Devil’s Bridge is an easy family friendly hike located in Sedona, Arizona. It features a stunning arch that hikers can stand atop of, red beautiful rock, and desert scenery that is breathtaking. This is one of the most popular trails in Sedona, so in all seasons, expect significant amounts of traffic on the trails. The arch stands at 54 feet tall, 45 feet long and about 5 feet in width. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know before hiking to Devil’s Bridge.
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Trail Options | Trail Map | Hiking In Winter | Directions & Parking | Current Weather | Pictures
Difficulty – Easy
Distance – 2 (3.22 km)
Elevation gain – 400 feet (121.9 meters)
Duration – 2-4 hours (book time)
Seasons – Year-round (caution needs to be taken in winter)
Trailhead Location – Devil’s Bridge Trailhead or Mescal Trailhead
Trails
There are a few different ways to reach Devil’s Bridge for hikers. The shortest and easiest route requires a 4WD vehicle to take hikers over a very rough road. In winter, when this road is closed, hikers will add an additional 2.2 miles round trip to walk along this road. An alternative route from the Mescal Trail is also common. Each of these routes is described below, along with directions to the trailhead.
Devil’s Bridge Trailhead (4wd) | 2 Miles Round Trip | 400 Feet Elevation Gain
This is the most common route up to Devil’s Bridge. After beginning at the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead, hikers will begin steadily gaining elevation on a very well traveled and wide dirt trail. This trail is very easy to follow due to signs, and heavy foot traffic. The trail remains relatively flat and simple until the last tenth of a mile.
The last tenth of a mile features a much more steep section of trail. Fortunately, rocks have been nicely placed to create great steps for easy access up the steep sections. In winter months, or wet conditions, extra caution should be taken here.
Once ascending past the last steep section, hikers will be at Devil’s Bridge (1 mile into the hike) where there will likely be a line to stand atop the bridge for an awesome picture. The stretch of trail here doesn’t contain any protection near the drop offs. Caution should be taken here as a fall can be deadly. While this is absolutely a family friendly hike, caution should always be taken near large drop-offs, like those on this hike.
Devil’s Bridge Trailhead – Dry Creek Vista (2wd / Winter) | 4.4 Miles Round Trip | 500 Feet Elevation Gain
This is the exact same route as described above, but hikers will park at the Dry Creek Vista parking lot (directions below). From here, they will hike 1.2 miles along the 4wd dirt road to where the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead is located.
Mescal Trailhead – Chuck Wagon Trail | 4.2 Miles Round Trip | 500 Feet Elevation Gain | Class 2
The Mescal Trailhead is a great option for winter months, or when hikers don’t have 4wd vehicles. This trail is less trafficked than the others (though still highly trafficked) making it a great way to avoid the worst of the crowds.
The Mescal Trail brings hikers to the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead, where the hike is the same as described above. The Mescal Trail is also a mountain bike trail, so on this stretch of trail, hikers should be cautious of bikers.
Only a short distance after the trailhead, hikers will reach a junction for the Chuck Wagon Trail that is well marked. Hikers should bear right on the Chuck Wagon Trail towards Devil’s Bridge.
Just short of a mile into the hike, hikers will reach the junction of Vultee Arch Road and the Chuck Wagon Trail. This junction is directly across the dirt road from the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead. From here, the hike proceeds just as described above from the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead.
Trail Map
Hiking in Winter
In winter, the road to the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead is closed to vehicles, so hikers will have to park at the Dry Creek Vista parking lot (directions below). This makes this hike 4.4 miles round trip (route description above).
It is also important to note here that this trail is still popular in winter months, and can be slippery or covered in ice. It may be beneficial to bring microspikes or some type of traction during winter months. There are sections of the trail near Devil’s bridge where traction will make the hike much safer.
All in all, this is a great hike in all seasons. When snow accumulates, the trail is absolutely beautiful.
Directions & Parking
Devil’s Bridge Trailhead (Just continue on dirt road to reach upper 4wd trailhead)
Mescal Trailhead
How Tall is Devil’s Bridge?
Devil’s bridge is about 54 feet tall, 5 feet wide, and 45 feet long.
Current Weather Conditions
Here is a detailed forecast for the next 4 days.
Sedona, AZ
Tonight
Mostly clear. Low around 50, with temperatures rising to around 52 overnight. East wind 5 to 9 mph.
Friday
Sunny. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. South wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51. East wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 6 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 53. West wind 6 to 12 mph.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 81. Southeast wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night
Clear, with a low around 53. East wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Additional Pictures
Devil’s Bridge Hike Views
Devil’s Bridge Trail Views
Views of red rocks during hike
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about