Bell Rock — Attraction in Sedona

On the way to Sedona, I was like great, I'm sitting in a car for hours to see giant rocks. But the views were awesomely American and the Bell Rock hike was one of the easiest and picturesque trails ever!

There's two options for lots: The first is Bell Rock if you're coming from the south, which has a somewhat small lot, and also the Courthouse Butte. Both have a 1 mile walk to the rock. You also have to buy a permit to display on your dashboard and support the National Parks, and its an affordable $5-10 per car. The bathroom/outhouse is basically a septic tank and I recommend stopping somewhere downtown to take care of business before hiking.

The trail is very well paved, offering views of Bell Rock, the Courthouse Butte, and the surrounding Rocks. I recommend climbing 1/4 way up the back of the rock for the best panoramic views of Sedona. If you climb up there are useful signposts that are frequent enough so that they are not too annoying but will probably prevent you from getting lost.

For an active person, I think this walk was slightly too easy but it is family friendly and still picturesque. Bring appropriate gear, water, and a camera/phone or simply enjoy basking in a unique...

Bell Rock is an amazing hike with breathtaking views, but it can be a bit challenging at times. The trail is not always clearly marked, and it can be difficult to find the right path to the top. So, it's advisable to do some research or ask around before embarking on the hike.

The views from the top are definitely worth the effort, though! However, it's important to wear appropriate footwear like high grip hiking shoes, as the rocks can be slippery in some areas. Also, bring plenty of water and snacks as it can be quite strenuous.

If you're planning to hike the Bell Rock Trail, it's good to know that the northern parking lot can fill up quickly during peak hours. In that case, you can try the southern parking lot which is only a 15-minute walk away from the trailhead, and it's mostly on a flat trail.

Overall, Bell Rock is a great short hike for those looking for a bit of a challenge and amazing views. Just be sure to come prepared and take your time to enjoy...

I did this trail in mid-July 2024 at high noon with the temperatures approaching 100 degrees. Initially, I was planning on waiting until later in the day, but out of nowhere some clouds appeared in the sky. Note: I have experience with athletic activity in extreme heat: most people stayed away because of the temperatures and I only saw 3 other people attempt to go up when there is usually a crowd).

Even with the sun beating straight down, there were still a few shadows along the trail and I took full advantage of those. The first part (which is marked) was easy. After that, it was more of a scramble in sections but overall if you are patient you can simply go to the left or right to find an easier path up.

I got near the top where there is the difficult part (experts only) and I realized that this was over my skill level. I wasn't 100% sure I could safely make it up or down, so I stopped there. But the views were still fantastic and I enjoyed the...