10 Bucket List Hikes in Sedona for Incredible Red Rock Views You Need to See to Believe
Sedona is truly one of the premier hiking and outdoors destinations in the United States. The way that the red rock mountains surround the town, full of mind-blowing shapes, crazy cool caves, and towering spires, is something that every outdoor lover dreams of.
And the best thing is that the hiking trails around Sedona really are exciting adventures, as they bring you right up close and personal with the jaw-dropping rock formations that almost feel like stepping into another world.
These are 10 epic, bucket list worthy hikes in Sedona you absolutely cannot miss if cool rocks make you happy.
10 Bucket List Hikes in Sedona
1. The Subway Cave
Of all the spots in Sedona, Subway Cave is easily one of the most iconic—and one of the most photographed. Tucked off Boynton Canyon Trail, you’ll hike about 2.5 miles before taking a spur trail that leads up to the cave. And, of course, there’s a bit of a scramble to get there, but once you do—OH MY GOSH. It’s absolutely unreal.
The cave’s walls curve into a near-perfect oval, with a long, narrow gap running straight through the middle. The way the light filters in, highlighting the smooth sandstone, almost feels like a surreal setting.
After grabbing your must-have photos, don’t just turn around—keep exploring. Follow the ledge around the backside of the cave to discover even more incredible rock formations and views.
2. Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock is one of Sedona’s most recognizable rock formations, and the name couldn’t be more fitting—its distinct spires rise from the rock base like the towering columns of a grand European cathedral.
The trail up is steep but a lot of fun, with sections that require scrambling up curved rock faces, making this trail as much about the climb as it is about the destination.
At the top, you’ll find yourself nestled between the towering spires of Cathedral Rock, with a small saddle offering jaw-dropping views across the spires and to the landscape below.
3. Courthouse/Bell Rock
Bell Rock is my kind of hike—scrambling, adventurous, and packed with incredible views. The trail starts out easy, winding toward the base of the rock, before turning into a fun scramble up the grippy sandstone layers.
About halfway up, the terrain gets more textured and vertical, making for an exciting climb with rocky outcroppings and narrow ledges. From here, it’s all about exploring different steep trails and little viewpoints, and wow—the views are incredible. You’re right in the middle of Bell Rock, looking straight out at Courthouse Butte.
If you want to extend the hike, you can add on the Courthouse Butte Loop, a flat, easy 3-mile trail that circles the massive rock formation and returns to the parking lot. It wasn’t nearly as exciting as Bell Rock, but the views were great, and it’s a nice option if you’re looking for something longer.
4. Birthing Cave
Birthing Cave is an exciting hike to a unique cave with great views. The cave has a distinctive teardrop shape and provides a stunning vantage point to the nearby mountains.
The easiest way to get to Birthing Cave is via Long Canyon Trail. Long Canyon is a much longer hike, but Birthing Cave is off a spur trail just 20 minutes in. Once you leave the flat main trail, you’ll need to scramble up a short but steep section and then you’ll be in the cave!
The front of the cave is cool, but you needd to scramble up the back of the cave wall to a little ledge to really take in the distinctive teardrop shape of the cave. Plus, the views out over the green valley and mountains in the distance are beautiful!
5. Keyhole Cave
This massive cave, tucked into the cliffs above Dry Creek, is one of the biggest in Sedona—and the views from inside are really spectacular.
The hike to Keyhole Cave is short but intense, requiring some steep scrambling up slickrock and navigating loose, rocky terrain. But once you reach the cave, the payoff is unreal, with the soaring, keyhole-shaped opening frames the sky perfectly. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop in awe, taking in the sheer scale of the towering walls around you.
6. West Fork Oak Trail
The West Fork Oak Creek Trail is an unforgettable hike in Sedona, winding through a lush canyon with soaring red rock cliffs on either side. The trail is unique in Sedona, offering a much greener landscape as it meanders along a clear, shallow creek.
You can either hike the trail alongside the stream, with nearly a dozen river crossings, or you can hike directly in the river, enjoying gorgeous views the entire way.
The red rock walls towering above the creek are breathtaking, and the trail’s cooler, shaded environment makes this a great option on warmer days. With its mix of dramatic canyon views, green forest, and idyllic creek, it’s easy to see why West Fork Oak Creek is an unforgettable hike in Sedona.
7. Fay Canyon
Fay Canyon is one of those hikes that completely surprises you. It starts off as a relatively easy walk through a scenic red rock canyon, shaded by towering sandstone walls and lush desert greenery. But what makes this trail so special is what’s waiting off of a hidden spur trail—a stunning rock arch perched high on the cliffs.
But the adventure doesn’t stop there. If you continue past the official “end” of the trail, you’ll find a rugged, unmaintained path that leads deeper into the canyon.
This section requires some scrambling, but it’s absolutely worth it—suddenly, the canyon opens up into a wild and dramatic landscape, with towering rock formations and sheer cliff walls.
8. Devil’s Bridge
Devil’s Bridge is one of the most iconic spots in Sedona, drawing hikers to its stunning natural sandstone arch. The highlight of the trail is reaching the bridge itself, where you can actually walk out onto the narrow span – an unusual perk of this natural bridge. (Most arches and natural bridges are expressely forbidden to walk on, such as all the formations in Arches National Park).
If you want to get that classic Sedona photo without waiting in line half the day, get here as close to sunrise as possible – the lines for a photo op on the bridge can get crazy long!
The hike is moderate – most of the trail is flat, but the last 1/2 mile or so gains a lot of elevation, as you climb from the valley floor to the level of the bridge.
9. Soldiers Pass
Soldier’s Pass Trail is a gorgeous hike that leads to the Seven Sacred Pools, a series of naturally carved rock basins that fill with rainwater.
It’s one of the most photographed spots in Sedona, and for good reason—the contrast of the pools in the foreground with the towering red rock formations behind them makes for an incredibly striking scene.
Beyond the pools, there are a few other landmarks to admire. The first is Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole, a massive geological feature where the ground has inexplicably fallen out. There’s also the Soldiers Pass Cave, accessible via a small but steep spur trail.
10. Marg’s Draw
Marg’s Draw Trail is a trail that I’d call a bit more of a hidden gem, but I think it offers really incredible panoramic views. This trail takes you through the Munds Mountain Wilderness, and the trail winds through an open, sparse forest of juniper trees and cacti, wrapping around a large mountain known as Snoopy Rock.
The phenomenal views looking back across Sedona and towards the northern mountain range were undoubtedly the best part of this hike, and you can enjoy these views for a good portion of the trail.
Plus, this hike is overall quite flat and is suited for all skill levels, making it one of the best easy trails in Sedona.
