Everything to Know About Hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona

THINKING ABOUT HIKING CATHEDRAL ROCK IN SEDONA?

You’ve landed on the right article! We’ve been visiting Sedona since 2016 and have enjoyed many hiking trails there, including Cathedral Rock.

I was a little nervous starting out on the hike with our two four-year-olds because I read about the steepness of the trail but overall, it was a great hike for our family and quickly became a favorite hike of ours.

If you’re planning a trip to Sedona you are in for an amazing adventure. The red pillars are some of the most amazing things we have hiked among.

We love Sedona and can’t wait to get back. It is one of the prettiest places we have visited. And hiking Cathedral Rock is one of the best things to do there.

Here is everything you need to know about getting to the top of Cathedral Rock in Sedona, one of the most popular hikes in the area!

When is the best time to hike the Cathedral Rock Trail?

Without a doubt, the best time to hike Cathedral Rock Trail is in the hours leading up to sunset. Once you are at the top, there are beautiful views of Sedona and at sunset, it is even more magical.

We were at the top just as the sun was starting to set and it was spectacular. We did head down before sunset was fully in swing because we didn’t want to manage climbing down in the dark with our girls.

If you are planning on staying at the top until sunset, make sure to bring a headlamp to help you get down the trail. You will need your hands for maneuvering down the steep climb.

Check Prices for Headlamps on Amazon Here!

The best time of year to hike cathedral rock is fall to early spring. We visited in January and enjoyed the cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.

How to Get to the Cathedral Rock Trailhead in Sedona

Cathedral Rock is one of the most popular Sedona hikes. There are multiple Cathedral Rock trailheads that lead to Cathedral Rock but we found Cathedral Rock Trailhead No. 170 to be the closest.
Cathedral Rock Trail Head Coordinates: 34°49’30.7″N 111°47’18.3″W

We hiked the trail later in the evening after work and didn’t have any trouble getting a parking spot, however, the Cathedral Rock Trailhead parking area is a lot busier during the more popular hiking times. Typically, the earlier you are there, the easier it will be to find a parking space.

There is overflow parking further down on Back O Beyond Road.

If the parking lot is completely full, you can access Cathedral Rock via the Baldwin Trail.

Directions to the Cathedral Rock Trailhead Parking Lot

Head south on the junction of 89A and 179. Drive 179 south for about 3.5 miles until you reach Back O’ Beyond Road on the right. Then go approximately .6 miles. The parking lot turnout is on the left.

Note: There is a $5 cost for the Red Rock Pass for parking. The America the Beautiful Pass is also a valid parking pass.

Cathedral Rock via the Baldwin Trailhead

There is a second way to get to Cathedral Rock if you want a longer and more scenic hike via the Baldwin Trail. It starts from the Baldwin Trailhead. The trail is 3.7 miles round trip, and it takes about 1.5 hours to get to the top of Cathedral Rock.

This route will have beautiful views of Cathedral Rock.

Cathedral Rock Hike

How long does it take to hike Cathedral Rock in Sedona?

If you hike at a moderate to fast pace it will take 30-40 minutes to hike Cathedral Rock in Sedona. If you hike slower, you are hiking with kids, or take some breaks along the way, it will take about 60 minutes to hike to the top.

We hiked with our baby and twins who were four at the time. We spent about 2.5 hours between hiking up, enjoying time at the top, and hiking back down.

Trail Stats –

• Length: 1.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 744 feet
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Difficulty: Moderate Hike

Climbing Cathedral Rock in Sedona

Overall, the Cathedral Rock trail is easy to navigate. There are basket cairns filled with large rocks to guide you along the trail. The beginning part of the trail is a dried-up creek and then a short descent up to a plateau.

The plateau area has incredible views of the surrounding Sedona area, including the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Coconino National Forest. It is a great place to take pictures with the base of Cathedral Rock in the background.

From there, you will go up through the scramble. It is a small crag area where you will have to climb on your hands and knees. This is the hardest part of the Cathedral Rock hike but if you go slow and take your time, you will be fine. The crack has a steep incline of about 45 degrees for about 40 feet.

After the scramble, you will find another plateau which is a great place for a rest and pictures if you’d like to take them. From there, you will continue your climb up Cathedral Rock. At the end, there are some stone steps that will take you up to the top.

