Fay Canyon Trail
Access is restricted right now — read carefully
This one is genuinely nuanced. Fay Canyon Trail No. 53 appears in Exhibit D of the Pocket Fire closure order as a partially exempted trail — exempt from the trail prohibition, but only for the portion inside the Red Rock–Secret Mountain Wilderness.
The trailhead itself is not exempted, and the access road (FR 152C) is exempted only for pass-through traffic, not for stopping or parking. The practical effect is that normal trailhead access is closed for the order's duration.
We're spelling this out rather than printing a flat "open" or "closed" because the order genuinely says both things about different parts of this trail. Confirm with the Red Rock Ranger District on (928) 203-2900 before going.
Fay Canyon is the only trail in this guide that the Forest Service rates flatly "Easy." 2.1 miles round trip, 144 feet of elevation gain, about an hour. In a town where the famous short hikes are all scrambles, that's genuinely rare.
It's a flat, partly shaded canyon-floor walk with a natural arch above the trail — the closest thing Sedona has to a stroll.
But access is restricted right now under the fire closure, in a legally fiddly way. See above.
The facts
- Open right now?
- Trailhead access restricted — partial wilderness exemption only
- Forest Service trail
- Fay Canyon Trail No. 53
- Distance
- 2.1 miles round trip
- Elevation gain
- 144 ft
- Difficulty (USFS)
- Easy (USFS)
- Time needed
- About 1 hour round trip
- Trailhead elevation
- 4,590 ft
- Pass required
- Not stated on the Forest Service trail page — carry a Red Rock Pass
- Sedona Shuttle
- Not served
- Parking
- Fay Canyon parking area off Boynton Pass Road. Capacity not published.
- Restrooms
- Not documented
- Shade
- Partial — a canyon-floor trail, better than most Sedona hikes
Getting there
Get directions →What makes it worth remembering
When the closure lifts, Fay Canyon should be near the top of your list if you want scenery without suffering. 144 feet of gain over 2.1 miles is essentially flat by Sedona standards, and the canyon walls give real shade — the scarcest commodity on a Sedona trail.
There's a natural arch on the canyon's right-hand wall, reachable by a short steep scramble off the main trail. The main trail itself needs none of that.
This is a Wilderness trail, so mountain bikes and any mechanised vehicles are prohibited. Horses are permitted.
Until access reopens, the closest open equivalents are Little Horse and Bell Rock Pathway, both of which the Forest Service rates as beginner-appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hike Fay Canyon right now?
Not in the normal way. The trail appears in the closure order's Exhibit D as exempt only for the portion inside the Red Rock–Secret Mountain Wilderness; the trailhead is not exempt and the access road allows pass-through traffic only. Call (928) 203-2900 to confirm current access.
Is Fay Canyon really easy?
Yes — it's the only trail in this guide with a flat "Easy" rating from the Forest Service, at 2.1 miles round trip with just 144 feet of gain.
Is there really an arch?
Yes, on the canyon's right-hand wall, reached by a short steep scramble off the main trail. The main trail itself requires no scrambling.
What's the closest open alternative?
Little Horse (moderately easy, good for beginners, shuttle-served) or Bell Rock Pathway (rated easy and family-friendly). Both are outside the closure area.
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.