Fay Canyon Trail
Open under the current orders
Fay Canyon Trail No. 53 and its trailhead are not named in either July 31 closure order. The superseded broad Pocket Fire order no longer controls access here.
Fay Canyon is open and is the only trail in this guide that the Forest Service rates flatly "Easy." It's 2.1 miles round trip with 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.
The facts
- Open right now?
- Open
- 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
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hike Fay Canyon right now?
Yes. Fay Canyon Trail No. 53 and its trailhead are not named in either current July 31 closure order.
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 August 3, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.