Hiking with Dogs in Sedona

Sedona is often cited as the “day hike capital of America.”  There are many trails of varying difficulties to choose from, and while most of them are designed to give you stunning views of the famouse red rocks, you may actually find the trailhead within the walking distance from your stay.   I am not aware of what the actual law says, but all trails I have been seemed dog friendly.   One time we were hiking up Cathedral Rock (which is my go-to hike on our first day there to stretch our legs after a long drive), a ranger happened by.  Seeing my dog completely off leash, he smiled at me and said “be sure to keep her close to you” and walked away.

 

Coffee Pot Rock is prominently visible from town

Here are few things to remember while you are planning your visit to Sedona.  It is way too hot to hike there in summer.  Best times to visit there with your dogs are in fall and spring (personally I like to go there on November or April).  You can also hike there during the winter months so long as it does not snow.  We just made a trip there in February and we were blessed with mid 60F sunny days throughout.

For all practical purposes, there is no water source once you are on the trail, so bring larger backpacks and be prepared to carry all the water you will drink (have a cooler in your car so that you can keep another bottle when you get back).  This is a cactus country, so tweezers may come in handy.  Trails will often intersect high cliffs with sheer drop-offs.  Make sure your dog has a good recall before letting him off leash (which probably goes without saying cliffs or not).

Stay well cleared of those!!





 

Hiking Trails

Bear Mountain

We always hike the Bear Mountain on our last day in Sedona.  It is the quintessential “saving the best for the last” hike.  Some sections of the trails are very steep, and if your pup is not used to it you may have to push his butt from time to time.  You will also be going on your hands and knees to climb some sections.  Throughout the hike you are rewarded with varying sceneries and terrains, which keep this hike highly interesting and rewarding.  As far as I know this is the most strenuous hike in Sedona.

Wilson Mountain

This is the highest peak in Sedona, and the trail to get there is also pretty long.  It is almost as strenuous as the Bear Mountain due to its sheer length.  You won’t have to use your hands and knees for this one, but the views along the trail are just as stunning.

Soldier Pass/Brins Mesa Loop

The trailhead for this hike is just off some street at the edge of town.  One time we stayed at a rental which was just 3 blocks away from one of the trailheads.  The route whisks you away from the city quickly and takes you to the thick of the red rocks.  There is a massive sink hole near the start, and there are two places where you can veer off to the side trails.  One takes you to a massive arch rock formation, and the other takes you to an impressive view of the backside of Mt Wilson (pictured above).  This is an easy/moderate but beautiful hike with high reward.  The only minor downside is that some sections of the trails intersect the jeep trails, and you might encounter those unsightly Pink Jeeps from time to time.  Be on the lookout for them to keep you pups safe.

Devil’s Bridge

This hike offers a pretty good photo opportunity for you and your pups, but only if you are not scared of standing on a thin sliver of rock that stands above 1000s of feet in the air.  If you have a high clearance vehicle, you can get to the trailhead (and to the Bridge) much faster.  Otherwise, plan on spending extra hour or two walking along the jeep trail to get to the trailhead. 

Munds Mountain

It takes a high clearance vehicle and some serious four wheeling to get to the trailhead, but the sceneries along the way is just stunning.  The winter gate was closed when we visited and so we had to hike about half a mile to get to the trailhead.  Not a big deal.  Munds Mountain itself is not a red rock mountain, but it traverses along the beautiful mountains that make Sedona so famous and it puts you in the best viewing position to see them.  This is an easy/moderate hike with very high reward (provided you can get to the trailhead!).

Bell Rock
As you drive into Sedona from south, Bell Rock is one of the first red rocks that greet you.  More of an easy stroll than a hike, this is a wildly popular destination in Sedona. 

Cathedral Rock
This is an easy and popular hike.  Something you and you pups can do in just an hour or so.  But the trail offers enough steep sections and you will have the fun of using your hands and knees to get up there.  I like to go directly there when I arrive to Sedona so that I can squeeze in a quick hike with a grand view before checking in for the night.

Vortex?
Above two trails (Cathedral and Bell) along with Boynton Canyon and Airport mesa are designated as the “Four Vortex of Sedona”.  I’ve been to all four and I felt absolutely NOTHING.  Then one day I was talking to a local and he said, “You know, all of Sedona is a Vortex.”   Okay, I can live with that one.  I really do feel tremendous energy when hiking just about anywhere in Sedona. 
  

Where to stay

There are many vacation rentals that cost about the same as motels.  Many are dog friendly and offers the convenience of cooking your own breakfast and lunch to pack for your hike.  I prefer them to hotels. 

It is easy to find them using www.vrbo.com and setting the filter to “pet friendly.”  I’ve even stayed in some places where they don’t change any extra for pets.
 

Restaurants

http://www.sedonahideawayhouse.com/
It is not easy to find a truly dog friendly restaurant in Sedona.  You may find some in dogfriendly.com etc, but they often have limited seating, or you may be told that patio is not open for seating. We used to go to Ken’s Creekside but as of late they started to seat people with dogs only on the front porch which has no view of the creek.
Try the Hideaway House next door.  They are not advertized as dog friendly, but they are in fact “dog loving.”  Not only we got to sit by the creek view patio, the owner welcomed us in saying “thank you for bringing my best friend!”  They told us that it is technically illegal in Arizona to have dogs on patio, so that’s the only reason they don’t advertise as accepting dogs.  Let’s reward this restaurant!!

http://indiangardens.com/
This is a deli/bakery that offers pretty good food and beer.  They have a big outside seating area in back and you can take your dogs there. During the apple season, they sell green and red apples directly from their orchard, which are bar none the best apples around.

Shops

Most shops and restaurants in Tlaquepaque allow dogs.  I even took my dog into a shop that sells glass arts that goes for thousands of dollars.  Sales folks were very nice and gave us both cookies, and reminded us with smile that whatever my dog breaks I own.
 

Trips around Sedona

Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon is just two quick hour drive north from Sedona.  Dogs are allowed on the trails along the rim but not inside the canyon.  When you stop on a vista point, try looking for a little dirt trail that leads out of the lookout ledge.  Some of those lead you to much better view of the canyon.

Montezuma Castle 
This ancient ruin is fun to visit and they allow dogs.  There is also Montezuma Well nearby which is dog friendly. 

Jerome
If you are looking for unique artisan gifts and souveniers this is the town you want to visit.  Most shops and the ghost town at the end allow dogs.  The town sits on a high elevation and the road to get there is narrow and winding.  The speed limit drops from 35 to 20 as you approach the town, and I missed the sign completely.  Policeman was nice about it, but I still got dinged for $200 which probably would have gone to those artists otherwise!!

Swimming holes
Much of Sedona is bone dry, but if you want your dogs to swim you can Google and visit some of those swimming holes.  Some are readily accessible by car, but others you’ll have to hike for a bit to get there.  Take a picnic basket with you and it is a fun way to spend a day with your pups.

About the author – my name is ro, and I am an administrator for Hiking with Dogs on Facebook and this Companion Site.  I live in San Diego with my wonderful Golden Retriever Saffron.