Red Rock Pass Program Q&A
Learn more about Red Rock Passes before visiting Sedona.
The Red Rock Pass program is a conservation tool designed by the U.S. Forest Service to protect, enhance and maintain Sedona’s awe-inspiring red rock landscape for future generations to enjoy.
Enhanced recreation amenities include: urban and backcountry hiking; day use picnic areas, restroom facilities; informational and interpretive signing; maintained roads for vistas and photo opportunities; and secure places for individual solitude and family recreation.
When is a Red Rock Pass Required?
A Red Rock Pass (or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, Golden Age or Golden Access) is required when recreating on National Forest land in Red Rock Country. The pass must be displayed in the windshield of the vehicle or purchased online through https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74387. You will be required to enter the license plate number of the vehicle being used, if purchasing the pass online, to access and park at the day-use site. Physical passes or online passes are used on-site for enforcement purposes and to confirm pass compliance.
Vehicles parked on the National Forest in the red rock area that do not display a valid pass in the windshield or have not purchased an online pass, are subject to receiving a citation.
A pass is not required for incidental stopping to take a photograph or to enjoy a scenic vista (approximately 15 minutes or less).
The Red Rock Day Pass (daily, weekly or annual) is currently required for vehicle access to use 19 specific day-use sites on the Red Rock Ranger District, this includes:
- Baldwin
- Banjo Bill
- Bear Mountain
- Bell Rock Vista
- Bootlegger
- Boynton
- Cathedral Rock
- Courthouse Butte
- Doe Mountain
- Encinoso
- Halfway
- Honanki Heritage Site
- Huckaby
- Jim Thompson
- Little Horse
- Midgley Bridge
- Palatki Heritage Site
- V-V Heritage Site
- Yavapai Point
The Red Rock Passes are sold in three options:
- Daily for $5
- Weekly for $15
- Annually for $20
- Grand Annual Pass for $40 (Only sold at Visitor Center at 331 Forest Road in Sedona, Grasshopper Point, Crescent Moon Ranch, and West Fork)
Where are Red Rock Passes sold?
Passes are available for purchase at local vendors. A list of the vendors can be found online at Red Rock Pass Vendors. Passes can also be purchased online through https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74387 or by scanning a QR code with your smartphone on the sign located at each fee site.
Why is the Red Rock Day Pass necessary?
The 19 day-use sites that require the pass are among the most impacted and highly visited destinations within the entire forest. 90 cents of every dollar from the Red Rock Pass program are used as a conservation tool to protect, enhance, and maintain the sites and surrounding areas. This includes maintaining restrooms, picnic areas, tables, and trails, as well as replacing/repairing interpretive signs, staffing fire prevention patrols, cleaning up trash, graffiti removal, planning and construction of new trailheads, and many more visitor services. Without these funds, these sites and surrounding areas would suffer considerably from the impacts felt by large numbers of visitors.
Take the Sedona Cares Pledge
