Sedona has three completely separate fee systems managed by three different government agencies. They don’t overlap, they don’t communicate, and none of them accepts the others’ passes. This is the single most confusing thing about visiting Sedona, and it’s the reason first-timers get cited, overpay, or stand at a gate learning that the pass they just bought doesn’t work.
Here’s the problem in one sentence: the Red Rock Pass doesn’t work at Crescent Moon Ranch, the America the Beautiful Pass doesn’t work at Slide Rock, and the Coconino Pass doesn’t work at Cathedral Rock. Every pass has a hole. No single pass covers everything.
This guide categorizes Sedona’s entire fee system into three tiers, tells you exactly which pass you need for your specific itinerary, and links to the deep-dive articles for each.
Decoding Sedona’s Day-Use Parking Fee System
Why Your Sedona Day Pass Fee Changes Depending on Where You Park
Three agencies manage three types of sites:
| Tier | Managing Agency | Sites | Pass Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: National Forest Trailheads | Coconino National Forest (USFS) | 19 trailheads + picnic areas | Red Rock Pass ($5/day) OR America the Beautiful ($80/yr) |
| Tier 2: Concessionaire Day-Use Sites | ExplorUS (concessionaire for USFS) | Crescent Moon, West Fork, Grasshopper Pt, Beaver Creek, Lower Lake Mary | Coconino Pass ($50/yr) OR per-vehicle day-use fee ($10–$15) |
| Tier 3: Arizona State Parks | Arizona State Parks & Trails | Slide Rock, Red Rock State Park, Dead Horse Ranch | State Parks admission ($7–$30/vehicle) |
What’s free: City of Sedona municipal parking (Uptown meters are paid but city-managed, no federal pass), private attraction lots (Tlaquepaque, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Amitabha Stupa), shuttle park-and-ride lots, and trailheads accessed by the free Sedona Shuttle during operating hours.
Coconino National Forest vs. Arizona State Parks
Visitors constantly confuse these two because the names sound similar and the sites are geographically intermingled. Slide Rock State Park is on Highway 89A between two Coconino National Forest sites. Red Rock State Park is off Red Rock Loop Road, a mile from Crescent Moon Ranch (a concessionaire site). Same canyons, same red rocks, completely different agencies and fees.
The rule: If a site has a brown USFS (Forest Service) sign, it’s Tier 1 or Tier 2. If it has a green-and-yellow Arizona State Parks sign, it’s Tier 3. The passes are not interchangeable.
The Core Passes: Which One Do You Need?
The Standard Red Rock Pass
What it is: A parking permit for 19 Coconino National Forest day-use sites in the Sedona area.
Cost: $5/day, $15/week, $20/year.
Where to buy: Trailhead kiosks (credit card only), Recreation.gov online (license plate linked), local retailers (Circle K, Bashas’, Sedona Chamber of Commerce).
Covers: Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Soldier Pass, Devil’s Bridge (Dry Creek Vista), Fay Canyon, Boynton Canyon, Doe Mountain, Bear Mountain, and 11 other trailheads.
Does NOT cover: Concessionaire sites (Crescent Moon, West Fork, Grasshopper Point), State Parks (Slide Rock, Red Rock State Park), or city parking.
For the full breakdown, see our Red Rock Pass Guide.
Utilizing the America the Beautiful (Interagency Pass Accepted)
What it is: A federal interagency pass valid at 2,000+ federal recreation areas nationwide, including all national parks, national forests, BLM lands, and more.
Cost: $80/year. Free or discounted versions for seniors ($20 annual / $80 lifetime), military/veterans (free), people with permanent disabilities (free), and volunteers (250+ hours).
Sedona coverage: Works at all 19 Red Rock Pass sites (replaces the Red Rock Pass entirely). Also covers Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well national monuments.
Does NOT cover: Concessionaire sites (Crescent Moon, West Fork, Grasshopper Point, Beaver Creek, Lower Lake Mary), State Parks, or city parking.
The decision: If you already have an ATB from visiting national parks, you need nothing additional for Tier 1 sites. If you plan to visit Sedona + any national park in the same year (Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Saguaro, etc.), the $80 ATB is better value than a $20 Red Rock Pass + separate park entrance fees.
Category Guide: Exceptions and Private Fees
Slide Rock and Red Rock State Park Fees
Slide Rock State Park:
- Managed by Arizona State Parks & Trails.
- Admission: $20–$30 per vehicle (rate varies seasonally; higher in summer).
- No federal pass of any kind (Red Rock Pass, ATB, Coconino Pass) works here.
- Location: Highway 89A in Oak Creek Canyon (milepost 381).
