Devil’s Bridge (Sedona)

One of Sedona‘s most iconic nature made arches, is Devil's Bridge. If you’re able to snag a parking spot at the trailhead then this hike is about 4 miles round-trip with only 550 elevation gain if you choose to hike along the jeep trail. Or from the parking lot you can take Chuck Wagon Trail, which is a little bit further but keeps you off the 4 x 4 jeep trail and on a hiking trail. This trail, I think will add 1/2 mile or so each direction to the trip. Another option is to take the 4 x 4 jeep trail which allows you to be a little bit closer and make it about a 2 mile round-trip hike. But this must be done by an off-road vehicle with decent clearance. This option obviously isn’t for everyone and only for the experienced off-road drivers. At the very start of this road there are a couple bigger rocks which they make you drive over to start, but then after that the trail isn’t as gnarly. But you definitely need to go slow and pay attention to the terrain. The one time I actually drove back there it wasn’t too bad, but the issue I dealt with was when coming out, back to the main road. There were so many people hiking along the jeep trail, so you have to be extra careful of these hikers. This was more of an issue for myself because after I hiked Devil’s Bridge, I continued on this jeep trail to the trailhead for Vultee Arch. This hike is much further down the jeep trail and after doing both hikes it became later in the morning and more and more people were on the jeep trail headed to Devil’s Bridge.

With that being said as the morning goes on, the parking lot fills up very quickly. This is due to how small the parking lot is and because it is such a popular spot. Eventually people start parking on the street and that becomes crazy. As I’m sure you figured out, the further you park the more you have to hike. I’m not sure what the furthest distance people park from and hike. But I have seen people parking what seems like miles away from the trail head. So be aware of the added miles and be prepared with proper hydration.

If you choose to not drive on the off-road trail or cannot access it via your car then you should expect to walk along a dirt jeep trail. This is a super easy hike just be careful not to get run over by a jeep or any other off-road vehicle. Once you reach the official trailhead, on the right hand side. Then the trail becomes a smaller, more normal hiking trail. It gradually goes up a minimal elevation gain and then you reach what seems like a nature made staircase. This shoots you up the final 300 feet elevation gain to the top of where you will find; Devil’s Bridge. From the top of the “stairs” you will walk over towards where the bridge is (to the left). If you’re not the first person there, then you will see people lining up to take pictures on the bridge. Which will be on your left-hand side, from here you will see where you can walk around in a U-turn type form to go out onto the bridge. I have heard in the middle of the afternoon it can be a couple hours wait time to get your picture taken on the bridge. So I recommend that you go super early or try for sunset. I heard sunset isn’t as bad, but as always, sunrise is the least amount of people because people tend to not like to wake up early.

The trail can be done just about by anyone, you do not have to be super experienced. Just need to be careful on those big rock stairs. The bridge itself is pretty wide, I would say maybe 8 feet wide, so it’s not “super” sketchy to be standing on. But definitely be careful and don’t fall off!

Depending on the time of the year make sure you bring plenty of water as it can get really hot in Sedona.

As for total time, what to expect. Well that all depends on what time you go, where you park, which trail you choose, and how long the wait is.

For myself; parking at the trailhead at 6am (for my 2nd time here), hiking along the jeep trail and only waiting 5 minutes for our picture on the bridge. It was a total time of 90 mins, including pictures. BUT expect longer duration for a later start and parking on the street.

Dogs are allowed as long as they are on leash.

As always pack it in and pack it out!

Tag me @likes.to.hike