The Southwest, Top Five Hikes in Sedona Arizona

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If you’ve ever wanted to take a trip to Southwest to explore the desert look no further then Sedona. Located in the Northern part of Arizona, this gem is one of the cooler outdoor places I’ve been to. Although not considered a National Park, Sedona has plenty of hiking and biking trails for all levels of experience. It’s also not a bad place to shoot photos either, with all of the different rock formations and red rock colors.

Most of the hikes are within 20 minutes of downtown Sedona and as you drive into town you’ll notice views that encompass the area such as canyons, mountains, and red rock. Other then the views, what I loved most about Sedona is how easy it was to get to the different trails, even on the weekends, when we had to take a shuttle. There’s a lot of different hikes you can do, but I’ll be list five that I thought are worth checking out when you take a trip here. With that being said, In this post I’ll be going over the best trails, where to stay, what to expect, and what to pack. Alright, lets gooo.

Where is Sedona

Located about an hour south of Flagstaff and two hours north of Phoenix Arizona, Sedona is part of the Coconino National forest sitting at 4350 feet/1326 meters. You can fly either into Flagstaff or Phoenix. The drive was pretty mellow from Phoenix and flights were cheaper as well into Phoenix vs Flagstaff. You can either rent a car or take a shuttle if you’re on a budget. The shuttle will be provided by Groome Transportation. Below I listed times and distances for the closest areas to Sedona.

Phoenix- 2 hours/217 Miles/349 km

Flagstaff- 45 Min/29 Miles/47 km

Tucson- 3.5 hours/228 Miles/367 km

When is the best time to Visit

The best time to visit Sedona is October-May with March-May being the busiest time of the year. As you could imagine, summers are pretty hot in AZ making it a less busy time of the year for tourism.

Where to Stay

Staying in Sedona will be the most ideal for being close to trails and the downtown area, however nightly rates will be the highest. If you’re looking to save money and still be within driving distance, a few other areas worth looking into are, Rimrock, Cottonwood, and Oakcreek. Oakcreek will be the closet area outside of Sedona with Cottonwood and Rimrock around 20-30 minutes away.

VRBO is great for looking up properties in any of these areas. I stayed in a nice place in Rimrock, booked on VRBO.

Where to Eat

Although my family and I didn’t eat out much there were a few restaurants that I saw with great reviews. These restaurants did however require reservations, months in advance. Thats something to keep in mind if you plan on eating out at all is to make a reservation ahead of time at any of these 3 spots; Elote Cafe, Mariposa, and the Hudson.

The one restaurant we went to that didn’t require a reservation but was pretty good was the Secret Garden Cafe. It’s a European Style Bistro with Southwest influenced items on the menu. Everything is made in-house too.

What were your favorite Trails

1. Soldiers Pass- Probably my favorite trail in Sedona, this hike will have some cool stops along the way such as the devil’s sinkhole, seven sacred pools, and soldiers cave at the end. There’s also a canyon floor right before the hike to the cave with 360 degree views of the surrounding red rock formations. I loved the variety of this hike and that it it didn’t feel too challenging. It’s fun a hike to do mid-day into the evening as well, so when your walking back you can catch a good sunset.

Keep in mind that from Thursday through Sunday the parking lot is closed and you’ll need to take a shuttle. Also, the parking lot itself has only 14 spots, arrive early if you want to grab a parking spot. Not to worry if the lot is full, this trailhead is a little over a mile walk to town, so it’s not the end of the world if there isn’t any parking. There is also a shuttle service that will take you to the trail Thursday-Sunday. I wrote a blog post on this trail if you’d like more information, Everything you should know about hiking the Soldiers Pass Trail

Trail Information

Distance: 4.5 Miles/7.25 km

Time: Depending on your speed and how many breaks you take, 2-4 hours

Elevation Gain- 839 feet/256 meters

Dogs- Must be on leash

Best time of the day to hike- Early Morning or Late afternoon

Trail Type- Loop, with the cave being out and back

Trailhead coordinates- 34.88420, -111.78377

2. Cathedral Rock- Although this hike isn’t very long, the elevation gain feels like a lot at the beginning of the hike. At one point I was on my hands climbing up the red rock because of how steep it was. Once you get towards the top the hike levels out. This is also another great trail to do at Sunset. There’s two small parking lots at the trailhead and if you plan on doing the hike in the evening, try to arrive earlier in the afternoon. Keep in mind, this all depends on the time of year you are in Sedona and when the sun sets.

