A sweeping view of Devil's Bridge natural sandstone arch overlooking Sedona's iconic red rock canyon landscape.

Points of Interest

Devil's Bridge Trailhead

Moderate, 1.8-mi. roundtrip hike to a towering sandstone arch, which visitors can also walk across.

(3,466)

Sedona, AZ

About

Devil's Bridge is the red-rock arch you've seen on every Sedona postcard, and the hike to it has become one of the most popular trails in the region — 4.8 stars from 3,440-plus reviews on Google. The Forest Service rates the round trip at about 1.8 miles, but the number that matters more is where you start: the actual Devil's Bridge Trailhead is reachable only by high-clearance, off-road vehicles, so nearly everyone hikes in from Dry Creek Vista or Mescal Trailhead instead, which stretches most people's total mileage closer to 4-5 miles round trip.

What to expect

The first stretch is an easy, gently uphill walk through classic Sedona terrain — junipers, red dirt, and long views of the surrounding buttes. The final approach to the bridge is the part that surprises people: a rock scramble that uses both hands and feet, steep enough that reviewers flag it as more moderate than the "easy" label suggests. Once you're up top, you can walk out onto the arch itself for one of Sedona's signature photos.

Good to know

Distance: ~1.8 miles from the trailhead itself; 4-5 miles round trip from the common starting points
Difficulty: easy approach, moderate scramble near the arch — not ideal for young kids or beginners
Crowds: arrive early; parking and the bridge itself get busy fast, especially weekends and holidays
Dogs: allowed on leash, but bring water for them too
Facilities: pit toilets at the main trailheads, no running water

Heat is the real hazard here — reviewers describe triple-digit afternoons and even a dust storm mid-hike — so plan for full sun exposure and pack more water than feels necessary. Go early, wear real hiking shoes for the scramble, and you'll come away with the shot everyone's after.

Reviews (3,466)

See all on Google

4.8

3,466 reviews

Google Reviews

Write a review

tashadeee

6 months ago

Love the Mescal Trail scenic route hiking to bridge. That was the best part. Long line at 12:30 on a Friday. Definitely prepare for an hour wait if not there early. People do not follow trail etiquette, as they are not hikers with mentalities of do not disturb and quiet behaviors whatsoever. Think of this as a tourist site with people behaving badly such as attempting to capture drone footage and drinking beer. It really took the enjoyment out of it. That’s honestly too bad. But we did go off trail and find some cool sites. Majestic overall once you get away from rude people who are attempting to wow social media. I do feel this trail should be labeled as moderate and not easy, as there are areas of legit rock climbing which really slow the average not athletic person down. There are pit toilets with no hand sanitizer stocked. Parking was $5 which we paid even though we parked on the street because there was no information as to if you only had to pay for the lot parking or if you needed a pass for the trails. We paid in order to avoid any issues and support the cause.

Michalla Jackson

3 months ago

Loved doing Devils Bridge hike. We were visiting from out of state and really didnt know what to expect. What we thought would be a nice easy hike, but it turned out to be pretty exhausting. It was about 110 degrees when we went and we were so glad we brought a backpack full of water. At one point, we stopped to take a quick break and experienced our first dust storm. It shocked us, and was an experience! When we finally made it to the top, the views made it worth the hike. We were in awe with the views and how breathtakingly beautiful everything was from the top of the mountain! We'd love to go back!

April

5 months ago

Fun and rewarding hike with great views along the way.Near the end, there are a few sections where you’ll need to use both hands and feet, so it’s not ideal for young kids or beginner hikers. Overall, a great trail with an iconic photo spot at the bridge.

Levi Renninger

5 months ago

Highly trafficked trail. Got here at 4:45 am and there were two other cars but we made it to the top first. We heard a story of someone starting at 6:30 the day prior and waited an hour for the photo. The hike was great but quietness at the photo spot is necessary, I can see how people would be very upset if they had a difficult time parking and waited hours for a picture. Dog friendly trail with some scrambling needed at the end.

Dinel Bun

4 months ago

Devil’s Bridge Trail is definitely one of the most iconic hikes in Sedona and worth experiencing if you’re visiting the area. The views at the bridge are incredible, especially once you reach the top, but it’s also one of the more popular trails, so planning ahead makes a big difference. I highly recommend going early in the morning because parking fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. The hike from the parking area to Devil’s Bridge is about 5 miles round trip depending on where you park, so be prepared for a decent walk. Dogs are allowed on the trail, which is great if you’re hiking with pets, but make sure to bring enough water for both you and your dog. Water is a must here, especially during warmer months since the trail can get hot and exposed. One thing to know is that off-road vehicles travel about halfway toward Devil’s Bridge, so don’t be surprised to see Jeeps and other off-road vehicles on parts of the trail. It adds a unique vibe to the experience, especially if you enjoy the off-road culture around Sedona. Overall, Devil’s Bridge is a beautiful and memorable hike with amazing red rock scenery, but getting there early, bringing water, and wearing good hiking shoes will make the experience much better.