Sedona Family & Dog-Friendly Hikes

Sedona Family and Dog-Friendly Hikes

As a busy mom of a three-year-old son and two dogs (German shepherd – 5 months & beagle lab mix – 13 years), I have built a selection of go-to family-friendly and dog-accessible hikes in Sedona. There is a plethora of local trails and hidden gems to discover that are easy on the body. Sunrise trail loop, lower chimney rock loop, adobe jack-coyote-crusty loop, and airport mesa loop are my local daily hikes. When booking your next Sedona Couples Retreat or Sedona Family Retreat make plans to visit these trails alone or with loved ones.

My family continues to visit sunrise trail loop week after week for it’s inspiring and nourishing landscape. Located around the perimeter of the Sedona dog park, this one-mile loop is ideal for families and couples with dogs. Dogs must be on leash when outside the dog park; clean-up bags are available on the premises. Parking is available at 950 Soldiers Pass Road, or along Carruth Drive.

You may access this trail by driving up Soldiers Pass Road from SR89A in West Sedona. About 1 mile up is the dog park on the left. Directions for the loop begin from by walking up the red dirt path via the parking lot, heading towards coffee pot rock. Turn right as the trail flattens out, traveling around the green fencing of the dog park. Take a right turn at the sunset trail post down rocky switchbacks to carruth trail. Carruth trail will take you back to the parking lot entrance.

Throughout sunrise trail loop are several benches available to rest and enjoy the red rock views. There are educational plant-markers placed along the trail which provide information on local flora; includes plant family, English and Latin titles for parry agave, engelmann prickly pear, Arizona smoothbark cypress, banana yucca, wright silktassel, broom snakeweed, mountain mahogany, globemallow, one-seed juniper, and holly leaf buckthorn. We have also spotted local wildlife such as blue jays, lizards, and rabbits. Sunrise trail loop is an easy trail for families and their dogs.

Couples Retreat Hikes and Family Yoga Hikes are available with author Melissa Osborne. She is a local Sedona mother and teacher who offers private Kid’s Yoga, Hatha Flow, Vinyasa and Restorative sessions. So feel free to schedule your private yoga journey as part of your Sedona Self-Love Couples Retreat or Family Retreat soon!

Additional Sedona Family & Dog-Friendly Hikes

Lower Chimney Rock Loop
1.4-mile loop. Enter via Thunder Mountain Trailhead on Thunder Mountain Road. While this trail feels secluded and wild in nature, it is conveniently nestled in West Sedona. This is a soothing hike with some rocky sections. You may also want to venture a bit further East from this trail to visit Sedona’s famous Amitabha Stupa peace park. This beautiful outdoor Buddhist temple is a perfect prayer and meditation spot. Put out positive loving vibrations and get back much more! From the parking area, simply take the trail heading North, then veer to the right at the first unmarked juncture. Hike about ½ mile to another marked juncture, heading East toward the stupa. Note – the sign is quite small on the West side of the trail, left side if approaching from the South. You will encounter the beautiful stupa area within about 200 yards. Highly recommend a stupa visit during your amazing Sedona Couples Retreat or Sedona Family Retreat!

Adobe Jack-Coyote-Crusty Loop
1.8-mile loop. Enter from AZ-89A to the adobe jack trailhead. Adobe jack is privately owned and donated land that reaches 7 miles of trails. Adobe jack to coyote to crusty is an exciting journey through creek beds and juniper forests. This is a very popular mountain biking area, very flat easy trails.

Airport Mesa Loop
3.5-mile loop. Park at the airport shoulder, a small parking lot on Airport Road. This is our most ambitious and endurance-heavy hike, as it will take 2-3 hours. Prepare by bringing reusable water bottles, snacks or a picnic, sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing. Airport mesa loop is an adventurous experience with stunning panoramic views of West Sedona. Note – this is a popular trail frequented by many visitors as well as locals; not the most remote, but worth the amazing scenery and fun hiking!