Discover Your Dog-Friendly Weekend Guide to Sedona, Arizona
Everything you need to know about Sedona, Arizona including what to see, where to eat, and what to do during one amazing, dog-friendly weekend.
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📍- Page, Arizona
There is a reason why people flock from all over the country on a quest to explore the mesmerizing Sedona landscape. Here, miles of mesa-scattered red rock vistas stand proudly amongst the Coconino Forest, a contrasting beauty of vibrant pine set amongst rust-colored, formations of imperceptible scale. Sedona is a place of wonder, and in recent years, it has become one of the hiking capitals of the United States for its unreplaceable beauty.
Like most hiking towns, Sedona is a relatively dog-friendly area, with many hiking trails and restaurants welcoming four-legged friends of all shapes, sizes, and breeds. Still, traveling with a dog can be a challenge that requires independent research. So, if you are planning on spending a weekend in Sedona with a canine companion, allow us to do the hard work for you. We recently explored this wondrous Arizona valley to its fullest with our dog, Charlie, by our side, and we learned a lot about how to optimize your time here with your pet.
If this sounds like something you need, then continue reading to discover your guide to a dog-friendly weekend in Sedona, Arizona.
Weather in Sedona
Spring and Fall are the most popular times to visit Sedona because of their mild temperatures. Even still, Sedona has the potential to reach the upper 80s and lower 90s during these seasons. During the summer, the sun can feel oppressive with many of the city’s most picturesque hikes offering little to no shade. During this time of year, be sure to avoid hiking during the hottest parts of the day and instead opt for a morning or afternoon hike to keep you and your pet safe.
Where to Buy Doggie Hiking Essentials
In order to have a wonderful, hiking-filled weekend with your doggo, you’ll need a few essentials. A collapsible water bowl and dog-safe sunscreen are a must. Remember that your canine companion will need to stay hydrated just like you, and the skin on their nose can be just as sensitive to the sun as your own skin.
Also, consider investing in a doggie-backpack or doggie-sling that can carry small to medium-sized dogs in the event that they are struggling to complete sections of your more strenuous hikes. In the summer, when the sun absorbing red rock is hottest, booties or a paw-protective wax should also be utilized to prevent your dog from burning their paws
If you happen to arrive in Sedona without any of these necessities, we recommend a quick trip to the BowWow Pet Boutique in downtown Sedona. On our trip, we purchased a collapsible dog-sling here that we decided we would keep in our hiking pack for emergencies, and ended up using it the very next day in order to safely carry Charlie out of the Soldier’s Pass Cave. As always, it’s way better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the well-being of your beloved pet.
Here’s my husband, Drew, sporting our doggie-sling for the first time. Although Charlie was able to walk the majority of this hike, it was safer for us to help him down the tight incline out of Soldier’s Pass Cave.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants
Rascal Modern American Bistro - Any restaurant that welcomes dogs on outdoor furniture is a winner in my book. At Rascal, you can dine by the fire with your dog and enjoy their selection of modern American fare while also choosing something for your pooch from their Doggie Menu. We enjoyed an amazing brunch here after a lengthy morning hike and fell in love with their Rascal Eggs Benedict and Bloody Mary.
Creekside American Bistro - Creekside American is another restaurant serving up comfort food for both you and your dog. With options ranging from steak tartar to chicken jerky stew on their doggie menu, they don’t just tolerate dogs, they welcome them!
Hideaway House - Hideaway House is our favorite restaurant on this menu because of its stunning views and expansive outdoor seating which make you feel like you’re enjoying lunch in a treehouse. They serve an assortment of local beers, wine, and craft cocktails to complement their rustic Italian menu. Dogs are welcomed here with a treat and some ice-cold water.
The views don’t get much better than this. We enjoyed our visit here so much that we actually ate here twice during our stay!
Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery - While this quaint little vineyard is technically 15 minutes south of Sedona in a small town called Cornville, we simply can’t get enough of it. this place saved us on a day that our campground WIFI was failing us. We enjoyed a day of work here under lush trees, accompanied by the babbling of the nearby river, firmly grasping a glass of Riesling and a charcuterie plate in each hand.
We were not expecting this level of showmanship when we ordered a charcuterie board, but any plate that has an edible plant growing in the middle of it is okay in our book.
Dogs and the Sedona Shuttle
The one persistent problem with hiking around Sedona is undoubtedly the parking situation. The parking lots are consistently small and the trails are universally popular. Recently, Sedona has implemented a shuttle system that carries passengers to the most popular trailheads in the area including Devil’s Bridge, Cathedral Rock, and Soldier’s Pass. However, dogs are not allowed on the shuttle unless they are confined to a carrier that can safely be stowed out of the aisles, making it a no-no for medium to large-sized dogs.
To make matters even more complicated, parking at the trailheads along the shuttle loop will close when the shuttle is operating. If you want to bring your dogs on these specific trails, you will either have to park at the trailheads outside of shuttle operating hours or consider parking at a connecting trailhead.
Fortunately, the Sedona hiking trails are very interconnected and a bit of research should point you in the right direction for alternative parking locations for your chosen hike. To get you started on this, we are also sharing how we accessed our favorite dog-friendly hikes in the section below.
Our Favorite Dog-Friendly Hikes
Soldier’s Pass - Soldier’s Pass is an extremely popular hike in Sedona for very good reason. This 4.5-mile hike features many viewpoints such as The Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole, Seven Sacred Pools water holes, and the iconic Soldier’s Pass cave. It’s moderately challenging with the most difficult portion happening at the ending stretch where there is a short rock scramble. Because the Sedona Shuttle was running during our visit, we parked at the Brins Mesa Trailhead around 7 am and hiked the Ciabala Pass to connect us to the Soldier’s Pass Trailhead.
Dogs are certainly welcome on this trail, but there is a challenging rock climb at the end which requires upper body strength and lower body flexibility. Be absolutely sure that your dog can make it out of the cave before getting them in. We witnessed a group of people hoist their large German Shephard up this section, and while we left before they did, I shudder to think about how they managed to get him out.
We somehow were able to get the cave mostly to ourselves during this hike, but it is often quite busy and will not be a great choice if your dog does not like crowds.
Brins Mesa is a challenging hike that we fell in love with during our trip because of its solitude. It’s a 4.5-mile out and back trail with just under 1,000-foot elevation gain. Even though it offers sweeping views of the entire Sedona valley and is adjacent to the extremely popular Soldier’s Pass Trail, this is one of the best dog-friendly trails we found that allowed us to appreciate the beauty of Sedona without the crowds. Currently, the Sedona Shuttle does not reach the Brins Mesa Trailhead, so you are free to park here at any point.
You can even combine the Brins Mesa Trail and the Soldier’s Pass Trail to make one big loop. This is what we ended up doing, and while we were definitely exhausted at the end, the views were worth it!
Cresting the Brins Mesa trail gives you an amazing reward of this vast view overlooking the many mesas and red rock formations of Sedona.
Devil’s Bridge - Truly, no trip to Sedona is complete without a picture at Devil’s Bridge. Be advised, though, that you will have to put in the work to get it. Because this trail is so popular, people wait for hours to get their photographs taken here during the peak hours of early afternoon. To make matters even more complicated, the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead is only accessible by 4x4 vehicles with high clearance. When we completed this hike, we decided to park at the Mescal Trailhead and complete the short connecting trail to the Devil’s Bridge Trail.
We were on the trail by 4:30 am this morning, headlamps securely in place, and made it to the bridge before the sun was up. Even then, we were the fourth group in line for photos, proving the immense popularity of this viewpoint.
Like many of the hikes in Sedona, the trail was mostly flat with a moderate bouldering section at the end. As long as your dog has some hiking experience, they will be just fine.
For those of you wondering, it’s actually not too scary standing out on Devil’s Bridge. It’s a bit wider than it looks in photos, but I would still recommend having a firm grasp on your dog if you bring them out on the ledge.
