Most people come to Fay Canyon to see the natural arch that’s located just under a mile up the trail. But those who don’t know about it usually walk right past it. Though the Fay Canyon Arch is by no means small, it looks so much like an ordinary rock overhang it’s easy to glance right at it and not realize what you’ve seen. If you keep watching the rock wall to the north (right) side of the trail sooner or later you’ll spot it. Then the short, steep trail up to the arch can be a little hard to locate too.
After you’ve found the arch you may want to continue on up the trail. This small, hidden canyon supports a diverse community of desert plants and provides good views of the surrounding cliffs. The trail follows an old jeep track which eventually turns into a footpath. It dead ends at a red Supai sandstone cliff where you can see evidence of some ancient Indian dwellings and marvel at the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you.
The Hike House Sedona Trail Rating System provides actual hiker feedback and ratings of each of the Sedona hiking trails. The cumulative trail ratings for the Fay Canyon Trail submitted by fellow hikers is located above with the Trail Data. Your trail feedback and ratings are an important resource for fellow hikers and provide a personal account of your trail experience from which others may learn. So please hike Sedona, help others, and rate a trail today!
Beautiful trail. High red rock canyon walls, pleasant forest canopy. My favorite is to veer left at end and go up to half moon cave…beautiful views back in the distance.
Great family trail and beginner hike! Relatively level ground and shaded by vegetation. Take time to look up every once in a while to view the rock formations around you. If you feel adventurous take the hike up the rock formation at the end of the trail. There are breathtaking views from up above.
Age: 14,18,40, and 52
Nice relaxing short trail. Good views of rock formations towering above on both sides. Tree cover helps on warm sunny days. I have not hiked up past the rock formation at the end of the canyon, but I’ll try that next time I hike this trail. Note, my low difficulty rating does not apply to the side trail up to the Arch. This side trail is difficult and has its hazzards: loose rocks, and aggressive vegitation, and steep slope.
This is a great warm up hike! Very easy, level hike into canyon area. Lots of trees and interesting vegetation for those who like to take photos. The real reward is at the end of the trail when you come to the inner canyon, a massive formation of red rocks — WOW! Fun to climb on and explore. Great views from a short climb up.
Good hike for families with young children or those with some mobility challenges.
This hike is a great way to end the day or do as your 1st Sedona hike.
Nice east hike through shaded pathways. If you elect to scale the rocks at the end of the trail, USE CAUTION. They can be loose and very slippery. Take at left at the end of the trail and look for the cave.
Very nice trail. Made a few “excursions” off the beaten path and enjoyed the views alot. Very dry time of years so no streams were flowing. Hiked very deep and up on ledge far right end of trail to old ? ruins. Not visible from lower trail so you must explore to find. Very peaceful. Did have a few people on this trail.
Hi, I am 10 years old and I went on the Fay trail with my mom, dad and sister. It was an easy hike and we saw an animal den dug in the dirt. We also climbed on some big rocks. It was awesome!!:)
Easy hike with some great views. Very peaceful and not too many hikers when I walked early On a Monday morning. I did not take the side trip to the arch.
A nice walk through the forest with 1200 foot cliff walls that develop on each side of you. After about .8 miles or so, there is a dry creek bed on your right side. It looks like its been fairly well traveled. Cross over and walk strait ahead to the clearing. If you look up and to the left there is a natural arch in the rock – Fay Canyon Arch. Great hike to go do. Cooler in the late afternoon in the winter as you are in the canyon. Have a great time!
I am 28 years old and pregnant. I came to the hike house to ask about a trail that was easy with nice views. The guide inside the hike house was very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. He suggested the Fay Canyon Trail and it was the perfect relaxing hike. It was very easy and had little to no elevation. A great hike for beginners, families or pregnant women.
Nice leisure trail with nice canyon wall views
Fay Canyon was a delightful and easy hike with beautiful views of the rock formations all around and wonderful greenery of the trees and cactus. We had lunch at Half Moon overhang which was wonderful…it got windy up there (not the top…probably more the base of the arch or a little higher) so we ate at the rocks at the bottom of the climb surrounded by beautiful vistas. Our favorite part of the hike was finding the offshoot trail to Fay’s Arch which was quite a scramble and would change the rating of the hike to 3.5 or so, but it was amazing and a very special place…reminded me of the cliff dwellings in minature. wonderful hike after Devil’s bridge. main part of the trail is great for families or others wanting more of a walk with views than a taxing hike, but provides options for others wanting more of a challenge.
Good for a first hike in the region. Parking can be difficult, but better in the afternoon. Don’t miss both arches (halfway up the trail); across the creek bed & on the right…
I’m 7 months pregnant and we hiked Fay Canyon today and really enjoyed it! At the end of the marked trail there is an opportunity to climb up a bit for spectacular views. While my husband made it up there, I hung out in the canyon.
Classic little box canyon and a very nice, easy hike/walk.
Great trail for starting out as a newbie or visitor because: a) The trail is very short and flat; b) It’s well-shaded, a real plus in summertime; c) The final scramble to the overhang is optional and not hard at all (do it to get a nice view back down the canyon).