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

Nestled in the breathtaking red rock landscapes of Sedona, the Devil’s Bridge Hike is one of the most iconic and rewarding trails in Arizona.

This stunning natural sandstone arch offers a heart-pounding yet exhilarating experience, with panoramic views that make the journey well worth it.

To access this hike you’ll either have to park at one of the trailhead’s parking lots or take a shuttle. The shuttle runs Thursday through Sunday and is free of charge.

The parking lot will be closed during the time the shuttle is available. This hike is also unique in Sedona as its one of the few that you don’t need to pay a fee to park.

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.

Devil’s Bridge Hike Details

Where is the Devils Bridge Located?

Sedona is a popular area in Northern Arizona, and for good reason. The city is small yet amazingly beautiful, and there are plenty of hikes surrounding it.

The actual hike is located in the Coconino National Forest, which is in the Northwestern region of Sedona.

If you’re planning on staying in Phoenix for a few days, check out these other hikes near Phoenix that you might enjoy!

Transportation: Parking and Shuttles

There are a few ways you can access these trails. I’ve completed this hike twice now and I’d only recommend driving if you get there early.

The shuttles are free of charge and so is parking! This is not the norm as you have to purchase a pass for other hikes like Cathedral Rock.

You can purchase the Red Rock Pass here. It costs $5.

There are two main trailheads: Dry Creek & Mescal. Both of these can be reached by shuttle.

The parking lots are only open Monday to Wednesday and are closed when the shuttle service begins from Thursday to Sunday. This is the case year-round.

Mescal Trailhead

I’ve never started at this trailhead before when completing this hike. This trailhead will give you the best opportunity to find a parking spot as it’s not as popular as the other trailhead.

To reach the Devils Bridge from here will be almost 2 miles and is 3.9 miles round trip.

Dry Creek Trailhead

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.

This trail is the same length as Mescal and is 3.9 miles roundtrip. These trails that lead up to the true beginning of the hike are fairly flat and aren’t something to worry about.

Sedona Shuttle

The Shuttle runs from Thursday to Sunday. You can check out the full schedule here.

There is no charge for parking in these parking lots. You’ll want to visit a different shuttle pickup location depending on which trailhead you want to start at.

• Dry Creek Trail: Posse Grounds Park & Ride
• Mescal Trail: West SR-89A Park & Ride

You can reach Dry Creek trailhead from either shuttle but Mescal can only be reached by the shuttle leaving from West SR-89A.

If this trek seems too crowded, you can try other hikes in Sedona, like the Subway Cave and Schnebly Hill Windows!

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 the hikes in the Andes Mountains.

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.

Update: Parking rules and fees have changed since I first went back in 2022. Please Read the section above for a further explanation.

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

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.

Things to Know

Sedona is a magical place (literally!) and is best enjoyed with the fewest amount of hiccups. Below are some extra tips that might come in handy when planning a trip here.

Fees

Are there fees to hike in Sedona and to hike the Devil’s Bridge? Nope! Well, it depends. If you’re hiking this trail on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday then parking is free.

A lot of other popular trails do require a Red Rock Pass. It’s $5.

The ‘America the Beautiful’ pass should also work and you’ll need to place it on the dashboard of your car.

The shuttle runs on the other days of the week and is free of charge. Dogs are only allowed on the shuttles if they have a muzzle.

Where 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 Hike Devils Bridge

A lot of Arizona, as you may already know, is a desert. The temperatures can get insanely hot during the summer and surprisingly chilly at night.

The best time to visit Sedona and complete this hike is between September and April. This is when the temperatures are at their best and there’ll be minimal rainfall.

Keep in mind that Sedona is slightly different than other parts of Arizona like Phoenix & Tucson. It can get cold in Sedona during the winter and sometimes even snow!

That is something I’m trying to experience once in my life.

Can You Camp Here?

I know the frustration when trying to find camping spots in a new location. It’s difficult. But some camping spots are worth it to check out.

Things change fast out in Sedona as more and more people decide to visit this stunning location. Double-check each location before visiting.

You’re not allowed to camp along the trails leading up to the Devils Bridge but you can get somewhat close.

• West Sedona Designated Dispersed Camping
• For more information on Camping in Sedona, you can check out their website here.

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

Other Hikes in Arizona

If you’re like me and don’t like the crowds, maybe some hikes in the Phoenix area are better suited for you. Or maybe you have extra time. These are some extra hiking trails if you want something else to do while visiting Arizona!

• Pinnacle Peak
• Sunrise Peak Trail
• Tom’s Thumb
• Sunset at Dobbins Lookout
• Scottsdale’s Famous Camelback Mountain
• Piestewa Peak

My Final Thoughts

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.