Recreation area

Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness

Coconino National Forest Recreation · Arizona — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

This collection of cliffs, buttes, and canyons has to rank as one of nature's most magnificent masterpieces. It certainly is one of the most colorful. Red is the predominant hue here among these 43,950 acres of wind and water sculpted pinnacles, windows, arches, and slot canyons. The area is criss-crossed with trails that take you everywhere from the deepest gorges to the most prominent panoramas. Along these pleasant paths you'll discover wonders made both by nature and by some of the area's earliest human inhabitants. Watch the canyon walls and high cliffs for rock art and abandoned dwellings as diligently you keep an eye to the horizons for vistas and breathtaking overlooks. As you part the chaparral to emerge into a hidden grotto or clamber up a slick rock slope to a dizzying precipice, you may even experience the unmatched thrill that you could have been the first to see whatever you've stumbled upon. One thing you'll surely rediscover here among the manzanita and red rocks is your own sense of wonder. Trails in the Wilderness All trails into the Wilderness start in the Red Rock Ranger District except Secret Mountain Trail #109, which is accessed from the Flagstaff Ranger District. A.B. Young #100 Bear Mountain #54 Bear Sign #59 Boynton Canyon #47 Brin's Mesa #119 David Miller (see Secret Canyon Loop Trails) Dry Creek #52 Fay Canyon #53 HS #50 Loy Canyon #5 Long Canyon #122 Mooney #12 Secret Canyon #121 Secret Mountain #109 (Flagstaff Ranger District) Soldier Pass #66 Sterling Pass #46 Vultee Arch #22 West Fork Trail #108 Wilson Mountain #10 and North Wilson #123 Additional Source: The Wilderness Institute.   Hover mouse over photo to display slideshow controls. View album on Flicker

Getting there

Location: 15 miles south of Flagstaff and just a few minutes from Sedona. Access: You can get to this sprawling area from a number of highways and forest service roads. Major access points are off Route 66/FR 231, U.S. 89A and FR's 152, 152D, 152C and 525.     Click map thumbnail for larger view.

Activities

  • HIKING
  • HORSEBACK RIDING

Explore more Arizona camping

Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Arizona campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.