Red Rock Adventurer Tour
Sedona, AZ
4.9 (15 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Iconic Red Rock Landscapes
- "Secret Garden" of the Rim Country
- Charming Creekside Accommodations
- Sedona's Best, Most Adventurous Hikes
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Horseback Ride & BBQ Dinner (4-day)
- Historic Mining Town Tour & Dinner
- Guides Choice Trip
Description
The Sedona Red Rock Adventurer tour is an opportunity to experience the best of Sedona’s wild backcountry while still enjoying the quaint lodging and amazing restaurants of Sedona itself! We’ll warm up on Day 1 with a hike to one of Sedona’s most iconic, spectacular natural features. Then our focus shifts to topping out on some of the Sedona area’s Red Rock summits for HUGE panoramic views!
In the evenings we’ll relax in style at our lodge. We’ll work hard and play hard on this trip, with wonderful meals at hand-picked, award-winning restaurants around Sedona.
If you’re looking for a chance to challenge your body, spirit, and/or camera lens, this is the tour for you! On this trip, we will have the opportunity to see one of Arizona’s most photographed locations, to top a summit that sends more people back to the trailhead than reach the top, to experience an exhilarating hike along a ridgeline and a mountain climb that offers one of the steeper ascents in the area – all with extremely rewarding views! Your Sedona hiking Adventure is waiting for you – give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) to learn more!
Wildland Trekking is a permitee of the USFS, Red Rock Ranger District.
$1490 Per Person
$1975 Per Person
$390/$520 Single Supplement
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:
- Maintained, rugged in places
- Additional:
- We’ll be hiking on a variety of trails, some very well maintained and others steeper and more rugged. The hike to the top of Bear Mountain is significantly steep and rugged, which gives this tour a Level 2+ difficulty rating.
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 occasional breaks
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
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
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 1.5
- 4 People: Rate x 1.15
- 5+ People: Rate x 1
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsITINERARY
Day 1
- Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
- 1-way Elevation Change: 500 feet
- Accommodations: Briar Patch Inn or Inn Above Oak Creek
On our first day of this Sedona hiking vacation we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast and then depart for the day’s hike. Our first trek will be a warm-up hike: 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. 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.
After lunch, we’ll complete our hike among the towering cliffs, sheer pinnacles and pristine canyons of Sedona. We will settle in to our lodging for an hour or two of relaxation, with the option to experience some of Sedona’s artisan shopping districts before dinner out at one of our favorite Sedona restaurants.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 5.2 miles
- 1-way Elevation Change: 1850 feet
- Accommodations: Briar Patch Inn or Inn Above Oak Creek
On our second day we’ll head toward one of Sedona’s most exciting hikes. We’ll drive into Dry Creek basin, the heart of Sedona’s red rock country. You’ll notice the Mogollon Rim to the north as it climbs some 2,000 feet above the surrounding area.
Our hike takes us to a spectacular Sedona summit, 1,850 feet above us, and only 2.6 miles of hiking to get there. The hike is challenging and rewarding as we travel through ancient layers of sandstone and limestone. As our trail approaches the back of neighboring Fay Canyon, we may have a chance to catch glimpses of native dwellings tucked high into the cliffs. After a final push we reach the top of our ascent, and are rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding landscape, and an enchanting picnic lunch. We’ll take our time returning to the trailhead to enjoy the downhill hiking and soak up the views and serenity of the high desert wilderness.
If we have time and our group is game, tonight we will head to the historic mining town of Jerome, Arizona (45 minutes away). Jerome, a 19th century mining town built on the side of a steep mountain, is one of the most unique places in America. Your guide will give you a walking tour of the switchbacking streets, staircase sidewalks, haunted buildings, and amazing history of this quaint Arizona gem. We will enjoy dinner in Jerome’s most historic and charming restaurant before heading back to Sedona.
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 8.8 miles
- 1-way Elevation Change: 2250 feet
- Accommodations: Briar Patch Inn or Inn Above Oak Creek
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!
After a picnic lunch overlooking Sedona, we will return back into Sedona. On the 3-day itinerary, we will bring you back to your accommodations and say our goodbyes after an amazing journey!
If on a 4 day itinerary, we will return back to our lodge to relax before heading out to M Diamond Horse Ranch on the edge of West Clear Creek Wilderness for a rewarding one hour sunset horseback ride followed by an old-style ranch outdoor dinner overlooking classic Red Rock country! (Please note: the horseback riding and BBQ may not be available in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. If this is the case, we will enjoy another wonderful dinner out at a hand-picked restaurant in Sedona.)
Day 4 (4-day itinerary only)
- Hiking Mileage: 8.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1198 feet
On the 4-day itinerary we spend our final day tackling an extraordinary hike! This is 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 is named for the overhanging rock that shelters part of the route from the sun, and 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 will eventually return to Sedona proper to bring you back to your accommodations and say our goodbyes after an unforgettable 4 days in Red Rock country!
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
- 2 or 3 nights of lodging at Briar Patch Inn or Inn Above Oak Creek.
- Dinner at wonderful, hand-picked, award-winning restaurants in and around Sedona
- Breakfasts, picnic lunches prepared by your guide, and trail snacks
- Use of a day pack, trekking poles and Microspike crampons during winter months
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Sedona hiking guide
- Transportation for the duration of the tour originating and concluding in Sedona
- 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
- Alcoholic beverages
- 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
This Sedona hiking tour features a combination of restaurant meals and meals prepared by your guide. We’ll have dinners at carefully selected, wonderful restaurants in Sedona.
We provide breakfasts and lunches for the trip. For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables. 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
- Leki or Black Diamond trekking poles
- Microspike crampons when necessary
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Satellite phone
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 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 hiking tour is 6 guests and 1 guide, with a maximum of also 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
Briar Patch Inn
2-3 nights
Nestled in the lush vegetation along Oak Creek, this charming boutique inn offers the perfect jumping off point for a rejuvenating Sedona Red Rock adventure! It offers natural beauty, modern amenities and solitude, but no wifi or televisions in the rooms.
(wifi in lobby, natural beauty)
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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Catherine D.
Skilled Guide
I really appreciated the way James used his initiative to move around the days that we did the hikes to accomodate the weather, crowds and the needs of fellow hikers.
Brian D.
Great Trip
Great trip. James was a great guide who went out of his way to ensure everything went well. Meals were all great.
Michael C.
Our Guide Went Above and Beyond
We had a great trip and Isaac went above and beyond as a guide. From our group dynamics to the great accommodations in the cabins to the unique dinner in Jerome, we enjoyed every aspect of the trip.
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