Arizona State Parks Near Sedona: A Complete Hiker’s Guide

Arizona’s Scenic Landscape

Calling all hikers, backpackers, and adventure enthusiasts! There’s never been a better time to pack up the kids and car, and head to our little slice of heaven in Sedona, Arizona. Our state is filled to the brim with outdoor adventures and many types of picturesque sights to peruse.

What’s even better; our inviting resort in Sedona is the perfect pairing for your exciting vacation this year. Let’s jump into the best of the best so you can start planning your trip!

How to Choose the Best Hike

If you’re the designated planner in your group, then we know you're itching to pack your schedule, but there might not be time for everything! Here are a few tips to consider beforehand:

Length & Difficulty: It’s never fun to be in pain as you’re walking and uphill terrain can be exhausting, especially for small children and those with disabilities. Take into account the athletic ability and stamina of your group before setting out for the day.

Sights & Offerings: Every hike offers something special and each trail has scenic sights that make it unique. Whether you want to explore on the back of a horse or you’d rather traverse on foot, decide what you want to experience before beginning. If you have questions, our online resources and friendly staff can help you with planning.

Amenities: If your group wants a rugged hiking experience then you might not care if a trail offers benches, restrooms, and water stations. However, for many groups, this is an important consideration and the convenient amenities can offer some peace of mind.

Best Hike in Sedona

Although choosing the best hike in Sedona is based on opinion, we think we’re spot on with this one–Take a look!

Devil’s Bridge

Contrary to the name, this is one of the most heavenly hikes in Sedona and is arguably the most popular. Devil's Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area and is perfect for a short day trip with the kids. Enjoy the scenic sights while hiking this trail and don’t forget to get your picture taken on the iconic Bridge. 

Mileage: 4.0 miles

Elevation: 4,600 feet

Driving Time from Sedona: Less than 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Unique Offerings: Towering sandstone bridge 

Scenic Hikes Near Sedona

Slide Rock State Park

Let’s start with a local gem that’s only a stone’s throw away from Sedona. Slide Rock State Park is located in Oak Creek Canyon 7 miles north of Sedona. The name stems from a natural water slide formed by the slippery bed of Oak Creek. Enjoy the Park year-round, but visit in the summer for the most refreshing dip in the waterfall.

Mileage: 1 mile

Elevation: 4,930 ft

Driving Time from Sedona: 13 minutes

Difficulty: Moderate

Unique Offerings: Natural water slide

Red Rock State Park

At Red Rock State Park, lush green gardens are framed by native vegetation intertwining with stunning cliffs of red rock. Trails throughout the park are interconnected and feature loops for continual exploration. The diverse habitat at Red Rock is the perfect spot for education tours, classes, and programs. 

Mileage: 5 miles of interconnecting trails

Elevation: 3,900 ft

Driving Time from Sedona: 15 minutes

Difficulty: Moderate

Unique Offerings: Visitor’s center, classroom, theater, park store, ramada, and hiking trails.

Unique Experiences in Arizona

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Located in Payson, the main draw of Tonto National Bridge is, well you guessed it- the stunning natural bridge. The bridge is made of a special type of limestone called travertine and measures 183 feet in the air spanning a 400-foot tunnel.  Legend has it that the bridge was discovered by David Gowan in 1877 as he was running from Apache Indians. 

Mileage: 1.4 miles

Elevation: 4,530 ft

Driving Time from Sedona: 1 hr 35 minutes

Difficulty: Challenging

Unique Offerings: Largest natural travertine bridge in the world.

Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park

Located near Yarnell, AZ, this park memorializes the nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who died there in 2013 while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. The Park has 2 distinct trails lined with interpretive signs, benches, and respectful memorial plaques. 

The harrowing trails follow the Hotshots' last steps where they made their final stand. Encircling the Fatality Site are gabion baskets, one for each team member encompassed by chains, symbolizing their unified bravery. For more information on the Granite Mountain Hotshot’s story, check out this article.

Established: 2013

Driving Time from Sedona: 2 hrs 40 minutes

Unique Offerings: Memorial for the Granite Mountain Hotshots.

Catalina State Park

When many people picture the landscape in Arizona they often picture prickly cacti and red rock vistas. In contrast, Catalina State Park is covered in nearly 5,000 towering saguaros and desert plants, making it quite the haven for wildlife and growth. 

Located at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the rolling acres of canyons at Catalina offer a plethora of opportunities for hiking and bird-watching. If you’re more of an equestrian, you can take advantage of the Park’s many horse-friendly trails. 

Mileage: 6 different hikes, all varying lengths ranging from 1-10.8 miles.

Elevation: 2,854 ft

Driving Time from Sedona: 3 hrs 48 min

Difficulty: Moderate

Unique Offerings: Equestrian trails, wildlife spotting and towering saguaros

Jerome State Park

As the development of electricity rocketed its way across the world, the demand for copper during the late 1800s made Jerome one of the largest copper-producing areas in Arizona. Very quickly, Jerome became a thriving region for mining jobs. 

When mining efforts stopped in 1953, Jerome became a ghost town. Since this time, Jerome has been reborn and is now celebrated as one of Arizona's most beloved tourist destinations.

Established: 1957

Driving Time from Sedona: 48 minutes

Unique Offerings: Behind the scenes look at Jerome’s preserved history and modern-day tourism.

Stay at Cozy Cactus Resort “Sorta/Kinda”

Cozy Cactus Resort is not your average lodging accommodation; we’re your go-to guide for the perfect vacation in Arizona! Browse our resources and information on premier sightseeing, Jeep tours, hot air balloon tours, kayaking, wine tasting, star gazing, and hiking trails in the area.

Our friendly staff is ready to provide the best vacation experience possible. After a long day of adventuring, return to our beloved resort in Sedona, which features convenient amenities, luxurious bedding, and top-notch accommodations. 

Book your stay at Cozy Cactus Resort “sorta/kinda” today!