Cathedral Rock Trailhead Parking
Thursday through Sunday, 7:00am to 5:30pm, you cannot park here. The lot is closed to private vehicles whenever the free Sedona Shuttle is operating, and reopens once the shuttles stop for the day.
Monday through Wednesday, it's normal drive-up parking with a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass on the dash.
The restriction expands to seven days a week during spring break and some holiday periods, because the shuttle does.
The facts
- Open right now?
- Open (trail not affected by the fire closure)
- Trails served
- Cathedral Rock Trail No. 170, Templeton, Baldwin, HT and Easy Breezy trails
- Cost / pass
- Red Rock Pass ($5 day / $15 week / $20 year) or America the Beautiful — Mon–Wed only
- Lot size
- Not published by the Forest Service — see the note below
- Private vehicles
- Prohibited Thu–Sun while the shuttle runs; permitted Mon–Wed
- Gate hours
- Lot reopens to cars after the shuttle goes out of service (5:30pm)
- Overflow option
- None. Use the North SR-179 Park & Ride and Route 15.
- Roadside parking
- No — Back O' Beyond Road is residential and enforced
- Restrooms
- Not confirmed in official Forest Service sources
Getting there
Get directions →The official wording
Because this is the rule people most often get wrong, here it is exactly as the City of Sedona's shuttle FAQ states it: "The parking lot(s) located at the Cathedral Rock Trailhead will be closed to the general public whenever the shuttle is operating and will reopen after the shuttles go out of service."
The shuttle's standard schedule is Thursday–Sunday, 7:00am–5:30pm, year-round. It runs daily during spring break (late February to late April) and over some holiday windows — and the parking restriction follows the shuttle, so those become no-drive days too.
On restricted days the alternative is free and easy: park at the North SR-179 Park & Ride (1294 SR 179, 65 vehicles), ride Route 15, pay nothing. The City confirms shuttle riders aren't charged a trailhead parking fee.
Don't try the workarounds
Two things people attempt, both bad ideas.
Back O' Beyond Road is a residential street with active enforcement. It is not an overflow lot.
Little Horse Trailhead is explicitly ruled out by the City, which states in its own FAQ that Little Horse parking "IS NOT to be used as an overflow parking lot for the Cathedral Rock trailhead." Little Horse is genuinely open to private vehicles — it just isn't a back door to Cathedral Rock.
What happens if you drive up on a restricted day? Honestly, no official source spells out the consequence — whether it's a gate, a ticket, or being waved off. We're not going to invent a fine amount. The practical answer is that you'll waste the drive.
About the lot size
You'll see "about 40 spaces" or "fills by 6:30am" quoted widely for this lot. Those numbers come from hikers counting cars, not from the Forest Service, which publishes no capacity figure for Cathedral Rock.
We're flagging that rather than repeating it as fact. What is certain: it's small enough that the City built a shuttle system specifically because of it, and on the three days you can drive in, early is the only strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I park at Cathedral Rock on a Saturday?
No. Thursday through Sunday, 7:00am–5:30pm, the lot is closed to private vehicles. Take the free Sedona Shuttle Route 15 from the North SR-179 Park & Ride.
Which days can I drive to the trailhead?
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass — except during spring break and some holiday periods, when the shuttle runs daily and the restriction applies every day.
How many spaces are there?
The Forest Service doesn't publish a number for this lot. Third-party estimates hover around 40 across two small lots, but that's hikers counting cars, not an official figure.
Can I park at Little Horse and walk over?
The City explicitly states Little Horse is not to be used as overflow parking for Cathedral Rock. It's a separate trailhead that remains open to private vehicles for its own trails.
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.