The end of the trail has a sign saying, “End of Trail”, but the views alone will tell you that you are there!

How Difficult is the Cathedral Rock Hike?

The Cathedral Rock hike is short but has some very steep spots. There are parts in the Cathedral Rock Trail where you have to use your hands and feet to scramble over the rocks.

It was not too hard for our family to climb over the boulders, but this could be difficult depending on the physical abilities of those you are hiking with. The trail is well broken in with places for hand and footholds in the rock making the steep incline a little easier. Make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes.

At the Top of Cathedral Rock Trail

Once we reached the end of trail, we were blown away by the beautiful views of Cathedral Rock in Sedona. There is a ledge that wraps around the top of the summit of Cathedral Rock making a lot of places to explore and room for everyone. There is a very large drop-off at the top, but the ledge is pretty wide to have safe places for the kids to sit.

Our kids mostly hung out in the middle while Coltin and I took turns exploring the mini trails at the top.

Our favorite viewpoint was to the far right after you have reached the summit viewing area. There is a fun ledge that is a great place to take pictures and enjoy the views. It is known as the Edge of the World. There is a high and steep drop-off here so be careful.

There is another singular tower off to the left that is a fun place to explore. I ventured off by myself over there. This section of the hike would have been challenging for my four-year-olds. It is pretty steep and requires some climbing using your hands.

The best time to see the pillar is between 9-10 am. It will be glowing from the sun. At sunset, the pillar will be a little shaded but it is still fun to see.

Heading Down Cathedral Rock

There were some places we had to slide down on the rocks which Rowen and Raven thought was the best thing ever. Overall, the hike down went smoothly. There were places the girls needed one-on-one assistance but nothing we couldn’t handle.

As you head down Cathedral Rock be sure to notice the beautiful views in the distance. Courthouse Butte will be visible as well as Sedona. Watching the sky change as the sun was setting as we were finishing up our hike was beautiful.

Hiking Tips for Cathedral Rock in Sedona

Plan to Hike Early in the Morning or at Sunset

These two times of day will give you the best lighting and will help you beat the crowds.

Check What Time Sunset Is

If you want to be there at sunset, check to see what time sunset is estimated for that day. You will want to leave yourself plenty of time to get to the top. It usually takes 30-60 minutes depending on how fast you hike.

If you are planning on staying at the top of Cathedral Rock until sunset, make sure to bring some sort of flashlight to get down. Headlamps are the best so you can have your hands-free climbing down the rock. It would be very difficult to hike down without some sort of light in the dark.

Use Your American the Beautiful Annual Pass

The American the Beautiful Pass is honored for the daily pass for parking for all the Sedona trails.  If you do not have a pass, you can purchase a pass for $5.00 at the fee machines at designated trailheads.

Be Prepared

This includes sunscreen, plenty of water, and snacks. Don’t be fooled into thinking the hike is only a mile. The pathway is steep and narrow in places making it more difficult. There is also little to no shade on the trail.

Can you See Cathedral Rock in Sedona Without Hiking?

Whether you can see cathedral rock without hiking depends on what you are wanting to see. You can see the Cathedral Rock formation from below. Hikers will not be able to see the panoramic valley views or cradle of Cathedral Rock. You can only get to those by hiking to the top.

If you want to see Cathedral Rock from a distance, the Templeton Trail is a good alternative. Also, you can climb to the first plateau for a great picture area without making the steep ascent through the crack.

Is Cathedral Rock Trail Dog Friendly?

Cathedral Rock is dog-friendly if the dogs are kept on a leash. There are some big steps and boulders to climb through, so it is recommended that your dog have hiking experience. In my opinion, once you get to the rock-climbing portion it really is not an ideal hike for dogs unless your dog has a high level of physical abilities.

Hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona with Kids

I was a little nervous about hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona with kids but overall it was a great experience. Coltin carried Sage in our front pack baby carrier and then our twins who are 4 walked. Coltin did not have any issues carrying the baby in our carrier.

Overall, our four-year-olds did great hiking the trail. Going through some of the steeper parts they did need help. In some places, we had to lift them up over the boulders and going down the steep areas they needed help as well.

