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Coconino National Forest

Best Hiking Trails in Coconino National Forest

45 reviews

Seasonal Popularity

Overview

You don't usually think of alpine tundra in Arizona, but when it comes to extreme landscapes, Coconino National Forest has it all. Located within a short drive of both Flagstaff and Sedona, Coconino contains everything from desert and famous red rock buttes and mesas, to pine forest, tundra, and volcanic peaks.

Getting Started

You'll find variety in more than just landscapes. Here, you can hike, mountain bike, camp, fish, climb, or offroad in designated areas. There are also ten wilderness areas located within the forest.

Get a taste of the vibrant red sandstone mesas and rock features outside of Sedona by hiking to Cathedral Rock or the Devil's Bridge Trail. Stretch the legs by amping up your distance and elevation on the Weatherford Trail #102. Explore the San Francisco Peaks and hike to the highest point in Arizona, 12,633-foot Humphreys Peak.

If you plan on spending several days exploring the vast landscapes this national park has to offer, you'll find plenty of backpacking trails and campsites available.

When to Go

The national forest offers visitors year-round access as long as you know where to go to find the best conditions. The best times of year to visit are in the spring and fall. Enjoy summer hiking exploring volcanic peaks, or spend the winter skiing and snowmobiling.

Permits

The America the Beautiful Interagency Recreation Passes are honored in Coconino National Forest. Refer to the national forest page for more information on required passes or permits, or call a ranger station for more specifics, especially if you plan on staying more than the day.

Dog Info

Dogs are permitted within the national forest in most places. However, there are a few sites that prohibit dogs to protect areas of historical or archeological significance. More information can be found here, at ranger stations, or posted at the parking areas. If you aren't sure, it may be best to play it safe and leave your pet at home.

Resources

wikipedia

Hiking Trails (220)
Reviews (45)

darkmeponte 2 months ago

Cathedral Rock

Very satisfying hike. Up a short trail to the foot of the rock and then a moderate climb up the rock. Great views on the way up. Minimal shade opportunities on the way up but the peak was cool and a great place to recharge for the descent.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

donmelton 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Humphreys Peak via Humpherys Peak Trail

Earlier the better, gets very crowded especially on the weekends

★ ★ ★ ★

Gordon Alexander 3 months, 2 weeks ago

I wrote the detailed report above. Loved it!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gordon Alexander 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Great easy hike to a phenomenal end point, the largest natural sandstone arch in Cocinino NF. The trail starts off of Long Canyon Road a little north of the usual starting spot for Devil's Bridge. That little drive provides more abundant parking. The trail is mainly flat, winding through the forest in and out of shade until it reached Vultee Road where the 4wd people can start the hike. After that, be perpared for a lot of company as it winds uphill gently to the base of the arch. There's a 100 yd side trail to the left that leads underneath the arch which is pretty cool in itself. Going back to the junction, there are some medium challenging steps (but steps!) that carry you to the viewing spot for the arch. On the Sunday before Memorial day there were about 30 people waiting in line for the admittedly cool photo opportunity. Wait or not, then retrace your steps back to the 4wd parking and then cross the road and take the marked path back to your car. Easy 4+ mile hike with only 500 feet gain. The only challenge is the steps which are pretty easy, but made harder by the crown ascending/descending.

★ ★ ★ ★

S J P 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Tough but so worth the effort. Wear good gripping hiking shoes. Having a hiking pole is also very helpful. Spectacular views.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Steven 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Was okay. Too many people and too many people looking to earn the Darwin award getting as close to the edge of the bridge as possible with a steady 15-30 knot wind with gusts. Hike was easy enough that my 6 year old made it just fine.

★ ★ ★

ashli 5 months, 1 week ago

Very easy, shaded. No water right now.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

kwhipple2008 5 months, 1 week ago

This was our first place to hike in Sedona. The view from here is incredible but unless we missed something, we didn’t find much of a trail here. Great spot to watch the sunset

★ ★ ★ ★

ashli 5 months, 1 week ago

Tough but rewarding. Definitely try to summit in the morning before it heats up.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

cameron1 6 months, 1 week ago

2019-03-13 Great hike. The views keep getting better the higher you climb. My total travel Tim was about 4 hours, with about 1 hour of rests/photos/food. Left the trailhead at 1pm, back by 6pm. There was light snow at the top, a nice way to cap the trail. The trail is quite a scramble, so if that’s not your thing maybe do a different one. But the effort involved is totally worth it for the views.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

cameron1 6 months, 1 week ago

The creek was running high so all the crossings were mid-calf to just below the waist. The trail was washed out in sections, especially st the crossings. Still a great hike, would do it again.

★ ★ ★ ★

misterjones 6 months, 3 weeks ago

I hiked Bear Mountain 2011 while vacationing in AZ. It gets a lot of hype for being difficult, but honestly, it didn’t seem that tough even on a hot day in June. Difficult or not, the views from the top of the surrounding red rock country are absolutely stellar!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

dbxsharpe 7 months, 3 weeks ago

I would rate this loop as moderate-high difficulty. Lovely in late January 2019. We hiked counterclockwise (toward Brin's Mesa first), so that the Sinkhole was at the end. Not much wildlife out in the winter, but the scenery is outstanding.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

sendjunkmailhere 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Take the rock climb up past the "end of maintained trail" sign. Then follow the rim where the rest of the crowds stop and you'll find spectacular views and get some less travelled paths to the end of the canyon.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

KurtSanders 11 months ago

Excellent flat path with crushed gravel...mountains in the background..

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dgmalo 1 year ago

Good quicker elevation gain workout. Nice vistas as long as you like seeing city and mining operations also. Time is closer to 2.5-3 hours. We do 6-15 mile hikes with 1500-3500' elevation gains regularly, did it in 75 degrees starting in the sun, transitioning to overcast and sprinkles for the last 1.5 miles, passing several groups and not being passed by any. There are a lot of sections with large steps so small kids will be taxed.

★ ★ ★ ★