- Destinations, Hiking
7 Best Sedona Hikes in Winter
The winter months in Sedona, Arizona, are the perfect time to plan a hiking trip out to Red Rock Country. The beautiful red rocks contrasted with snow on some of the popular trails in Sedona are breathtaking. The colder air means that even popular trails are less crowded. Plus, some of the best Sedona hikes in winter are fit for people of all hiking experience.
In this guide, I will share everything you need to know about some of the best hikes, so you have a great time hiking in the red rocks of Sedona. Use this guide when planning your next Sedona trip during the slow season.
Just a heads up! This post contains some affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
Complete Guide to Winter Hiking in Sedona
The winter months are the perfect time to plan your trip to Sedona. While Sedona does not receive a lot of heavy snowfall, they do still have cooler temperatures, making desert hiking a little nicer. There are fewer crowds in the tourist off-season; however, the city of Sedona is still bustling with fun things to do.
I have organized this hiking guide into sections: sunrise-worthy hikes, Kid and adult-friendly trails, and more challenging trails.
Quick Planning Guide for Sedona
- Hotels: You’ll want to book your accommodations in advance. Find hotel deals here.
- Car Rentals: If you’re flying into Phoenix, you’ll need to rent a car. If you stick to the main hikes, you will be fine with a sedan rental.
- Activities: Most tours in Sedona book up during the busy season. Be sure to register in advance if you’re planning to take a tour. Many of my favorite tours in the area can be found on GetYourGuide.
- Time: If you’re planning a trip to Sedona, I would recommend at least 3 nights, so you have 2 full days in the area. A long weekend would be perfect for this area.
- Season: The best time of year for a winter trip, with minimal crowds and moderate temperatures, is from early February to April.
Sunrise Worthy Sedona Hikes
Catching sunrise in Sedona is one of the best ways to enjoy the hiking trails in the area. On your winter visit, be sure to check weather forecasts. You may even want to consider packing yourself some hot cocoa or coffee while you sit and enjoy the sunrise.
Devil’s Bridge via Chuckwagon
- Trail Length: 5.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 730 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking Lot: Dry Creek Vista Trailhead, shuttle available
- Bathroom?: Yes, at the trailhead
- Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash
- Pass/Permit: None
Devil’s Bridge Trail is probably one of the most iconic hikes in Sedona, Arizona. Even with a large parking lot, the city still provides afree shuttle to the trailhead. The route to Devil’s Bridge can vary a little bit, but the most traveled route starts at the Dry Creek Trailhead, where the shuttle drops people off. Hikers will take Dry Creek Road, an OHV Road, to the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead.
On the return from Devil’s Bridge, I recommend following the Chuckwagon Trail back to the Dry Creek Trailhead to avoid large crowds and vehicle traffic. Taking Chuckwagon adds about a mile to the total distance of the trail, with no elevation gain.
AllTrails: Devil’s Bridge Trail
Birthing Cave
- Trail Length: 2.0 miles
- Elevation Gain: 291 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking Lot: Road Pull-Off, Limited parking space
- Bathroom?: No
- Dog-Friendly: Must be on a leash
- Pass/Permit: No
Birthing Cave Trail was a quick and easy sunrise hike. With a short but steep climb up to the cave, the immaculate views of this Sedona Hike make the climb worth the effort. When I completed the hike for sunrise, there were four other people in the cave, and you could hear a pack of coyotes howling and yipping in the distance. This trail opened my eyes to why Sedona is called a spiritual place.
Brewer Trail
- Trail Length: 1.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 374 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking Lot: Road Pull-Off, limited spaces
- Bathroom?: No
- Dog-Friendly: Must be on a leash
- Pass/Permit: No
Brewer Trail is in the heart of Sedona and is an extension of the short lookout, Summit Trail. The trail provides a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and wilderness. The Summit Trail is also accessible via the Airport Mesa Trail. Waiting for sunrise, there were a handful of people at the top, but plenty of space to stand and wait for the beautiful sunrise to come over the mountains. This trail is easy to follow in the dark, but it does have a little more elevation gain than some of the other trails in the area. If you’re looking for a quick trail to complete for sunrise, this hike should absolutely be on your list.
