Bear Mountain Trail (Sedona) Hiking Guide
Bear Mountain is one of the toughest day hikes around Sedona: roughly 2,000 feet of climbing in a little over two miles, almost all of it in the sun and much of it on tilted rock. The Forest Service calls it the quintessential journey-not-the-destination hike, because the views get bigger at every bench, and plenty of people turn around at a ledge partway up and still have a great day.
Permit: Parking at the Bear/Doe Mountain Trailhead requires a Red Rock Pass ($5 daily, $15 weekly, $20 annual per vehicle) or an America the Beautiful pass.
How Hard, in Numbers
AllTrails maps the out-and-back at 4.7 miles with 1,984 feet of gain, rating it hard. The agency's mileage is 4.6, rates it strenuous, and isn't consistent on the climb: its stats box says 2,289 feet of gain while its description says total accumulated gain is around 2,100 feet, with more than 1,800 feet over the 2.3 miles to the top. Its time estimates also differ, about four and a half hours in the text and five-plus in the stats. Plan for a long morning either way.
The Climb, Step by Step
The trail starts across the road from the parking area, crosses two washes and climbs gradually for a quarter mile to the wilderness boundary at the mountain's base. Then the work begins: a steep, rocky set of switchbacks gains about 450 feet, a narrow plateau gives a breather, and a steep 500-foot push up a side canyon reaches a broad bench. The trail crosses that, dips, and climbs another 400 feet to a false summit with Fay Canyon off to the northeast, before a moderate final rise to the true top.
Following the Route
Much of the trail crosses bare, tilted rock where the path disappears. The Forest Service marks those stretches with white painted diamond markers, so look ahead for the next marker wherever the tread fades. Past the summit, level ground continues about 200 yards to the Red Canyon overlook, where the San Francisco Peaks show up far to the north. Come back the same way, taking the descent over sloping rock slowly.
Heat, Snow and Water
There's very little shade, so treat summer as a sunrise-only proposition and carry far more water than you would for a hike this short; on hot days the forest suggests about a liter per person per hour, and this one can run five hours. The agency also says not to attempt it when there's significant snow on the mountain. Cool, dry days from fall through spring are the window.
Trailhead and Dogs
From the roundabout, take 89A west 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road, go 2.9 miles to a T and turn left on Boynton Pass Road, then left again after 1.6 miles onto FR 152C; the lot is 1.2 miles on, on the left, shared with Doe Mountain and covered by the Red Rock Pass. Leashed dogs are allowed, but only bring one that's fit for a long, hot climb on rough rock and carry its water as well as yours.
Hiking tips for Bear Mountain Trail (Sedona)
- Start at first light; the sun hits the lower switchbacks early and there's almost no shade above them.
- Watch for the white diamond markers across slickrock and backtrack to the last one if you lose the line.
- Pick a turnaround time before you start and stick to it; remember the false summit isn't the top.
- Pack more water than the mileage suggests, and extra for a dog.
- Skip it after snowfall; the agency advises against climbing when the mountain is snow-covered.
Nearby trails to explore
- Doe Mountain Trail
- Fay Canyon Trail (Sedona)
- Boynton Canyon Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Bear Mountain is a big day, and a partner makes the route-finding and the long descent easier. Use TrailMates to find Sedona hikers ready for the climb. Download the TrailMates app to connect.