Wilson Mountain

davidpinter, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted

Highest peak in the region featuring a long, steep ascent to a broad summit plateau with expansive panoramic views over canyons, cliffs, and desert landscapes.

General Information
Length:
Approximately 9–11.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:
About 2,400–2,800 feet
Difficulty:
Difficult to strenuous
Hours:
Open daily from sunrise to sunset
Fees:
Red Rock Pass required: $5 per vehicle per day
Weekly pass: $15
Annual pass: $20
Pet Policy:
Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash; not recommended due to length and steep terrain
Closest cities with hotels:
Sedona (2 mi)
Seasons:
Spring and fall are best; summer is very hot and exposed, winter can be cold at higher elevations
Location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1y6yYyNs8X4Jc6iZ6Wilson Mountain Trailhead, AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336
Website:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/recreation/trails/wilson-mountain-trail-no-10" rel="noopener" target="_blank">fs.usda.gov/wilson-mountain-trail

How to Get There

From Sedona (2 mi): Take AZ-89A north through Oak Creek Canyon and continue to the Midgley Bridge area where the main trailhead parking is located along the highway.

Overview

Dominating the skyline above Oak Creek Canyon, Wilson Mountain rises to become the highest peak in the region, offering a demanding yet rewarding ascent through varied desert and forest landscapes. The trail begins with a steep climb, gaining significant elevation early before transitioning into a more gradual ascent through wooded sections of pine and juniper. As hikers progress upward, the terrain shifts from open, sunlit slopes to cooler, shaded corridors that provide relief during the climb and showcase the diversity of the high desert environment.

At the summit, the landscape opens into a broad plateau with multiple overlooks that reveal sweeping views stretching across miles of canyon country and iconic rock formations. The vantage points perched along the edges offer dramatic perspectives of the valleys below, where layers of sandstone rise and fall in vivid contrast against the horizon. Despite the physical effort required, the experience captures the scale and grandeur of the surrounding wilderness, making the journey to the top as memorable as the views themselves.

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

davidpinter, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
davidpinter, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons ; Image Size Adjusted
davidpinter, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
davidpinter, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted