Fay Canyon Trail is a moderately difficult 2.4-mile roundtrip hike in Sedona, Arizona. The popular trail can be hiked in many ways, including optional climbs to a large arch and two viewpoints beyond its end of trail sign. Fay Canyon Trailhead has large parking lot but a pass is required to park.
In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about hiking Fay Canyon Trail in Sedona, Arizona.
Our Fay Canyon Experience
We hiked Fay Canyon Trail during our week long visit to Sedona at the end of 2021 and it turned out to be a real surprise for us. At first we didn’t think the trail was the most exciting. But that changed when we climbed up to Fay Canyon Arch and scrambled up to a viewpoint at the end of the trail called West Ascent.
Visiting Sedona in December during the low season meant we had the entire Fay Canyon Trail to ourselves. So we were completely alone at the arch and the hidden viewpoint which was amazing.
Hiking Statistics
You can hike Fay Canyon Trail in Sedona in 3 different ways:
- Fay Canyon Trail Only (Without The Arch Or West Ascent)
- Fay Canyon Trail + Hidden Arch
- Fay Canyon Trail + Hidden Arch + West Ascent
There are two separate ascents at the end of Fay Canyon Trail called West Ascent and East Ascent. We personally took West Ascent and we’ll show you how to do the same later in the guide.
Let’s take a look at trail distance, elevation gain, hike difficulty and time required for the three Fay Canyon hiking options.
1. Fay Canyon Trail Only (Without The Arch Or West Ascent)
- Trail Distance: 2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 150 feet
- Hike Difficulty: Easy
- Time Required: 1.5 hours
2. Fay Canyon Trail + Hidden Arch
- Trail Distance: 2.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 400 feet
- Hike Difficulty: Moderate
- Time Required: 2.5 hours
3. Fay Canyon Trail + Hidden Arch + West Ascent
- Trail Distance: 2.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 600 feet
- Hike Difficulty: Moderate
- Time Required: 3.5 hours
Fay Canyon Arch
So what is the Fay Canyon Arch and is it worth including on your hike into the canyon?
Around half way into Fay Canyon Trail you’ll spot a massive depression at the top of a steep bank where vegetation meets a tall red rock cliff. This is Fay Canyon Arch.
It might not seem like much from the trail, but it’s well worth the steep climb to stand underneath the arch and look back out at the stunning landscape. You can walk through the arch, which almost feels like being inside of the popular caves in Sedona.
Hiking Tip: When exploring outdoors, be sure to always practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace to preserve natural beauty so others can enjoy the same environments.
End Of Trail Ascent
And what about this end of trail scramble to a viewpoint?
Around 1 mile into the Fay Canyon Trail you’ll reach a tree displaying an end of trail sign. Beyond the tree, strong hikers are permitted to climb scramble trails leading to the west or east.
The West Ascent follows a narrow, steep and unmaintained slick rock trail which eventually reaches the top of the tall rock formation you can see from the end of trail sign. This scramble should only be taken on by experienced hikers who do not have a fear of heights.
Further Reading: The 50 best hiking trails in the US
Trail Map
The photo we created above shows exactly what you can expect when hiking Fay Canyon to the hidden arch and rock scrambles at the end of trail.
Map key:
- Blue Line – Fay Canyon Trail
- Orange Line – Climb to Fay Canyon Arch
- Yellow Circle – Fay Canyon Arch
- White Circle – End of maintained trail
- Red Line – West Ascent
- Green Line – East Ascent
Hiking Walkthrough
Let’s get into the Fay Canyon hiking walkthrough. We are going to show you the entire trail step-by-step so you know exactly what to expect.
Don’t forget you can use our photos below throughout your Fay Canyon hike to help with navigation.
1. Park At Fay Canyon Trailhead
Fay Canyon Trailhead has a huge parking lot with loads of spaces. You should be able to park here without too many issues most of the year.
On the southern end of Fay Canyon Trailhead parking lot you will find restrooms. Look for the sign stating Cockscomb Trail straight ahead and Fay Canyon to the right. Follow the right turn and cross the main road to begin the hike.
2. Begin Hiking Into Fay Canyon
Fay Canyon Trail is flat, easy and soft underfoot. Following the dirt packed path, you will walk through picturesque desert vegetation and juniper trees as you enter the canyon.