Kid AND Adult Friendly Sedona Hikes
These two hikes are kid- and adult-friendly because they are absolutely enjoyable for both. While they are easy hikes, they still offer some of the best views.
Montezuma Castle Interpretive Trail
- Trail Length: 0.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 36 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Parking Lot: Yes
- Bathroom?: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Must be on a leash
- Pass/Permit: America the Beautiful
A little outside of Sedona, Arizona, rests a historical look into the history of the people who once thrived in the surrounding area. This National Historical Monument tells the story of the people of the area who lived in a 20-room cliff dwelling. This look into the past absolutely needs to be on your Sedona Hiking list.
Fay Canyon and Fay Canyon Arch
- Trail Length: 2.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 193 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking Lot: Yes
- Bathroom?: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Must be on a leash
- Pass/Permit: No
Close to a number of other spectacular hikes, Fay Canyon was magical. The trailhead is across the street from the parking lot, which has views of Doe Mountain. Fay Canyon seems to take hikers into another world. Walking underneath a desert canopy, this trail provides ample shade for visitors.
The slow meandering trail reaches the base of the canyon with an “End of Trail” sign. This trail has one of the largest natural sandstone arches in the area. For those wanting a view from above, the rocks at the base of the canyon provide stable footing, and visitors will quickly arrive in the heart of the canyon, where they can see the forest they just walked through.
This was a trip favorite for both my partner and I!
Seven Sacred Pools and Soldier Pass Trail
- Trail Length: 3.0 miles
- Elevation Gain: 430 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking Lot: Yes
- Bathroom?: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Must be on a leash
- Pass/Permit: No
The trail to the Seven Sacred Pools is popular with both hikers and the pink jeep tours. Even in the winter months, you’re bound to see many people. At three miles, it is actually one of the longer trails in the area. It is recommended that, due to the exposure on this trail, you visit between October and May so you can see water in the pools. To avoid crowds, consider hiking this out-and-back trail in the evening!
Spectacular Sedona Hikes with a Little Challenge
While the following hikes may not seem challenging because of the trail length and higher elevation gain, they are challenging because the grade of the hike is more strenuous than some of the others previous listed. Both can be completed by anyone up for a challenge!
Doe Mountain
- Trail Length: 1.5 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 511 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking Lot: Yes
- Bathroom?: Yes
- Dog-Friendly: Must be on a leash
- Pass/Permit: Red Rocks Pass / America the Beautiful Pass
Doe Mountain is one of the more challenging hikes in the area, but it was one of the most scenic. With a collection of switchbacks, hikers eventually make it to the top of the butte. The view from the top of the mountain includes that of the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness and all of the peaks within the area. What makes this hike amazing for sunrise or sunset is that on top of the butte, hikers can position themselves for 360-degree views of the area. So whether you’re looking for a brisk morning hike or a cool evening hike, this trail will provide spectacular views.
Keyhole Cave
- Trail Length: 2.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 472 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Hard
- Parking Lot: Yes, limited spaces
- Bathroom?: No
- Dog-Friendly: Must be on a leash
- Pass/Permit: No
This is one of my favorite hikes in Sedona, and once you make it to the cave, you’ll know why. With a challenging climb up to the cave and an even more challenging scramble up into the keyhole, this hike is not for the faint of heart. The Sugarloaf area is extremely beautiful, and the views from the cave are immaculate. If you’re up for a challenge, this is a must.
Cathedral Rock Trail
- Trail Length: 1.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 741 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Hard
- Parking Lot: Yes, limited spaces
- Bathroom?: No
- Dog-Friendly: Must be on a leash
- Pass/Permit: Red Rock Pass
The Cathedral Rock Trail is one of the more popular trails in the Coconino National Forest, and for good reason. This epic trail is a moderately challenging trail due to the required scrambling to get to the top. Due to its popularity, you will need a Red Rock Pass to park at the trailhead on days that parking is allowed, Monday – Wednesday. Otherwise, you can utilize the park and ride in central Sedona. When snow is present in the winter season, be cautious of slipping!
Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock Loop
- Trail Length: 3.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 741 feet
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking Lot: Yes, limited spaces
- Bathroom?: No
- Dog-Friendly: Must be on a leash
- Pass/Permit: Red Rock Pass
A little further south from Cathedral Rock is Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock Loop, which can be combined into one longer trail! In the Munds Mountain Wilderness, I really enjoyed this loop trail. As you hike around these large red rock formations, you gain little elevation gain round-trip, making the perfect after-work trail to avoid high daytime temperatures. If you want to be in the morning sun, hike this trail counterclockwise.
Other Fantastic Trails in Sedona:
It is hard to say which trails are the best winter hikes in Sedona, because there are so many incredible trails, each offering something a little different.
What to Pack for Sedona Hikes in Winter
Hiking is hiking, but there are extra precautions that should be taken when hiking in a hot, dry, and sunny area, such as a temperate semi-arid climate. Since I flew into Arizona from Washington for this hiking trip, I packed all of my clothes and gear into carry-ons.
- Hiking Boots: Many of the trails in Sedona are rocky, so a pair of sturdy hiking boots with ankle support is a must. Oboz Bridgers are my favorite.
- Wool Socks: To avoid blisters, wear wool socks on the trail. My go-to hiking socks are from Darn Tough.
- Sunscreen: Even in the winter, the UV rating can be substantial.
- Water: Bring at least 2 liters of water on each trail. You’d be surprised at how quickly you can drink up your water.
- Layers: Pack yourself a light jacket with insulation to keep warm. Some of the trails can get pretty windy, and temperatures drop quickly in the evening.
- Map: Some of these trails are hard to follow, but with a downloaded, offline map, you can stay on the trail. I have AllTrails Premium for this.
- Binoculars: There are some incredible views on Sedona Hiking trails, but you’ll also spot incredible wildlife. Packa pair of binoculars so you don’t miss anything!
There are so many items you can bring on your Sedona Hike with you, but you should always bring the ten essentials of hiking with you. If you’re not sure what the ten essentials of hiking are, check out this blog post on the hiking essentials!
Related Read: Flying with Camping Gear
I finished my Sedona Hike. Now what?
Sedona is rich with activities to do, things to see, and places to eat. After a morning hike in Sedona, I am looking forward to having lunch and a post-hike beer before starting anything else. Head to West Sedona for the Tlanquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.
- Post-Hike Drink and Snack: In my short trip, I think I managed to find two of the best spots for a post-hike beverage and snack. Let me tell you, Sedona Hikes will get you to work up a sweat! Some of my favorite spots in Sedona are AGAVE89 and Sedona Beer Company.
- Post Hike Adventure: Sedona, Arizona, is in the heart of some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. Only two hours from the Grand Canyon and Phoenix, the options for activities are endless.
- Shopping & Perusing: Downtown Sedona has some fantastic shops where you can pick up art from local artists and find some trinkets in the Tlaquepaque Arts Center.
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Pack It Up
Whether you’re an avid hiker, new to hiking, or have never hiked before. Hiking in Sedona is a must-do activity when visiting the area. As always, when visiting an area, especially an area with such a fragile ecosystem, remember to leave no trace. Whether you visit Sedona once or many times, consider taking the Sedona Cares Pledge to protect and preserve the area. You can sign the pledge here at Visit Sedona.
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
The Ultimate Washington Map
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If you’ve ever wished you could access my adventure journals to uncover notes about hundreds of Washington destinations, now’s your chance. I spend an entire year creating this interactive map to make adventure more accessible. You can sort, filter, and explore my notes on hundreds of trails, breweries, campgrounds, and more.
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Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
