Bell Rock is a red sandstone butte and trailhead in the Village of Oak Creek, just south of Sedona, Arizona, reaching 4,919 feet at its summit. This guide covers opening hours, parking and pass prices, transport, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
It was checked against the Coconino National Forest’s official pages in August 2026; at that check, Bell Rock and its pathway were open and unaffected by the Pocket Fire, a wildfire that burned north of Sedona from mid-June to late July 2026, and the Red Rock Pass still cost $5 a day despite a 2025 proposal to raise it that hasn’t taken effect.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | No posted gate hours; a day-use site with no overnight parking, following the Forest Service’s general dawn-to-dusk guidance |
| Ticket prices | Red Rock Pass required to park: $5 a day, $15 a week, $20 a year; America the Beautiful Interagency Pass also accepted |
| Address | Bell Rock Vista Trailhead, State Route 179, Village of Oak Creek, AZ 86351 |
| Nearest transport/parking | On-site pay-to-park lot; the free Sedona Shuttle doesn’t serve this trailhead |
| Typical time needed | 30–60 minutes for a short walk; up to 2.5 hours to walk the full 3.5-mile pathway |
Opening hours at Bell Rock
The Coconino National Forest hasn’t posted specific gate hours for the Bell Rock Vista Trailhead. Like most Red Rock Country day-use sites, it generally follows a dawn-to-dusk pattern, and overnight parking isn’t permitted.
Because it’s an outdoor forest site rather than a staffed attraction, there’s no seasonal change in opening hours; conditions that do change by season are trail and road access, particularly after winter storms, so checking the Forest Service’s current conditions page before visiting is worthwhile.
5 great Sedona experiences to book
- 🚙 Get to red rock views others cannot reach on an off-road Jeep tour.
- 🚆 Ride the Verde Canyon Railroad, passing cliff dwellings, desert scenery and wildlife.
- 🌀 Discover the science and spirituality of Sedona’s vortexes on a specialist tour.
- 🚲 See Sedona’s highlights the easy way on an e-bike tour.
- 🌌 Take a Sedona night sky tour and hear the stories of the constellations.
Ticket prices for Bell Rock
There’s no admission ticket for Bell Rock; visitors instead need a Red Rock Pass or equivalent federal pass to park at the trailhead. The Red Rock Pass costs $5 for the day, $15 for a week, or $20 for the year, and covers parking at most Coconino National Forest trailheads in the Sedona area.
The America the Beautiful Interagency Pass is also accepted in place of a Red Rock Pass. Opening hours and prices were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026; visitors can check the official site before travelling. In 2025 the Forest Service proposed doubling daily and weekly Red Rock Pass fees and tripling the annual fee at trailheads including Bell Rock Vista, but as of this check the increase hadn’t been adopted and standard pricing still applied.
How to get to Bell Rock
Bell Rock sits beside State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek, about 5 miles south of central Sedona. From the Sedona exit off Interstate 17 (exit 298), take SR 179 west for roughly 9 miles to reach the trailhead area.
There’s no Sedona Shuttle service to this trailhead, so most visitors arrive by car, taxi, or rideshare. The lot can fill on weekends and during peak season, so arriving early in the day improves the chances of finding a space.
Parking at Bell Rock
Parking is at the Bell Rock Vista Trailhead directly off SR 179, with a self-service kiosk for buying a Red Rock Pass on site. An overflow lot is sometimes needed nearby when the main lot is full.
There’s also a designated space for vehicles towing horse trailers, since the Bell Rock Pathway allows horse riders as well as hikers and cyclists.
How long to spend at Bell Rock
Most visitors spend 30 minutes to an hour here for a short walk from the parking area toward the base of the rock. The full Bell Rock Pathway is 3.5 miles one way, with a roundtrip time of around 2.5 hours according to the Forest Service.
Those wanting to scramble partway up the rock itself, rather than just walk the pathway, should plan extra time and sturdy footwear, since the surface becomes steep and uneven higher up.
