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.
Courthouse Vista and Bell Rock Vista have vault toilets. If one lot is full, the next one along SR 179 is 1.1 to 1.6 miles away on the same trail.
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 on the same trail; adjacent lots are 1.1 to 1.6 miles apart along SR 179
- Roadside parking
- Not needed; use one of the three lots
- Restrooms
- Yes — vault toilets at Courthouse Vista and Bell Rock Vista; the Forest Service trail page also lists the northern lot
Getting there
Get directions →The three lots
Northern trailhead — 34.8243, -111.7758. On SR 179 about 1.6 miles north of Courthouse Vista, on the east side.
Courthouse Vista (midway) — 34.8058, -111.7666. Milepost 308.2, 5.2 miles south of the SR 89A/179 junction; turn left across the northbound lane. The Courthouse Butte Loop starts here, and the trail meets Bell Rock Pathway about ¼ mile toward Bell Rock. Paved, with vault toilets and a pass vending machine.
Bell Rock Vista (southern) — 34.7915, -111.7617. 1.1 miles south of Courthouse Vista at the north end of the Village of Oak Creek, 8.3 miles from I-17 exit 298. Vault toilets.
The Forest Service trail page also lists restrooms at the northern lot. Forest Service pages disagree on horses: the Bell Rock Pathway page allows them and notes a designated horse-trailer space, while the Courthouse Butte Loop page says horses are prohibited on Bell Rock Pathway. Riders should confirm with the Red Rock Ranger District (928-203-2900).
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. The Forest Service lists vault toilets at Courthouse Vista and Bell Rock Vista; its trail page also lists restrooms at the northern lot.
What if the lot is full?
Drive to one of the other two. Courthouse Vista is 1.6 miles south of the northern lot and Bell Rock Vista another 1.1 miles south, all on 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 October 16, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.