Vultee Arch

How to Get There

From Sedona (12 mi): Take AZ-89A west, turn right onto Dry Creek Road, follow the rough forest road for several miles to the trailhead area, then continue on foot toward the canyon.

Overview

Deep within a remote stretch of the Red Rock–Secret Mountain Wilderness, Vultee Arch stands as a striking example of natural erosion, its sweeping sandstone span carved by centuries of wind and water. The approach follows a path along a dry canyon floor lined with juniper and pine, where the environment gradually shifts from desert scrub to a more wooded landscape. This transition gives the hike a unique character, offering both shade and changing scenery as the trail gently climbs toward the arch.

The formation itself rests high across the canyon, framed by rugged cliffs and expansive views that evoke a sense of isolation and scale. Unlike more heavily trafficked landmarks, the arch rewards effort with a quieter, more immersive experience, where the silence of the wilderness is broken only by wind through the trees. The surrounding terrain offers multiple vantage points to appreciate the arch’s curvature and the canyon below, making it a memorable destination for those seeking both scenic beauty and a more secluded adventure.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Vultee Arch Trail, AllTrails, and regional hiking guides, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.