Sedona is an adventure haven for hiking, climbing, mountain biking, off-road and outdoors adventure

Sedona is one of those places that is hard to quantify.  Bellied up to the same bar you will find dirt-bag mountain bikers next to loaded retiree golfers, across from some college kids who spent the day hiking in Oak Creek Canyon. And, you may even run into some of the folks who flock to Sedona to seek out the naturally occurring energy vortices that do . . . something.  Yet, everyone comes to Sedona to play outside on a geologic canvas that makes you swear that someone cherry-picked the best parts of all the other great places to play and smashed them together in Arizona. Not only is the landscape one of a kind, but Sedona gets more days of annual sunshine than the Sunshine State.

From mild to wild, there are options in and around Sedona to satisfy almost any appetite.  When you are done playing there are a number of ways to kick back, from the cool waters of Oak Creek to some great local beer and the burgeoning Verde Valley Wine Industry. This is a place that rewards exploring: The coolest campsite in the world may be just down that new fork in the road, and an amazing swimming hole may be just around the bend in the creek.  Sedona does see a large volume of tourists, but thankfully the popular places are not the only awesome ones. Here are some great options to get you started on your exploration of Sedona.

HIKE:
Hiking is one of the best ways to experience Sedona, and the only way to get into the West Fork of Oak Creek, which is one of the most visually stunning and enjoyable experiences in the area. West Fork winds through a narrow slot canyon that can actually be hiked without canyoneering gear from top to bottom or vice versa. The “standard” hike is listed as a 6.4-mile out-and-back, but if you have packed your water shoes and aren’t afraid of getting wet, you can enjoy 12 miles (one way) of epic canyon hiking up to Woody Mountain Road. West Fork is also one of the more popular hikes so go early, as parking is very limited in Oak Creek Canyon.

Boynton Canyon is another outstanding option for a longer hike that will take you from the red rock desert to pine and oak trees as you near the end of this box canyon 3.2 miles from the trailhead. The best part of the hike is the final third, where you head west into the end of the canyon. Do not let the “No Trespassing” signs at the Enchantment Resort turn you away; the end of Boynton Canyon is worth the slower start of the hike.

Soldier’s Pass is a great choice if you are looking for the Sedona geology sampler, with a bit of history thrown in as well. The trail climbs through a number of arroyos and past a large sinkhole, and the surrounding ridges feature natural arches. Soldier’s Pass is named for the U.S. Calvary who, under General George Crook, followed a Native American trail to seek out a reliable source of water, the Seven Sacred Pools. The trail ties into the Brins Mesa trail, giving you a number of options for a longer hike.

The Courthouse and Bell Rock trails are a great place to take the kids because Bell Rock is a ton of fun to climb on. Both of these “rocks” are surrounded by a number of trails that are well signed and interwoven so you can create your own route in and around the rocks.

Hiking in Sedona is an activity that really rewards exploration and going prepared. For instance, bringing water shoes with you into West Fork allows you to totally escape the crowds and you will typically have the inner section of the canyon to yourself. There are dozens of epic hikes here, so do not be afraid to go check out a trail that looks like it goes through some attractive contour lines –- you will be glad you did.

BIKE:
The rumors are true –- Sedona is a world-class mountain bike destination. If you are looking for someplace to escape the snow and make your riding season a few months longer, Sedona is where you need to be. When big winter storms roll though northern Arizona and bury Flagstaff in feet of snow, Sedona typically receives a few inches, which means that perfect dirt is just a few days of sunshine away. There are trails here that will make salty dogs and new riders alike sport a perma-grin for weeks.

Chuckwagon/Mescal/Long Canyon is a great  9-plus-mile loop that offers awesome views, flowy berms on Chuckwagon, and a good serving of technical moves on the Long Canyon/Mescal side of the loop. Beware of spring runoff and monsoon rains when crossing Dry Creek; a little moisture up north will make Dry Creek not so dry.

Slim Shady/Llama/Cathedral Rock – Bell Rock are a few choice trails on what may initially seem like a pile of spaghetti noodles dropped on a map. Ride Slim Shady northbound to enjoy some excellent downhill and features (all features have bypasses). Llama runs best counterclockwise, and has great speed and flow. The real beauty of this part of the system is that you have so many connectors and options that it’s easy to run laps on your favorite section, or piece together a new combination of sections for a new ride each time.

