Cathedral Rock Trail
Cathedral Rock is outside the two current closure orders checked September 13, 2026. The trailhead parking lot closes to private vehicles whenever the shuttle operates, including extra service days. Check Route 15 for your date before driving. The trail itself is a strenuous climb; a short distance does not mean an easy walk.
Can you drive to the trailhead?
| When you visit | What to do |
|---|---|
| Shuttle is operating | Use Route 15 from North SR 179 Park & Ride, 1294 SR 179. The trailhead lot is closed to private vehicles. |
| Shuttle is out of service | The operator says the Cathedral Rock lot reopens. Check Forest Service alerts and posted restrictions; a space is not guaranteed. |
| Holiday or extra service day | Use the date-specific schedule. A Monday–Wednesday visit does not automatically mean you can drive in. |
Checked September 13, 2026: official parking rules · Route 15 schedule. Little Horse is not Cathedral Rock overflow parking.
The facts
- Open right now?
- Outside the current two closure orders; checked September 13, 2026
- Forest Service trail
- Cathedral Rock Trail No. 170
- Distance
- 1.1 miles round trip
- Elevation gain
- 669 ft
- Difficulty (USFS)
- Strenuous (USFS)
- Time needed
- About 1.5 hours
- Trailhead elevation
- 4,043 ft
- Pass required
- Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful — on days you may drive in
- Sedona Shuttle
- Route 15; private-vehicle restriction applies whenever the shuttle runs
- Parking
- Back O' Beyond Trailhead. Capacity not published by USFS.
- Dogs
- Leashed dogs permitted forest-wide, but the chute suits few dogs
- Restrooms
- Shuttle operator lists restrooms at pickup/drop-off stops
- Shade
- None on the exposed slickrock sections
Getting there
Get directions →The chute
Roughly halfway up, the route reaches a steep crack in the rock at about 45 degrees, with natural foot pockets. No gear, no technical skill — but it is hand-over-hand climbing, and it's where a real share of hikers turn back.
On busy days there's a queue in the chute. Descending hikers yield to ascending ones, because downclimbing the pockets is harder and slower. If exposure bothers you, know that this is the crux and it doesn't get gentler.
The reward is the saddle: a notch between the spires with one of the best views in Arizona. There's no summit and no register — the trail ends at the saddle.
Plan both the ride in and the ride out
Route 15 starts at North SR 179 Park & Ride. Parking and the trailhead shuttle are free, no reservation is needed, and shuttle riders are not charged a trailhead parking fee. Check the current schedule for your arrival and return; the operator adds service on selected holidays and peak dates.
The restriction follows actual shuttle operation, not a fixed weekday label. Outside shuttle service, the operator says Cathedral Rock parking reopens. Follow current signs and Forest Service notices. Do not use Little Horse as overflow parking. The shuttle guide explains the wider network.
The view from below, for anyone skipping the climb
The postcard shot of Cathedral Rock — reflected in Oak Creek — isn't taken from the trail at all. It's from Red Rock Crossing / Crescent Moon Ranch on the far side of the water, and it requires no climbing.
One warning that costs people money: Crescent Moon is a concessionaire-run site. It charges $15 per vehicle, and the Red Rock Pass and America the Beautiful pass are explicitly not accepted there. Same forest, different fee system. Here's how that works.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cathedral Rock open?
It is outside the two current Pocket Fire/Oak Creek closure orders checked September 13, 2026. Check Forest Service alerts before your trip. Trail availability and parking availability are separate.
Can I park at Cathedral Rock on a weekend?
The lot is closed to private vehicles whenever the shuttle runs. The operator says it reopens after service ends. Check your date’s schedule and posted restrictions rather than assuming all weekend hours are identical.
Can I drive there Monday through Wednesday?
Only if current restrictions allow it. Extra shuttle service on holidays and peak dates extends the parking closure to those days too.
Do I need a Red Rock Pass if I ride the shuttle?
No trailhead parking fee is charged to shuttle riders, according to the operator. Park & Ride and the trailhead shuttle are free.
How hard is Cathedral Rock?
The Forest Service rates it strenuous. Expect steep exposed rock and scrambling; judge the climb by its difficulty, not just its short distance.
Access information checked September 13, 2026. Check current official rules, opening times and conditions before your visit.