If you’re heading to Arizona, there are a few areas that you shouldn’t miss – and Sedona is one of these. This Arizona desert town is surrounded by red-rock buttes, steep canyon walls and pine forests, and is known for its mild climate and lively arts community. Sedona also has a magical, mystical element to it. It’s the place to become one with nature, shop for incredible crystals, and get your aura read.
But Sedona is lot more than this. There are numerous hiking trails that lead to some epic panoramic views that are unlike anywhere in the world! Steven and I enjoyed our 10-year anniversary in Sedona in 2019 (read our blog post on the route, hikes, good eats, and places to stay!), so it was only natural that we’d come back to this desert oasis.
This time though, we wanted to explore somewhere new. After our awesome experience at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, it was only natural that we wanted to check out Red Rock State Park!
About Red Rock State Park in Sedona
Located just outside of Sedona proper, Red Rock State Park is a 286-acre nature preserve and environmental education center that was protected in 1981. Known for its stunning panoramic views, the state park offers a fantastic trail system that wind through juniper and manzanita, leading you through the banks of Oak Creek, which is a riparian habitat. As you continue to climb the moderate incline of the trails, you eventually reach incredible views of all of Sedona.
Red Rock State Park is open daily from 8am to 5pm, with the last entry at 4:30pm during all seasons except summer. In the summer months, the park is open until 6pm (with last entry at 5:30pm). Entrance fees are $7/adult (14+), $4/youth (7-13) and children under 6 are free.
As we recommend with any national or state park, your first stop should be the Red Rock Visitor Center. Here you can speak to park rangers and walk through their exhibit on the geology, geography, flora, and fauna of the Sedona area. It’s a great way to get your bearings and see which trail(s) may be right for you! The visitor center also offers a Junior Ranger program for children ages 6-12, where kiddos can fill out their booklet and swear in as an official Red Rock State Park Junior Ranger.
Just outside of the Visitor Center, there are picnic tables and shelters that are available for reservations or first-come, first-serve.
When to Visit Sedona’s State Park
Sedona is one of those destinations that is wonderful to visit any time of the year because of its moderate temperatures. However, the best season to experience Red Rock State Park is the Spring, when the temperatures are warm, and the foliage is in full bloom with colorful wildflowers. Fall is a great time to visit as the temps are under 80 degrees. It can snow up to 25 inches in the winter. The summer is the only time we’d recommend avoiding the Sedona desert – the temperature can reach highs over 100 degrees!
We found that you don’t need more than a half or full day to enjoy Red Rock State Park.
Hiking Trails in Red Rock State Park
One thing that I’ve learned about Arizona state parks is that it offers thoughtfully planned, interconnected trail networks that have various levels of ease and access. It makes it awesome to discover these protected places, especially if you have limited time to explore.
At Red Rock State Park, there is a 5-mile trail network that is family-oriented and clearly marked. After consulting with a park ranger, we decided to take the outer loop, which are the Bunkhouse, Kisva, Eagle’s Nest, Coyote Ridge, and Apache Fire Loop trails. It was four miles exactly with 358’ of elevation gain. Overall, it took us two and a half hours and offered up excellent views, especially Eagle’s Nest (the highest point in the park). You can easily see views of red rock escarpments like Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock. The terrain is diverse and a wonderful way to see a bulk of Red Rock State Park!
Where to Camp in Sedona
There are plenty of places to camp near Sedona, whether you’re looking for designated campgrounds, RV parks, or dispersed camping. Below are two that we’ve had good luck with!
Dispersed Camping
Only a 15-minute drive from Red Rock State Park, there is a popular forest road called 525 that has plenty of spaces to boondock. It can be a busy location, and the dirt roads are bumpy. Most of the decent spots are at least a mile down the 525. If you want a bit more privacy, check out Forest Road 9571. It’s way more remote but does not have any views of the Sedona red rocks. However, stay for the sunsets. It’s breathtaking!
Verde Ranch RV Resort
This RV Park is in Camp Verde, which is a 40-minute drive to Red Rock State Park. If you’re looking for a very nice spot to camp, this is it. They’re not kidding when they say it’s a resort! There are 399 RV spots that are very spacious and have full hookups with 50amps. Verde Ranch has a clubhouse with large common areas, workstations, TVs, games, and a kitchen, which is adjacent to the pool and two hot tubs. There are also fully furnished cabins for rent! Nightly rates range from $30 to $178 depending on the spot you’re looking for.
We booked this through Campspot, which is a fantastic resource if you have specific camping to filter for, like WiFi, pet-friendly locations, or water hookups. You can book directly online and are guaranteed the lowest price.
In Summary
If you plan on exploring Sedona, make a point to stop by the Red Rock State Park! You won’t be disappointed. The trails are serene, and the views are amazing!
One Comment
Pingback: