop

3.6-mile loop, 340-foot gain

The Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte Loop is an easy hike in Sedona that features two of the most iconic rock formations in the area, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. The loop is relatively flat although a few areas feature loose rock so watch your footing as slips occasionally happen.

Cathedral Rock Trail

1.2 miles out & back, 750-foot gain

The iconic Cathedral Rock is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona, however, it’s not one of the easiest. While it’s 1.2-mile round trip, the trail quickly gains 750 feet in elevation in about a half-mile ascent. Prepare to use your hands as you scramble up Cathedral Rock. While the trail is challenging it dons one of the best Sedona sunset locations.

What to Pack for Hiking in Sedona

When hiking it’s always important to carry a few essentials no matter how long or difficult the trail is. Preparation is important for your safety. When adventuring out on any easy hikes in Sedona, Arizona, it’s important to dress and pack appropriately.

Water

Carry at least 1 liter of water per hour of hiking during the heat of the summer. If you’re hiking in cooler temperatures bring at least a half liter of water per hour. Many of the easy hikes in Sedona are very exposed to the sun. In the summer you need a lot of water to stay hydrated. Dehydration can quickly ruin your trip so stay on top of your water consumption.

Electrolytes

In addition to drinking water, adding electrolytes is a great way to keep you hydrated. Electrolytes like Nuun or Liquid IV contain salt and other essential minerals important for absorption to regulate nerves and muscles and keep your body hydrated. When you spend a lot of time in the sun, many electrolytes are depleted, even if you drink a lot of water.

Adding electrolyte tablets to your water can help prevent dehydration and help keep muscles from cramping and fatiguing – a common problem when hiking in the heat of the desert.

Food

Whether you’re out on a 1-mile stroll or 5-mile hike it’s important to pack a snack or lunch. Granola bars, nuts, and dried fruit are great snack options. A no-cook lunch is a great option for longer hikes.

Hiking Poles

Even some of the easy hikes in Sedona have uneven terrain with loose rocks and steps. Hiking poles are great for extra support and balance.

Map

It’s important to carry both an online downloaded map and a physical paper map (or to check in with the one at the trailhead). Download offline maps before reaching the trailhead. Both AllTrails and Gaia offer great resources for this.

Sun Protection

A hat, sunblock, and sunscreen are a must on your Sedona hiking trip. And all three are just as important in the winter as in the summer.

First Aid Kit

It’s always a good idea to carry a first aid kit with common items like Neosporin, bandaids, gauze, and tweezers (those cacti will get you in the desert!)

Appropriate Layers & Footwear

Layers are always the way to go when hiking. In the summertime you can probably get away with hiking in a tank top and shorts but throughout the rest of the year, once the sun goes down, temperatures in the desert drop quickly. Always throw in an extra jacket or two and a layer of pants.

Headlamp

Sometimes things don’t go as planned so a headlamp is a great item to have in case you’re out on trail later than expected; especially in the wintertime when days are shorter. As the sun sets earlier, the canyons get dark earlier and there are a lot of shaded canyons throughout the Sedona hiking trails.

Repair Kit & Tools

A knife and other basic supplies like a whistle, some paracord, and duct tape come in handy while out on trail from time to time.

Other Can’t-Miss Spots in Sedona

If you’ve had enough fun exploring the easy hikes in Sedona and just want to check out some viewpoints and other city highlights, don’t miss these spots.

Airport Mesa

Airport Mesa is a viewpoint you can drive to sitting at the top of Table Top Mountain. From Airport Mesa you can look out on the city of Sedona and the surrounding Red Rock Country.

Chapel of the Holy Cross

The Chapel of the Holy Cross is one of the most popular sites visited in Sedona. It’s a Catholic Church sitting high in the red rocks. Its earthy design is unique and matches the Sedona landscape well. It’s also one of the most popular drive-up sites to view the expansive rocky landscape of Sedona.

Downtown Sedona

Shopping, dining, ice cream, t-shirts, galleries, and crystals – downtown Sedona has it all. The main street through downtown is easily walkable and offers shops for all visitors. As well as a lot of great food options. Parking can get hectic but downtown Sedona offers plenty of free parking lots just off the main street with signs well marked.

Lover’s Knoll

Lover’s Knoll is a picturesque vista looking out at the Sedona Landscape. It’s one of my favorites because from there you can see the forest and only slightly see the sites of town. Other than that it’s the open natural landscape! 

Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village

If you’re looking to check out local art off the main strip downtown then head to the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. You’ll find a variety of craft shops and galleries filled with local and native art.