Arizona, specifically Sedona, is well-known for its beautiful red cliffs and canyons. Along with great scenery, there are some amazing hikes to conquer. You may think you need hours of time and advanced skills to snag those great views and memorable experiences, but that just isn’t the case. If you want a more technical hike, you can easily find it, but you can also find easy hikes in Sedona that are worth your time.
Let’s look at a few.
What to Expect When Hiking in Sedona
If you’re used to hiking on the east coast, hiking in Sedona might feel like a whole other world. You’ll be hiking on and around rocks and should come with the proper hiking boots. You don’t want to risk twisting an ankle or tripping and falling due to improper footwear.
Elevation can make a bigger impact than many realize. If sea level hiking is your go-to, hiking at higher elevations might leave you confused on why your breathing is extra labored. If you feel lightheaded or nauseous, you should sit for a few moments to regroup. Passing out on your hike isn’t the memorable experience you want to take home.
Don’t forget to bring along plenty of water. Arizona is a dry climate, and the temperatures quickly soar in the summer. You can become dehydrated any time of the year, so you should come with a plan to stay hydrated during hikes and other outdoor adventures. Consider bringing along a hydration pack.
7 Easy Hikes in Sedona With Killer Views
If you’re short on time or need to stick to something easy, you can still enjoy what the great outdoors of Sedona has to offer. Here are a few of our top picks for easy hikes in Sedona.
1. Deadman’s Pass Trail
About This Hike: Deadman’s Pass Trail is a 2.6-mile out-and-back trail. It’s easy for most and only has 265 ft of elevation change throughout the trail. This is a great trail for all ages and abilities. You won’t have to deal with rock scrambles, either.
How to Get to the Trailhead: Getting to Deadman’s Pass Trail is a short 15-minute drive from the center of Sedona. You’ll travel south on Highway 89A for a few miles until you reach Dry Creek Road. Turn right and continue for 2.5 miles onto Boynton Pass Road. From there, the trailhead is less than half a mile.
Don’t Miss: You get a bit of everything when you experience this easy Sedona hike. If this is your first trip to Sedona, you’ll find yourself especially impressed by the red-layered cliff sides. Don’t miss the slick rock amphitheater!
2. Teacup Trail
About This Hike: The Teacup Trail is a 2.7-mile loop trail. This easy trail is good for all ages and abilities. This year-round trail features wildflowers, which can be a beautiful sight while hiking in the desert.
You’ll find yourself on easy terrain without the need to scramble any rocks or climb steep elevations. It’s a great family hike that you can knock out in an hour.
How to Get to the Trailhead: Getting to the trailhead for Teacup Trail is incredibly easy. Simply head south on Highway 89A for two miles. Turn right onto Shadows Drive, where you’ll navigate through a residential area using Coffee Pot Drive, Maxwell House Drive, and Caswell Drive, ending at Buena Vista Drive.
After a mile of navigating, you’ll end at the Teacup Trail trailhead.
Don’t Miss: You can spot Coffee Pot Rock from the trail. If you’d like to get an up-close view of Coffee Pot Rock, you can branch-off of Teacup Trail and take Coffee Pot Rock Trail. Don’t forget to keep your eye out for cacti and lizards as you hike.
Pro Tip: Eek! Not a fan of the creepy crawlies? While in Sedona, make sure to Avoid These Arizona Insects When Camping and Hiking.
3. Airport Mesa
About This Hike: The Airport Mesa trail is a great fit if you want a little bit of a challenge but a relatively easy one. This 3.2-mile loop trail has a moderate rating, not due to its length or elevation change, but because it can be rocky in some spots.
You will experience about 416 ft in elevation gain. You can expect to finish this Sedona hike in about two hours.
How to Get to the Trailhead: If you want to get to Airport Mesa, travel south on Highway 89A out of Sedona. After approximately a mile, you’ll come to a traffic circle. Take the second exit to continue onto AZ-89A. Shortly after the traffic circle, you’ll need to make a left onto Airport Road.
Don’t Miss: Do the trail counterclockwise for the best views and most rewarding experience. Hiking in this direction will save the best views for last, giving you a fun and worthwhile end to one of Sedona’s easy but memorable hikes.
Plan to take a few moments at the airport overlook. If you’re lucky, you might see a plane with the beautiful red rocks as a backdrop.
4. Templeton Trail
About This Hike: Templeton Trail is perfect for hikers who want to get some mileage in but aren’t looking for a particularly strenuous hike. This 7.1-mile out-and-back trail only requires a bit over 700 ft in elevation gain.