Accessibility at Bell Rock
Most of the Bell Rock Pathway has a wide, hard surface, though it includes some steep sections and rougher ground closer to the rock itself. Restrooms are available at the northern and southern trailhead parking lots.
The Forest Service doesn’t list dedicated accessible parking or paved accessible routes for this specific trailhead, so visitors with mobility needs may wish to call the Red Rock Ranger Visitor Center in advance to check current trail conditions.
What to see at Bell Rock
Bell Rock is a butte with a summit elevation of 4,919 feet, standing just west of the taller Courthouse Butte, which reaches 5,454 feet. Its stepped, bell-like shape is visible from State Route 179 well before reaching the trailhead.
The Bell Rock Pathway circles the base of the formation, with views of Bell Rock, Baby Bell Rock, and Courthouse Butte along the way. A rougher, unmarked route climbs partway up Bell Rock’s north-west face to a small plateau; reaching the true summit requires a more difficult, unmarked scramble.
Bell Rock is also regarded by some visitors as one of Sedona’s energy “vortex” sites, a belief rooted in local New Age tradition rather than an official Forest Service designation.
Practical visitor tips for Bell Rock
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive before 8am on weekends to find parking, since the lot is one of Sedona’s busiest. |
| Crowds | Sunset draws large numbers of visitors, especially near the base of the rock. |
| Layout | The pathway circles the base of Bell Rock and links onward to the Courthouse Butte Loop. |
| Entry process | Buy a Red Rock Pass at the trailhead kiosk before parking, or bring a valid Interagency Pass. |
| On-site logistics | Carry water and sun protection, since the trail has little shade for most of its length. |
Frequently asked questions about Bell Rock
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Bell Rock free to visit? | Hiking itself is free, but a Red Rock Pass ($5 a day) is required to park at the trailhead. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Bell Rock? | No, there’s no booking system; visitors buy a parking pass on arrival or in advance online. |
| Is Bell Rock open on Sundays? | Yes, it’s open daily year-round, following the general dawn-to-dusk pattern of Forest Service day-use sites. |
| Is Bell Rock suitable for children? | Yes; the main pathway is rated easy and family-friendly, though the rock scramble is steeper and less suitable for young children. |
| Are dogs allowed at Bell Rock? | Yes, on the Bell Rock Pathway, though the Forest Service doesn’t specify a leash requirement for this particular trail. |
Things to do near Bell Rock
- Courthouse Butte Loop — an extension of the Bell Rock Pathway circling the neighbouring butte, adding about a mile to the walk.
- Cathedral Rock — one of Sedona’s most photographed formations, a short drive away, with its own trailhead and pass requirement.
- Chapel of the Holy Cross — a church built into the red rocks, a short drive north of Bell Rock.
- Village of Oak Creek — the small community beside Bell Rock, with restaurants, cafés, and shops.
- Little Horse Trailhead — a nearby trailhead on SR 179 offering access to further red rock trails.
What to visit tomorrow
- Devil’s Bridge — Sedona’s largest natural sandstone arch, about a 20-minute drive from Bell Rock.
- Airport Mesa and the Airport Scenic Overlook — a viewpoint over West Sedona, about a 15-minute drive away.
- Schnebly Hill Vista — a Forest Service overlook above Sedona reached via Schnebly Hill Road, about a 20-minute drive away.
- Oak Creek Vista — an overlook above Oak Creek Canyon on State Route 89A, about 40 minutes’ drive north.
- Mather Point, Grand Canyon South Rim — around a two-hour drive north, for a longer day trip to a larger-scale viewpoint.
More Arizona travel
Other Arizona travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Sedona attraction guides: Red Rock Crossing, Cathedral Rock, Airport Scenic Overlook and Courthouse Butte.
- Should I do a Grand Canyon day tour from Sedona?
- Why visit Montezuma Castle National Monument?
- What to expect at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde.
- Arizona road trips from Phoenix: Where to stop on the Phoenix to Sedona drive and Phoenix to Tucson drive.