Also note that the parking lot is closed for this trailhead Thursday-Sunday and a shuttle service is provided instead. You can find more information at Sedona Shuttle.com. If you’d like more information on the trail check out, Hiking the Cathedral Rock Trail

Once you get to the top the view opens up and you can see for miles down below. It’s a great spot to shoot photography and you’ll probably see other photographers. Just make sure to be respectful of other people trying to get photos. Try to grab a spot at the top to sit and save it, as there will be other people hiking up behind you. One of the best spots for a photo if you aren’t scared of heights will be on the right side. It’s a narrow ledge that walks out and captures the entire Cathedral Rock back drop. I wouldn’t walk on this ledge if it’s windy or snowy. Lastly, make sure to pack a headlamp with you and a lightweight/warm jacket as it can get cold in Sedona once the sun starts to set.

Trail Information

Distance: 1.2 Miles/2 km

Time: Depending on your speed and how many breaks you take, 2-3 hours

Elevation Gain- 741 Feet/226 meters

Dogs- Must be on leash

Best time of the day to hike- Early Morning or in the Evening

Trail Type- Out and Back

Trailhead coordinates- 34.8251479, -111.7885397

3. Birthing Cave- You won’t find information for this trail at the visitor center as it isn’t considered part of a main trail. However you will find the trail on All Trails, an app that provides trail information and reviews for different hikes. Since this trail is less popular, you probably won’t see too many people on the hike. It’s also not a very challenging hike, which is great if you want a day where you don’t have to walk on a trail for very long.

You’ll start your hike at the Long Canyon trailhead off of Long Canyon Road. There’s a small parking lot on the left where the trailhead starts. We hiked it on a weekday in the afternoon and there weren’t too many cars in the parking lot. If the directions take you to a gated community you’ve gone a little too far. Just turn around and you’ll see the parking lot on the right.

Once you start hiking you will see a fork in the road, veer left and this trail will take you to the Birthing Cave. There isn’t too much elevation gain with this trail even when hiking to the cave. Once you get to the cave, hang out, eat lunch, shoot some photos and enjoy the views. The cave isn’t as big as you would think, but it’s still fun to check out. If you’re looking to get a photo make sure to use a wide lens or the wide lens feature on your cellphone.

Trail Information

Distance: 2 miles/3.25 km

Time: Depending on your speed and how many breaks you take, 2-3 hours

Elevation Gain- 291 feet/89 meters

Dogs- on a leash

Best time of the day to hike- early in the morning or afternoon into the evening

Trail Type- Out and back

Trailhead coordinates- 34.906520, -111.824080

4. Devils Bridge- This is a hike you’ll want to do for sunrise since it is a more popular spot in Sedona. Try to arrive to the parking lot about 30 minutes before sunrise and bring a headlamp, warm clothing, snacks and water to the trailhead. I actually like the beginning of this trail more then the actual bridge because of the awesome backdrop. Again, since this is a more popular trail, parking is closed Thursday-Sun and you’ll need to take the Sedona Shuttle. Parking will be at the Posse Grounds Park and Ride Lot. If that lot is full there will be parking around the corning near the elementary school and baseball field.

If you go midweek there will be a lot less crowds and people on the trail. There’s two lots for parking; Dry Creek Vista Trailhead and the Mescal Trailhead. We parked at the Mescal trailhead because the parking area was less crowded (Even early in the morning on a weekday, people begin to show up for this trail). This parking lot had almost no vehicles in it when we showed up and also had public restrooms. The trail starts out pretty flat (Mescal Trailhead) going through some of the desert forest and then opens up to canyon and red rock mountain back drop views. The signage is pretty straightforward and will take you right to the bridge.

