Secret Red Rock Crossing Trail Sedona
A lesser-known trail behind the Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona offers stunning views of the red rocks without the crowds of Cathedral Rock. The trail requires some route finding but rewards hikers with peaceful solitude, unique geological formations, and photographic opportunities.
Visit on a weekday morning before 9 AM for best light and minimal traffic Bring extra water as there are no sources along this route Use navigation tools or GPS due to route finding requirements Check weather forecast and avoid monsoon season (July-August) for thunderstorms
From the Chapel of the Holy Cross (Chapel Road off AZ-179), park in the chapel lot or roadside pullout. Follow Chapel Road past the chapel to where the pavement ends. From there, informal trails branch south toward the red rock flanks. A Red Rock Pass is required — buy at the trailhead kiosk or online through Recreation.gov.
Know Before You Go
- 📵 Cell service: Expect limited or no signal. Download offline maps before you leave the trailhead.
- 🗺️ Access varies seasonally: Trail and road conditions shift with weather and snow. Verify current status with the local ranger district before you go.
- 📅 Last verified: Information current as of April 2026. Conditions change — always double-check locally before heading out.
Packing Checklist
- ☐ Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes
- ☐ 1-2L water (no refill sources)
- ☐ Trail snacks / energy bars
- ☐ Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
- ☐ First aid kit basics
- ☐ Map or downloaded trail (no cell service expected)
- ☐ Layers — mountain weather changes fast
The Chapel of the Holy Cross gets a thousand cars in its lot every weekend. The trail behind it gets almost none.
Head past the chapel on Chapel Road and look for where the pavement ends. From there, the rock opens up into a network of informal paths the tour jeep routes never touch. The geology here is different from Cathedral Rock — you’re on the south-facing flanks of the formation, where red sandstone stacks into fins and alcoves instead of the clean towers everyone photographs from Crescent Moon Ranch. No signs mark what makes this route special. That’s the point.
Spring and fall are the windows. March through May, the desert blooms and the temperature sits between 60 and 75 degrees — cold enough to hike comfortably, warm enough to sit on warm rock at noon. September and October bring the same conditions with lower humidity and better light. Avoid July and August entirely: the monsoon season brings afternoon thunderstorms that can strand you on exposed rock with no warning.
Bring more water than you think you need. Sedona’s elevation (4,500 feet) fools people from lower desert towns — you’re exerting more than you realize and there are no water sources once you leave the trailhead. The parking area near the chapel fills before 9 AM on weekends; weekday mornings are the move.
Sources
- Local Sedona hiking forums — confirmed access from Chapel Road
- Sedona Red Rock Ranger District (Red Rock Pass required for some trailheads)