Mooney Trail
Sedona hiking trails can be many things: scenic and peaceful being the two best descriptors that often come to mind. But they’re typically not secluded. If you’re searching for real solitude, you’ll have to venture farther…
Sedona hikes
Bear Mountain
Sometimes when you’re out hiking, you’re searching for a real challenge. A hike that tests your physical and mental limits and offers a great payoff. Bear Mountain is one of those hikes that fits that description…
Huckaby Trail
Huckaby Trail is a favorite hike among locals and tourists alike, and it’s not hard to see why. This Oak Creek Canyon trail offers up views of Sedona’s red rocks and lets you cross one of…
Rector Trail
Ever since it opened back in 2018, the Rector Trail quickly became a local favorite and for very good reasons. For starters, this hike lets you get up close to many of the Village of Oak…
A.B. Young Trail
This time of year is our absolute favorite for hiking. The cool temperatures mean you can spend hours on the trails. In the winter months on the weekends, you’ll often find us taking long, meandering hikes….
Table Top Trail
When those summer temperatures soar, one of our favorite places to hike in town is Airport Mesa. The relatively easy and mostly short trails in this West Sedona area all offer stunning views of some of…
Free Ride
The City of Sedona has launched a free shuttle to transport hikers to popular trailheads around town. The Sedona Shuttle will pick hikers up at park and ride lots – one located at 1294 AZ-179 and another at 20…
Cibola Pass Trail
The Cibola Pass Trail is one of our favorite short hikes in Sedona. The Uptown Sedona trail offers stellar views of many of the major red rock formations in the area. We can’t think of a…
Pyramid to Scorpion Trail Loop
As the cooler temperatures gradually arrive in September, we always look forward to heading back out to the trails more frequently. And while we’re building back up our strength, we’re searching for hikes that are moderately…
Sedona View Trail
The Sedona View Trail really lives up to its name. The views by this trailhead are some of the best in town. We’ve spent plenty of time appreciating the stunning vistas of Coffee Pot Rock, Chimney…
Teacup Trail
When those temperatures start to climb, we look for hikes that meet two requirements: short and scenic. And West Sedona’s Teacup Trail is one of our favorite brief hikes with top-notch views of one of Sedona’s…
Woods Canyon Trail
Spring is our favorite time of year to hike. The weather is usually perfect. The wildflowers are blooming. And we can’t think of a better way to appreciate this season than by tackling the Woods Canyon…
Chimney Rock Pass Trail
We’ll never tire of seeing Sedona’s famed red rocks in a different light. And if you’re up for a relatively moderate hike that will take you around the base of Chimney Rock, consider the Chimney Rock…
Little Horse Trail
Little Horse Trail is one of our favorite hikes for two key reasons – the trail is relatively flat and lets you get up close to Sedona’s famed red rocks. The trail kicks off just past…
Adobe Jack Trail
Adobe Jack Trail features fantastic red rock views. It also leads you to a creek bed and winds in and out of small washes and green desert terrain lined with junipers and Manzanita bushes. Before beginning…
A.B. Young Trail & Beyond
We first wrote about the challenging but rewarding A.B Young Trail in 2017. At that time, we stopped our hike where the switchbacks end at the top of the Mogollon Rim. We hiked it again recently,…
Airport Loop
There’s no denying the 3.3-mile trail that loops around Airport Mesa offers views of every major red rock formation in Sedona, but we were equally as enthusiastic about the landscape of the mesa itself. A constant…
Girdner Trail
Named after a family of ranchers who herded cattle in this area, the Girdner Trail connects Yavapai College and the former Sedona Cultural Park with Dry Creek Road via 4.75 miles of interesting and diverse terrain….
