This is the trailhead parking directory: every major Sedona trailhead with its lot size, when it fills, whether a pass is required, which days are shuttle-only, and the best backup lot when you arrive to a full one. It does not cover parking in town — that is Parking in Sedona — and it only summarizes the pass rules, which live in Sedona Red Rock Pass & Trailhead Fees. For the shuttle that replaces the lot on peak days, see the Sedona Shuttle routes and schedules. For how each trailhead is actually reached — road, shuttle, gate hours — see Sedona trailhead access.
In This Guide
8 min read
You're in a rental car on Highway 179, searching for trailhead parking on your phone while driving. The lot you wanted is full. The next lot on the map doesn't show whether it requires a fee. The third lot exists on Google Maps but not in reality—it was closed two years ago. Your passenger is reading a 2019 forum post that says "plenty of parking at Devil's Bridge." There hasn't been "plenty of parking at Devil's Bridge" since 2017.
This is the master directory. Every major trailhead in the Red Rock Ranger District, with the information you need while you're driving: GPS coordinates you can paste into your phone, exact fees, lot capacity, fill times by day of week, restroom availability, and what to do when the lot you wanted is full. Bookmark this page before your trip. Open it when you're in the car. Scroll to the trail you want.
Trailhead Fees and Passes: The Short Version
Prices, where each pass applies, display rules and enforcement are covered in full in Sedona Red Rock Pass & Trailhead Fees.
Red Rock Pass Required: Daily vs. Weekly Rates
A Red Rock Pass or qualifying federal recreation pass, displayed on your dashboard, is required at designated Forest Service fee sites in the Red Rock Ranger District (Coconino National Forest). Not every trailhead follows the same rule, so check the fee designation for the specific trailhead. No pass = a citation.
| Pass | Cost | Best For | Purchase Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | $5 | Single-day visitors | Self-serve kiosks at trailheads (cash/check), Visitor Center, outfitters |
| Weekly | $15 | 3+ day trips | Visitor Center, outfitters, some hotels |
| Annual | $20 | Locals, frequent visitors | Visitor Center |
| America the Beautiful | $80 | Multi-park travelers | Online (recreation.gov), Visitor Center, any federal land office |
The kiosk reality: Trailhead kiosks are credit-card-only vending machines (no cash). If you'd rather not rely on a machine, buy your pass in advance at the Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center (8375 Highway 179, open 9 AM–4:30 PM, Wednesdays noon–4:30 PM) or at outfitter shops in Uptown Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek.
Using the America the Beautiful Pass at USFS Red Rock Ranger District Lots
The America the Beautiful (Interagency Annual Pass) covers Red Rock Pass requirements at all standard trailheads. Display it on your dashboard exactly as you would a Red Rock Pass. It does NOT cover additional venue-specific fees:
| Venue | America the Beautiful Covers Parking? | Additional Fee? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard trailheads (Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, etc.) | Yes | None |
| Call of the Canyon (West Fork) | No | $15/vehicle |
| Crescent Moon Ranch (Red Rock Crossing) | No | $15/vehicle |
| Slide Rock State Park | No | $20–$30/vehicle (state park, not USFS) |
| Palatki Heritage Site | Yes (reservation required) | None |
Master Trailhead Parking Directory
West Sedona / Boynton Canyon Corridor
| Trailhead | GPS | Spaces | Fee | Fills By (Peak) | Restroom | Shuttle? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boynton Canyon | 34.9080°N, 111.8510°W | ~40 | Red Rock Pass | 8:30 AM | Vault toilet | No |
| Fay Canyon | 34.8985°N, 111.8450°W | ~14 | Red Rock Pass | 9:00 AM (spring break: 8:00) | Vault toilet | No |
| Doe Mountain / Bear Mountain | 34.8950°N, 111.8380°W | ~25 | Red Rock Pass | 8:00 AM | No | No |
| Long Canyon | 34.9010°N, 111.8475°W | ~10 | Red Rock Pass | 9:30 AM | No | No |
| Dry Creek Vista (Devil's Bridge, road walk or Chuckwagon) | 34.9150°N, 111.8215°W | 36 (our count) | Red Rock Pass | About 7:30 AM on busy spring weekends; 8:30 in fall | Vault toilet | Route 11 (optional; lot stays open) |
| Mescal (Devil's Bridge, trail route) | Long Canyon Road, 0.2 mi off Dry Creek Road | 64 in two lots: 22 + 42 (our count) | Red Rock Pass | 30–60 min after Dry Creek Vista | Vault toilet | Route 11 (optional; lots stay open) |
| Chuck Wagon | 34.8850°N, 111.8200°W | ~10 | Red Rock Pass | Rarely fills | No | No |
Corridor notes: The Boynton Pass Road corridor (Boynton Canyon, Fay Canyon, Doe Mountain, Long Canyon) is the most concentrated trailhead cluster in the district. If your target lot is full, the next lot is typically 1–3 minutes down the road. Fay Canyon is the overflow option for Doe Mountain; Doe Mountain/Bear Mountain is the overflow for Boynton Canyon.
