As late summer settles over Arizona’s red rock country, we’ll admit, the desert heat can make hiking challenging. But, that doesn’t stop us from getting outside. We just give more thought to our trail selection. The key is knowing where to find those precious pockets of shade, cooling streams, and breathtaking views that make the effort worthwhile. Here are our favorites (and a few tips for enjoying hiking, despite the heat).
Why Late Summer Hiking in Sedona Requires Strategy
Late summer in Sedona presents unique challenges and opportunities. While the intense heat can be daunting, this season has the added benefit of fewer crowds on some of the more popular trails. When we plan a hiking day at this time of year, we seek out trails that offer natural cooling elements—deep canyons that provide shade, creek beds that offer respite, and elevated viewpoints that catch cooling breezes.
Shaded Trails for Late Summer
West Fork Trail at Oak Creek Canyon
The crown jewel of summer hiking in Sedona, West Fork Trail offers everything you need to beat the heat: consistent shade, flowing water, and stunning canyon scenery. Follow Oak Creek for 7.2 miles as it meanders deep into a narrow canyon. Towering walls provide natural air conditioning and the creek offers multiple opportunities for cooling off. The combination of riparian vegetation and canyon walls creates a microclimate that can be 15-20 degrees cooler than exposed trails. Late summer often brings lower water levels, making crossings easier while still maintaining the refreshing creek environment.
Fay Canyon Trail
Looking for short, sweet, and shady? We suggest Fay Canyon. This 2.6-mile trail takes you through a beautiful canyon with consistent shade from soaring walls and tree coverage. The canyon’s orientation provides shade for most of the day, making it ideal for afternoon hikes when other trails become unbearably hot. If you have the energy, and a sun hat, scramble up the rocks at the back of the canyon for elevated views.
Boynton Canyon Trail
This moderate 6-mile hike offers the perfect progression from sun to shade, making it ideal for early morning starts in late summer. There’s about a mile of exposure at the beginning, but as you venture deeper into the canyon, tree coverage increases dramatically, culminating in a cool, forested environment in the final mile.
Boynton Canyon is also one of Sedona’s famous vortex sites, adding a spiritual dimension to your cooling hike. The deeper you go, the more the canyon walls close in, creating natural air conditioning that makes even hot afternoons manageable.
Long Canyon Trail
Long Canyon offers one of Sedona’s most dramatic landscape transitions, taking you from open desert terrain into a lush, cool canyon environment. The first 2.5 miles traverse sandy, exposed terrain—best tackled in early morning—before entering a dramatically different world of dense forest, seasonal streams, and significantly cooler temperatures. The canyon section features trickling streams, diverse vegetation, and deep shade that can provide relief even during the hottest parts of late summer days.
Templeton Trail
Following Oak Creek for much of its length, Templeton Trail provides consistent water access and riparian shade (there’s nothing as refreshing as unlacing your boots for a spell and soaking your feet in the cool creek). This lesser-known trail offers a more peaceful alternative to the popular West Fork while still delivering the cooling benefits of creek-side hiking. There are multiple access points to the water and shaded picnic spots perfect for extended breaks.
Airport Mesa Loop
While partially exposed, Airport Mesa’s elevation provides cooling breezes that make late summer hiking more tolerable, especially during early morning or late afternoon hours. The panoramic views of Sedona’s red rock formations are unparalleled. We suggest visiting at golden hour before sunset when the temperatures drop and the lighting becomes magical. The 360-degree views include Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte, making it worth the temporary sun exposure.
Late Summer Hiking Safety and Preparation
The best advice for late-summer Sedona hiking is preparation. It’s easy to dehydrate in our dry climate and intense sun, so bring plenty of water and hit the shade spots whenever you can. However, the reward for thoughtful planning is immense: experiencing Sedona’s iconic red rocks in relative solitude, with dramatic lighting conditions that photographers dream of.
Timing Is Everything
Start early or finish late. The ideal hiking window in late summer runs from sunrise until 9 AM, then again from 5 PM until sunset. Mid-day hiking should be limited to heavily shaded canyon trails. Consider headlamp hiking for very early starts—watching sunrise from a Sedona viewpoint is unforgettable.
Hydration Strategy
Bring significantly more water than you think you need—at least one liter per hour of hiking in late-summer conditions. Consider electrolyte supplements to replace minerals lost through increased sweating. Pro tip: Frozen water bottles can serve double duty as cooling devices and gradually thawing hydration sources.
Essential Gear
We always wear lightweight, light-colored clothing with UPF protection when hiking in the summer. A wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and cooling towels can make the difference between an enjoyable hike and a survival situation.
Making the Most of Late Summer Conditions
Photography Opportunities
Late summer’s intense heat creates dramatic lighting conditions that photographers prize. The clear air and strong shadows can produce stunning contrasts, especially during the golden hours. Heat shimmer effects can add ethereal qualities to landscape shots.
Wildlife Encounters
Many desert animals are more active during cooler parts of late summer days, increasing your chances of wildlife encounters near water sources. Early-morning hikes often reveal animal tracks in sandy washes that tell stories of nighttime desert activity.
See You on the Trail!
The key to successful late-summer Sedona hiking lies in choosing trails that work with, rather than against, the season’s challenges. Seek shade, embrace water features, time your adventures wisely, and come prepared for conditions. Done right, late summer hiking in Sedona reveals a different side of this remarkable landscape—one that’s more intimate, more challenging, and ultimately more rewarding.
We look forward to hearing about your favorite Sedona late-summer hiking experience. Check out our specials for your visit.