sedona arizona

Sedona, Arizona, is a bucket list destination for many people, and itโ€™s no secret why. The dramatic red rocks throughout this area are stunning! A trip to Sedona wouldnโ€™t be complete without some hiking.

If youโ€™re traveling with kids, youโ€™re likely wondering which hikes are safe to bring them on. We often see hikes like Subway Cave and Devilโ€™s Bridge posted repeatedly on social media, but those arenโ€™t realistic if you have little ones on the trail with you. In this article, I will share the best hikes in Sedona that are both stunning and family-safe.

Hiking Map of Sedona

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birthing cave in sedona arizona
Birthing Cave

Birthing Cave

Trail Details

  • Distance: 1.9 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation Gain: 242 feet

The Birthing Cave hike is a fantastic addition to your Sedona itinerary! This hike offers a rewarding experience with minimal effort. The trail is relatively flat and easy until you reach the cave, at which point it becomes a steep scramble to the foot of the cave.

We did it with a 4-year-old, and our 1-year-old was in our hiking backpack (linked below). The 4-year-old was able to make it to the base of the cave, but then it became too steep and technical for him to get into the cave. My husband waited with the kids while I scrambled up into the cave. Definitely put this one on your list if you want some stunning photos!

This is the hiking backpack we use, and I always recommend it. It is an investment, but we have been able to use the same one for both boysโ€”you get your money’s worth! You can find it on Amazon here.

ashlyn in the birthing cave
Ashlyn in the Birthing Cave. It is a scramble to get up here, relatively easy for adults but children are unable to do this portion. My husband waited at the base of the cave with the kids.

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cooper hiking cathedral rock
Cathedral Rock

Cathedral Rock

Trail Details

  • Distance: 1.2 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation Gain: 741 feet

Donโ€™t let the short distance fool youโ€”this hike involves a lot of elevation. But the views are so worth it! Cathedral Rock was our favorite hike in Sedona!

This hike consists entirely of rock scrambling. There are some sections that are pretty challenging. Again, we did it with our 4-year-old, and the 1-year-old was in the backpack. We felt mostly comfortable with the 4-year-old, but only because he has a lot of hiking experience. If you have young kids who donโ€™t hike often and lack confidence, you may want to wait until they are a few years older for this one. You may also want to reconsider if you have a strong fear of heights (my husband has a height phobia but was able to tough it out).

The rock scrambling on this hike is so much fun! Itโ€™s definitely one of the best hikes in Sedonaโ€”at least in my opinion. The views at the top are incredible, and, of course, you get the opportunity to capture that iconic Cathedral Rock photo at the top youโ€™ve probably seen all over social media. See my photo below.

Incredible view from the top of the Cathedral Rock hike
Incredible view from the top of the Cathedral Rock hike
illustrating a child hiking the cathedral rock trail
Cooper hiking Cathedral Rock trail
example of how steep the trail is
Tons of scrambling on this trail

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    view from bell rock one of the best hikes in sedona

    Bell Rock

    Trail Details

    • Distance: 0.8 miles
    • Difficulty: Moderate
    • Elevation Gain: 203 feet

    I consider the Bell Rock trail a Cliffs Notes version of Cathedral Rock. There is a short walk to the base of the rock, and then itโ€™s all rock scrambling. The trail isnโ€™t well marked for this one; we forged our own way up. It seemed a lot of people were doing this.

    We packed snacks and enjoyed the view from the top, and I highly recommend doing this. You get a nice view of the hustle and bustle coming and going from Sedona. I had read online that this was a good hike for sunset, but Iโ€™m here to set the record straightโ€”sunset is completely obscured on this hike. We still thoroughly enjoyed this one, though.

    Iโ€™ll throw the same caution I did for Cathedral Rockโ€”our 4-year-old was able to do it because he is an experienced hiker. If your little one is not experienced and confident, wait until they are a couple of years older.

    hiking with kids in sedona
    Family photo on the Bell Rock trail

    Planning a Family Trip to Sedona?

    I want to note that these trails are all extremely popular, and the parking lots are small. Plan accordingly by going early in the day or taking the free shuttle.

    I also want to mention the climate of Sedona if you are planning your first trip. Sedona has a desert climate, and it gets very hot and dry during the day for most of the year. These hikes are all on flat rock surfaces with little shade. I urge you to practice caution when planning your hikes in Sedona, especially with kids. Bring more water than you think you will need, and plan to hike early in the morning or later in the evening. If you think you will run out of water, turn around.

    These hikes should be doable in the winter, but it does occasionally snow in Sedona. Pay attention to the weather if you plan your trip in the winter. The first time we went was in December and it snowed overnight while we were there. Most of the snow had melted by the next afternoon, but there were still icy patches to be aware of.

    If you are planning a trip to Sedona, I hope you found this hiking guide helpful! Also, consider booking your accommodations through me! I will help you find the best deals and hotels for you and your group. I may also be able to secure perks like complimentary room upgrades and spa credit. Best of all, this comes at no cost to you!

    For more information about booking travel with me, see my Services page.

    For more Sedona travel inspiration, check out these articles

    10 Best Family Restaurants in Sedona: A Vacation Guide

    Ultimate 3-Day Sedona Itinerary: Top Attractions and Hidden Gems

    Top Romantic Things For Couples to Do in Sedona, AZ

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