If you already own an America the Beautiful Pass, you do not need to buy a Red Rock Pass. Full stop. The ATB replaces the Red Rock Pass at every single one of the 19 Coconino National Forest fee sites in Sedona. Display it on your dashboard and hike.
That one sentence would save thousands of visitors $5–$20 every year, but it’s buried under three layers of bureaucratic language on the Forest Service website. So visitors buy both passes, or they buy the wrong one, or they arrive at Crescent Moon Ranch with an ATB and discover it doesn’t work there either.
The confusion has a pattern: the two passes overlap almost completely for standard trailheads, but they both fail at the same places — concessionaire sites and State Parks. Understanding that overlap (and those shared blind spots) is the entire point of this guide.
Understanding Sedona’s Day-Use Parking Fee System
Coconino National Forest Requirements
The Sedona area sits within the Coconino National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Within this forest, 19 day-use sites require a parking pass — you pay to leave your car at a trailhead, scenic pullout, or picnic area for more than 15 minutes.
Two passes cover these 19 sites:
- Red Rock Pass — local pass, Sedona-area only ($5/day, $15/week, $20/year)
- America the Beautiful Pass — federal interagency pass, nationwide ($80/year)
Both passes cover the same 19 sites. There is no trailhead in Sedona where you need the Red Rock Pass but the ATB doesn’t work. They are fully interchangeable at these locations.
Why the Interagency Pass Accepted Rules Confuse Tourists
The brown USFS signs at trailheads read “Interagency Pass Accepted” — which sounds like the ATB is an optional alternative rather than a full replacement. In practice, “Interagency Pass Accepted” means your ATB works exactly like a Red Rock Pass at that site. Same coverage, same rights, same enforcement recognition.
The confusion deepens because the signs don’t specify what the passes don’t cover. Visitors see “Interagency Pass Accepted” at Bell Rock, drive to Crescent Moon Ranch, and assume it works there too. It doesn’t — because Crescent Moon is a concessionaire site with its own fee system.
The Pass Coverage Comparison
Here’s the complete picture in one table:
| Site Type | Red Rock Pass ($5–$20) | America the Beautiful ($80) | What You Actually Need |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 USFS fee trailheads (Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Soldier Pass, Boynton Canyon, Fay Canyon, Devil’s Bridge, etc.) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Either one — they’re interchangeable |
| Concessionaire sites (Crescent Moon Ranch, West Fork, Grasshopper Pt, Beaver Creek, Lower Lake Mary) | ❌ No | ❌ No | Coconino Pass ($50/yr) or per-vehicle day-use fee ($10–$15, cash only) |
| Arizona State Parks (Slide Rock, Red Rock State Park, Dead Horse Ranch) | ❌ No | ❌ No | State Parks admission ($7–$30/vehicle) at the gate |
| National monuments (Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well, Tuzigoot) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ATB covers these; Red Rock Pass does not |
| Grand Canyon National Park | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ATB covers; Red Rock Pass does not |
| City of Sedona parking (Uptown meters, Jordan Road lot) | N/A | N/A | City meters or free lots — no federal pass involved |
| Shuttle park-and-ride lots | N/A | N/A | Free — no pass of any kind |
The Venn diagram summary: Both passes cover the same 19 trailheads. Both fail at concessionaire sites and State Parks. The ATB additionally covers national parks and monuments that the Red Rock Pass does not.
When the America the Beautiful Pass is All You Need
National Parks Pass Sedona Coverage (It Replaces the Red Rock Pass)
If you already have an ATB — from a Grand Canyon visit, a Yellowstone trip, military service, senior discount, disability access, or volunteer service — you are fully covered at every Red Rock Pass trailhead in Sedona. Do not buy a Red Rock Pass. You are wasting $5–$20.
ATB covers in the Sedona region:
- All 19 Red Rock Pass fee sites (Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, Soldier Pass, Boynton Canyon, Fay Canyon, Doe Mountain, Bear Mountain, Long Canyon, Vultee Arch, Dry Creek Vista, Mescal, Midgley Bridge, Huckaby, Back O’Beyond, Little Horse, Chavez Crossing, Palatki, and more)
- Montezuma Castle National Monument ($10/person without ATB)
- Montezuma Well (free, but ATB noted)
- Tuzigoot National Monument
ATB does NOT cover in the Sedona region:
- Crescent Moon Ranch / Red Rock Crossing ($11/vehicle, cash only)
- West Fork / Call of the Canyon ($15/vehicle, cash only)
- Grasshopper Point ($10/vehicle, cash only)
- Slide Rock State Park ($20–$30/vehicle)
- Red Rock State Park ($7/adult)
- Airport Mesa upper overlook ($3, airport fee)
How to Properly Display Your Annual Pass at Trailheads
Physical ATB card: Place the pass face-up on the dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the vehicle. The enforcement officer needs to see the pass name and expiration date without entering your car.
Digital ATB (purchased at USGS Store online): If you purchased the ATB digitally, some versions require you to print and display a receipt. Check your purchase confirmation. If in doubt, print the confirmation page and place it on the dashboard alongside or in lieu of the card.
