Sedona and Grand Canyon

Question

First visit. Have 7 days in Sedona late February. We are 50 and active. Gonna spend one day to see Grand Canyon and the rest hiking Sedona. Can someone list their top 10 or 20 hikes? Rather them be moderate to easy. Not something that takes hours. We will have 4 wheel drive vehicle. Also if anyone has top sites for GC please list them. We probably won’t hike there but just visit over looks. Thank you.

Answer

Sedona in late February is a wonderful time for hiking, with cooler temperatures and generally clear skies. Since you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you can access some trailheads that are slightly more remote. For moderate to easy hikes that don’t take hours, here’s a detailed list of top hikes in Sedona along with tips for a day trip to the Grand Canyon.

Top moderate to easy hikes in Sedona:

Cathedral Rock Trail: Short but steep; offers one of the most iconic views of Sedona. About 1–1.5 hours round trip.
Bell Rock Trail: Easy to moderate; great views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Multiple loop options, 1–2 hours.
Courthouse Butte Loop: Flat and scenic loop around Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock, about 2 hours.
Doe Mountain Trail: Moderate climb up a mesa; offers panoramic views. About 1.5–2 hours.
Airport Mesa Loop: Easy to moderate; great sunset viewpoints and city views. 1–2 hours.
Boynton Canyon Trail (short version): Hike to the lower canyon area; moderate and scenic. About 1–2 hours.
Red Rock Crossing / Crescent Moon Ranch: Easy walk along Oak Creek with stunning Cathedral Rock views. About 1 hour.
West Fork Trail (short section): Easy to moderate; follow the creek in a lush canyon. Shorter out-and-back sections possible in 1–2 hours.
Soldier Pass Trail (to Seven Sacred Pools): Moderate; highlights include Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole and Seven Sacred Pools. About 2 hours round trip.
Fay Canyon Trail: Easy; moderate elevation gain, suitable for a relaxing walk with views of red rock formations. 1–1.5 hours.
Mescal Trail: Moderate; short hike with views of Sugarloaf and Fay Canyon. About 1–1.5 hours.
Bear Mountain Trail (short section): Moderate to strenuous if full, but shorter out-and-back gives excellent views in 1–2 hours.
Brins Mesa Trail: Easy to moderate; scenic and less crowded. 1–2 hours round trip.
Vulture Peak Trail: Moderate; excellent for panoramic views. About 1–2 hours.
Chapel Trail to Chapel of the Holy Cross: Easy; short walk from parking lot to iconic chapel. About 30 minutes.

For your day trip to the Grand Canyon South Rim:

Mather Point: Classic first stop for sweeping canyon views.
Yavapai Point & Museum: Great for geology info and photography.
Desert View Drive: Scenic drive with multiple viewpoints; stop at Grandview Point and Lipan Point.
Hopi Point: Excellent sunset spot if timing allows.
Visitor Center: Helpful for maps, information, and ranger talks.

Additional tips:

Bring layered clothing; late February can be cool at higher elevations, especially at the Grand Canyon.
Start hikes early to avoid crowds and make the most of daylight hours.
Carry water and snacks, especially on trails that have moderate climbs.
Use your 4-wheel drive to access less crowded trailheads like Doe Mountain or Brins Mesa if the roads are rough or unpaved.
At the Grand Canyon, parking can fill quickly at popular viewpoints, so arrive early or mid-afternoon for better options.

This plan gives you a balance of iconic short hikes in Sedona and a full-day scenic exploration of the Grand Canyon without strenuous trekking.