Brins Mesa Trail
Closed right now
Brins Mesa Trail No. 119 is explicitly named in the Coconino National Forest Pocket Fire closure order, in effect through September 30, 2026 unless rescinded earlier.
Closed right now, explicitly named in the closure order.
When open it's one of Sedona's better gentle-but-substantial hikes: 3.5 miles one way with 649 feet of gain, rated easy to moderate by the Forest Service, onto an open mesa with what the agency calls "unobstructed views of the spectacular red rock formations."
Two trailheads serve it — the FR 152 approach off Dry Creek Road, and the Jim Thompson trailhead off Jordan Road, where a Red Rock Pass is required.
The facts
- Open right now?
- CLOSED — explicitly named in the Pocket Fire closure order
- Forest Service trail
- Brins Mesa Trail No. 119
- Distance
- 3.5 miles one way
- Elevation gain
- 649 ft
- Difficulty (USFS)
- Easy to moderate (USFS)
- Time needed
- About 1 hour 45 minutes one way
- Trailhead elevation
- 4,632 ft
- Pass required
- Red Rock Pass required at the Jim Thompson trailhead
- Sedona Shuttle
- Not served
- Parking
- FR 152 off Dry Creek Road, or the Jim Thompson trailhead. Capacity not published.
- Restrooms
- Not documented
- Shade
- Minimal
Getting there
Get directions →Why it's worth the wait
Brins Mesa is one of the few Sedona trails that gives you an extended time on top of something rather than a there-and-back to a single viewpoint. The climb onto the mesa is modest — 649 feet spread over more than three miles — and then you're walking an open plateau with red rock formations on all sides.
It connects into the wider network toward Soldier Pass and Jim Thompson, which makes point-to-point outings possible if you can arrange a shuttle between trailheads. Most of those connections are currently closed under the same order.
Bicycles are prohibited in the Wilderness sections; horses are permitted.
When the closure lifts, the FR 152 approach is the more scenic start and the Jim Thompson trailhead is the more reliable one for parking.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brins Mesa open?
No. Brins Mesa Trail No. 119 is explicitly named in the Pocket Fire closure order, in effect through at least September 30, 2026.
How hard is Brins Mesa?
The Forest Service rates it easy to moderate — 649 feet of gain spread over 3.5 miles one way, so the climb is gradual.
Do I need a Red Rock Pass?
Yes at the Jim Thompson trailhead, which the Forest Service specifically notes. Carry one regardless.
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.