Bell Rock & Courthouse Vista Parking
The least stressful trailhead parking in Sedona. Three separate lots serve Bell Rock Pathway along SR 179, all normal drive-up parking with a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass. No shuttle restriction, no gate hours, no lottery.
Restrooms are available at the northern and southern lots — genuinely rare here. If the busy Courthouse Vista lot is full, Midway is 1.1 miles south with the same views.
Open and outside the fire closure area.
The facts
- Open right now?
- Open (not in the current closure order)
- Trails served
- Bell Rock Pathway No. 96, Courthouse Butte Loop, and the wider Village of Oak Creek trail network
- Cost / pass
- Red Rock Pass ($5 day / $15 week / $20 year) or America the Beautiful
- Lot size
- Not published by the Forest Service for any of the three lots
- Private vehicles
- Permitted at all three lots — no shuttle restriction
- Overflow option
- The other two lots — Midway is the reliable fallback
- Roadside parking
- Not needed; use one of the three lots
- Restrooms
- Yes — at the northern and southern trailheads
Getting there
Get directions →The three lots
Northern — Courthouse Vista (34.8243, -111.7758). Closest to the classic Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte views and the busiest of the three. Restrooms.
Midway (34.8055, -111.7668). About 1.1 miles south. Same trail, same scenery, usually more space — this is the one to aim for on a busy morning.
Southern (34.7915, -111.7619). In the Village of Oak Creek, 8.3 miles west of I-17 exit 298. Restrooms. Designated horse-trailer parking, though horses aren't allowed on the pathway itself.
The Forest Service doesn't publish capacity for any of them. Having three lots on the same trail is the practical advantage: unlike Cathedral Rock or Soldier Pass, a full lot here isn't the end of the plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a shuttle restriction at Bell Rock?
No. All three Bell Rock Pathway lots are normal drive-up parking with a Red Rock Pass. The shuttle serves nearby Little Horse, but there's no vehicle prohibition at Bell Rock's own lots.
Are there restrooms?
Yes, at the northern (Courthouse Vista) and southern trailheads.
What if the lot is full?
Drive to one of the other two. Midway sits 1.1 miles from the northern lot and serves the same trail.
Which pass do I need?
A Red Rock Pass ($5/day, $15/week, $20/year) or a valid America the Beautiful pass, displayed on the dash.
Facts on this page last verified July 28, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.