On our first day in Sedona, we wanted to explore some trails we hadn’t ventured on during past visits. Seeking an easy hike with great reviews, we discovered the Fay Canyon Trail—and I’m glad we did! This trail turned out to be the perfect introduction to Sedona’s stunning landscapes.
Fay Canyon Trail offered breathtaking views and even led us to a hidden natural arch, making it an ideal starter trail. In this post, we’ll share all the details to help you plan your hike, including how to avoid the one mistake we made along the way.
Trailhead Location
To reach the Fay Canyon Trailhead, you’ll need to turn off 89A onto Dry Creek Road, which eventually becomes Boynton Pass Road. The biggest challenges for this hike are getting to the trailhead and finding parking. I suggest starting early, before 9 am, or later in the afternoon, around 2 pm, to avoid the crowds. Fay Canyon Trail is near other popular trails, and the small parking lot often fills up, leading to overflow parking along the roadway.
Make sure to download directions to the trailhead on Google Maps beforehand, as cell reception is limited after turning off 89A. I wish I had done this, as we ended up parking about half a mile away, as marked by the red dot in the picture above, due to overflow from Boynton Canyon Trail. Additionally, consider looking for roadside parking beyond the trailhead, as you might find closer spots.
Fay Canyon Trail
Fay Canyon Trail is a short 2.4-mile out-and-back hike with just 298 feet of elevation gain, making it a manageable challenge for kids and adults alike. The trail starts on a flat path with plenty of shade, providing a comfortable walk through Sedona’s scenic landscape. Along the way, we had to quickly cross some creek beds to avoid the small flies that inhabit the nearby bushes.
As you reach the end of the trail, the adventure continues with a fun rock scramble, a highlight for our boys, who loved the challenge. The scramble leads to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the canyon we had just traversed, offering the perfect spot for photos. After capturing the moment, we made our way back down and continued along the main trail.
On our return, we took a detour along a spur trail that crosses another creek bed and begins a sun-exposed vertical climb to Fay Canyon Arch. Reaching the arch, we were rewarded with complete shade and a refreshing natural coolness, almost like air conditioning. It was a delightful place to relax and cool down before heading back to the trailhead.
Overall Impression
Fay Canyon Trail is an ideal hike for all experience levels, offering a short 2.4 miles with patches of shade to escape the desert heat. The rock scramble at the end of the trail, as well as the climb to the arch, provides just the right amount of challenge for both kids and adults. The breathtaking views at the top, looking back at the red rock canyon walls, offer the perfect opportunity to capture Sedona’s stunning landscape in photos. Overall, this hike is a fantastic choice for anyone of any age visiting Sedona.
A few tips for hiking Fay Canyon:
- Download Maps: Due to limited reception, download both directions on Google Maps and the trail map on the AllTrails app.
- Wear Sturdy Shoes: The scramble and slickrock require good grip and sturdy footwear.
- Bring Plenty of Water: The southwest sun can be intense, so stay hydrated, especially on hot days.
- Start Early: Arriving early helps avoid crowds and secures better parking spots.
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