The elevation gain doesn’t really start until you reach the last .8 miles of the hike. By this point you’ll be climbing up some rocks using your hands for stability. As you climb up the rocks watch out for people hiking down, and take your time. As you approach the top you’ll come across a canyon floor that has views over looking the entire area. Keep walking and you will shortly come up on the Devil’s Bridge! If you show up really early, there probably won’t be anyone. However once the sun is up you’re guaranteed to see people get photos of themselves on the bridge.

It’s a pretty steep drop with a narrow walkway, so BE CAREFUL. Someone did die in 2014 and if it’s raining, snowing, or icy out, don’t attempt to walk across the bridge. People are good at taking turns and you can even ask strangers to get a photo of you on the bridge if you hiked it by yourself. If you’re looking to take a break at the top there’s some nice areas to sit and eat some snacks and enjoy the views.

Trail Information

Distance: 4 miles/6.25 km

Time: 2-3 hours depending on speed

Elevation Gain- 521 feet/159 meters

Dogs- on a leash

Best time of the day to hike- Sunrise

Trail Type- Out and Back

Trailhead coordinates- 34.901740, -111.826940

5. Bell Rock Loop- Looking for a good hike to get started with? Bell Rock Loop was the first hike we did and it’s a good one for people who are looking for to hike a beginner trail with not too much elevation gain. The parking for this hike doesn’t have many spots, however there is another lot close by that has more parking and doesn’t fill up as much. Yavapai Vista Point will be the other lot across the road, just make sure to be careful when crossing.

The hike starts off pretty flat with different on options to hike other trails. Other Trails include the Courthouse Butte, Little Horse, and Big Park Loop. Follow the signage and also download All Trails to make sure you stay on the Bell Rock loop.

This trail will loop around the Bell Rock while offering views of the surrounding Coconino National Forest. What I loved about this trail is is the variety of views with different rock formations as well as the loop not being as crowded. Towards the end of the loop you’ll the trail really opens up and you can see a lot of the Sedona landscape.

Trail Information

Distance: 1.8 miles/2.89 km

Time: 1-2 hours depending on speed

Elevation Gain-

Dogs- on a leash

Best time of the day to hike- Early Morning or Evening

Trail Type- Loop

Trailhead coordinates- 34.805810, -111.766330

Best Tips for Hiking in the Desert

1. Drink and pack enough water for the day- Sedona is at an elevation of 4,350 feet/1326 meters. Higher elevations can cause headaches and shortness of breath. Make sure to drink plenty of water! If you are feeling sick the first couple days, stay away from alcohol and caffeine

2. Sunscreen- Make sure to apply this at least 15 minutes before you go outside. I personally like Sun Bum because of the non-greasy feel once it’s applied.

3. Leave no trace- Pack out what you Pack in. It’s important that you respect mother nature and the trailheads. Do not leave trash/food waste behind. Some trailheads will have trash and recycling containers. Pack a trash bag in your backpack. If you have to use the bathroom, most trailheads will have a restroom. If you can’t hold it, go further away from the trail and watch out for wildlife and cactus.

4. Stay on trail- Only hike on designated trails and paths. There is no camping allowed in Sedona’s city limits and if you decide to camp, be at least 200 feet from water sources.

5. Plan out your Trip- Do some research and plan ahead of time for which hikes you’d like to do. Because Sedona is close to major cities Phoenix and Flag Staff, understand that trailheads will fill up quickly on weekends and peak times. Get to the trailhead early. It’s helped that there are shuttles that will take you to the trailheads during busier times. Stopping in at the Visitor Center and also having a map of the trail on your phone helps a lot (Alltrails).

6. Respect wildlife- Be respectful to all wildlife when hiking and do not feed any animals . Since you are in the desert you may come across things such as spiders, scorpions, snakes, coyotes, and javelinas. Keep your pet on a leash at all times when hiking.

7. Respect others around you- Be respectful of other hikers and bikers on the trails. Give people space and take turns if you are trying to get a photo at a popular spot. You might even meet some cool people along the way when hiking.

