FAVORITE SEDONA FALL COLOR HIKES
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| Oaks and Maples on Boynton Canyon Trail |
Right about the same time
when the aspens of Arizona's mountain climes have passed their fall
color prime, the high desert forests around Sedona are just about
ready to peak. Although there are dozens of Sedona-area trails with
great autumn leaf viewing, the West Fork of Oak Creek gets most of
the love.
With its sound-bouncing
russet canyon walls, cascading water and brilliant stand of maples,
it's no wonder hikers make a beeline to this hot spot in October.
Although it's arguably the
top fall color spot in the state, it will cost you ten bucks to get
in and if you arrive later than 8 a.m., you'll probably have to wait
around for a parking space.
It's worth the money and the wait, so
go ahead and get that one out of your system. Then move on to these
other Red Rock Country canyons where you can soak up the eye candy in
quieter, gentler surroundings.
BEAR SIGN TRAIL
THIS TRAIL WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED BY THE 2026 POCKET FIRE
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| Bear Sign Trail, Oct 25 |
Unlike some Sedona routes
that have been worn smooth by love, this one feels raw and remote.
Tucked into weather scoured hinterlands of Red Rock Secret Canyon
Wilderness, the moderate hike rambles through classic high desert flora
before ducking into the damp, upper reaches of Bear Sign Canyon. The
color show here is courtesy of mustard-colored Gambel oaks, lemony
Canyon grape vines, russet sycamores and shocks of crimson sumac
scrambled among forests of Arizona cypress and juniper scrub. Actual
bear sightings are rare, but signs of their foraging are common along
the trail. The hike can be done as a 6-mile out-and-back or as a
7.2-mile loop with David Miller and Secret Canyon Trails. Elevation
range is 4,880 to 5,640 feet.
Getting there:
From the "Y"
intersection of State Routes 179 and 89A in Sedona go left (toward
Cottonwood) and continue 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right, go
2 miles to Vultee Arch Road (Forest Road 152), hang a right and
continue 4.5 miles to the Dry Creek #52 trailhead located past the
Vultee Arch parking loop on the left. A high clearance vehicle
is required on FR 152.
TEMPLETON TRAIL
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| Templeton Trail, Nov. 3 |
In a woodsy bend where Oak Creek
swerves around Cathedral Rock, willows and cottonwoods arch over the
steel blue waterway, caressing the flow that reflects autumn foliage
in syrupy whirlpools. To reach the water from the trailhead, follow
a 0.3-mile access path along a combo of constructed rock stairs and
slick red sandstone marked by basket cairns to the Cathedral
Rock/Templeton junction sign. Straight ahead is a short (0.4 mile),
semi-technical rock scramble leading to two nice vista
points----optional, but not this hike. Instead, head right and follow
Templeton, which clings to a rugged, yucca cluttered slope. After
about a half-mile, the path swerves for first views of Oak Creek and
its flood plains. Here, the route makes an easy but edgy descent to
the forested color frenzy along the waterway. A kaleidoscope of
massive sycamore, cottonwood, of alder, sumac, willow, walnut and
countless shrubs (beware of poison ivy) glow like beacons among
cypress and junipers with a backdrop of rusty cliffs to boot. Along
the next half-mile, the trail stays by the water exposing countless
root-tangled coves and shady spots to relax in this high-desert
oasis.
Getting there:
From Interstate 17, take the
Sedona/Oak Creek exit 298. Turn left (west) and continue 11 miles on
State Route 179 to the traffic circle at Back O’ Beyond Road near
milepost 310. Veer left and go 0.6 mile on Back O’ Beyond to the
Cathedral Rock trailhead on the left.
BOYNTON CANYON
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| Boynton Canyon, Oct. 23 |
Already a hiker
favorite for its spectacular geology and soul tingling vortex
virtues, the haunting trip through Boynton Canyon also brims with
autumnal color beginning in mid-October.
You'll need to hike a few miles through
sunny yucca and manzanita before reaching the mouth of the canyon
where a frenzy of maple, hoptree, alder and oak trees that sway in
gorge-fueled breezes appear as animated watercolors and stained
glass. The 7.4-miles roundtrip hike climbs from 4,500 to 5,050 feet,
ending in a box canyon wrapped in red sandstone walls soaring
hundreds of feet overhead.
Getting there: From the traffic
circle at State Routes 179 and 89A in Sedona go left (toward
Cottonwood) and continue 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right onto
Dry Creek Road (Forest Road 152C) go 3 miles to Boynton Canyon Road,
turn left and proceed another 0.3 miles to the parking lot on the
right. Roads are paved. FEE: Red Rock Pass--$5 per vehicle is
required
SECRET CANYON THIS TRAIL WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED BY THE 2026 POCKET FIRE
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| Secret Canyon, Oct. 24 |
A community of pinion pines, juniper
and assorted cacti at the trailhead belie what lies ahead on Secret
Canyon Trail. Epic views of Sedona’s red rock landscape dominate
the first 1.75 miles of this 11-mile roundtrip hike before the trail
makes a sharp westward swerve at the mouth of the canyon. From here,
the route leaves the shade-less chaparral plunging into a stream bed
where torrential storm runoff and blowing dust have carved bizarre
sculptures in the sandstone escarpments flanking the path. Residual
pools of water stand at the bases of moisture-hungry cottonwoods with
heart-shaped, lemony leaves.
Near the 5-mile point, the trail enters
“the narrows”, a series of slick-rock corridors hemmed in by a
vertical fortification of sandstone with clusters of blood-red maples
and rusty-orange oaks bursting from the rubble-strewn canyon floor.
Beyond this point, the trail degrades into a quagmire of scree and
undergrowth, which is why most hikers make the narrows their
turnaround point. However, those with good route-finding skills can
opt to scramble, squeeze and scoot along a sketchy footpath for
another half-mile. Elevation range is 4,500 to 5,100 feet.
Getting there:
From the traffic circle at State Routes
179 and 89A in Sedona, go left (toward Cottonwood) and go 3.2 miles
to Dry Creek Road. Turn right and go 2 miles to Vultee Arch Road
(Forest Road 152). Turn right and continue 3.4 miles to the trailhead
on the left. A high clearance vehicle is required on FR 152.
RED ROCK STATE PARK
TRAILS
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| Red Rock State Park, Oct 17th |
Tame by comparison to some
of the aforementioned destinations, the 5-mile trail system at Red
Rock State Park is neatly groomed, well signed and outfitted with
wooden bridges where they cross Oak Creek. The lovely creekside
foliage is augmented with family-friendly features such as a visitor
center, picnic areas, restrooms and educational programs. Elevation
is 3,880 to 4,080 feet.
Getting there: From
the traffic circle at State Routes 179 and 89A in Sedona, go left
(toward Cottonwood) on Highway 89A for 5.5 miles to Lower Red Rock
Loop Road and follow the signs 3.3 miles to Red Rock State Park. The
park is open 7 days 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Entry fee is $7 for adults, $4
for youth 7-13 and free for kids 0-6. Pets are not allowed.
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