Hangover Loop is where you want to go if you are looking for a challenge and exposure does not bother you. Let me be clear: If you are not comfortable with exposure and technical moves, you are going to be doing some hike-a-bike. (And even the hiking can be a little sketchy in bike shoes!) But if you are seeking an epic, expert ride this is where you need to go. Bring your GoPro, and some calories.

 

Sedona also has a growing bike park with a pump track and two flow tracks. With any luck, by the time you read this article, crews will be moving dirt on Phase Two of the project. Sedona’s mountain bike trail system is extensive. One could spend weeks doing nothing but riding, and never ride the same trail twice. Check in with a local shop for beta on trail conditions, and do not be afraid of getting muddy –- Sedona’s dirt hooks up ridiculously well with a little moisture.

DRIVE:
Broken Arrow is a short but awesome 4-wheel drive trail that offers stunning views, tons of fun features, and ends at an awesome overlook of Red Rock Country. Go in the evening to enjoy all of the views in great light and to miss the bulk of the Jeep tours. Make sure to explore all of the route options, just respect the one-way on “The Stars,” which is a downhill-only option.

Schnebly Hill Road runs from the heart of Sedona all the way up to Interstate 17 south of Flagstaff. It is an amazingly scenic drive best enjoyed at sunset. (Be at Schnebly Hill Vista when the light is getting low.) It is worth calling the Forest Service to find out what condition the road is in, and if the gates are open all the way up to the Interstate. Monsoon rains can turn the dirt road into miles of nothing but assorted watermelon-sized rocks, so be prepared to take some time navigating (crawling, if it is really bad) the road at certain times of the year.

OAK CREEK CANYON:
Oak Creek Canyon is something that must be enjoyed on any trip to Sedona, and is mandatory on an ADV bike. It is the kind of canyon where you find yourself continually thanking the folks who decided there needed to be road through this canyon because it is an absolute hoot on two wheels, assuming you do not get stuck behind some tourists going 20 mph. The canyon itself is a verdant paradise thanks to Oak Creek, whose cool water fills countless pools and ponds waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. Crowds tend to gravitate to Slide Rock State Park, Midgley Bridge, and Grasshopper Point, but there are a number of places where you can park on the side of the road and go explore the creek. Just start walking up or downstream from where you parked. Oak Creek Canyon is also the starting point for several awesome hikes, like West Fork and Sterling Pass.

DRINK:
If you are looking for a cold beverage over which to recount the day’s adventures, head to Oak Creek Brewing Co. (the actual brewery is on Yavapai Drive) where you can relax on the patio and enjoy some great beer and solid BBQ and skip the crowds at the restaurants.  On most weekend afternoons you will find live music and a relaxed crowd — the perfect place to kick back after a good pedal or hike.

Sedona is also minutes away from a number of wineries that are part of the booming Verde Valley Wine Industry. Head West from town on Highway 89 to taste wine from a number of great Arizona wineries (yes, great Arizona wine is a thing). Check out the Verde Valley Wine Trail to spend a day crossing the Verde Valley from Page Springs to Jerome to get the whole experience. If you are on an ADV bike, make sure to check out Page Springs Road.

 

EAT:
Being a world-renowned tourist destination means that Sedona has the restaurant experience to satisfy any appetite, and I am sure there are places where you can sink the cost of an ARB bumper into your meal. On the more reasonable side of things, Javelina Cantina is where you want to head when you are in the mood for Mexican food. Sit at the bar or take it outside and enjoy good food and great views of Sedona. If you are in the mood for Italian, check out the Hideaway House for some solid portions of carb-laden goodness and,you guessed it, more great Sedona views.

Sedona is a textbook example of what you get when Mother Nature creates an absolutely amazing geologic sandbox, and mankind figures out how to recreate in it without destroying the place. The trails here are well crafted and maintained by folks who care about their work –- your mission is to enjoy every inch of them. Make no mistake, Sedona does have its touristy bits, but thankfully the crowds tend to gravitate to certain places, and awesome is abundant in Sedona. Allocate as much time as you can to explore Sedona and enjoy this red rock playground paradise.

OutdoorX4 Magazine – Promoting responsible vehicle-based adventure travel and outdoors adventure