Other Hikes to Check out

A few other hikes that we didn’t have time for, but were recommended are Munds Wagon, Boynton Canyon (Subway Cave detour), and Fay Canyon

What to Pack

1. Water Bottle- One of the best water bottle brands out there is Hydro Flask because it can keep water cold for up to 24 hours and if you want to keep extra water on hand HydraPak makes great collapsable water packs.

2. Light weight warm jacket- If you plan on doing any sunrise or sunset hikes, I recommend packing a lightweight down jacket. The nice thing about down is it’s very packable and you can throw it in your bag when the temperature heats up. The Baker AK down jacket is 800 fill (the higher the fill number the better quality down and more packable the down is), and packs into it’s left pocket.

3. Hiking Boots- Have the right hiking footwear will make all the difference, especially when your climbing up trails like Cathedral Rock. Merrell makes some of the best hiking footwear out there. They make low top and mid top options, and their boots have a Vibram sole that grips really well.

4. HIking Socks- One of the best investments when hiking around all day is a good pair of socks. Stay away from cotton. You’ll want something that is either wool or a synthetic polyester blend. In my opinion Smartwool makes the best socks out there with a lot of different options.

That’s a wrap on some awesome hikes in Sedona! Thanks soo much for reading the blog and I’ll catch you on the next post. If you have any questions or information to add please leave a comment below! Also, if you’re looking for more inspiration on outdoor travel, subscribe to our email list to receive the latest information on outdoor guides, trips, and more.

Sedona Arizona, Everything you should know about hiking the Soldiers Pass Trail

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Looking to take a desert trip? Sedona in Arizona is one of the more inspiring outdoor places I have ventured to with lots of different hiking trails, red rock formations, canyon walls, vortexes, endless views that overlook the desert/mountain landscape, and cool hidden gems such as the Soldiers Cave in this hike.

Out of all the hikes I did in my four day trip in Sedona, Soldiers Pass was my favorite. I loved the variety of scenery, the elevation gain to the cave, and the different stops along the hike (Seven Sacred Pools/Devils Sinkhole). What’s great is this hike is also walkable from town (we missed the last shuttle), keep reading for info on parking and the shuttle.

In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Sedona, where to park, best time to visit, what to expect, trail information, and what to pack for a hike in the desert. Alright, lets goooo

Where is Sedona

Sedona is a city (more like a big town) in the northern part of Arizona close to an hour south of Flagstaff and two hours north of Phoenix. It’s part of the Coconino National Forest and is a great place to visit if you love the outdoors or scenic views. While hanging out in Sedona you’ll find people who enjoy hiking, biking, photography, or just relaxing.

Sitting at 4,350 feet/1326 meters, Sedona is considered the high desert and even gets snow in the winter time! Although Sedona isn’t a national park there are two state parks; Red Rock State Park and Slide Rock State park. As you drive into town you’ll notice canyons, mesas (a mountain with a wide flat top), buttes (Tall tower looking mountains), and rock formations all with a reddish color hence the nickname Red Rock Country.

How do I get to the Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates: 34.88420, -111.78377

Please note that if you are going to hike for more then 3 days, you should purchase a Red Rocks Weekly Pass to be displayed on a your car dash. As mentioned even though Sedona isn’t a National Park, a National Parks pass will work as well. A daily pass at trailheads is $5, a weekly pass is $15, and an annual pass is $20. These passes can be purchased through recreation.gov. *A pass isn’t needed for the Soldiers Pass trailhead but will be required for many other trails in Sedona.*

To drive to the trailhead you’ll head west out of town onto Soldiers Pass Road. Take a right onto Shadow Rock Drive and then a left onto the Forest Service Road. On the right you will see the parking lot. One thing to note is the trailhead is gated and open from 8am-6pm. So make sure to get back to the parking lot from the trail before 6! or your car will be stuck for the night. If you’re looking to do a sunset or sunrise hike, park in the lots described below or extend your hike on trail by parking at the Jordan Road Trailhead.