Keep your eyes on the red rock cliffs to your right side. Look for an arch shaped hole where the rock wall meets the top of the steep bank.
3. Find The Spur Trail
The photo above shows the exact point you will turn right off Fay Canyon Trail. This right spur trail leads through a dry creek at a right angle to the main trail. It’s a very obvious turn and you won’t miss it.
Only take the spur trail if you are comfortable with steep climbs and you have robust shoes on for the ascent. Take the rocky path leading out of the wash to the right side and look for the arch formation at the top of the bank.
4. Climb To Fay Canyon Arch
There are various lightly beaten trails you can take to climb up the steep bank. Try to find the most heavily beaten path and stick to it so you don’t disrupt the vegetation.
Fay Canyon Arch becomes clearer the closer you get to it. And as the arch becomes clearer, the bank gets even steeper! The final approach has loose stones and rocks so take care with your footing.
5. Look Up At The Arch
Once you summit the bank, stand directly underneath Fay Canyon Arch. Look up to see a surprisingly wide gap between the arch and the main red rock cliff wall behind.
The reverse face of Fay Canyon Arch is almost perfectly flat, as though it was sliced with a knife.
6. Walk Behind Fay Canyon Arch
You can walk a few feet behind the arch before reaching a dead end at the cliff. Look back to see the stunning view over Sedona through Fay Canyon Arch, which has a similar appearance to some of the nearby caves.
In late afternoon and early evening, the sun will burst through Fay Canyon Arch and the rocks would glow a deep orange color.
7. Continue To The End Of Trail Sign
Carefully descend the steep bank and take care with the loose stones. Turn right once you are back on Fay Canyon Trail and continue hiking until you see the tree with the end of trail sign as you can see in the photo above.
If you didn’t climb up to Fay Canyon Arch and you certainly don’t intend to rock scramble, this is the point for you to stop and turn back.
8. Choose East Or West Ascent
A few steps beyond the end of trail sign reveals a tall oddly shaped rock formation towering into the sky. This is what you can stand atop if you scramble up the West Ascent.
Now, you can either take on the West Ascent here or you can continue hiking due north on the unmaintained section of Fay Canyon Trail. After 0.2 miles you will reach a right turn which leads to the East Ascent.
9. Scramble To A Viewpoint
If you decide to take on the West Ascent like we did, you will begin by climbing slick rock and following a narrow ledge. Look for the piles of dirt that have collected in pockets of eroded rock.
Keep the tall cliff walls to your right side and hug the inside edge tightly. You will walk west and gain elevation on the narrow ledge until it switches back 180 degrees so you are heading east. Walk across the flat top until you get to the end.
10. Enjoy The Views
From the top you can look back down through the U-shaped Fay Canyon, which we have to say is a fantastic photo op. However, it’s a southeast facing viewpoint so you will be looking directly into the sun if you hike in the morning like we did.
You can just about make out the iconic Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte formations in the far distance shrouded in haze in our photo above.
Hiking tip: You only have to climb up the very first part of West Ascent Trail to get above the tree line and open up spectacular canyon views.
11. Hike Back To The Trailhead
Once you’re all done with the amazing views over Fay Canyon, it’s time to head back to the parking lot. Take care descending from either the West or East Ascent trails.
The return leg will take no time at all, unless you hike back up to see Fay Canyon Arch one final time!
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Easy flat hike with optional adventure elements
- Much larger parking lot than average for Sedona
- Perfectly located for hiking more nearby trails
Cons:
- Both the arch and end ascent are steep paths
- Not the most exciting hike if don’t include the arch or ascent
- Very busy trail from mid morning to mid afternoon
Fay Canyon Trailhead Parking
Fay Canyon Trailhead has its own parking lot on Boynton Pass Road. The parking area is larger than average for Sedona hikes but it can fill quickly because it is also used as a spillover for the nearby Boynton Canyon Trail.
Here’s the Google Maps location for Fay Canyon Trailhead.
Alternate Parking Options
If Fay Canyon Trailhead parking lot is full, try parking at nearby Doe Mountain or Boynton Canyon. Doe Mountain is your best bet as Boynton Canyon is extremely popular and has limited parking.
You can hike Aerie Trail from both Doe Mountain trailhead and Boynton Canyon trailhead to join Fay Canyon Trail:
- Doe Mountain to Fay Canyon Trailhead is 1.5 miles one way
- Boynton Canyon to Fay Canyon Trailhead is 1.2 miles one way
There are also places you can park on the roadside near Fay Canyon parking lot. Just make sure your vehicle is completely off the main road.
