The Fay Canyon Trail in Sedona is a great introductory hike to the area. The scenic valley is short – only a mile in each direction, the path ahead is clear, and there are plenty of impressive flowers, trees and cacti. It's a good choice on a hot day because it's mostly shaded.
If you haven't done your research ahead of time, you'll likely miss the unsigned trail to Fay Canyon Arch. It's not on the scale of what I experienced Arches National ParkBut it's the largest arch (at 130 feet tall) in Sedona and an impressive close-up. Consider it another reason to choose the Fay Canyon Trail.
When you reach the far end of Fay Canyon, you can climb some rocks to enjoy views of Sedona. Children will love this part of the trip.
This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks a lot for your support.
Summary of the Fay Canyon trail hike
distance: 2.4 mile return as an out and back hike
Height gain: 360 feet if you climb Fay Canyon Arch.
Time needed: 1 – 1.5 hours.
difficulty: Easy and family friendly although the climb up to the arch is steep and not everyone will like it.
amenities: Toilet in the parking lot.
Dogs: Allowed on leash. Take more water for them too.
Track header location: Fay Canyon parking area on Boynton Pass Road. This is the Exact location.
Best time to go: Over the year. It's shadier than many of Sedona's trails.
weather: Check the Sedona weather forecast Before you go out.
Do not forget: Package Hiking basicsDrink plenty of water, a wide-brimmed sun hat, and sunscreen.
please: Practice Leave no trace principles. These include planning ahead and being prepared, traveling on sturdy surfaces, disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find, respecting wildlife, minimizing the effects of a campfire (not relevant to this trip), and being considerate of others.
Red Rock Trail: It is not currently required for the Fay Canyon Trail but if you plan to hike other trails such as nearby Bear Mountain Or Doe Mountain, I advise you to buy Red Rock Trail. They are $5 per day or $15 per week.
How to get to Fay Canyon Trail in Sedona
From Sedona, drive west on Highway 89A to reach Dry Creek Road. Turn north or right (if coming from Sedona) and drive three miles to Boynton Canyon Junction.
Turn left and drive approximately 0.5 miles to the Fay Canyon parking area on the left. The trailhead to the Fay Canyon trailhead is directly across the street.
Fay Canyon Trail Location
Description of the Fay Canyon Trail in Sedona
Walk across the street from the parking lot to pick up the Fay Canyon Trail. You can't miss it. Follow the wide trail and enjoy views of the canyon's red walls – adding a touch of magnificence to the outing. Our timing was such that the bushes were in bloom and covered in masses of tiny pink flowers. There were lots of cacti and some large junipers. What a nice change from our snowy world in Calgary.
We took a side trip to Fay Canyon Arch before continuing to the end of the Fay Canyon trail which dies into a box canyon suddenly in front of the Supai sandstone cliff. Along the way we crossed a few dry creeks, although the trail to the end remained mostly flat.
You can climb about 100 feet up the large rock/cliff at the end of the Fay Canyon Trail to get some great views over Fay Canyon. If you're not sure, give it a pass.
Retrace your steps back and you'll be back at the parking lot in 20 to 30 minutes without stopping.
Fay Canyon Arch
It's easy to miss the trail leading to Fay Canyon Arch. Keep your eyes peeled by just walking about 0.5 miles or 10 minutes. There are no signs indicating its presence.
You'll find the side path to the right. that's it GPS coordinates. Climb the east side of Fay Canyon to the Fay Canyon Arch. This is a more rugged trail and not to the standard of the easy and wide Fay Canyon trail and you may have to choose your own trail at times.
The closer you get to the sandstone arch, the rougher and steeper the path becomes. There are a lot of cacti too, so be careful where you put your hand.
It is difficult to tell if an arch exists because it blends in with the surrounding rock. Once under it, look for a narrow opening between the wall the arch broke off from and the arch itself. Enjoy the view up!
You almost need to be below the arch to see it properly. Take a look around, enjoy the amazing views and then carefully retrace your steps back to the main Fay Canyon trail.
There is said to be a somewhat sketchy trail you can follow to the top of Fay Canyon Arch. We didn't take it, although I bet the views are great from the top. Know your limits and play safe.
More Arizona trips to try
Where to stay in Sedona
Sedona can be an expensive place to visit especially in high season. We stayed in Briar Patch Inn in Oak Creek, although I think it was too far from the lanes we wanted to use, given how bad the traffic was. You may want to consider the location of your accommodations based on what you plan to do while in Sedona. Here are some suggestions.
Click on the image to bookmark your Pinterest boards.
