Fay Canyon, located in the breathtaking red rock region northeast of Sedona, is one of the area’s most accessible and rewarding hikes. This relatively easy trail is perfect for hikers of all skill levels, offering a peaceful journey through a lush canyon surrounded by towering red rock walls. What sets this hike apart—and why it earns a spot in my Top 5—is the hidden gem you’ll discover along the way: a stunning, secret arch tucked off a side trail.
This hidden arch isn’t just a cool feature—it’s a spectacular spot with panoramic views of the surrounding red rock formations, making it a highlight of the hike. Finding the arch adds a sense of adventure and makes this trail truly unforgettable. If you’re planning your Sedona hiking itinerary, Fay Canyon is a must-do. Keep reading for a complete guide with all the details you need to plan and enjoy this hike!
Where to Stay in Sedona on a Budget
Click the name of the hotel to be redirected to the hotel on Expedia!
1. Sedona Village Lodge
- Cost: $85–$150 per night (depending on the season)
- Details: Located in the Village of Oak Creek, this lodge offers clean, simple rooms with great views of Bell Rock. It’s close to hiking trails and more affordable than staying in central Sedona.
- Tip: Book early for the best rates, and look for weekday discounts.
2. GreenTree Inn Sedona
- Cost: $120–$150 per night (varies by season).
- Details: Located near West Sedona, this hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms with free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and a pool. It’s a short drive to popular attractions like Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village and Cathedral Rock.
3. Baby Quail Inn
- Cost: $100–$140 per night.
- Details: A quaint and cozy inn in a quieter area of Sedona. Rooms are simple but well-maintained, and the property includes a hot tub. It’s close to hiking trails and downtown Sedona.
Fay Canyon Arch Hike Details:
Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Time Needed: 1-2 Hours
Cost: Need a Red Rock Pass in order to park ($5 per day, $15 per week)
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Tips for Hiking in Sedona:
#1 – Go Early.
I feel like this is such an obvious tip, but it’s true for any of the popular hikes in Sedona. The earlier you go, the less people. Another reason to go early is to get less sun exposure. Most hikes in Sedona are in the full sun, with very little shade.
#2 – Bring more water than you think you’ll need.
I don’t think I really need to expound on this one. You probably already know that Sedona is in the desert and it gets very dry and hot (even in Winter/Early Spring!). Please make sure to stay hydrated and bring more water than you think you’ll need!
#3- Bring lunch if you can.
On most of the hikes we did in Sedona, we spent more time exploring than we thought we would. I always tried to bring lunch or at least a good snack with us so we don’t get hangry!
#4 – Take a photo of the trail map on each hike you go on.
It’s very very easy to go off the trail in Sedona. Tourists have started to make their own well worn side trails, please do your best to stay on the marked trail!
#5 – Leave no trace!!
As Sedona becomes more and more popular, it seems tourists think leaving trash and graffitiing the red rocks is okay. Please don’t be this person. Please hike responsibly, stay on trails as much as you can, and pack out all of your trash! Let’s keep Sedona beautiful so that as many people as possible can enjoy it’s beauty!
Hiking to the Fay Canyon Arch
Where to park
Parking is located in the Boynton Canyon Trail Parking Lot, it’s a fairly big lot and there were plenty of spots when we went in the middle of the day! The Fay Canyon trail is right across the street.
After hiking on the fairly flat, shaded trail for about 0.5 miles, you’ll see a few cairns set up to the right hand side of the trail. You should also be able to see the arch in the distance. It honestly looks more like a hole in the rock than an arch from a distance. The hike up to the arch is short (only a few hundred feet), but it’s pretty steep and rocky, so make sure to wear good shoes! The views and actual arch are totally worth the difficult climb in my opinion!
The arch itself is 90 feet across and 15 feet tall! I also loved the views of the surrounding red rocks from the arch.
If you want to hike back down from the arch and continue along the Fay Canyon trail, it’s an easy walk or run to a beautiful sandstone cliff.
Fay Canyon would be the perfect way to spend an afternoon, especially if you did a more strenuous hike in the morning!
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the Fay Canyon Arch hike in Sedona! If you have any questions about hiking to Fay Canyon Arch, or any other hikes in the Sedona area, please leave a comment below!
Thanks for reading!
Megan
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