Red Rock – Secret Mountain Wilderness

Extending north and west from Sedona, the immensely popular Red Rock – Secret Mountain Wilderness is home to some of the most iconic scenery on the Red Rock District of the Coconino National Forest. Originally territory of the Hohokam, Puebloan, Hopi, and Apache, it was made part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1984. It comprises 43,950 acres, and is administered by the US Forest Service.

The 10 Essentials

ACTIVITIES:

  • backpacking
  • bird-watching
  • camping
  • climbing
  • day hiking
  • equestrian
  • picnicking
  • stargazing
  • swimming
  • trail running

HIGHLIGHTS:

Devil’s Bridge and Vultee & Fay Canyon Arches
Spectacular canyons, including Illusions
Numerous archaeological sites, including cliff dwellings and pictographs
Perennial West Fork Oak Creek

HABITAT:

Red rock and sandstone cliffs drop from desert mesas into deep canyons, including perennial Oak Creek with its riparian surrounds.
Elevation ranges from 4500 – 7122’ (Wilson Mountain)

AVAILABILITY:

Open year-round. Check here or call the Red Rock Ranger District for current info on closures and restrictions.

AMENITIES:

60+ miles of established trail open to hikers and equestrians accessible from ~20 designated trailheads
There are no official campsites within the wilderness. Please follow LNT principles.
There are vault toilets and trash bins available at some of the trailheads.

PERMITS / FEES:

No permits or fees for general access. A Red Rock or America the Beautiful Interagency pass is required for parking at some trailheads.
There are several ‘fee-free’ days annually; more info here.
Check the website or call the Red Rock Ranger District for current fee information.

SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS:

West Fork Oak Creek is an ‘Outstanding Arizona Water
Wilson Mountain is a National Recreation Trail

ACCESSIBILITY:

Kid-friendly
Pet-friendly 
No ADA-specific amenities within the designated wilderness; some of the established trailheads have accessible parking & vault toilets.
No public transit 
**NOTE: Several of the designated trailheads are accessible only by high-clearance +/or 4WD vehicles. Additionally, most are too small for horse trailers. Make sure to check trail info before heading out!

NEAREST SERVICES:

Sedona is the closest full-service town.

HEADS-UP!

Risks include: climate- and temperature-related issues such as exposure and dehydration. Black bear, javelina, and rattlesnakes live here. Cell service is extremely spotty, and should not be expected, especially in canyons. Various fire bans or restrictions may be in effect, depending on the season and site.
Check here or call the Red Rock Ranger District for current info.

Flora & Fauna

In addition to the usual desert- and riparian-dwellers, the Red Rock – Secret Mountain Wilderness is also home to these species with special status:

Sedona, AZ
45°
Partly Cloudy
6:07 am6:52 pm MST
Feels like: 43°F
Wind: 5mph NE
Humidity: 60%
Pressure: 29.99"Hg
UV index: 0
10 pm11 pm12 am1 am2 am
43°F
43°F
43°F
43°F
43°F
SatSunMonTueWed
61°F / 39°F
68°F / 45°F
73°F / 48°F
77°F / 50°F
81°F / 54°F

hike fay canyon!

more from arizona..

Estrella Mountain Regional Park

Estrella Mountain Regional Park

Estrella Mountain Regional Park, in the southwest corner of the Phoenix metropolitan area, offers an amazing variety of activities. You can go on a guided horseback adventure, play a round of golf, fish the Gila River, escape into the backcountry, and more in the park’s almost 20,000 acres.

White Tank Mountain Regional Park

White Tank Mountain Regional Park

White Tank Mountain Regional Park, at the west end of the Salt River Valley & Phoenix metropolitan area, offers an amazing variety of activities. From learning about First Nations history with a walk through ‘Petroglyph Plaza’ to exploring the backcountry in this mostly wild park, there is a world of opportunities to be had in this +25,000 acre setting.

Nichelle McHone

Nichelle McHone

Meet Nichelle, who when not teaching yoga and pilates in Phoenix, enjoys the natural wonders of Arizona… and the occasional trip to California for some beach time!

Tres Rios Wetlands

Tres Rios Wetlands

Arizona has wetlands? Yes! The almost 700 acre Tres Rios wetlands sits at the southwest edge of Phoenix, and offers the opportunity to observe hundreds of species of birds, year round!