Bear Mountain Trail
The trail that leads up Bear Mountain may only be 2.5 miles one way, but it’s easily one of the most difficult hikes in Sedona. There’s little to no shade, so if hiking this trail is…
Devil’s Bridge
The name of Sedona’s largest sandstone arch, Devil’s Bridge, might sound sinister, but there’s no need to start reciting your Hail Marys just yet. The short, 0.9-mile trail that leads to the top of the arch…
Cockscomb Butte Trail
Have you ever wondered about the spindly spires of the Cockscomb formation west of Sedona and on the very edge of Red Rock Country? Then you need to spend an afternoon exploring Cockscomb Butte Trail. The…
Crescent Moon Creek Walk
When the days are hot, and you never know when a monsoon storm is going to pop up, we tend to stick to tried-and-true (read: short) hikes. Crescent Moon Creek Walk, more popularly known as Red…
Rector Trail
Because you are holding a copy of Sedona Monthly in your hands – whether you live here or not – it’s safe to assume that you have a favorite Red Rock Country trail. (No, we won’t…
Red Mountain Trail
If you don’t mind the long drive, hiking into the amphitheater of Red Mountain, a 1-million-year-old cinder cone in the San Francisco Peaks Volcanic Field, is a must-have experience. The trail begins at the end of…
Jail Trail River Walk
Looking for something to do with the kiddies during spring break? Family in town? Sometimes not everyone is up for – or capable of – a 6-mile hike in the red rocks. That’s when Cottonwood’s Jail…
Rock On
Scott Newth pulls out several binders filled with photocopied documents from the 1800s, maps, diagrams, and pages and pages of research on rock art in the Verde Valley. You’d swear he’d been researching the…
Dry Creek Trail
In late winter and early spring, Dry Creek is anything but dry. Depending on how much rainfall we’ve received, it’s completely impassable in some locations. The key to hiking this trail is finding that ideal time…
Munds Mountain Trail No. 77 in Sedona
The only remnant of any movie set ever built in Sedona is a tall rock chimney and fireplace shrouded in brush and trees on a rocky basalt road at the top of the Mogollon Rim. Reaching…
Courthouse Butte Loop in Sedona
The verdict is in: Courthouse Butte Loop is one of the prettiest trails you’ll hike in the snow – and it’s easy. The 4.5-mile loop traverses the base of Courthouse Butte, one of Sedona’s largest monoliths,…
Boynton Canyon in Sedona
Scenic Boynton Canyon near Enchantment Resort is one of Sedona’s most popular trails and deservedly so. But because it’s in danger of being loved to death, we haven’t written about it in 12 years. Instead, we’ve…
A.B. Young Trail in Oak Creek Canyon
The A.B. Young Trail is the only route (of which we know) that climbs the west wall of Oak Creek Canyon. From AZ-89A in the northern reaches of the canyon, you can spot the trail, which…
Sedona Reflections
In Sedona, everything is better in October. Daytime temperatures slowly start to drop and the summer monsoon storms dissipate. It’s also an ideal time to explore Pumphouse Wash in Oak Creek Canyon. Five miles of…
Sedona’s Loy Canyon
Sometimes you just want to walk in the woods, Hansel-and-Gretel style. That’s when you need to explore Loy Canyon and Loy Canyon Trail. The trail meanders along the floor of the canyon for 4 relatively flat…
Sedona’s Baldwin Trail
We don’t hike much during this time of the year, however, if we’re going to spend time on a trail, Baldwin ticks all of the boxes for a summertime jaunt. It’s in close proximity to Oak…
Sedona’s Thunder Mountain Trail
Thunder Mountain Trail is a gem of a hike that meanders along the base of its namesake, also known as Capitol Butte or Grey Mountain. Though there isn’t a ton of shade along the trail, it’s…
Vultee Arch Trail in Sedona
Back in the day, accessing the Vultee Arch Trailhead wasn’t nearly as challenging as it is now. The only way to reach it today is with a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle (yes, you need both high…
Templeton Trail in Sedona
For those who like to spend half the day rambling through Red Rock Country at a leisurely pace, Templeton Trail is right up your alley. You’ll only encounter one steep climb along this 9-mile (round trip)…
Sedona’s Munds Wagon Trail
We’ve hiked this trail in warm weather without a puddle in sight, so we suspect our experience was relatively rare, which made it even more special. Despite a blustery breeze, the scenery made us feel like…
Sedona’s Cathedral Rock Trail
Cathedral Rock Trail has long been one of our top 10 favorite hikes in Sedona, but the recent crowds in the area have kept us at bay for a couple of years. Then it dawned on…
Sedona’s Boynton Canyon Vista
When the days are short and the temperatures chilly, we like to explore some of Sedona’s shorter trails, and Boynton Canyon Vista checks all the boxes. The trail leads to a saddle between two red rock…
Sedona’s Scorpion and Pyramid Trails
We first became aware of the Scorpion and Pyramid trails while writing our September cover story – Jennifer Young, president of Friends of the Forest, let us in on the secret. If you like solitude mixed…
Slide Rock State Park in Sedona
