Yavapai trail head — Attraction in Sedona

While driving on Highway 179 near Sedona, we were really impressed by the landscape and decided to make a quick, unplanned stop. It was totally worth it.

We did the Yavapai Trail, which is a short and easy walk—great if you don’t have a lot of time or just want something low-effort with great views. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, and it gives you a really nice view of Bell Rock from a slightly different angle than the more crowded spots.

The surroundings were beautiful, with classic Sedona red rocks and desert plants all around. It’s a good trail for a quick break from driving, and you still feel like you got to experience something special.

If you’re driving through the area, I’d definitely recommend stopping here. It’s a simple and enjoyable trail with...

Gorgeous trails all around. There are easier trails and there are some challenging or outright deadly mountain bike routes like the Highline and Slim Shady trails. You can get a great view of Cathedral Rock with a mile hike north. You need to buy a pass to park or get the Red Rock Pass -$5 a day or $15 for 7 days. There's a disgusting pit toilet at the parking. The trails are well signed and marked. If you're making a brief stop do the short 5 minute hike up to Yavapai Vista and take in a truly stunning panoramic view. Lots of lizards and birds to see. There are many dry creeks so you should probably avoid this during...

Convenient location with a decent amount of parking spaces, but it can be difficult on peak days for open spots... and within walking distance from the Bell Rock lot across the highway. The trails which connect with this lot are easy to navigate, and depending on when you go can be less busy than other more high profile trails. There are also a couple of really great panoramic views...