Dec 29

3 Short Hikes in Sedona

Welcome to Travel Tuesday! I’m going over 3 short hikes in Sedona today! 2 out of 3 of them will require the a special day pass (available for $10) that’ll get you into Grasshopper Point Picnic + Swimming Area, Crescent Moon Day Use Area + Call O’ the Canyon (West Fork Trailhead–I’ll get to that next week)!

Short on time in #SedonaAZ? Check out these 3 short hikes! #VisitSedona #hiking #optoutside

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3 Short Hikes in Sedona – Midgley Bridge, Red Rock Crossing, and Allens Bend to Grasshopper Point

Looking for some quick hikes? Check out these 3 short hikes in Sedona (Midgley Bridge, Red Rock Crossing, Allen's Bend to Grasshopper Point), Arizona! #sedona #sedonaaz #arizona #hiking

Midgley Bridge Trail

Midgley Bridge Trail | @fairyburger

Distance: 1.2 miles (out + back)
Elevation: 55 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: <1 hour
Trailhead Address: 34.88577, -111.74158
Parking: Lot available (free!)

Midgley Bridge Trail | @fairyburger

You get to hike to the bottom of the creek and then back up! It’s lightly to moderately trafficked and technically includes a creek, although it was pretty dried up when we went (late August). Overall, a great short hike with pretty views!

Midgley Bridge Trail | @fairyburger

Red Rock Crossing

Red Rock Crossing Trail | @fairyburger

Distance: 2-4 miles (out + back), depending on how far you want to venture (can meet up with Cathedral Rock Trail!)
Elevation: ? (I’m honestly not sure but it’s pretty flat)
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: ~1.5 hours
Trailhead Address: 300 Red Rock Crossing Rd, Sedona, AZ 86017
Parking: Lot available (special $10 day pass required)

Red Rock Crossing Trail | @fairyburger

This hike starts off in the parking lot by the bathrooms and is paved up almost until the part where you’re near the water, where it becomes a tree-lined dirt path (shade!!!) and will eventually take you past an old water wheel + give you beautiful views of Cathedral Rock in the distance.
Red Rock Crossing Trail | @fairyburger

Cathedral Rock in the distance!

I’d be happy to just chill in the river on a hot summer day (was so attempted to go swimming, but alas), but we wanted to do some exploring, so off we went! As the trail borders the creek and wanders in and out of the forest, there’s plenty of opportunity for shade and it’s a great place for a picnic! There was a huge field of piles of rock cairns made by others (known as “Buddha Beach”) too.
Red Rock Crossing Trail | @fairyburger

Allens Bend Trail to Grasshopper Point

Allen's Bend Trail | @fairyburger
Distance: 1.1 miles
Elevation: 68 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: <45 minutes
Trailhead Address: 34°53’15.8″N 111°43’53.7″W
Parking: Lot available (special $10 day pass required)
Allen's Bend Trail | @fairyburger
Allen's Bend Trail | @fairyburger
This is a pretty walk with some areas for bouldering and a swimming hole for if it gets too hot! The trail itself isn’t super heavily trafficked but the swimming hole is definitely occupied  in the summer so plan accordingly! There’s lots of shade on this hike and it follows along a rock wall on the left and Oak Creek on the right (you’ll likely hear it better than you can see it). Be careful of poison ivy.
Allen's Bend Trail | @fairyburger
  • What’s one of your favorite hiking destinations?
  • What’s next on your travel list?

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12 comments

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  1. What a wonderful post on hiking in Sedona! We went on our first honeymoon in Sedona and hiked all day every day. It was a great trip. This post took me back to our trip! Love the area and all of these hikes.

    1. Aww, I’m glad it could do that for you! That sounds like an amazing honeymoon! I really love Sedona too — would love to get to go back to explore again someday. :]

  2. Saving this for later! We have tentative plans for a road trip that way from San Diego in February, but we’ll see how shelter-in-place shakes out…

    1. I’ll keep my limbs crossed for you! Cases are unfortunately suuper on the rise so but I’m really hoping road trips to the outdoors will still be a viable option.

  3. You always find such pretty trails! I would be veeery tempted to stop and swim too; Was the water warm?
    Each of these little trails are fantastic for the rocky views.
    Josy A recently posted…Snowshoeing to Garibaldi LakeMy Profile

    1. The water was pretty cool butttt it was suuuuper hot (we went in late August, haha), so the cool water was definitely welcomed!

  4. I’m glad you shared great short hikes in Sedona, AZ – so many of the hikes in the area are long and difficult. I like those treks, but my kids prefer shorter trails like these.

    1. It’s nice to have some short ones here and there so you can still explore if you’re short on time/don’t want to do anything that’s super strenuous! :]

  5. These hikes look incredible! What a beautiful place to get outdoors in nature! I love the piles of rocks at Buddha Beach too! Thanks for the great guide!

    1. Anytime! It’s such a pretty place! I’d love to go back someday to explore some more!

  6. I went to Sedona a couple of months ago and fell IN LOVE with it. It’s always nice having easy hikes in your back pocket. I was surprised by how accessible those incredible views were in Sedona.

    1. Me too! I love Sedona so much — all the easy-access hiking was definitely a pleasant surprise!

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