Tip: Take a photo of your ATB with your phone. If your physical card is lost, stolen, or left at home, you can show the photo to a ranger as interim proof while you arrange a replacement. This won’t satisfy the automated plate scan, but it helps in face-to-face encounters.
When You Must Buy the Local Red Rock Pass
Daily vs. Weekly Pass Options for Short Visitors
If you don’t have an ATB, the Red Rock Pass is the local option:
| Your Trip | Best Pass | Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| One hike, one day | Daily | $5 | Cheapest option for a single trailhead visit |
| 2 hikes on 2 different days | Two dailies OR weekly | $10 or $15 | Weekly saves $0 for 2 days but adds flexibility |
| 3+ days of hiking | Weekly | $15 | Better than 3 dailies ($15) and covers the full week |
| Multiple trips per year | Annual | $20 | Pays for itself after 4 daily uses |
| Grand Canyon + Sedona | ATB ($80) | $80 | Covers Grand Canyon ($35/vehicle) + all Sedona trailheads + other parks |
The break-even: If your road trip includes Sedona + one national park (Grand Canyon at $35, Petrified Forest at $25, Saguaro at $25), the $80 ATB is cheaper than buying the Red Rock Pass plus individual park fees.
Purchasing at Automated Kiosks along Highway 179 and Highway 89A
If you decide to buy the Red Rock Pass locally:
- Trailhead kiosks: Credit/debit card only, no cash. Available at most fee sites. Buy before your hike, not after.
- Recreation.gov online: recreation.gov/sitepass/74387. License plate linked — no physical display needed.
- Retailers: Circle K (Village of Oak Creek), Bashas’ (160 Coffee Pot Dr, West Sedona), ARCO AM/PM (1990 S. State Rte 89A), Speedway (2960 W. State Route 89A), Sedona Chamber of Commerce (331 Forest Rd).
For the full purchase guide with kiosk warnings and retailer addresses, see our Where to Buy a Red Rock Pass guide.
The Exceptions: Where NEITHER Pass Works
This is the section that saves you from the gate-day surprise. Both the ATB and the Red Rock Pass fail at these locations:
Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock State Park Entry Fees
Slide Rock State Park:
- Agency: Arizona State Parks & Trails (not Forest Service)
- Admission: $20–$30 per vehicle (varies seasonally, higher in summer)
- No federal pass of any kind works here — not ATB, not Red Rock Pass, not Coconino Pass
- Location: Highway 89A, milepost 381, in Oak Creek Canyon
- Summer weekends: gate closes when lot fills (often by 9 AM)
Red Rock State Park:
- Agency: 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, easy nature walks
Neither pass works at either park. Pay at the gate. Cash or credit accepted at State Parks (unlike concessionaire sites).
Call O’ the Canyon (West Fork Trail) and Crescent Moon Concessionaire Rules
Five sites are managed by concessionaires (currently ExplorUS) under Coconino National Forest contract:
| Site | Day-Use Fee | Payment | Passes Accepted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent Moon Ranch | $11/vehicle (up to 5) | Cash/check only | Coconino Pass only |
| West Fork / Call of the Canyon | $15/vehicle | Cash/check at gate | Coconino Pass only |
| Grasshopper Point | $10/vehicle | Cash/check at gate | Coconino Pass only |
| Beaver Creek Day Use | Site fee | At gate | Coconino Pass only |
| Lower Lake Mary | Site fee | At gate | Coconino Pass only |
The Coconino Pass: $50/year, purchased in person only at any of the five sites or the Sedona Chamber of Commerce. Covers all five concessionaire sites. Cannot be purchased online.
The ExplorUS “Big Three” weekly pass: $20 for 7 days, covers Crescent Moon, West Fork, and Grasshopper Point.
Critical: Bring cash to concessionaire sites. Several gates accept cash or check only — no credit cards.
For Crescent Moon specifically, see our Red Rock Crossing Parking Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does the National Parks pass cover parking in Sedona?
Yes — if your “National Parks pass” is the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass ($80/year). It covers all 19 Red Rock Pass fee sites in the Coconino National Forest. Display it on your dashboard. It does not cover concessionaire sites (Crescent Moon, West Fork, Grasshopper Point) or State Parks (Slide Rock, Red Rock State Park).
Which pass for Sedona is the best value?
It depends on your broader travel plans. If Sedona is your only stop, the Red Rock Pass ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $20 annual) is cheapest. If you’re combining Sedona with any national park visit (Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Saguaro, etc.), the $80 ATB covers everything federally managed and saves money overall. If you’re visiting concessionaire creek sites (West Fork, Crescent Moon, Grasshopper Point), you’ll need the $50 Coconino Pass on top of either the Red Rock Pass or ATB.
I have an ATB. Do I need anything else for a week in Sedona?
For standard trailhead hiking: no. Your ATB covers every Red Rock Pass site. For Crescent Moon, West Fork, or Grasshopper Point: yes, you’ll need the Coconino Pass ($50/yr) or pay the per-vehicle day-use fee ($10–$15, cash). For Slide Rock or Red Rock State Park: yes, you’ll need separate State Parks admission ($7–$30). For Uptown Sedona: the ATB is irrelevant — city parking uses meters or free municipal lots.
