Best hiking plan for a weekend in Sedona

Question

Hello, I am planning a weekend trip to Sedona and am seeking advice on when to schedule my hikes to minimize parking issues and waiting in line for shuttle and/or pictures at the end of the hike. I will arrive mid-day on Friday, do a sunrise hike on Saturday and then head out of town to Antelope Canyon and back, then will have all day Sunday for hiking. I am debating between a couple of different itineraries because I know I'm picking popular trails. Would you please suggest what would be best, or an alternative schedule?

Option 1:

Friday - arrive at noon

Boynton Canyon

Little Horse Trail - I know this is in a different area, but is near our hotel

Saturday

Cathedral Rock - Sunrise

Leave town for Antelope Canyon - return by 6pm

Sunday

Devil's Bridge - Sunrise

Doe Mountain

Option 2

Friday - arrive at noon

Little Horse Trail

Cathedral Rock

Saturday

Boynton Canyon - Sunrise

Leave town for Antelope Canyon - return by 6pm

Sunday

Devil's Bridge - Sunrise

Doe Mountain

Thank you for any advice you can share!

Answer

For a weekend in Sedona with popular hikes and the desire to minimize parking hassles and shuttle/wait times, careful timing is key. Early morning is always the best option for trailheads like Cathedral Rock and Devil’s Bridge, as these attract many visitors.

Between your two proposed options, here’s some guidance:

Friday arrival: Since you arrive at noon, you’ll have limited time before sunset. Hiking Boynton Canyon late afternoon is feasible, as it’s less crowded later in the day compared to peak morning hours. Little Horse Trail is near your hotel, so it’s convenient if you want a shorter, easy hike to stretch your legs after traveling.
Saturday sunrise hike: Cathedral Rock is extremely popular at sunrise. Arriving very early (around 5:30-6:00 AM, depending on the time of year) is essential to secure parking and avoid crowds at the trailhead and the famous photo spots at the top. After this hike, leaving for Antelope Canyon by mid-morning works, as you’ll beat the later afternoon return traffic.
Sunday full day: Devil’s Bridge is best done early as well, since the parking lot fills up quickly and the trail can get congested. Doe Mountain is usually less crowded and can be scheduled for later in the morning or early afternoon. Both hikes are relatively close, so doing them consecutively makes sense.

Suggested optimized itinerary based on crowd patterns and convenience:

Friday: Arrive at noon, do Little Horse Trail (short and near hotel, relaxing after travel), then Boynton Canyon in late afternoon to catch sunset if desired.
Saturday: Sunrise hike at Cathedral Rock (arrive very early for best parking and photos), then head to Antelope Canyon mid-morning. Return by evening.
Sunday: Devil’s Bridge at sunrise (arrive early to avoid long lines and limited parking), then Doe Mountain later in the morning/early afternoon.

This schedule avoids trying to do Cathedral Rock and Boynton Canyon on the same day, which could be tiring and difficult for parking. By keeping sunrise hikes early, you minimize wait times and crowds, and by spacing your hikes around travel to Antelope Canyon, you make the most of your weekend.

Additional tips:

Check for trailhead parking passes if required for any of these hikes; Sedona has implemented parking permits for some trailheads.
Bring water, snacks, and good footwear—trails like Devil’s Bridge can be steep and rocky.
If you want to capture the best photos, consider hiking Cathedral Rock on Friday late afternoon if sunrise crowds are a major concern, though morning light is typically best.