Red Rock Basecamp Tour
Sedona, AZ
4.9 (7 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.
$1335 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Our difficulty ratings are based on a scale of 1-5, tours with a rating of 1 being least difficult, tours with a rating of 5 being most difficult
- Backpack Weight:
- 10 pounds
- Daily Hiking Distances:
- 5-10 miles
- Most Elevation Loss:
- 2250 feet
- Most Elevation Gain:
- 2250 feet
- Quality of Trails:
- Well maintained, rugged in places
- Additional:
- We’ll be hiking on a variety of trails, some very well maintained and others steeper and more rugged.
Participants should:
- be active and healthy
- exercise several times per week
- be comfortable hiking 6-8 miles per day in hilly or mountainous terrain with a 25-pound backpack
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.
Learn More about our Rating SystemTravel 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
Traveling in perfect company is a wonderful thing! With our private trip offerings you can book a trip exclusively for your group. Whether it’s with family, friends or colleagues, private trips are a fun and enriching way to explore the outdoors.
Private trip pricing is based on a sliding scale, depending on the number of people in your party. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax and national park fees (where applicable) or guide gratuity. Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE to get the ball rolling!
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2
- 3 People: Rate x 1.3
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.2
- 6-8 People: Rate x 1.1
- 9-12 People: Rate x 1
*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.
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
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Sedona hiking guide
- 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 satellite phone
- You will receive a Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and kids to a lifetime discount of 10% off any Wildland Trekking hiking trip after your first one!
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (Oboz hiking shoes and boots recommended)
- 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 or Black Diamond trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
What Gear To Bring
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are three 1-liter water bottles per person and either a headlamp or flashlight per person. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent (where and when applicable), lip balm, and toiletries are also important. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
What Clothes to Bring
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required. All of these items are available online at Wildland Trekking Outfitters.
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?
You will meet your guide the morning of Day 1 of the tour at a location determined by your guide in Sedona, AZ. Your guide will contact you 1-2 weeks prior to the start date to finalize and coordinate trip details.
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 Considerations
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. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and most tours carry a satellite phone. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
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.
Group Size and Age Restrictions
The standard group size on this tour is 6 guests and 1 guide. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions 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
4 nights
On our signature camping 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 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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- HIGH - LOW
Janelle A.
Good Trip, Wrong Group
I was a sole traveller that got put in with a group of 5 people travelling together. I am female, 51 and under 5-foot; they were all male, 16-50ish (2 fathers with their sons), and all 6-foot+++. I can't think if a worse match. When I booked, there was only one place available - so I assume you knew I would be matched up with this group from the beginning. You should have told me. And if you were only going to offer one other spot, you should have required them to book a private tour. If I had known, I probably would have chosen another hike - there were others I was considering at the time. It was not fair on them, and it was not fair on me. In future I will ask who else is travelling. However, Josh was brilliant and accommodated us all.
Carlyn E.
I LOVED this!!
This was my first hiking experience at this level and I LOVED it. James was a terrific guide - very knowledgable about the area - rock formations, environment, wildlife, history, etc - a magician with the propane stove (meals were absolutely delicious!), clearly loves being outdoors and engaging in outdoor activity. And quite self-sufficient - though we offered to help at meals, he always declined, and clearly had it very under control. The selection and order of hikes was also good, I think - the hikes on the first two days seemed to be the hardest, which I appreciated. I could probably have done a third hard hike but I appreciated the relatively easier trail on that day. I also liked that they weren't "crowded" - only on the last day did we hike a trail that seemed to be quite popular and so had a lot of people on it. The food provided was delicious while being very nutritious. I don't eat that well at home! Always plenty of it, quite tasty, and always topped off with a delicious dessert. The campsite was awesome - seemed to be a premium site in the Lo Lo Mai camp right on the bank of the creek and fairly private. Conveniently located not far from bathrooms. We enjoyed sitting by the creek watching the waterfall and soaking our hot, tired feet at the end of the day. I was impressed with the equipment you provided - nice tents, marvelous mattress pads, everything we needed right down to the bath towels! Really helped me with my packing - got by with a carry-on, no checked bags! The packing list was right on - I followed it carefully and felt my gear was absolutely spot-on - I didn't need anything I hadn't brought and brought very little extra. One thing I was a little panicked about prior to the trip was the amount of training suggested in the pre-trip packet. I'd signed up for a trip with a strenuous level of 2 but was worried that my training wouldn't be sufficient since the pre-trip packet wanted me hiking many hours each day leading up to the trip. I thought "If this is for a level 2, what would a level 3 or higher want?!? Help!!" Turned out my training was quite sufficient - I certainly did train, but not for hours each day. Is there any way to help guide us what training is needed based on the strenuous level of our particular trip? I wondered if the pre-trip packet training suggestions were the same for all levels of strenuousness or specific to my trip. I recognize it might be difficult to tune the training to the trip but maybe to the strenuous level? I have already recommended your company to friends and you can be sure I will continue to do so. Also, expect to see me sign up for future trips (I would have even if you didn't offer the 10% discount). Thank you so much for a wonderful and memorable experience.
Rachel W.
exceeded all of my expectations!
I've been on many guided hikes and this trip exceeded all of my expectations! Isaac was an incredible guide. Scenery was absolutely stunning. Fellow hikers were great fun. Will certainly book another trip with this company again.
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