Do You Need A Parking Pass?
Yes, you need to display either a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass on your vehicle dashboard to park at Fay Canyon Trailhead in Sedona.
You can buy a Red Rock Pass at this recreation.gov page in advance, or you can buy a pass at a ticket machine when you arrive in person.
Red Rock Pass options include:
- 1 Day Red Rock Pass – $5
- 7 Day Red Rock Pass – $15
- Red Rock Annual Pass – $20
Do you have an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass? You can use it instead of a Red Rock Pass at these trailheads, which includes Fay Canyon.
Best Time To Hike Fay Canyon Trail
The ideal to hike Fay Canyon Trail would be late afternoon on a weekday in spring or fall so you can benefit from perfect hiking and light conditions.
Best Season
Sedona is busiest in spring and fall, which could lead to the Fay Canyon Trailhead parking lot filling up. So the temperatures will be perfect but it’ll also be crowded on the hike.
Summer and in particular winter are quieter periods in Sedona, which means you have more chance getting parked up at the trailhead without issue and enjoying the trail with fewer crowds. We hiked Fay Canyon in winter and it was quiet at the parking lot until around 10:00am.
Best Time Of Day
The best time of day to hike Fay Canyon is late afternoon because Fay Canyon Arch will light up and you won’t be looking into the sun from the West Ascent summit.
However, early morning will be quieter and cooler so it’s another great time to hike. We had just hiked Doe Mountain Trail for sunrise before heading straight out into Fay Canyon around 8:00am. The light isn’t ideal in the morning but it’s much quieter.
Further Reading: The best places to visit in Arizona
What To Pack
- Footwear – Footwear with good grips and traction are essential for climbing the steep bank to Fay Canyon Arch but more importantly for the rock scramble ascent at the end.
- Water – You’ll be out hiking for anywhere between 1.5 to 3.5 hours in Fay Canyon, which means you’ll need to carry water. Summer months require more water and even electrolyte drinks.
- Sun protection – Sunglasses, sun hats, long layers and sunscreen are vital if you are visiting Sedona in summer. Most of the hike is shaded by trees but Fay Canyon Arch and the West Ascent climb are completely exposed.
- Winter – Early starts are cold in Sedona during winter. Even on sunny mornings like we had in December, we needed our coats, gloves and hats until it warmed up later in the morning.
Further Reading: Day hiking essentials packing list
Our Top 5 Tips
- Leave your car at Fay Canyon to hike Doe Mountain or Boynton Canyon to avoid parking issues
- Keep your eyes peeled for that right spur trail leading to Fay Canyon Arch
- You don’t need to climb the whole West Ascent to get those awesome canyon views
- Set off early to beat the crowds for a more relaxing hike
- Use one of the best hiking apps like Gaia GPS offline maps for navigation
In Conclusion
Fay Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona, Arizona. It can be hiked in many ways which makes it suitable for hikers of all ages and abilities. The trailhead has a large parking lot and it’s located close to other major Sedona hikes like Boynton Canyon and Doe Mountain.
Is Fay Canyon Trail worth it?
Yes! Fay Canyon Trail is short, scenic and perfect for groups with different hiking abilities. Stronger hikers can climb to Fay Canyon arch and a viewpoint at the end of the trail, while others relax on the main trail. It’s definitely one to include on your Sedona hiking itinerary!
More Sedona Hikes
- Cathedral Rock Trail
- Bell Rock Trail
- Devils Bridge Trail
- West Fork Trail
- Sedona Subway Cave Trail
- Soldier Pass Trail
- Airport Mesa Vortex Trail
More From Sedona
- Best things to do in Sedona
- Sedona itinerary ideas 1-7 days
- Best hikes in Sedona
- Most popular Sedona vortexes
- Best Sedona jeep trails
- Best places to stay in Sedona
Want more Arizona content? Head over to our Arizona travel guides to explore the best of Grand Canyon, Sedona and beyond.
We hope this guide to hiking Fay Canyon Trail helps with planning your visit to Sedona, Arizona!
Please let us know if you have any questions about the Fay Canyon hike or your visit to Sedona in the comments below.
Happy Hiking,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.
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