Devil’s Bridge Hike in Sedona: The How-To Guide

Sedona is a popular area 2 hour north of Phoenix, Arizona. One of the most hiked trails in the area is the Devil’s bridge hike. This is the largest natural sandstone arch or bridge in the Sedona area. Although it is popular, it is easily accessible and worth the trek. From the top, you will see amazing views of the Red Rock Country.

In this guide about the Devil’s Bridge hike in Sedona, I will go over the different routes to get here, the parking situation, and much more.

Where is the Devil’s Bridge Hike Located?

Sedona is a popular area in Northern Arizona and for good reason. The city is small yet amazingly beautiful with plenty of hikes surrounding the town. The actual hike itself is located in the Coconino National Forest which is in the Northwestern region.

Devil’s Bridge Parking

There are many different transportation options when getting to the Devil’s Bridge trailhead. The parking lots can fill up fast and in which case, the town of Sedona provides free transportation to and from the trailhead. Below I will go over these options in more detail.

• There is limited parking at the Dry Creek Vista Trailhead. If you get here Mon-Wed you should be fine as there is also no shuttle on these days.
  • The Shuttle runs from Thursday-Sunday. You can check out the full schedule here.
• There is no charge for parking in these parking lots.

How to Get to the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead

There are 2 main trails that you can take that’ll bring you to the Devil’s bridge trailhead. These are the Mescal trailhead and the Chuck Wagon Trail. Below I will give driving directions to both.

Sedona to Dry Creek Parking

If you are driving then you will want to type in your google maps Dry Creek Vista Trailhead or parking lot. If you want to take the free shuttle Sedona provides, you will want to head to Posse Grounds park. The route will go from here to Dry Creek to Mescal and then back to Posse Grounds Park.

Sedona to Mescal Trailhead Parking

Parking could be better at the Mescal parking lot but it will still fill up fast. If you are going early, then you can try your hand at this parking lot. It will be a little shorter of a trail compared to parking at Dry Creek. If you can’t find parking then head to Posse Grounds Park and get on the bus headed for Mescal Trailhead. This should be your second stop.

Best Places to Stay in Sedona

• Sky Ranch Lodge: One of the most reviewed accommodations in the area, Sky Ranch Lodge is a fantastic location with plenty of amenities.
• Sky Rock Sedona: A great deal for the area, Sky Rock has some of the best views coupled with a good price per night.
• Hilton Vacation Club: Priced as one of the cheapest places to stay in Sedona, Hilton Vacation Club won’t disappoint.

Best Time of the Year to Visit Sedona

In many parts of Arizona, the summer is an avoid because of how hot it can become. The best and most popular times to visit Sedona are spring (March-May) or fall (Sept – Nov). October and November are considered peak season, so choose wisely.

My Suggested Hiking Gear

Below is a list of some of my favorite hiking/travel gear I bring everywhere. Everything below is something I currently use and never leave my house without.

• KEEN Durand II Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots: I finally upgraded my hiking boots in 2022 and these are fantastic. They have top-notch ankle support and are super durable.
• Petzl Tikka Headlamp: A headlamp for hiking is a must if you’re like me and love sunrise hikes. This is a great price for a quality headlamp and also has a good red light to not disturb others in the morning.
• Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks: I originally got these as a present but I had to buy more because these are the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever tried on.
• Grayl GeoPress Water Filter Bottle: You will never have to rebuy plastic water bottles. This is the best water filtering device on the market. It is excellent for hikers and travelers alike.

Devil’s Bridge Hike Details

If you want the full guide to this trail and reviews, you can check it out on Alltrails

My Experience Hiking to the Devil’s Bridge in Sedona

I recently came back to the United States from Peru a couple of months before we did this hike. Arizona looked amazing and I knew there were plenty of hikes in and around the state. It was a different style of hike compared to those like Laguna 69 and Salkantay Trek.

That’s not a bad thing either. The trails around Sedona and the city itself were amazing and I will be back multiple times while being in Arizona.

Devil’s Bridge is one of the most popular hikes in the region, which made us slightly nervous about the crowd. We went on a Friday afternoon and there weren’t nearly as many people as I would have thought.

Devil’s Bridge 4×4 Trail

There is another trail that you can take, especially if you have a 4×4 vehicle. Instead of pulling into the Dry Creek parking lot, you’re able to stay on Dry Creek road. This is only suggested if you’re vehicle is capable of driving on this type of terrain.

Some people also walk along this road instead of taking the trail. I don’t prefer it as it isn’t as fun or scenic. On the other side, it is easier to follow.

Mescal Trailhead to Devil’s Bridge

As mentioned above about the different parking lots, there is another trail that takes you to Devil’s Bridge. We didn’t need to take this trail as we found parking at the Dry Creek lot.

The shuttle will take you to the Mescal trailhead and from there you will follow the trail until it turns into the Chuck Wagon trail.

Short but Steep Incline

Once we got to the Devil’s Bridge trailhead, it was pretty flat for the majority of the hike. When you get around 3/4s of the way through the hike, the incline will start.

It wasn’t much and it was easy for us to take a break if we wanted to. We did it once or twice and the views were excellent.

The weather was perfect out on that Friday afternoon. Shortly after this section, you will arrive at the Devil’s Bridge.

Waiting in line for a photo at the Devil’s Bridge

Hikes with this scenic photo opportunity like this one tend to have a lot of people waiting in line. I have heard that is usually the case here but when we arrived at the end of the hike, there were only a few people there.

I think we were extremely lucky as it was an excellent day to hike on a Friday. We were able to get multiple photo shoots in without having to wait long.

The view and bridge are amazing and worth the wait for the pictures.

Other Activities to do in Sedona

Sedona is a popular tourist area in northern Arizona. There are many hikes to do around the town as well as things located in Flagstaff, just an hour north. You can take a scenic trip in a jeep around Sedona to see the famous red rocks or make a quick trip up to the Grand Canyon. Below are some highly reviewed activities in and around Sedona.

My Final Thoughts on the Devil’s Bridge Hike in Sedona

Timing is everything with this hike. Due to its popularity, you want to pick the right time to go. Late September/early October is some of the best times to visit all year. If you can go during the week, then even better. The hike wasn’t hard and the photos were amazing. This is a great hike for the whole family and even those who don’t hike much. Overall I highly recommend this hike if you’re visiting Sedona in the future.

Thank you for reading my guide to the Devil’s Bridge hike in Sedona! I hope this information helps you when planning your next trip here in Arizona.