The first thing to note about the Trailhead of Soldiers pass is there is only 14 parking spots and it is in a neighborhood. I would plan on getting there as early as possible if you want to Park at the trailhead. If trailhead is full, you can park about a mile away, close to the West Sedona Elementary School. There’s a parking lot (Posse Grounds) and also some street parking near the school. Do not park in the neighborhood to Soldiers Pass as your car will get ticketed and towed.

Also note that Thursday-Sunday you cannot park at the trailhead, you will have to park at the Posse Grounds Park and Ride and take a free Shuttle to the trailhead. You can find pickup time information at Sedonashuttle.com. If parking is full in the shuttle lot there is some street parking near the Elementary School. The last shuttle picks up at 5:51 pm, so don’t miss it or you’ll be walking back to your car like we did. The walk is about a mile if you miss the last shuttle.

Is Soldiers Pass a difficult Trail

I would rate the hike as moderate with some elevation gain towards the end as you approach the Cave. Depending on your speed the hike can take anywhere from 2-4 hours. Below I’ve listed some trail stats. Also, a really helpful app I use a lot when hiking is All trails. Perfect for navigating a hike, looking at trail reviews, and getting trail information.

Distance- 4.5 miles/7.25 km

Elevation Gain- 839 feet/256 meters

Dogs- Must be on leash

Best time of the day to hike- Early Morning or Late afternoon

Trail Type- Loop

How to get to the Soldiers Pass Cave and what is the Trail Like

Alright, so you made it to the trailhead and you’re looking to hike all the way to the cave. One thing to note about Sedona is a lot of trails connect or lead to other trails in the area. The visitor center in Downtown Sedona will have maps and also knowledgeable staff to give you more information on connecting trails in the area. If you decide not to hike to the Cave, you can stay left on the Soldiers Pass trail and it will take you all the way to the Brins Mesa Trail.

As you start hiking, within the first five minutes you’ll come across the Devils Kitchen, a giant sinkhole cause from red wall limestone gradually eroding and collapsing overtime. There are other sinkholes in the Sedona area with this one being one of the most popular ones. It’s most recent collapse was in 1995 and the hole itself is 50 feet deep and 150 by 90 feet in size.

You might also notice a wider path as you’re hiking the Soldiers Pass trail. This is for jeep tours that are offered on certain trails in Sedona, if you don’t want to hike.

As you continue hiking, the next cool site on the trail will be the Seven Sacred Pools. A series of small pools of water that were naturally carved out of the sandstone and once considered sacred by Native America Tribes. There’s a chance they could be dried up if you hike this trail during warmer months, but still really cool to look at. Probably one of my favorite views on the hike with the desert mountains in the background. The group of mountains you see off in the distance are called Coffee Pot Rock.

If you’re looking to get some good photos of this part of the trail, I would try to shoot them either early in the morning or in the evening vertically to get the pools and mountain backdrop all in one shot.

Once you pass the seven sacred pools you’ll continue to follow the signage that says Soldiers Pass Trail. This trail will take you through shaded areas with trees and Arizona Cypress. As you stay on trail and continue hiking you will come across a giant canyon floor with 365 degree views of the Sedona Mountains, Canyons, and mesas. At this point you are entering the Red Rock Mountain Secret Wilderness area. This area is great for taking photos with the backdrop!

Shortly after this canyon floor you will see a trail to the right that takes you to the cave. If you stay on the Soldiers Pass trail it will take you to Brins Mesa. We decided to veer right and head up to the cave. This is the point in the trail where the elevation gain increases quiet a bit. So make sure to take breaks and drink plenty of water if you need to. I also recommend packing snacks for the hike and enjoying them at the top of the cave area.

The trail to the cave is about .3 miles and def worth the hike. Once you get the cave you’ll see the overhang of the cave, but you can also climb inside the cave if you’d like. Just make sure to not move any rocks, write or carve anything into the rock walls, and pack out what you packed in. You’ll notice some rocks that have been converted into steps to climb up into the cave. You’ll have to use your hands and have the right hiking footwear to do this. I’ll have a packing list at the end of this blog.