Most locals past the age of 8 will tell you that Slide Rock State Park in the summer is highly overrated. After sitting in a long line of cars just to secure a parking space, you’re…
Doe Mountain
Every year, the trail leading to the top of Doe Mountain seems to grow in popularity as more and more hikers seek out the mesa’s 360-degree views. After spending several days flying above Sedona, we were…
Sedona Likes Hikes
Denise and Larry Garnello, owners of Magic Clothing in Sedona and Crystal Magic in Sedona and Flagstaff What is your favorite hike and why? Sugarloaf Summit because it’s a 5-minute walk to the trail from our house,…
The Arboretum at Flagstaff
When the dog days of summer arrive, it seems like half of Arizona escapes to the cooler climes of Flagstaff. And there’s no better place to spot wildflowers and wildlife than The Arboretum at Flagstaff. Leave…
Sedona’s Wilson Canyon Trail
After hiking Sedona’s trails for more years than we care to admit, we’ve realized there aren’t a lot of trails for beginning hikers, those out for a casual Sunday stroll or families with young kids. If…
Sedona’s Hangover
Were you disappointed (but obviously not surprised) that The Hangover Part III wasn’t worth the price of admission? We guarantee you won’t feel that way about the new Hangover Trail that traverses Mitten Ridge. For the…
Beyond Sedona’s West Fork
Even the most casual local hiker has most likely explored West Fork. It’s one of Sedona’s most popular hikes, especially in the fall when the trees along the trail put on a brilliant display of…
Sugarloaf Loop Trail
For some of the most expansive views in Sedona, you don’t have to climb to the top of Wilson Mountain or the Mogollon Rim. Sugarloaf, that little red rock mound at the base of Capitol Butte…
Sedona’s Cow Pies Trail
If you don’t mind a bumpy ride to get there, Cow Pies Trail is probably one of the flattest and easiest hikes in Sedona. It also happens to be located in an area of Red Rock…
Sedona’s Herkenham Trail
Few things match the beauty of Red Rock Country covered in a blanket of snow, especially when you consider that it’s a rare and fleeting sight. If you don’t want to waste time finding an off-the-beaten-path…
Sedona’s Sterling Pass Trail
Perhaps we’ve watched too many episodes of Finding Bigfoot, but if sasquatch was going to winter in Sedona, there’s no doubt he’d feel at home in the unnamed drainage surrounding Sterling Pass Trail. The area has…
Flagstaff’s Aspen Loop Trail
One of the best things about autumn? The changing leaves. Leaf peepers don’t have to wait for Oak Creek Canyon to peak at the end of October or beginning of November, either. Head north to the…
Pueblos and Cliff Dwellings
Sedona Monthly has been exploring and photographing ruins in northern Arizona for 12 years. Here are our favorites. Some are national monuments and easily accessed…others will test your knowledge of our landscape. As always, please…
Brins Mesa Trail
Back in June 2006, Brins Mesa made headlines when a fire broke out in the area, scorching more than 4,000 acres. Nine years later, you can still see the evidence when you hike the popular –…
Weir Trail
The weather outside is frightful…frightfully hot! When you want to find a swimming hole where you can beat the heat, check out Weir Trail. An offshoot of Bell Trail located east of I-17, Weir Trail ends…
Sedona Hike: Table Top Trail
With a name like Table Top, you can be fairly confident that the trail will offer spectacular views – and it does. But the route actually takes its name from Airport Mesa, which was originally Table…
Hike Sedona: Jim Thompson Trail
When it’s hot outside, but we still want to hike, we love trails where you can leave a car at either end, and Jim Thompson Trail is a great option. The hike begins near Jordan Road…
Hike Sedona: Hog Heaven
If you read our March 2015 cover story, you know the growing popularity of mountain biking in Sedona has led to the adoption of new trails by Coconino National Forest. One of our recent discoveries is…
Hike Sedona: Robbers Roost
According to local legend, Robbers Roost (also known as Shaman’s Cave or the Hide Out Cave), located northwest of Sedona but visible from any high vantage point in town, was a hideout for bandits and bootleggers,…
Hike Sedona: Chapel Trail
Some of the most iconic movie locations in Red Rock Country are located in the region once known as Little Horse Park. You and I know it as the Chapel Area. Several trails in the vicnity…
Sedona Winter Hike: Bear Mountain Trail
The trail that leads up Bear Mountain may only be 2.5 miles one way, but it’s easily one of the most difficult hikes in Sedona. The trail begins across Boynton Pass Road from the Bear Mountain/Doe…
Winter in Sedona Images
Winter 2013-14 was one of the driest on record for Red Rock Country. In January, we only received 0.69 inch of rain compared to our average of 3.03 inches according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric…
Hike Bell Rock Pathway in Sedona
Ah, autumn. That ideal time of year when the days are sunny and the evenings are brisk. It’s the perfect month to tackle the wide, scenic trail that leads from iconic Bell Rock to Little Horse…
Coffee Pot Trail
