Posts
LION KING-HYENA CIRCUIT
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| Hyena-Lion King Trail junction |
The new Turkey Creek Area trail system is a no-brainer candidate for your next hiking obsession.
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| Blackfoot daisies on Turkey Creek Trail |
The pocket of high desert in Coconino National Forest south of Red Rock State Park and Oak Creek has been consistently rolling out new non-motorized trails on its way to a 21-mile menu due to be completed in 2028.
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| View from Hyena Trail |
This March, two new routes debuted off the legacy Turkey Creek Trail.
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| Forested section of Lion King Trail |
Purpose built for mountain bikers to test their mettle, the Lion King and Hyena trails are rife with technical elements, swooping flats and tight bends—features that are fun for hikers as well.
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| View near hike high point |
From the first Turkey Creek parking area on Forest Road 216B, (a second trailhead is a half-mile farther down the 4x4 road) the hike heads west on the Turkey Creek.
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| Napoleon's Tomb (left) and Cathedral Rock (right) |
This easy 0.7-mile segment moves through fir-juniper woodlands with an understory of scrub oak, cliff-rose and a riot of wildflower color. Fuzzy featherplume bushes add pops of purple while Blackfoot daisies and banana yuccas sprout brilliant cream-colored blooms throughout the hike.
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| Overlooking Oak Creek |
At the signed Lion King junction, the route bends southeast and starts a gradual climb on alternating red dirt and slick rock staircases.
The trail engineering here is amazing. Not only are the trails laid out for maximum visual impact, they also take advantage of the natural contours of the landscape with hand-built walls, steps and stabilizing structures that blend seamlessly with the terrain.
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| Technical section on Lion King |
After a couple of steep techie climbs, big views of Sedona area landmarks stretch out all around from the route’s high point at the Hyena trail junction at 0.9-mile.
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| Texas Storkbill |
Overlooking the green corridor of Oak Creek, the pinnacle serves up vistas of Cathedral Rock, Capitol Butte and the House Mountain Volcano.
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| Banana yucca buds |
Hyena trail then twists slightly downhill. Milder than Lion King but still packed with some challenges, the 0.67-mile path rounds a prominent rock formation before reconnecting with Lion King.
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| Turkey Creek Trail |
For a 3-mile loop hike, head right at the junction and follow Lion King’s track back up to the pinnacle and retrace your steps. Never intended to be boring, both new trails have just enough challenge and exposure to register somewhere between exhilarating and stupid—in other words, fun.
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| Lion King and Hyena opened March 2026 |
Besides, the day you let the distinction muddle your sense of adventure is the day you should stop hiking.
LENGTH: 3 miles roundtrip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 3,922 - 4,280 feet
GETTING THERE:
Turkey Creek Trailhead
From State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek, go 4 miles west on Verde Valley School Road to Forest Road 216B on the left. Park in the dirt lot at the large forest service sign a few yards in. Follow the “trail” signs to access the route. There are no facilities or fees at this trailhead.
Roads are paved up to the last half mile which is maintained dirt suitable for all vehicles.