Little Horse - When hiking around Sedona, you will likely hear about the Cathedral Rock Trail as being one of the most popular hikes in the valley. While dogs are allowed on the trail, scaling the walls of the rock can be extremely slippery and may not be the safest choice for your furry friend. Instead, if you are interested in seeing the most popular red rock formations around Sedona, consider doing Little Horse.
Little Horse is a moderate, 4.5-mile hike that gives you fantastic views of Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Brins Mesa. You can choose to hike to Chicken Point which is a spectacular red rock overlook, or you can visit the Chapel of the Holy Cross which is a stunning church built into a mesa cliffside.
Hiking on Little Horse gives you fabulous views of Cathedral Rock (shown here), as well as Bell Rock and Brins Mesa.
Birthing Cave - The hike to the Birthing Cave is short, sweet, and spectacular. A 2-mile out and back hike is rewarded with a visit to a unique hidden cave, rumored to be the place where the indigenous Hopi people used to send their women to give birth. It is a wonderful after-dinner hike because the trails tend to clear up around Sedona around this time. This also happens to be when the sun hits the cave just right around sunset, making them glow perfectly for photos.
If you do make it to the cave, many people climb the cave walls to get a stellar photo overlooking the valley, but we do not recommend doing this with a dog! The walls are extremely slippery to say the least.
Parking for this hike begins at the Long Canyon Road Parking area, which is open even when the shuttles are running. In the event that the lot is full, which happens often due to the limited size of the lot, you can park at the nearby Mescal parking lot, but only outside of shuttle hours.
I’m lost for words to even describe the beauty of this cave. Make sure you don’t miss this one!
Montezuma Castle - The view to see Montezuma’s Castle is more like a walk than a hike, making it accessible to a wide range of people. You can expect a half-mile, flat trail that shows you the well-preserved, ancient, high-rise cave-dwelling of the Native Sinagua people. It’s unlike anything I have ever seen in the United States, and although you do have to drive 20 minutes outside of Sedona to reach it, it shouldn’t be missed.
The parking area is large so parking should never be an issue here. Dogs are welcome all year long as long as they are kept on a leash. Do expect to pay an entrance fee, or be equipped with an America The Beautiful Pass before you are allowed in.
It’s hard to fathom, but the cave-dwelling here was built nearly 1,000 years ago by Native Americans.
Sample Weekend Itinerary
Friday - On your way into town, assuming that you are driving in through Phoenix, stop by Montezuma Castle and National Monument. Stretch your legs with this short hike, then head into Sedona and get your first glimpse of the Red Rocks while enjoying dinner in the treehouse of the Hideaway House.
Saturday - Wake up EARLY and park at the Mescal Trailhead to reach Devil’s Bridge before sunrise. Stay here as long as the crowds are low enough to not disturb the peace. With any luck, this will include the time when the sun crests over the canyon, giving you a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. If the energy level of your group allows, leave your car parked where it is and walk to the Long Canyon Road parking area to complete the 2-mile trek to the Birthing Cave.
Enjoy a boozy brunch with your pet at Rascal Modern American Bistro. Finish off the day by walking through the many shops lining downtown Savannah.
Sunday - Once again, get an early start to the day and reach the Brins Mesa Trailhead before 8 to get parking. You can choose to head north to start on the Brins Mesa Trail, or you can head west on the Cibala Pass to head toward Soldier’s Pass. Whether you choose to do one, the other, or combine both into one epic loop, you will surely enjoy your experience and come back with photos to help you remember the adventure of a lifetime.
Celebrate your victory by grabbing a bottle of wine and a good meal at Javelina Leap Vineyard and Winery.
*If you have extra time on any of these days, stop by the Little Horse Trailhead and hike to Chicken Point. This parking does not typically overflow, giving you the flexibility to decide when, and if, you can fit this one into your schedule.
Do you have plans to visit Sedona in the future? Maybe you’ve already visited this city and have some amazing places to share that I may have missed. Be sure to comment down below so that we can inspire future travelers together!
Thank you for joining us at Discovery Detour, where the destination is always unknown.