In addition to great views, you’ll discover many beautiful wildflowers along the hike. Most hikers can complete the trail in under four hours.
How to Get to the Trailhead: The trail has four access points. You can arrive from the Bell Rock Pathway ⅓ mile north of Bell Rock. Or try the Little Horse Trail parking area off Route 179 at mile marker 309.8. Cathedral Rock Trail and Baldwin Trail both meet Templeton Trail as well.
Don’t Miss: Bring along the bathing suit as this trail features a great little swim spot in the creek. If swimming in a creek isn’t for you, you may still enjoy soaking your feet in the cool water as you take in the views.
5. Doe Mountain
About This Hike: Some have claimed that the Doe Mountain Trail is the best trail in the area. If you only have time for one trail, this should be it. You’ll have a bit over 500 ft of elevation gain while on this 1.5-mile out-and-back trip.
How to Get to the Trailhead: Getting to Doe Mountain is a beautiful 15- to 20-minute drive outside Sedona. You’ll head south on AZ-89A out of the city and turn right onto Dry Creek Road. Continue for two miles until you reach Boynton Pass Road.
The road will make several sharp left turns but stay straight until the road ends at Boynton Pass Road. Make a left on Boynton, and the trailhead is approximately 3.5 miles ahead.
Don’t Miss: Don’t turn around before you get to the top. Many hikers are tempted to cut the trail short as the last climb to the top can be strenuous.
Turning around too early will rob you of the best part of Doe Mountain Trail, the beautiful greenery with a red rocky backdrop at the top.
6. Fay Canyon Trail
About This Hike: The Fay Canyon Trail is a 2.6-mile out-and-back trail that’s great for all ages and abilities. The great thing about this trail is that you can make it more challenging if you choose or keep it simple. There are options along the trail that present more of a challenge.
You should be able to finish this hike in less than an hour, but you can easily take your time and make an afternoon of it. You can keep this among Sedona’s easy hikes or make it tougher.
How to Get to the Trailhead: The Fay Canyon Trailhead is just over eight miles outside Sedona. Follow Route AZ-89A out of town to Dry Creek Road. Continue until you reach Boynton Pass Road. Turn left onto Boynton Pass Road, and the trailhead is approximately three miles from the turn.
Don’t Miss: If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can take an extra trail that will give you access to a gorgeous arch called Fay Canyon Arch. We highly suggest putting in the effort to see the arch. You won’t regret it!
Pro Tip: Want to take your furry friend hiking in Sedona with you? Protect their paws with these 5 Best Dog Hiking Boots and When Your Dog Should Wear Them.
7. Chimney Rock Pass
About This Hike: Chimney Rock Pass is a 1.7-mile loop trail on the upper end of an easy trail. While this hike is great for all ages, there are a few steep sections that might get your heart rate up.
Most of the hike is on packed ground, but there are a few rocky areas. There’s an elevation gain of fewer than 400 ft. Hikers should expect to spend around an hour on the trail.
How to Get to the Trailhead: Chimney Rock Pass is a short seven-minute drive from the center of Sedona. Take AZ-89A and use the third exit in the traffic circle to AZ-179. Continue for just over a mile until you reach Cathedral Rock Trail.
Don’t Miss: Don’t miss the chance to hike up a side trail to get up close to Chimney Rock. This side trail is rather steep and rocky but certainly doable and most definitely worth it. Youngsters and seniors have both made it up this trail.
What Is the Easiest Vortex to Get to in Sedona?
Red Rock Crossing or Cathedral Rock Vortex is the easiest vortex to get to in Sedona. It’s only a five-mile drive from the center of Sedona. Take AZ-89A to AZ-179 and then turn right onto Back O Beyond Road. The road will end at a large parking lot.
Pro Tip: After hiking all day, these 5 Amazing Red Rock Camp Sites In Sedona make for the perfect spots to kick back and relax.
Is It Free to Hike in Sedona?
Many hikes in Sedona are free. However, many popular hikes along State Route 179 require the “Red Rock Pass.” This pass is a conservation effort to protect, enhance, and maintain the trail systems. Funds from sales of the pass help provide visitor information, protect the environment, and create memorable experiences for visitors.
Sedona is a bucket list destination for many. There are seemingly endless hikes and adventures waiting for you. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a challenge or a simple, easy hike in Sedona, you’ll find it.
Have you had a chance to do some hiking in Sedona? What was your favorite hike while in the area? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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