Detailed parking guides: Doe Mountain Parking | Fay Canyon Parking
Village of Oak Creek / Highway 179 Corridor
| Trailhead | GPS | Spaces | Fee | Fills By (Peak) | Restroom | Shuttle? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral Rock | 34.8227°N, 111.7891°W | Small lot | Red Rock Pass | Closed to cars on shuttle days (Thu–Sun, holidays); fills early Mon–Wed | Vault toilet | Yes (Thu–Sun peak) |
| Courthouse Vista (north) | 34.8058°N, 111.7666°W | ~40 | Red Rock Pass | 8:30 AM | Vault toilet | No |
| Bell Rock Vista (south) | 34.7915°N, 111.7619°W | ~30 | Red Rock Pass | 9:00 AM | Yes | No |
| Baldwin Trail | 34.8160°N, 111.7830°W | ~20 | Red Rock Pass | 8:30 AM (rarely fills completely) | No | No |
| Templeton Trail | Various access points | Varies | Red Rock Pass | Variable | No | No |
| Crescent Moon Ranch | 34.8230°N, 111.7990°W | Moderate | $15/vehicle (not Red Rock Pass) | 10:00 AM (weekends) | Yes (flush) | No |
Corridor notes: Highway 179 is the primary visitor corridor. Cathedral Rock fills earliest and has shuttle support. Bell Rock Vista is the reliable backup—larger lot, later fill, and Bell Rock/Courthouse Butte are comparable payoff hikes. Baldwin Trail rarely fills and is the best-kept parking secret on this corridor.
Detailed parking guides: Cathedral Rock Parking | Courthouse Butte Parking
Uptown / Airport Mesa / Soldier Pass Area
| Trailhead | GPS | Spaces | Fee | Fills By (Peak) | Restroom | Shuttle? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Mesa (free lot) | 34.8575°N, 111.7705°W | ~10 | Not on the official fee-site list — follow the posted sign | 9:00 AM | No | No |
| Airport Mesa (summit lot) | 34.8590°N, 111.7680°W | ~30 | $3 overlook fee (collected by the lot operator; not on the official fee-site list) | 9:30 AM | No | No |
| Soldier Pass | 34.8810°N, 111.7850°W | 16 (gated) | Not on the official fee-site list — follow the posted sign | Closed to cars on shuttle days; gate opens 8 AM Mon–Wed and fills fast | No | Yes (check route) |
| Jordan Trail | 34.8780°N, 111.7860°W | ~8 | Red Rock Pass | 8:00 AM | No | No |
| Sugarloaf | 34.8700°N, 111.7850°W | ~8 | Red Rock Pass | Rarely fills | No | No |
Corridor notes: Soldier Pass has the most severe parking shortage in the district—16 gated spaces by our count (the Forest Service lists 14), closed to cars on shuttle days, serving one of the most popular trails. When the Sedona Shuttle is operating (Thursday through Sunday, and daily during spring-break and holiday periods), the Soldier Pass trailhead lot is gated and closed to private vehicles; on other days its 16 spaces (our count; the Forest Service lists 14) fill very early. Check the current Sedona Shuttle schedule before driving to the trailhead. If the lot is full, the shuttle serves this area on select days. Jordan Trail's pulloff is an alternative starting point for trails in the area. Sugarloaf never fills and is the guaranteed-parking option.
Detailed parking guides: Airport Mesa Parking
West Fork is closed — checked October 21, 2026. A Forest Service order closes West Fork Trail #108 through October 31, 2026 (rockfall and flood-debris hazard after the Pocket Fire) unless extended or lifted early. We have left it in this guide because it is a year-round staple; confirm status on the Coconino National Forest alerts page and see Fay Canyon or the Templeton Trail creek section for a shaded stand-in.
Oak Creek Canyon / North Sedona
| Trailhead | GPS | Spaces | Fee | Fills By (Peak) | Restroom | Shuttle? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call of the Canyon (West Fork) | 34.9835°N, 111.7455°W | ~150 | $15/vehicle (not Red Rock Pass) | 9:30 AM (weekends, fall color season: 8:00 AM) | Vault toilet | No |
| Slide Rock State Park | 34.9615°N, 111.7515°W | ~150 | $20–$30/vehicle | 10:00 AM (summer weekends—closes to new entries) | Yes (flush) | No |
| Midgely Bridge (Wilson Mountain) | 34.8970°N, 111.7535°W | ~15 | Red Rock Pass | 8:30 AM | No | No |
Corridor notes: Oak Creek Canyon trailheads have independent fee structures—Red Rock Pass and America the Beautiful do NOT cover Call of the Canyon or Slide Rock. Call of the Canyon charges $15 per vehicle at the gate (cash, check or card); the Red Rock Pass cannot be used there. Slide Rock is an Arizona State Park with its own fee system.
