Surround Yourself With Red Rock Beauty On This Iconic Arizona Hike Leading To A Surreal Bridge

Breathtaking Sedona, Arizona is heaven on earth for nature lovers, culture enthusiasts, and those looking for a relaxing, luxurious getaway. The city of approximately 10,000 is known worldwide as a gateway for total wellness, including outdoor recreation. One of Sedona's best-known and most popular hikes leads to Devil's Bridge, the largest sandstone arch in the Sedona area. The arch is wide enough to walk across, making for incredible photography at one of Arizona's most iconic settings.

When planning your hike, you can choose from multiple routes to Devil's Bridge. The shortest route in terms of walking distance is to take Dry Creek Road to the trailhead and hike the Devil's Bridge Trail, but note that you will need a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle to reach the official trailhead, which is on an unpaved part of Dry Creek Road. Another option with a similar distance is to hike the Mescal Trail. When driving, continue to the left at the fork where Dry Creek Road turns into Boynton Pass Road, then turn right on Long Canyon Road, following it to the Mescal trailhead. Both routes are about 4 miles in total, incredibly scenic, and relatively flat, apart from the final climb up the "staircase."

For a longer hike, park at the Dry Creek trailhead (go right at the fork to stay on Dry Creek Road), and take the Chuckwagon Trail. This 5.7-mile trail has a slight downhill but is also gorgeous with views of stunning vistas and plenty of desert plant and animal life. For an all-day hike, consider the 9.6-mile Deadman's Pass Trail.

Due to the popularity of local hiking trails, the city of Sedona began a complementary shuttle service. Shuttle 11 runs every 30 minutes during the day from Thursday through Sunday and does not require reservations. Trips begin at a park-and-ride lot across from the Courtyard Sedona and stop at both the Dry Creek trailhead and the Mescal trailhead. No matter which trail you take, be ready to enter Sedona's hiker paradise.

Start your hike early in the morning to minimize sun exposure as well as crowds. When you're out on the trail, be sure to have plenty of water, calories, sunscreen, and be prepared for an emergency. Whether it's your first or 100th hike, know your hiking safety tips before going, even in an area where you will likely be on a crowded trail, especially the closer you get to Devil's Bridge. The trail is largely exposed to the sun, so be sure to bring a hat and apply sunscreen regularly.

The weather in northern Arizona can range from freezing cold in the winters to roasting hot in the summers. Arizona's monsoon season lasts through the summer, and the weather can change very quickly, creating dangerous conditions for hiking and outdoor activity. Moreover, hibernation changes will cause rattlesnakes to be more active in warmer months (here's what you need to do if you run into a rattlesnake while hiking). If you bring your dog to keep you company, make sure he or she is on a leash at all times.

Tourism came to life in Sedona thanks to the film industry during the time of Westerns, and now to social media. Today, about 3 million people visit Sedona annually to recharge and relax in peace, whether spending time on the water or stargazing. When preparing for your trip, you should be aware that you will likely not be alone out there on the trail, unless you go very early. Parking lots can fill up by 7:00 a.m., and note that more people on the trail can mean having to park farther away, resulting in a longer hike. Due to having so many visitors, the city has developed a four-pillared sustainable tourism plan for visitors and residents to protect and preserve northern Arizona for future generations. As a visitor, please do your part to leave no trace and share your love through action for the local community.