Sedona Red Rock Pass & Parking Guide (2026)
You need a Red Rock Pass ($5/day, $15/week, $20/year) to park at nearly every Forest Service trailhead in Sedona. Buy it at any trailhead kiosk (credit card only) or in advance online. An America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) covers Red Rock Pass access plus all national parks — the better deal if you'll visit any national park in 2026.
Photo by Anil Baki Durmus on Unsplash
Sedona Red Rock Pass & Parking Guide
Quick Answer: You need a Red Rock Pass ($5/day, $15/week, $20/year) to park at nearly every Forest Service trailhead in Sedona. Buy it at any trailhead kiosk (credit card only) or in advance online. An America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) covers Red Rock Pass access plus all national parks — the better deal if you'll visit any national park in 2026.
Sedona's trailheads sit in Coconino National Forest, which means every parking spot at a hiking trailhead is a fee area. Miss the pass and you'll get a $50 citation. Here's exactly what you need, where to get it, and how to avoid parking chaos.
What Is a Red Rock Pass?
A Red Rock Pass is a Forest Service parking permit required at most Sedona trailheads. It funds trail maintenance, restrooms, and trailhead upkeep. It is NOT a park entry fee — it only applies to parked vehicles at designated trailhead lots.
Cost (2026)
| Pass Type | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | $5 | 1-day visit or single hike |
| Weekly | $15 | 3–7 days of trailhead hiking |
| Annual | $20 | Local residents / frequent visitors |
| Grand Annual | $40 | Covers Red Rock + Oak Creek Vista + Palatki + Honanki |
Payment Methods
- At trailhead kiosks: Credit card only (no cash)
- In advance online: recreation.gov — pass mailed to you
- In person: Sedona Chamber Uptown Visitor Center (331 Forest Rd), Red Rock Ranger Station, Bike & Bean, or Circle K stations
Which Passes Are Better Than the Red Rock Pass?
If you'll visit any national park in 2026, the America the Beautiful Pass is the better deal:
- America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass — $80/year, covers ALL national parks and Forest Service fees (including Red Rock Pass)
- Senior Pass (age 62+) — $80 lifetime or $20 annual
- Access Pass — Free for U.S. residents with permanent disabilities
- Military Pass — Free for active duty and their dependents
- 4th Grade Pass — Free for U.S. 4th graders (annual)
- Volunteer Pass — Free with 250 hours of federal volunteer work
Display any of these on your dashboard and no additional Red Rock Pass is needed.
Which Sedona Trailheads Require a Red Rock Pass?
Requires Red Rock Pass:
- Cathedral Rock Trailhead (Back O' Beyond Rd)
- Bell Rock / Courthouse Vista
- Devil's Bridge (all approaches: Mescal, Dry Creek, Chuckwagon)
- Soldier Pass Trailhead
- Boynton Canyon Trailhead
- Airport Mesa Trailhead
- Doe Mountain / Bear Mountain
- Long Canyon (Birthing Cave)
- Fay Canyon
- West Fork Trail (Call of the Canyon)*
- Baldwin Trail
- Sugarloaf
- Jim Thompson / Brins Mesa
- Slide Rock State Park*
*West Fork and Slide Rock have their own separate fees — $12 per vehicle at West Fork; $20 per car at Slide Rock (peak). Red Rock Pass does NOT cover these.
Does NOT require a pass:
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park
- Tlaquepaque Arts Village
- Airport Mesa Overlook (separate $3 fee)
- Uptown Sedona street parking
- Sedona Shuttle park-and-ride lots
How to Display Your Pass
- Print the receipt from the kiosk or your online purchase.
- Place the printed pass face-up on your dashboard so it's visible through the windshield.
- Digital receipts on your phone are NOT accepted — you need a paper copy.
The Sedona Shuttle: The Best Parking Hack
Sedona launched a free climate-controlled shuttle in 2022 to reduce trailhead congestion. It's the single best change to visiting Sedona in years.
How It Works
- Runs Thursday through Sunday, 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m., year-round.
- Free. No reservations. Just show up at a park-and-ride.
- Serves the busiest trailheads: Cathedral Rock, Soldier Pass, Little Horse, Mescal, Dry Creek (Devil's Bridge).
- On shuttle days, those trailhead lots are closed to private vehicles — you MUST use the shuttle.