Inside the Cave there is just enough light to see the entire inside. There’s a ledge you can sit on as your hanging out. If you have a camera use the lowest aperture setting to let a lot of light into the lens and keep the camera as steady as possible for a photo. A tripod will work best, if you have one because the lighting is still pretty dark.

If you’re running late on time to catch the shuttle, take the Soldiers Pass Road on the way down as it will shave off a little time. The road is great for hiking and you still get the scenic views.

When is the best time to Visit Sedona

You can visit Sedona year round, but the temperatures will be the best from October-May. Summers in the desert can be pretty hot, but since Sedona is at a Higher Elevation it will be cooler then places like Phoenix or Tuscan. The busiest times of the year will be March-May.

How do I get back to my car if I missed the last shuttle

If you missed the last shuttle at the Soldiers Pass Trailhead you’ll walk back through the neighborhood and then follow signage on your right that will take you on a sidewalk path back to the parking lot and side street parking.

Things to Know

1. Leave no trace- Pack out what you Pack in. It’s important that you respect mother nature and the trailheads. Do not leave trash/food waste behind. Some trailheads will have trash and recycling containers. Pack a trash bag in your backpack. If you have to use the bathroom, most trailheads will have a restroom. If you can’t hold it, go further away from the trail and watch out for wildlife and cactus.

2. Stay on trail- Only hike on designated trails and paths. There is no camping allowed in Sedona’s city limits and if you decide to camp, be at least 200 feet from water sources.

3. Plan out your Trip- Do some research and plan ahead of time for which hikes you’d like to do. Because Sedona is close to major cities Phoenix and Flag Staff, understand that trailheads will fill up quickly on weekends and peak times. Get to the trailhead early. It’s helped that there are shuttles that will take you to the trailheads during busier times. Stopping in at the Visitor Center and also having a map of the trail on your phone helps a lot (Alltrails).

4. Respect wildlife- Be respectful to all wildlife when hiking and do not feed any animals . Since you are in the desert you may come across things such as spiders, scorpions, snakes, coyotes, and javelinas. Keep your pet on a leash at all times when hiking.

5. Respect others around you- Be respectful of other hikers and bikers on the trails. Give people space and take turns if you are trying to get a photo at a popular spot. You might even meet some cool people along the way when hiking.

6. Check Fire Restrictions- The desert can be a dry place. While we were there conditions were very dry and the fire danger was high which meant no campfires.

7. Higher Elevation- Sedona is at an elevation of 4,350 feet/1326 meters. Higher elevations can cause headaches and shortness of breath. Make sure to drink plenty of water! If you are feeling sick the first couple days, stay away from alcohol and caffeine

What to Pack

1. Water Bottle- You are in the desert and at a higher elevation, Make sure to pack a water bottle! I love Hydro Flask because the bottle can keep water cold for up to 24 hours. For longer hikes pack extra water. Hydrapak makes really awesome collapsable water bottles, perfect for fitting in a bookbag.

2. Hiking Shoes or Boots- I saw a lot of people on hikes with improper footwear. You want hiking footwear that will have good support, traction, and comfort. I size my hiking boots like a regular tennis shoe. You’ll want a little bit of room at the end for thicker hiking socks and also because feet tend to swell when hiking. I like the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker because they aren’t bulky, have great traction, and are comfortable. The only downside is the ankle support isn’t the greatest.

Don’t forget to also pack a good pair of hiking socks. Stay away from anything cotton as it will not keep your feet dry. Check out Smartwool as they make some of the best socks for hiking.

3. Backpack- Perfect for bringing a camera, extra layers, water bottle, and snacks. Burton makes great bags and the Day Hiker will work great for hikes in Sedona. Available in 25L, 28L and 31L

That’s it for a hike at Soldiers Pass. This hike is a must if you make it to Sedona. Also if you’re a photographer or like shooting photos the best light will be early in the morning. If you like this blog post subscribe to our Email list below for the latest outdoor content. Thanks for reading! and I hope this blog post inspires you to take a trip to the desert. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have information to add or a question on Sedona.