Big Park Loop

Tired of the Hwy 179 construction noise? Serenity is closer than you think

For anyone who lives in the Village of Oak Creek and deals with the construction along Hwy 179 every day, the trails branching off Bell Rock Pathway – within walking distance for many VOC residents – offer sweet relief. The sight of large yellow earth movers and orange traffic cones are replaced on the 2.6-mile Big Park Loop by picture-perfect views of Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, Castle Rock and Horseshoe Mesa. Hike in the late afternoon like we did and the rattle of jackhammers is blissfully drowned out by the sounds of cicadas and quail.

Begin your hike at the Bell Rock Pathway parking lot – head out on the Bell Rock Trail for about 100 feet until you reach a trail marker for Big Park Loop, a throwback to when the Village itself was known as Big Park. There are several social trails in this area but we stayed glued to the right, with red rock views to our left side and VOC housing developments on the other. Aside from a few small hills in this area, the trail remains relatively flat and narrow. Low-growing brush and juniper trees hug both sides of the pathway – look for spots under trees where brush has been flattened by javelinas and coyotes that bed down in the area after dark.

After 1.25 miles you will reach a slickrock wash – we’ve never seen anything other than a few puddles buzzing with bees in the wash, no matter what time of year. Courthouse Butte Loop crosses the wash – make a left and follow the sign for Courthouse Butte Loop, which hugs the base of one of Sedona’s biggest rocks and provides some great views. You might even hear rock climbers making their way to the top of the butte. Stay on this trail, ignoring the two spurs that branch off to your left, until it merges with the Bell Rock Trail at 2.3 miles. Make a left onto the wide, recently refurbished Bell Rock Trail; go one-third of a mile further and you will be back at the parking lot. On our hike we spotted blooming prickly pear cactus and one very colorful agave (tequila, anyone?) along this section of the trail. While the Bell Rock Trail is one of Sedona’s most popular pathways, we’ve hiked Big Park Loop at the height of tourist season and encountered no one other than a few locals out walking their dogs. The entire loop is also open to mountain bikers as it stays out of wilderness boundaries, unlike Courthouse Butte Loop.

DIRECTIONS: The large Bell Rock Pathway parking lot and trailhead are located on the east side of Hwy 179, just north of the Village of Oak Creek, about six miles from the ‘Y’. A Red Rock Pass is required and passes are sold in the parking lot.

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