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ForestMatters, LLC

Southwest

1 forest, 8 trails

National Forests

Fall color along the Verde Wild and Scenic River in Coconino National Forest, Arizona

Coconino National Forest

Arizona1,856,038 acres

Complete guide to Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona. Trail recommendations, campgrounds, permits, red rock country, and trip planning resources.

13 min read

Trails

strenuousout-and-back

Bear Mountain Trail

4.8 mi1,900 ft gain
October through April

Guide to the Bear Mountain Trail in Coconino National Forest, Arizona. A strenuous 4.8-mile out-and-back near Sedona with 1,900 feet of gain through red rock terrain, ending at one of the finest panoramic viewpoints in the entire Sedona basin.

8 min read

easyout-and-back

Bell Rock Pathway

3.6 mi200 ft gain
Year-round

Guide to the Bell Rock Pathway in Sedona, Arizona. An easy 3.6-mile hike through classic red rock terrain with views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.

6 min read

moderateout-and-back

Boynton Canyon Trail

6 mi900 ft gain
October through May

Guide to the Boynton Canyon Trail in Coconino National Forest, Arizona. A 6.0-mile out-and-back through a stunning red rock canyon near Sedona, with Sinagua ruins visible in the canyon walls and sweeping views at the canyon's end.

8 min read

moderate-hardout-and-back

Cathedral Rock Trail

1.2 mi740 ft gain
March through November

Guide to the Cathedral Rock Trail in Sedona, Arizona. A short, steep 1.2-mile scramble to the saddle between Sedona's most iconic red rock spires.

6 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Humphreys Peak Trail

10 mi3,333 ft gain
June through October

Guide to the Humphreys Peak Trail near Flagstaff, Arizona. A strenuous 10-mile out-and-back to the highest point in Arizona at 12,637 feet.

7 min read

moderateout-and-back

Vultee Arch via Sterling Pass Trail

3.8 mi500 ft gain
year-round

A 3.8-mile out-and-back through shaded Sterling Canyon in Coconino National Forest, Arizona, to an 80-foot sandstone arch named for aviation pioneer Gerard Vultee, killed in a 1938 crash near Sedona.

6 min read

easy-moderateout-and-back

West Fork Trail

6.9 mi340 ft gain
March through November

Guide to the West Fork of Oak Creek Trail in Coconino National Forest. A stunning 6.9-mile canyon hike through Arizona's best fall foliage, with 13 creek crossings and towering red rock walls.

10 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Wilson Mountain via North Wilson Trail

10.4 mi2,300 ft gain
September through May

A strenuous 10.4-mile out-and-back to Wilson Mountain's 7,122-foot summit above Sedona in Coconino National Forest, Arizona, with views of red rock formations, Oak Creek Canyon, and the Verde Valley.

6 min read

Guides

Best Hikes Near Phoenix, Arizona

Best Hikes Near

The best day hikes within 2 hours of Phoenix. Coconino and Tonto national forests deliver red rock canyons, Arizona's highest summit, and some of the most visually striking hiking in the Southwest.

6 min read