- Summer weekends: lot fills by 9 AM. Gate closes when full.
Red Rock State Park:
- Managed by Arizona State Parks & Trails.
- Admission: $7 per adult, $4 per child (7–13), free under 7.
- Located off Red Rock Loop Road in West Sedona.
- Less crowded than Slide Rock; good for birding, creek access, and easy nature walks.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park:
- Located in Cottonwood (15 miles from Sedona).
- Admission: $7 per vehicle.
- Popular for fishing, birding, and the Verde River Greenway.
West Fork Trail and Crescent Moon (Concessionaire Lots)
Five sites in the Sedona area are managed by concessionaires (currently ExplorUS) under contract with the Coconino National Forest. These operate independently from the Red Rock Pass system.
The Coconino Pass: $50/year, valid at all five concessionaire sites. Purchased in person only — at any of the five sites or at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. Cannot be purchased online.
Per-vehicle day-use fees (if you don’t have the Coconino Pass):
| Site | Day-Use Fee | Payment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent Moon Ranch (Red Rock Crossing) | $15/vehicle (up to 5), $2 each add’l | Cash/check only | See our Red Rock Crossing Parking Guide |
| West Fork / Call of the Canyon | $15/vehicle | Cash/check at gate | Lot fills before 9 AM weekends |
| Grasshopper Point | $10/vehicle | Cash/check at gate | Creek swimming access |
| Beaver Creek Day Use | Site fee | Check at gate | North of Sedona |
| Lower Lake Mary | Site fee | Check at gate | South of Flagstaff |
The ExplorUS “Big Three” weekly pass: $20 for 7 days, covers Crescent Moon, West Fork, and Grasshopper Point. Good value if you plan to visit two or more of these sites in a single week.
Cash-only warning: Several concessionaire sites accept cash or check only — no credit cards. Bring cash.
Rules, Display, and Enforcement
Requirement Map: Where You Must Display Your Pass
Physical passes (purchased at kiosks or retailers): Hang from rearview mirror or place face-up on dashboard, visible through windshield.
Online passes (purchased at Recreation.gov): No physical display needed. Your license plate number is linked to the pass. Enforcement officers verify online purchases via plate scan.
America the Beautiful / Interagency passes: Display on dashboard, visible through windshield.
Concessionaire sites: The gate attendant checks your pass or collects your fee. No dashboard display needed — they verify at the entrance.
State Parks: The gate attendant collects your fee. No dashboard display system.
Enforcement Along Highway 179 and the Red Rock Ranger District
Who enforces: Coconino National Forest law enforcement officers (federal law enforcement, not local police).
How they enforce: Patrol vehicles check trailhead parking lots. Officers check dashboard displays and run license plate scans against Recreation.gov records. If no valid pass is found, a federal citation is issued.
Citation amounts: $75–$150+ for a first offense. These are federal violations processed through the U.S. District Court, not local traffic court. They cannot be ignored or dismissed by a Sedona judge.
Enforcement frequency: Daily during peak season (March–May, September–November). Regular but less frequent during summer and winter.
The math: A $5 daily pass vs. a $75+ citation. The pass pays for itself fifteen times over.
Skip the Parking — Explore by E-Bike from $59
Self-guided e-bike rentals let you cover more ground, skip trailhead traffic, and ride at your own pace.
Fall dates are filling fast — popular times sell out 2+ weeks ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between a Red Rock Pass and an America the Beautiful pass?
The Red Rock Pass ($5/day, $15/week, $20/year) is a local parking permit valid only at 19 Coconino National Forest sites in the Sedona area. The America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) is a federal interagency pass valid at 2,000+ sites nationwide, including all 19 Red Rock Pass sites plus national parks and monuments. If you have an ATB, you do not need a Red Rock Pass. Neither pass covers concessionaire sites (Crescent Moon, West Fork, Grasshopper Point) or State Parks (Slide Rock).
Where do I buy a Red Rock Pass?
Three ways: (1) At trailhead kiosk machines (credit card only), (2) Online at recreation.gov/sitepass/74387 (license plate linked, no physical pass needed), or (3) At local retailers including Circle K in the Village of Oak Creek, Bashas’ in West Sedona, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce (331 Forest Rd), and select gas stations and hotels.
Do I need any pass if I’m using the free shuttle?
No. If you park at a free shuttle park-and-ride lot and ride the shuttle to a trailhead, no Red Rock Pass is needed. The park-and-ride lots are free, and shuttle access to trailheads doesn’t trigger the parking fee. This is one of the shuttle’s biggest benefits — you save $5–$20 on the pass while also avoiding the parking lot.
