We absolutely love Sedona, Arizona but over the years it has become a little harder to escape the crowds. If you’re seeking some solitude in the Red Rock country, then head to this secret lookout on the Fay Canyon Trail!
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How to find the secret lookout at Sedona’s Fay Canyon Trail
Table of Contents
- Fay Canyon Trail Information
- How to get to the Fay Canyon Trailhead
- What to expect when hiking the Fay Canyon Trail
- How to reach the secret lookout in Fay Canyon
- Tips for hiking the Fay Canyon Trail
Fay Canyon Trail Information
- Length: 2.6 miles roundtrip (official trail)
- Difficulty: The designated trail is rated easy, but the rock scrambling to the lookout is a little more challenging.
- Elevation gain: 380 ft, more if rock scrambling to the lookout
- Fee: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a leash
- Time: 1-2 hours, depending on how long you stay and explore
How to get to the Fay Canyon Trailhead
The Fay Canyon Trail can be found along Boynton Pass Rd about 5 miles northwest of the Main Street District, or Uptown Sedona.
From town, you’ll take Dry Creek Rd north for about 3 miles until it dead ends. From here, you’ll take a left onto Boynton Pass Rd and follow it for about 2 miles, keeping left at the fork.
The parking lot for the Fay Canyon Trail will be on the left. The trailhead will be on the right, across the street from the parking lot.
What to expect when hiking the Fay Canyon Trail
While Fay Canyon is a smaller and lesser-known canyon in Sedona, it can still be quite heavily trafficked.
The Fay Canyon Trail is an easy hike for all skill levels along the base of the box canyon with little elevation gain.
The path follows along the creek bed under the partial shade of alligator bark juniper and oak trees.
The trail is pleasant, but not necessarily the most scenic of all the Sedona hikes. You’ll catch glimpses of the towering red rock canyon walls through the trees, but other than that there isn’t much variety.
But there are a few secrets that make this trail stand out! About 0.5 miles up the trail, you’ll see an unmarked spur trail. A few cairns are marking the turnoff, and in the distance you will see a sizable sandstone arch.
It is easy to pass, so I would highly recommended upgrading to AllTrails Pro so you can download the map and use it offline so that you don’t miss it.
The spur trail leads up to the Fay Canyon Arch and you can even climb on top for some impressive views. The trail to the arch has steep portions and loose rocks, so use caution.
Although it is not quite as magnificent as Devil’s Bridge, it is still worth the extra climb if you have the time.
After that, continue along the designated Fay Canyon Trail for the remaining 0.8 miles until you reach an “end of trail” posted sign.
How to reach the secret lookout in Fay Canyon
Once you reach the “end of trail” sign, you’ll see some large rocks that you can climb up to get a better view.
The view from the top is beautiful, but you’ll be sharing it with the other hikers on the trail. Most people will turn around after this viewpoint without realizing that the best part of the trail is still to come!
From here, you’ll see a backcountry trail that leads a little deeper into the canyon.
Stay to the right and follow it a short way until you begin to see a large secluded alcove in the towering 1200 ft Supai sandstone cliffs. This is known as Half Moon Cave.
Use caution as you scramble up the rocks to reach the alcove. Here you will be rewarded with the most intoxicating sight.
Look out across the sun-blazoned horizon where you’ll see the receding forest giving way to outcrops of towering red rocks.
This is one of our favorite hikes in Sedona. For more recommendations, see our guide 5 of the Best Hikes in Sedona.
The best part is that you will most likely be soaking up the unrivaled views in peaceful solitude.
When we visited on a Saturday in April, the parking lot and trail were packed, but we only saw 5 other hikers exploring up near Half Moon Cave.
This is the perfect spot to set up a picnic and enjoy one of the best views in all of Sedona without fighting the throngs of tourists.
You can continue to explore and even hike further up the trail to access the top of the cliff.
I have heard that you can discover evidence of ancient Indian dwellings in the cliffs and even a seasonal waterfall at the upper end of Fay Canyon.
We didn’t happen to see either one, but there are plenty of places to explore as you head back deeper into the canyon.
*Related post: This is one of our favorite stops on an Arizona Hidden Gems Road Trip!
Tips for hiking the Fay Canyon Trail
- Pack plenty of water. Even though it is a short hike, the summer temperatures can be brutal.
- The parking lot is relatively small, so plan to arrive early to secure a parking spot and beat the crowds.
- The trail is partially shaded, but there is enough sun exposure that it is recommended to wear sunscreen.
- Watch for rattlesnakes that call this canyon home.
- Always practice Leave No Trace and pack out any trash you bring in.
We hope you get a chance to explore the Fay Canyon Trail, it truly is one of the best short hikes in Sedona with the biggest reward!
For more awesome things to do in Sedona, check out our guide 15 Fun Things to Do in Sedona with Kids!
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