Devil’s Bridge Hike

Route Description for Devil’s Bridge Hike

Devil’s Bridge is one of the most popular hikes in the Sedona area. At the end of this trail, a delicate sandstone bridge extends across Red Rock Country and the viewing area next to it provides a perfect spot to snap photos from. This hike captures some of the magic that Sedona’s rock formations are known for.

This hike is rated as moderate. Most of the trail is gradual, but there’s a steep incline near the end that may require a bit of hands-on help for some. Active children and beginners should still be able to make it, especially since the steep climbing section has some rocky steps to help you out.

The actual trailhead for this hike is about two miles up Dry Creek Road. If you have a high-clearance vehicle, you can drive up to the trailhead and shorten the hike. Don’t attempt this if you’re not in a capable vehicle, though. There are large rocks on the trail that could damage smaller vehicles. You can park at the Dry Creek Road parking area and walk the extra distance.

We strongly recommend arriving as early as you can- this parking area will fill up and there will be a line at the bridge for pictures. If you can start hiking as soon as there’s daylight, you’ll have the least crowded experience.

From the Dry Creek Road parking lot, take the obvious path across the creek bed and slowly uphill. The first section of the hike up to the actual trailhead is dusty and not incredibly scenic, so we recommend putting your head down and hiking quickly to have more time to enjoy the bridge.

At a 4-way junction, look for the trail on your far right. The scenery improves as you near the bridge (although the scenery in Sedona is nearly always great), and you’ll start gradually gaining more elevation.

At the scrambling section, make use of the step-shaped rocks and climb up. From here, you can either kick back on the viewing area and admire the bridge or climb over the arch for a photo. There’s also a trail on the left that takes you underneath the bridge if you want to gaze up at it.

Head out onto the bridge if you’d like. Little ones might benefit from having their hands held as the bridge is fairly exposed. On busy days, you will need to wait in line for a photo, sometimes for quite a while.

Look out at your incredible surroundings, which include the Grassy Knolls, Mescal Mountain, Capitol Butte, and Maroon Mountain. Once you’re ready, retrace your steps to the parking lot.

Trail Highlights

Devil’s Bridge

Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area. It’s accessible on a fairly quick and easy hike and draws a high number of visitors each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Devil’s Bridge a vortex hike?

No, it’s not a vortex hike. Try the Airport Mesa hike if you want to visit a vortex.

Has anyone ever fallen off Devil’s Bridge?

There have been a couple of people who fell off the bridge. We recommend caution as you navigate the bridge.

Is Devil’s Bridge free?

You’ll need to grab a daily Red Rock Pass for $5 at the trailhead. This gives you all-day access to Red Rock Country Trails. Weekly and annual passes are also available.

Insider Hints for Devil’s Bridge Hike

• Sedona can be very hot in the summer months. If you’re hiking between June and September, we recommend hiking early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. Bring lots of water.
• This hike gets busy! Try visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon to miss most of the crowds.
• If there’s no more parking at the trailhead, you can start from the Mescal Trailhead instead.
• Planning a trip to Sedona? See if you can get a reservation at the excellent (but very busy) Elote Cafe.