Park-and-Ride Locations
- Posse Grounds Park — 525 Posse Ground Rd, Sedona
- Sedona Cultural Park — 250 Cultural Park Pl, Sedona
- Overflow at Old Marketplace — 6301 AZ-179 (Village of Oak Creek)
Schedule and Route Info
Check sedonashuttle.com before you go for current routes and times.
Parking Strategies for Popular Trailheads
Cathedral Rock
- Monday–Wednesday: Small lot at trailhead — arrive by 7 a.m. or you'll be walking up from the road
- Thursday–Sunday: Shuttle from Posse Grounds; no other legal option
- Alternative: Park at Baldwin Trailhead and take Templeton Trail (adds 1 mile each way, but always open)
Devil's Bridge
- 4×4 Dry Creek lot (main trailhead): 6 spots, requires high-clearance vehicle. Full by 6 a.m.
- Dry Creek Vista lot (paved): 40 spots, 2 mi from bridge each way. Fills by 8 a.m.
- Mescal Trailhead (via Chuckwagon Trail): 22 spots, 2.1 mi to bridge each way. Best option most days
- Chuckwagon Trailhead: Alternate approach; less crowded
Soldier Pass
- Monday–Wednesday: Trailhead lot (fills by 8 a.m.)
- Thursday–Sunday: Shuttle only; trailhead closed
- Alternative any day: Cibola Pass Trailhead (1 mile in via cross-country trail)
Bell Rock
- Courthouse Vista lot (larger): Best option, fills 8–9 a.m.
- Bell Rock Trailhead lot: Smaller, fills earlier
- Alternative: Bell Rock Vista lot (0.3 mi walk to pathway)
West Fork Trail
- Call of the Canyon Recreation Site: Only legal option; separate $12 fee (Red Rock Pass NOT accepted). Fills by 10 a.m. in peak season.
- No shuttle service.
What Happens If You Don't Have a Pass?
Fine: $50 per violation, sometimes higher. Rangers actively patrol trailheads and write citations. Not worth the risk when a Red Rock Pass costs $5.
Sedona Uptown & Restaurant Parking
- Uptown Sedona: Free 2-hour street parking; paid public lots ($3–$5) with longer stays
- Tlaquepaque: Free parking on-site; use the garage on Highway 179
- West Sedona restaurants: Almost all have free parking
- Village of Oak Creek: Free plaza-style lots
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Red Rock Pass in Sedona? $5 per day, $15 per week, or $20 per year. Buy at any trailhead kiosk or online at recreation.gov.
Where do I buy a Red Rock Pass?
- Trailhead kiosks — credit card only
- Sedona Chamber Uptown Visitor Center — 331 Forest Rd
- Online: recreation.gov (mailed in ~1 week)
- Some Circle K gas stations and Bike & Bean shops
Does America the Beautiful Pass work in Sedona? Yes. The $80/year America the Beautiful Interagency Pass covers Red Rock Pass fees at all Sedona Forest Service trailheads. It also covers national park entry — the better deal if you'll visit any national park.
Do I need a Red Rock Pass to hike Cathedral Rock? Yes. Plus, from Thursday to Sunday you cannot drive to the trailhead — you must use the free Sedona Shuttle from Posse Grounds park-and-ride.
Is parking free at the Chapel of the Holy Cross? Yes. The Chapel is not a Forest Service site and has free parking (though it fills fast — arrive early).
Where do I park for Devil's Bridge? Three options: (1) Dry Creek 4×4 lot at the trailhead (needs high-clearance vehicle), (2) Dry Creek Vista paved lot (2 mi walk to bridge), or (3) Mescal Trailhead (2.1 mi via Chuckwagon Trail — often less crowded).
Does the shuttle cost anything? No — the Sedona Shuttle is completely free. Free parking at the park-and-rides, free bus, no reservation needed.
What if I lose my Red Rock Pass? Buy another one. The Forest Service does not replace lost passes.
Can I get a refund on a Red Rock Pass? Not once purchased. Buy the shortest duration you need.
Related Guides
- Best Hikes in Sedona: Complete Trail Guide
- Getting to Sedona: Airports, Shuttles & Driving Directions
- The Perfect Sedona Itinerary: 1, 2 & 3-Day Plans
Plan Your Trip
Skip the guesswork on passes and parking — get insider-vetted local information and partner perks at SedonaPassport.com.
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