Hike Advice

Question

Hello, we, family of four will be visiting Sedona around Christmas. We have two and a half days.

On the 1/2 day which will be our first day.. coming in from Vegas I thought we'd do the Courthouse Butte/Bell Rock Loop. Don't want to do anything too long as the days are short.

On our first full day I have The Devil's Bridge and Birthing Cave. My kids are good with hikes and love a good scramble.

Day two we have a pink jeep tour in the morning and then I want to find a hike for after lunch. I was thinking Sugar Loaf but am open to suggestions. I don't want anything too long.. the kids get bored easily. I also checked out Boynton and Fay Canyon as well as Margs. I keep going back and forth. Any suggestions? TIA

Answer

Your plan for Sedona around Christmas sounds very reasonable, especially considering the shorter daylight hours. Here’s a breakdown of your hiking options with some suggestions for keeping the kids engaged without long treks.

Day 1 – Half day arrival:

The Courthouse Butte/Bell Rock Loop is perfect for a shorter, scenic hike after your drive from Las Vegas. It’s relatively flat, offers iconic views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte, and should take 1–2 hours depending on your pace. It’s ideal for stretching legs without committing to a long hike.

Day 2 – Full day hikes:

Devil’s Bridge is a classic Sedona hike. The standard trail from the parking area is about 4.2 miles round trip, moderate in difficulty, and includes a fun scramble to the natural arch, which your kids will likely enjoy. If you plan to add the Birthing Cave, note that it is a short detour near the Devil’s Bridge trail, adding minimal extra distance and giving a bit more adventure for the kids.

After your morning pink jeep tour, you’ll want an afternoon hike that’s shorter but still engaging. Several options are good fits:

Sugarloaf Mountain: Moderate climb with great panoramic views; can be done as a shorter out-and-back if the kids get restless. About 1–2 hours if you limit the distance.
Boynton Canyon Trail (short section): Scenic, relatively flat, and shorter sections are easy to adjust for energy levels. Excellent red rock views and some interesting rock formations.
Fay Canyon Trail: Easy, mostly flat, with a short optional scramble up a small cliff area; around 1–1.5 hours. Great for kids as they can explore rocks and small caves along the trail.
Marg’s Draw Trail: Moderate with nice views, shorter loops can keep it under 2 hours, and the terrain has some small challenges without being too strenuous.

Suggestions for afternoon hike choice:

If the goal is a fun scramble and quick views: Fay Canyon is ideal.
If you want a bit more of a hill climb with panoramic scenery: Sugarloaf short out-and-back.
If your kids enjoy walking among red rock formations with optional side explorations: Boynton Canyon short section or Marg’s Draw.

General tips:

Start hikes early to maximize daylight, especially around Christmas when sunsets are around 5 pm.
Bring layers and water; mornings and late afternoons can be chilly.
Encourage the kids with small “missions” like finding unique rocks or spotting wildlife to keep them engaged on longer trails.
Parking can be limited at popular trailheads like Devil’s Bridge, so arriving early helps.

Overall, your itinerary is balanced: a short first-day hike, a morning of classic trails and scramble, and a flexible afternoon hike that can be tailored to the kids’ energy levels.

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