Red Rock Basecamp Tour
Sedona, AZ
4.8 (19 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Fantastic Sedona Hikes
- Creekside Camping
- Iconic Red Rock Canyons
- High Desert Wilderness
- "Secret Garden" of the Rim Country
- Wonderful Outdoor Cuisine
- Iconic Views
Description
Our Red Rock Basecamp tour is an opportunity to hike the best of Sedona’s wild backcountry and have an all around outdoor experience, while still enjoying front country comforts like showers, swimming pools, cold drinks and elaborate meals. On this tour let us take care of everything, so you can focus 100% on exploring and enjoying the magical high desert world around Sedona. Enjoy wonderful outdoor cuisine, comfortable camping, iconic Sedona landscapes, other-worldly rock formations, amazing history, and must-do Sedona hikes!
In the mornings we’ll embark on a mix of carefully selected day hikes that acquaint you with the unique and amazing features of Sedona’s Red Rock Country: towering buttes, cliffs and other rock formations; deep canyons and rainbows of colored sandstone; spring-fed creeks; fascinating cultural and natural history; endless views and more! In the afternoons we’ll return to our camp next to Oak Creek to relax and read a book on the beach, enjoy a dip in our campground’s swimming pool, go for walks along the creek, or drive into Sedona to visit museums, shops and art galleries. At night we’ll feast on wonderful, outdoor meals and relax around a blazing campfire.
Wildland Trekking is a permitee of the USFS, Red Rock Ranger District.
$1440 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
Sedona trips follow well traveled and built trails, but the nature of the landscape lends itself to sections of moderate heights exposure and consistent walking on rocky and sandy terrain. This trip has long hiking distances but with generally moderate elevation gains and light backpack weights. It is between a level 2 and 3 difficulty tour, tending slightly toward level 2.
Hiking Distances:
6-10 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 2250 ft
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
- Hiking with moderate heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Sedona hike a solitude 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time while hiking.
Travel to Sedona
ARIZONA SHUTTLE
Groome Transportation makes 13 dependable trips daily each direction between Phoenix and Sedona. The duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes. They pickup/drop off at Sky Harbor Airport and the Metro Center in Phoenix, and in Sedona they will drop you off and/or pick you up at your hotel for a small additional fee.
There is no shuttle service from Las Vegas to Sedona.
CAR RENTAL
Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas have fantastic car rental facilities that are easily accessible and host a great variety of companies. We recommend checking Priceline.com as well for especially good deals.
The drive time from Phoenix to Sedona is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Las Vegas it is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.
ARIZONA EXECUTIVE TRANSPORT
Arizona Executive Transport offers private, reliable SUV service between Phoenix and Sedona. This option is best if you’re traveling in a group of 3 or 4. As Wildland Trekking guests, your one-way cost for up to 4 passengers is discounted. Simply type “Wildland Trekking Company” in the Discount Code Box at the bottom of the online registration page. The discount varies depending on the time of year. You can go to http://www.arizonaexecutivellc.com to make your reservations online.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.5
- 6-8 People: Rate x 1.25
- 9-12 People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
- Hiking Mileage: 8.6 miles
- 1-way Elevation Change: 1198 feet
- Campground: Lo Lo Mai Campground
The first day of this Sedona hiking tour we experience one of Sedona’s gem hikes as we walk back in time on old wagon roads (now trails) to a red rock saddle that offers incredible views. The trail we hike, Hangover Trail, named for the overhanging rock that shelters part of the route from the sun, is a Sedona must-do. It involves exhilarating steps on pure sandstone up Schnebly Hill for vistas and panoramic views of the canyons below. This is a great hike to hear the history and story of T.C. Schnebly and his wife Sedona, for whom the town is named after. We’ll take our time returning to the trailhead to enjoy the downhill hiking and soak up the views.
After our hike we’ll head to our campground and set up camp. We’ll get “moved in” to our tents and enjoy some time to relax, swim, shower or explore Oak Creek before a fantastic dinner and campfire.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 8.8 miles
- 1-way Elevation Change: 2250 feet
- Campground: Lo Lo Mai Campground
Today we’ll head north to conquer Sedona’s highest peak at 7,122 feet.
On the first few steps of this hike we’re immediately transported to an entirely new character of landscape – the ecosystem is lush, with tall, deciduous and coniferous trees. Towering red and white sandstone spires protrude from the mountainside and provide stunning views as we ascend to the summit of this glorious mountain.
On the summit we’re rewarded with arguably one of the best views the Sedona area can offer – a panorama of the beautiful Red Rocks surrounding us and Oak Creek Canyon below us! We’ll enjoy a wonderful, relaxing picnic lunch with endless Sedona views as our backdrop before hiking back to our trailhead.
