Broken Arrow Trail

Broken Arrow might be the most "Sedona" trail in Sedona. From the moment you step onto the trail, you're surrounded by massive red rock formations that glow in the sunlight. We did this one in the late afternoon and the colors were absolutely insane - deep reds, burnt oranges, and purples as the sun started to drop.

The trail is about 4 miles out and back with some fun slickrock sections where you're walking across smooth red sandstone. There's a stretch called Chicken Point that's famous for the Jeep tours that drive up to it, but on foot it's even better because you can take your time and explore the edges. The views from Chicken Point are panoramic - you can see Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and miles of red rock wilderness.

The elevation gain is pretty mild by hiking standards, but the terrain keeps it interesting. You're constantly going up and over slickrock shelves, ducking between rock walls, and finding new viewpoints around every corner. We loved how the trail changes character throughout - sometimes you're on sandy desert floor, sometimes on bare rock, sometimes threading between towering formations.

It's a great trail for photography - we took way too many pictures and every single one looked like a postcard.

The only downside is that it can get crowded, especially where it intersects with the Jeep tour routes. Go early morning or late afternoon for the best experience and the best light.