Overview
Wilson Mountain is the highest point in the immediate Sedona area of Coconino National Forest, a broad basalt-capped plateau that sits 2,800 feet above the valley floor and commands a view of Sedona's red rock formations that no other point in the area can match. From the summit plateau, the famous formations you see from highway pullouts below become part of a larger landscape: the Verde Valley opens to the south, Oak Creek Canyon cuts north through the Mogollon Rim, and Mingus Mountain rises above Jerome to the southwest.
The North Wilson Mountain Trail gains 2,300 feet over 5.2 miles from the Midgley Bridge Trailhead. The route passes through two distinct environments: the lower red rock terrain of Sedona's canyon country and the upper basalt plateau, forested with ponderosa pine and Gambel oak, that caps the mountain. The trail reaches two plateaus in sequence, the lower First Bench around 5,700 feet and the true summit at 7,122 feet, each offering its own perspective.
Wilson Mountain sees a fraction of the traffic that Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, or Devil's Bridge handle on any given day. The difficulty filters out the casual visitor, but that's also why this is one of the most satisfying hikes in red rock country. You earn the view.
The Route
Miles 0 to 1.5: Canyon floor to lower switchbacks. From the Midgley Bridge Trailhead, the trail crosses Wilson Canyon on a footbridge and begins ascending immediately. The first section climbs through the characteristic red rock terrain of Sedona: sandstone ledges, juniper and pinyon, and red dirt that stains boots orange after the first mile. The canyon walls are impressive from below. The trail is well-marked and maintained.
Miles 1.5 to 3.0: Switchbacks and First Bench. Above the initial canyon section, the trail begins a long series of switchbacks up the south face of Wilson Mountain. The grade is consistent and demanding without being brutal. At approximately 3 miles, the trail crests onto the First Bench, a broad plateau at 5,700 feet. This is a natural rest point and a destination in its own right: views from the First Bench looking south over Sedona are excellent, and the shift from red rock canyon to pine and oak forest happens abruptly at this elevation.
Miles 3.0 to 5.2: Second climb and summit plateau. From First Bench, the trail climbs again through the upper forest to the true summit plateau at 7,122 feet. This second climb is shorter than the first but still gains 1,400 feet over 2 miles. The trail is less exposed here, moving through ponderosa forest on a narrower path. The summit plateau is large and open, with the basalt cap creating a flat walking surface unlike the rocky switchbacks below. Walk the plateau edge for the full 360-degree perspective.
Return via the same route. The descent demands careful footing on the switchbacks, which can be loose in dry conditions.
When to Visit
October through November: The best window. Temperatures in Sedona are in the 60s to 75s at the valley floor and 10 to 15 degrees cooler on the summit plateau. The red rock light is extraordinary in fall, especially in the hour before sunset. The lower trail is at its most comfortable.
December through February: Wilson Mountain can see snow at the summit. The lower trail typically stays clear. Check conditions if there has been recent precipitation; icy switchbacks without traction devices are hazardous. On clear winter days, the views are the most expansive of the year.
March through May: Spring brings warm days and occasional wildflowers in the canyon section. Wildfire smoke has not yet started, and crowd levels at the Sedona area trails are high. Midgley Bridge parking fills before 8 AM on spring weekends.
June through August: Summer temperatures at the Midgley trailhead routinely exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The summit plateau stays 20 degrees cooler, but getting there through the exposed lower switchbacks in midday summer heat is miserable and potentially dangerous. This is not a summer hike for most people. If you must go, start no later than 5:30 AM.
Practical Details
Parking: Midgley Bridge Trailhead lot on US-89A, about 1 mile north of Sedona's uptown. Red Rock Pass required ($5/day, $15/week, or America the Beautiful pass). Portable restrooms on-site. The lot fills fast on weekends; arrive by 7:30 AM in the busy months. Overflow parking exists along the highway shoulder.
Permit: No timed entry permit currently required for Wilson Mountain. The Red Rock Pass covers access.
Dogs: Allowed on leash. The trail is long and the lower section in summer is extremely hot. Dogs need more water than you think. Carry at least 1.5 liters for a large dog on a cool-weather hike; more in any season.
Water: No water on the trail. Bring a minimum of 2 to 3 liters per person. More in warm weather.
Footing: The switchbacks on the lower mountain can be loose shale and red dirt. Boots with ankle support are worth it on this trail. Avoid trail runners without grip.
Cell service: Variable. The lower trail near Sedona has service; the upper plateau is spotty. Download offline maps before leaving.
Getting There
From downtown Sedona, take US-89A north toward Oak Creek Canyon. The Midgley Bridge Trailhead is on the right (east) side of the highway, about 1 mile north of the uptown traffic circle at the Y intersection. Total drive from downtown Sedona is 5 minutes. From Flagstaff, take AZ-89A south through Oak Creek Canyon; the drive is about 30 miles and takes approximately 45 minutes. The canyon road is two lanes and winding; do not exceed the speed limit.
The Bottom Line
Wilson Mountain is the hike to do in Sedona if you have the fitness for it and want a genuine summit experience rather than a short red rock scramble. The 10.4-mile round trip with 2,300 feet of gain earns you the highest viewpoint in the area and the satisfaction of having worked for something in a region where most visitors drive from one lookout to the next. Go between October and May, start early, and bring enough water.
For those building toward Wilson Mountain's difficulty, Boynton Canyon (6 miles, moderate) is a useful intermediate step that familiarizes you with the red rock terrain without demanding a 2,300-foot climb. Bear Mountain (4.8 miles, strenuous) near Dry Creek Road is another demanding option in Coconino National Forest: steeper per mile than Wilson Mountain but shorter in total distance. On recovery days, Bell Rock Pathway and the West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon both deliver outstanding scenery without serious elevation demands.
North of Sedona, Humphreys Peak near Flagstaff is the state's ultimate summit objective at 12,637 feet. The best hikes near Phoenix guide puts the Sedona and Flagstaff area in context for visitors from the Valley. The America the Beautiful Interagency Pass covers the Red Rock Pass required at this trailhead, as well as fees at every other Sedona-area parking area.