As ongoing efforts continue around the Pocket Fire, some trails, trailheads, roads, and recreation areas remain temporarily closed for public safety and fire operations. These closures help protect firefighters, first responders, visitors, residents, wildlife, and the red rock landscape we all care about. Helping crews do their work safely starts with giving them space, respecting posted closures, staying informed, and choosing areas that remain open.
For visitors and locals alike, this moment calls for flexibility. A favorite trail or recreation area may be temporarily unavailable, but Sedona still offers unforgettable views, peaceful places to explore, and many ways to experience the red rocks responsibly. Below are a few alternative hikes and scenic areas to consider while certain popular trails are closed. Conditions can change quickly, so always check official closure information before heading out.
Safety First, Always
Temporary closures are in place to protect people and allow firefighting and recovery work to continue without added risk. Even if a trail looks quiet, accessible, or "probably fine," entering a closed area can endanger you, put nearby crews at risk, and pull emergency resources away from the fire response. Right now, one of the best ways to support Sedona is to adjust your plans, choose open areas, and help protect the places people will continue to enjoy long after the current conditions pass. That's not settling. That is respecting the place you came to experience.
Alternative to Devil’s Bridge: Bell Rock
Devil’s Bridge is one of the more notable spots Sedona for that Instagram moment, and for good reason. Its dramatic sandstone arch has become a bucket-list stop for many visitors.
With access to Devil’s Bridge being unavailable, Bell Rock is a strong alternative. Located in the Village of Oak Creek area, Bell Rock offers wide-open views, red rock formations, and a trail experience that can be as easy or as challenging as visitors want to make it. You can enjoy the scenery from lower paths, explore connecting trails (like Courthouse and Little Horse), or simply take in the formation from a distance.
Bell Rock is especially useful for visitors who want that classic Sedona red rock experience without trying to force access into a closed area. It is recognizable, scenic, and flexible, which is exactly what visitors need when plans change.
Alternative to Soldier Pass: Broken Arrow
Soldiers Pass is another favorite for its variety: red rock features, scenic views, sense of adventure and proximity to town. Unfortunatley, it is also one of the areas affected by the current closure order, which means visitors need to look elsewhere for that red rock trail energy.
Broken Arrow is a great alternative. It offers rugged scenery, memorable rock formations, and a landscape that feels distinctly Sedona. It is also a popular area for guided adventure experiences, including jeep tours, making it a strong option for visitors who still want a big red rock outing without relying only on hiking.
This is a good reminder that exploring Sedona does not always have to mean doing it only on foot. Sometimes the best alternative is letting a knowledgeable local guide do the driving while you enjoy the view. We invented wheels for a reason.
Alternative to Sugarloaf: Airport Mesa
Sugarloaf is a convenient and rewarding hike, especially for those staying in West Sedona. Its closure may feel frustrating for locals and repeat visitors who know it as an easy go-to.
The case for Airport Mesa being the ideal substitute is a strong one. With sweeping views over Sedona, dramatic sunrises and sunsets, and easy access to panoramic scenery, Airport Mesa delivers a lot without requiring a long hike. It is one of the best places to get a sense of Sedona’s full landscape: red rocks, neighborhoods, winding roads, and open sky all in one view.
For visitors who want a memorable photo stop, a shorter scenic outing, or a place to pause and take in the bigger picture, Airport Mesa is a smart choice.
Alternative to Boynton Canyon: Cathedral Rock
Boynton Canyon is one of Sedona’s most loved trail experiences, known for its canyon setting, red rock walls, and quiet sense of wonder. Since access is affected by the closures, it can feel like a major disruption to a visitor’s itinerary.
But Cathedral Rock offers a different albeit equally iconic Sedona experience. It is one of the most recognizable formations in the region, and even if visitors do not do the full climb, the surrounding area offers stunning views, photo opportunities, and a powerful sense of place.
This is a good alternative for visitors who want a signature Sedona moment. Cathedral Rock has that unmistakable quality: you see it once and understand why people talk about this stop the way they do.
A Changed Plan Can Still Be a Great Sedona Day
Part of visiting a natural destination is learning to adjust to changing conditions. Weather can be unpredictiable, trails may close, roads can shift, and fire crews need space to do their work safely. The responsible choice is not to push through anyway, but to adapt, and in Sedona, adapting still leaves you with plenty to experience.A closed trail does not mean a closed destination. Visitors can still find red rock views, open trails, scenic drives, wellness experiences, galleries, restaurants, local shops, jeep tours, spas, art, music, patios, and peaceful places to sit with a view that makes you forget your phone exists for eight whole minutes. A modern miracle.
Sedona is more than one trail, one photo, or one itinerary. It is a community, a landscape, and an experience that invites people to slow down, look around, and travel with care.
Before You Go
Before heading out, please check official closure updates, since conditions can change quickly during active fire operations and information from social media or older travel blogs may no longer be accurate. Respect posted closures, follow guidance from public safety officials, and use trusted local resources, including the Sedona Visitor Center and our Visit Sedona Hiking page, for current recommendations and open-area inspiration.
Sedona is still here, from the red rocks themselves to the businesses, guides, artists, restaurants, shops, spas, and experiences that make this place special. Right now, the best way to enjoy Sedona is to stay flexible, stay informed, and choose an open path.
