Hike the Bear Mountain Trail in Sedona if you’re looking for a challenge. It’s the second highest point in Sedona County (6,463 feet), so you are assured of a workout, especially as the trail climbs close to 2,000 feet in just 2.5 miles.
As official trail #54 in Coconino National Forest, you will benefit from good signage and trail markings, including white blazes painted on slick rock or the occasional cairn. We had absolutely no problem with route finding.
Even though the Bear Mountain trail is steep, its broken up with short flatter sections where you can catch your breath. It’s also a colourful hike with two levels – the lower red rock level and the upper white rock level.
There isn’t any shade on the Bear Mountain trail – and in summer the temperatures can get brutally hot. Go prepared with lots of water (carry a gallon of water in summer), a wide-brimmed sun hat, and sunscreen along with the usual hiking essentials.
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Summary of hiking the Bear Mountain trail in Sedona
Distance: 5 miles round trip
Elevation gain: 2,100 feet (cumulative)
Time needed: 3.5 – 5 hours.
Level of difficulty: Hard
Permits needed: Purchase a Red Rock Pass at the kiosk in the parking lot with a credit card or at any of a number of businesses and hotels in Sedona. An America the Beautiful Pass can also be used in lieu of the Red Rock Pass.
Facilities: There is a pit toilet in the parking lot.
Footwear: Take hiking shoes with ankle support and a good tread.
Dogs: Leashed dogs are permitted on the Bear Mountain trail hike in Sedona. Leave them at home on very hot days and bring lots of water for them too. They suffer from heat exhaustion faster than humans do.
Please: Practice the 7 Leave No Trace principles. That includes plan ahead and prepare, travel on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, respect wildlife, minimize campfire impacts (not relevant here), and be considerate of others.
Parking for the Bear Mountain trail in Sedona
One of the reasons we chose to hike the Bear Mountain trail on a weekend is that we knew we could get parking. As a heads up, you’re going to run into traffic congestion, parking issues, and a whole lot of people when you visit Sedona from President’s Day weekend until well into April. It’s also busy in September and October.
The parking for the hike up Bear Mountain is shared with the Doe Mountain trail. Although the parking lot isn’t large, there is lots of good parking along the road and chances are you won’t have to walk far. That’s not the case with the very popular hikes like Devil’s Bridge, Soldier Pass trail, and the Boynton Canyon trail.
Directions to the Bear Mountain trailhead
It’s 5.7 miles to the trailhead from the intersection of Highway 89A and Dry Creek Road. Head north on Dry Creek Road for 2 miles to the stop sign. Turn left on Boynton Pass Road and follow it for 2.4 miles.
Continue to the next stop sign and turn left, staying on Boynton Pass Road. Continue for another 1.3 miles to reach the Doe Mountain – Bear Mountain parking lot. It’s signed and obvious. You’ll find it on the left-hand side of the road as you approach from Sedona.
Note that the hike up Bear Mountain starts across the road from the parking lot.
Location map of the Bear Mountain trail
How to hike the Bear Mountain trail near Sedona
Walk across the road and you’ll spy the broad trail heading towards Bear Mountain. It crosses two washes before it begins a gradual ascent to the wilderness boundary.
There are four distinct sections on the hike up Bear Mountain, with the steepest sections in the red rock section. Between the steep bits are flattish sections – a good place to stop for a break and drink some water.
The first of the four sections is a 450-foot climb through the red rock on a narrow trail. There will be times where you need to use your hands for balance. It’s beautiful through here and regular hikers will have no issues. I always find it way easier going up these steep stretches than coming down. Watch out that you don’t put your hand in a spiny cactus!
Hiking tip for staying on the trail: Look for painted white hash marks on the rocks. Their spacing is irregular, perhaps every 20 feet or more. If you haven’t noticed them in a while you may have got off-trail. I think the Bear Mountain trail in Sedona is obvious, but it’s easy to get side-tracked with all the exceptional scenery.
When the grade moderates you’ll get into the white rock section of the Bear Mountain trail hike in Sedona. It’s delightful hiking on broad slabs of white rock and the views are excellent, though I think the best part of the hike is the stretch through the checkerboard sandstone at the top of the third section.
It’s my favourite type of hiking and at the same time you will enjoy superlative views of Fay Canyon. Check out my Instagram reel to see what I mean.
Arrival at the summit of Bear Mountain is a tad anticlimactic. There’s a sign among the shrubs – but no view from that spot. Have a wander around to find a place for a break and enjoy.
I also recommend walking north so you can get a view of San Francisco Mountain, the highest point in Arizona at an elevation of 12,690 feet. It’s an extinct stratovolcano that is covered with snow for much of the year.
To return to the parking lot, simply retrace your steps.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the Bear Mountain trail hike. We love a good workout and we got that in spades. The red rock views are fantastic as are the variety of rocks, and the micro-landscapes along the trail. Enjoy.
Bear Mountain Trail photos
Avoid the parking hassles with a tour
Viator offers numerous walking, hiking and jeep options for those of you who prefer to leave the details to someone else.
A few of the popular tours include the following.
- Dark Sky Sunset and Night Hike Adventure
- Sedona Creekside of Cathedral Mountain with a private guide
- Sedona Sacred Canyons Loop
Where to stay in Sedona
Sedona is not an inexpensive place to stay, at least when you’re like me and paying in Canadian dollars. We chose to stay at Briar Patch Inn on Oak Creek, though in hindsight it was too far from the trailheads we wanted to use, especially considering traffic. Give the location of your accommodation some consideration if you’re focused on hiking.
Some suggestions include:
- Alma de Sedona B&B – Great location, pool, excellent breakfast
- Sky Ranch Lodge – quiet, but a short drive to downtown
- Inn Above Oak Creek Sedona – lovely location and individually decorated rooms
- El Portal Sedona Hotel – a boutique hotel within walking distance to shopping
More information for your trip to Sedona
The best time to visit Sedona from the weather perspective is mid-February to April and September to October. But that’s also the time everyone wants to visit.
I for one hate traffic, line-ups, too many people on a trail, the inability to get dinner reservations, and all the other things that go with the discovery of an exceptionally beautiful part of Arizona.
In the future I will visit in the off-season. If it snows, it won’t last long. And I won’t have to be up before dawn to get a parking space.
Decide what works for you. I think the locals will be happier to see me in the off-season too.
Love hiking in Arizona?
Check out these Arizona hikes from left to right in the photos.
- The Aravaipa Canyon hike – permit needed, lots of stream crossings
- The Camelback Mountain Hike in Phoenix, Arizona – a classic with two routes to choose from
- Coyote Buttes South – a fantastic alternative to The Wave
- Havasu Falls multi-day hike – expensive camping but an amazing experience
- Courthouse Butte Hike in Sedona – lots of variety and great for families
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