East Sedona / Schnebly Hill Area
| Trailhead | GPS | Spaces | Fee | Fills By (Peak) | Restroom | Shuttle? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munds Wagon / Schnebly Hill Road | 34.8650°N, 111.7350°W | ~20 | Red Rock Pass | 8:00 AM (weekends) | No | No |
| Huckaby Trail | 34.8750°N, 111.7450°W | ~10 | Red Rock Pass | 8:30 AM | No | No |
Let a Local Guide Lead Your Hike
Expert-led hiking tours handle trail logistics, parking, and route-finding — you just enjoy the views.
Most tours listed offer free cancellation — check each listing.
Sedona Trailhead Parking Tips
Parking Options for RVs and Oversized Vehicles
Most Sedona trailhead lots are designed for standard passenger vehicles. RVs, trailers, and oversized vehicles face significant limitations:
| Lot | RV/Oversized Friendly? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Call of the Canyon | Yes | Largest lot, paved, can accommodate RVs |
| Bell Rock Vista | Limited | Some spaces can fit larger vehicles; tight turns |
| Boynton Canyon | Limited | Paved, can accommodate vans/small RVs |
| Cathedral Rock | No | Tight turns, no oversized spaces |
| Soldier Pass | No | Tiny lot, residential street access |
| Airport Mesa (summit) | No | Narrow road, tight lot |
| All others | Generally no | Small pulloffs, narrow access roads |
The RV strategy: Park your RV at your campground or RV park. Drive a tow vehicle or rental car to trailheads. Attempting to park an RV at most Sedona trailheads produces stress, blocked vehicles, and occasional damage.
What to Do When a Lot Is Full (Legal Overflow vs. Towing Zones)
The universal rules:
| Action | Legal? | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Park in a designated space with a valid pass | Yes | None |
| Wait in the lot for a space to open | Yes | Time cost only |
| Park on road shoulders near trailheads | Usually no | Tow + fine |
| Park in residential areas near trailheads | No | Tow + fine. Neighborhood enforcement is aggressive. |
| Park at a nearby business without permission | No | Tow |
| Double-park or block other vehicles | No | Tow + citation |
The decision tree when a lot is full:
- Wait 15 minutes. Most Sedona hikes take 1–3 hours. If you arrive after the lot fills but before the first-wave returns, turnover is imminent.
- Check the shuttle. If it's a shuttle day (Thursday–Sunday year-round, plus holiday and spring-break periods), use the free shuttle.
- Drive to the nearest alternative lot. This guide lists alternatives for each corridor.
- Pivot to a different trail. Sedona has 100+ miles of trails. The "second-choice" hike is often as good as the first.
Verified facts on this page
- Sedona Shuttle operating days and hours (Thursday–Sunday, daily during spring-break and holiday periods) — verified against the City of Sedona (sedonashuttle.com): October 14, 2026.
- Cathedral Rock and Soldier Pass trailhead-lot closures during shuttle service, and Soldier Pass gate hours — verified against the City of Sedona (sedonashuttle.com): October 14, 2026.
- Red Rock Pass rules — where it is required, which federal passes are accepted, and rates ($5 daily / $15 weekly / $20 annual) — verified against the Coconino National Forest pass program and its authorized online vendor: October 14, 2026.
Distances, elevation and terrain change rarely; the items above change often and are re-checked against the source named.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I buy a Red Rock Pass?
At any trailhead self-serve kiosk (credit card only), the Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center (8375 Highway 179, 9 AM–4:30 PM, Wednesdays noon–4:30 PM; daily and weekly passes only), outfitter and gear shops in Uptown Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek (many sell passes), and some hotel front desks. For the America the Beautiful pass, purchase online at recreation.gov or at the Visitor Center. The weekly ($15) and annual ($20) passes are the best values for multi-day visitors—the daily pass ($5) costs $15 over 3 days, which equals the weekly price.
Do rental cars come with a parking pass in Sedona?
No. Rental cars do not include a Red Rock Pass. You must purchase your own pass before or upon arrival. Some Sedona hotels include a Red Rock Pass in their resort fees or provide one at check-in—ask your hotel before purchasing separately.
Segment Advice:
- First-time visitors: Buy the weekly pass ($15) at the Visitor Center on your first day. It covers every standard trailhead for 7 days. Ask the staff which lots are currently full—they have real-time reports.
- Budget travelers: The Red Rock Annual Pass ($20) is the best value if you visit more than once per year. The America the Beautiful ($80) is the best value if you visit any other federal lands.
- RV travelers: Park the rig at camp. Drive a smaller vehicle to trailheads. No exceptions.
- Shuttle-averse visitors: Arrive before 7 AM at any trailhead. Guaranteed parking. No shuttle needed.
Cost breakdown (multi-day visitor):
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Red Rock Weekly Pass | $15/vehicle |
| Call of the Canyon (if visiting West Fork) | $15/vehicle |
| Crescent Moon Ranch (if visiting) | $15/vehicle |
| Airport Mesa summit lot (if used) | $3 |
| Per person (weekly pass, 2 in car, standard trailheads only) | $7.50/week |
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