Along the trail, there were not any steep drop-offs that made me nervous. The trickiest part of the trail was navigating the steep areas.

However, at the top, there is a very large drop-off. We had our kids sit at the top in the middle and they were fine. We did help them explore one-on-one and held their hand.

I would have no problem hiking this trail again with my family.

Cathedral Rock Vortex

Sedona is a beautiful place to visit and easily feel connected with nature. Some people who visit Sedona come for powerful vortex experiences. Cathedral Rock is known as being one of four vortexes in Sedona.

This vortex energy is one of many reasons why people hike the Cathedral Rock Trail. This energy is meant to calm, inspire and ground you.

No matter what your beliefs, Cathedral Rock is a place that will make you feel something. Whether it is outer-worldly spirits or awe and appreciation for the beautiful world we live in, a climb to the top is well worth your time.

Tip: If you are interested in visiting more of the energy vortexes, there are a variety of exceptional Sedona Vortex Tours, including Sedona Vortex Tour from Arizona Safari Jeep Tours. This is a great experience. They are a very well-established and highly recommended tour group operating out of Sedona.

The tour is a great opportunity to learn more about the history of Sedona and the extraordinary vortex sites in the area. Learning the history of each of these locations deepens the energetic feelings.

Check Prices for Sedona Vortex Tour Here!

Other Hiking Trails in Sedona

Hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona and Red Rock Crossing is our favorite trails in the area but there is still plenty of other fun and beautiful hikes to explore in the area like Oak Creek. We recommend picking a hike or two every day because it is such a beautiful area to enjoy.

Here are some other recommend hiking trails in the area –

Birthing Cave

Hiking the Birthing Cave in Sedona is another family-friendly hike that we enjoyed. The trail is pretty flat until the final descent into the cave. The cave is a fun place to play and has beautiful views of the Sedona area. Be sure to download the coordinates of the cave before heading out before cell coverage is limited.

Bell Rock Trail

This is a fun area to explore, especially if you’re hiking with kids in Sedona. The Bell Rock Loop is about a mile long with lots of fun places to explore along the way. You can climb all over Bell Rock with great views of the Sedona area.

Devils Bridge

The Devils Bridge hike is another great and popular photo opportunity in Sedona. It is a natural sandstone bridge with great views of Sedona. The trailhead is easy to access with an easy hiking trail. The only downside is the trail is about 4.2 miles roundtrip.

Soldiers Pass

The Soldier Pass trail is a relatively easy trail until the final descent into the cave. It is a heavily trafficked trail with plenty to see along the way like the Seven Sacred Pools and sinkhole. This is a popular hike for families.

Also, don’t forget that Sedona is only a two-hour drive to the Grand Canyon. You could easily add this in as a day trip during your time in Sedona! Visiting the Grand Canyon is a must-see in Arizona! You can easily bring your RV and take advantage of the dispersed camping in Sedona and near the Grand Canyon.

If you are going to be exploring the area around Sedona, Page is a fun city to visit. The Horseshoe Bend overlook and Antelope Canyon are fun places to explore.
How to Visit Horseshoe Bend in Arizona
Lower Antelope Canyon – Visiting the Famous Slot Canyon

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Additional Sedona Travel Blogs

Sedona is such a magical place to visit. Every time we find ourselves in Arizona, we stop by, even if it is just for a couple of days. The beautiful scenery and amazing hiking trails make it a great place to visit. It is also a great place to drive through if you are heading out on a road trip through the American Southwest.

If you’re looking for more info on traveling to Sedona, Arizona, check out these additional Sedona travel guides:

• 18 Unbelievable Trails for Hiking in Sedona
• Everything to Know About Hiking Cathedral Rock in Sedona
• A Complete Guide to Hiking the Birthing Cave in Sedona
• Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Devil’s Bridge
• How to Hike Soldier Pass Trail and Soldier Pass Cave
• 12 Best Spots for Dispersed Camping in Sedona
• 9 Best Sedona Vortex Tours
• Sedona to Antelope Canyon: A Complete Roadtrip Guide
• 28 Best Things to Do in Sedona with Kids
• A Complete Guide to Hiking Bell Rock In Sedona
• Broken Arrow Trail: Driving and Hiking This Sedona Trail