We took a baby-moon to Sedona in September of 2017. I was about 6 months pregnant with our first bundle of joy. We are so glad we did! That was our last trip just the two of us. Ahh, the peace and quiet… but not quite as adventurous without little ones to keep up with.
My parents recently went to Sedona with my mom’s parents and dad’s brother and sister-in-law, so it prompted me to create this hiking guide for parents, with hikes organized by age-appropriateness, from easiest and stroller-friendly to most challenging.
First off, you can’t go wrong with hiking in Sedona (in terms of beauty, that is). Just make sure you leave early, have way more water than you think you should, and wear the right hiking attire. Hiking in the desert, hot and pregnant, running out of water, not exactly your dream vacation. Take it from me. Rookie maneuver, even though we’ve been hiking for years.
Sedona can get very hot. Make sure to dress appropriately. If you are new to hiking or just never know what to wear, check out solo traveler Nina’s post for some in-depth info, What to Wear Hiking: A Complete Guide for Beginners.
Some of the hikes are so accessible. Our L’Auberge Hotel shuttle actually dropped us off and picked us up right at the trailhead for one of the hikes. How’s that for door to door service.?
Bell Rock Loop Trail is flat, easy, and short. Bring the baby in the stroller to save your back from the carrier. It’s great for children of all ages.
The Baldwin Trail is an easy 2 miles with little elevation gain. Appropriate for ages 3 and up.
Fay Canyon is an easy 2.5 mile trail which takes you through the scenic vistas and features a waterfall. And the shade will provide some relief when you need it most out there.
We drove by Slide Rock State Park (a 7 minute drive from the Sedona “Y”) and it looked like a blast amongst the kiddos. There is a short hike I found on alltrails.com, Pendley Homestead and Clifftop Nature Trail that my parents really enjoyed when they went. Who needs water slides when you have these beautiful red rocks to slide off into swimming holes?! When we go back with our little ones someday, this will be at the top of our list.
The West Fork Trail is in beautiful Oak Creek Canyon. The kids will have fun crossing the creek over and over. With access to plenty of water and shade, this hike gets crowded quickly in that summer heat, so get there early to get a parking spot. The trailhead is 11 miles north of Sedona, along 89A towards Flagstaff.
The Devil’s Bridge Trail was one of our favorites when we were there. My husband ventured out onto the sandstone arch, while I just took pics from afar, not trusting my pregger footing and balance. The trail is 4.2 miles out and back. This trail gets pretty crowded and there isn’t much shade, so do this one early! It’s more suited for ages 10 and up. You can always turn around if they start getting too tired, but then you’d miss the main event – the Devil’s Bridge!
If your kids love hiking, beautiful landscapes, (oh, and heat), Sedona is a great destination spot for you. There are so many hiking options right at your fingertips. If you plan to travel there with an older generation or want some food recommendations, be sure to read my mum’s complete guide to Sedona.
I apologize – I know this post isn’t as entertaining as my others that have the crazy, happy toddler in front of the beautiful scenery. Check out some of my other guides for some captured fun moments on our adventures!