We’ll shuttle back to our campground, relax for an hour or two, and then enjoy another outstanding outdoor dinner.
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
- 1-way Elevation Change: 500 feet
- Campground: Lo Lo Mai Campground
Today is a more relaxing but iconic Sedona hike. We’ll walk 7.5 miles on one of Sedona’s most scenic hiking routes. We begin near Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock, two of Sedona’s most prominent and beautiful landmarks, and quickly climb several hundred feet into layered shelves of red rock sandstone. We’ll stop to appreciate and learn about all the different types and uses of desert plants in the area. Half-way into our hike we’ll reach Cathedral Rock, a stunning, nearly 1,000 foot tall sandstone monolith.
We’ll rest in the shade of cottonwood trees lining the banks of Oak Creek, along the northwest side of Cathedral Rock. Your guide will prepare a tasty lunch and share some of the native and indigenous history of the area – this very spot was once a fertile hunting ground. Nearby, petroglyphs hidden behind oak brush and manzanita tell the story of how deer were once hunted along the banks of this perennial stream.
After lunch we’ll complete our hike among the towering cliffs, sheer pinnacles and pristine canyons of Sedona. We’ll shuttle back to our campground, relax for an hour or two, and then enjoy another outstanding outdoor dinner.
Day 4
- Hiking Mileage: 6-10 miles
- 1-way Elevation Change: 400-1400 feet
- Campground: Lo Lo Mai Campground
Today is a perfect treat to top off our amazing 4 days of hiking! We finish this trip with a creek hike that brings us to a beautiful high desert oasis (with great swimming)! The hike is moderate and follows close to the creek the whole way until we reach our swimming destination about 3.5 miles in.
We will enjoy a nice lunch creekside and take full advantange of the shady trees. We will have the option to continue up into the Mogollon Rim 1,100 feet above Wet Beaver Creek or take the nice stroll back to the trailhead. This is an amazing hike and opportunity to see an entirely different side of the Red Rock District!
After the hike, we will travel back into Sedona proper and say our goodbyes after an amazing 4 days.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Roomy tent, supportive sleeping pad, and cozy sleeping bag
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Transportation for the duration of the tour, beginning and ending in Sedona
- National Forest recreation passes
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
- A Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and dependents to a discount of 10% off any Wildland hiking trip after your first one (must book directly with us to receive the discount)!
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What To Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Kelty, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
Trip Logistics
How do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Sedona.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s departure time in the pre trip contact. Generally, you can expect between 5-8am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions.We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather in Sedona
Sedona is at 4500 feet elevation, which is considered high desert. It tends to be the most comfortable in Spring and Fall, but Summer and Winter are not extreme and are still great times to hike Sedona. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). Read below for average high and low temperatures in the Sedona area:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | Low | Hi |
|---|---|---|
| January | 33° | 58° |
| February | 35° | 61° |
| March | 38° | 66° |
| April | 44° | 74° |
| May | 52° | 84° |
| June | 60° | 93° |
| July | 66° | 96° |
| August | 65° | 94° |
| September | 60° | 88° |
| October | 50° | 78° |
| November | 39° | 66° |
| December | 32° | 57° |
Accommodations
Premier Campgrounds
3 nights
On our basecamp tours we hand pick wonderful campgrounds that put us right in the action for exceptional hiking and camping vacations. They may be national park, state park, or private vehicle-accessible campgrounds. They may vary by trip date depending on availability and seasonality.
Fantastic Meals
14 Meals
Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.
Comfortable Camping
Camping Amenities
What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (where/when allowed), camp chairs, access to showers, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, comfy sleeping bags, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat like royalty, and hike til your heart’s content!
Trip Reviews
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- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Janet Y
Great Time and Hike
Michael was a wonderful guide. Excellent cook, entertaining and paid attention to each of us to make sure we all experienced a great time and hike! Thank you, Michael!
Kathryn P
Fantastic
Our guide made this trip fantastic. She is knowledgeable, kind, and had our safety as her top priority. I did more than I thought I could do. She gave us the opportunity to have input about each hike. Our meals were delicious. We all worked together as a team. I would definitely hike with Jen again. Great memories made and I look forward to another adventure
Yvonne O
Definitely a great experience.
This was my first trip of this kind so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The scenery on the trails was amazing. Our guide (Jenn) was knowledgeable about the area, aware of the skill level of all of her guests and did her best to keep a pace that allowed everyone to enjoy their time. Food at camp and on the trail was excellent. Camp was camping which at my age (60) had been a while since I had done that, but it definitely stirred up a lot of great memories. I always felt like our guide kept our enjoyment and safety in the forefront. I definitely recommend Wildland Trekking. They were available by phone to answer questions before and after I booked my trip. Definitely a great experience.
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