Sedona doesn’t lack difficult hiking trails. The majority of our routes seem to be long, involve steep climbs and include rocky terrain. We are always on the lookout for trails that are suitable for all ages…
Long Canyon
Confession: In the 13 years we’ve been publishing Sedona Monthly, we have never featured Long Canyon Trail. Once we realized the error of our ways, we made a beeline for the trailhead on Long Canyon Road…
Huckaby Trail
Huckaby Trail is a favorite hike among locals and tourists alike, so it’s no surprise that it was suffering from too much love. Originally constructed in 1998, the trail was rerouted at the end of last…
Sedona View Trail
The recently opened Sedona View Trail lives up to its name, offering panoramic views of West Sedona in its entirety. The trail also provides a much-needed route for hikers and mountain bikers by connecting the Airport…
Mooney Trail
With an unprecedented number of sunny days in January and February and an influx of visitors from the East Coast this winter, Sedona trails have seen a fair amount of use thus far in 2014. So…
Chuck Wagon Trail
Used by mountain bikers for years, Chuck Wagon Trail only recently became an official Coconino National Forest trail. The route has been modified to accommodate hikers and provide an alternate path to Devil’s Bridge, a popular…
Eagle’s Nest
Red Rock State Park, a 286-acre nature preserve located on the southwestern edge of town, includes 10 developed trails, daily guided nature walks and a plethora of monthly activities. Oak Creek runs through the park, and…
Events
March 2014 Calendar Mar. 1 20th Annual Sedona International Film Festival (thru 3/2). Call 928-282-1177 for information or visit www.SedonaFilmFestival.org The PEACE Program: Project for Empathy and Compassion Education with Lisa Doskocil, 10 a.m. (every Saturday…
Fay Canyon
Fay Canyon has long been one of the most popular hikes in Red Rock Country and for good reason: There’s plenty of parking at the trailhead, the route is relatively flat until the end and the…
West Fork
West Fork in the fall. We’ve hiked it. We’ve photographed it. We’ve written about it. We’re over it. Don’t misunderstand: Oak Creek Canyon’s most popular trail (and arguably the most heavily used trail in the area)…
Teacup Trail
It’s easy to see why many of Sedona’s most iconic rock formations received their names – there’s no mistaking Bell Rock or Snoopy Rock. But Teacup Rock is a bit more difficult to discern. The best…
Marg’s Draw
For a casual hike with stunning views, it doesn’t get better than Marg’s Draw. The trailhead is located in the center of town, the ascents are short and the red-rock pinnacles are inspiring.
HOT!
Hot: family-owned eateries, art classes, swinging from the trees, thrifting and funny girls. Not: Camping in front of the air-conditioner for two months. Here are 21 reasons to get out of the pool and seize life…
10 Favorite Sedona Hikes
This month, Sedona Monthly celebrates 10 years of publishing Arizona’s magazine with the great view. Hooray for us! Hiking is one of the reasons we moved to Sedona, and since our first issue in March 2003,…
Ruined
Navajo National Monument, located just south of Monument Valley, encompasses three cliff dwellings. Two of those dwellings are open to visitors. both are amazing destinations, but only one is truly worth the effort. Read on for…
High on Sedona
Spend some time with your head in the clouds! Come fly with us as we board a helicopter, hot air balloon and biplane to discover a new perspective of Red Rock Country. Think flying is for…
Go! Get Outside! Hike!
Hiking has been our passion for years and is part of the reason we moved to Sedona in the first place. After visiting and living in Sedona for more than 10 years, we just now feel…
Grand Canyon
On average, it rains on Thanksgiving Day in Arizona every 10 years. Naturally, that once-a-decade storm would bring downpours, lightning and snow to northern Arizona as we shopped for freeze-dried food and compressed our sleeping bags…
11 Reasons Autumn in Sedona is So Cool!
Autumn’s arrival in northern Arizona heralds more than just shorter days and cooler nights – in fall, Sedona seems to awake from a sluggish summer slumber to show off all her splendor with vibrant changing leaves,…
10 Places to Go to Beat the Arizona Heat
It’s a dry heat. Sedona has four mild seasons. Summers aren’t bad – we have monsoons. We’ve heard it all and, while we’ll admit our summers are a walk along the beach compared to our neighbors…
Get The Picture
Most of the millions of visitors who come to northern Arizona are connected to their cameras like it was a third eye. Wandering through galleries, seeing images of iconic locations such as Red Rock Crossing and…
The Inner Light: Inside 3 Slot Canyons
Antelope Canyon is one of the most alluring spots in the Southwest, thanks largely to the talented nature photographers who’ve beautifully captured and shared its ethereal light beams, golden hues, and corkscrewing rock walls that seem…
Nature Calls!
Ask Sedona residents why they settled in Red Rock Country and you’ll hear some variation of this response again and again: It was just too pretty to leave. Visitors get the message too, flocking in huge…
