Courthouse Butte Loop: The Bigger Sister to Bell Rock
The Courthouse Butte Loop circumnavigates the tall sandstone formation that sits just north of Bell Rock — a 4.4-mile flat loop that is essentially Bell Rock Pathway's bigger, quieter sibling. Same easy tread, same kid- and dog-friendly terrain, half the crowds, and a more sustained encounter with one of the most imposing formations in the Red Rock Country.
Trail overview
The Courthouse Butte Loop runs 4.4 miles around the base of Courthouse Butte with about 200 feet of total elevation gain — essentially flat. The tread is hard-packed sand and slickrock, well-marked at every junction. Going counter-clockwise from the south Bell Rock Vista trailhead, you start by sharing the path with the Bell Rock Pathway crowds for the first half-mile, then split off to head around the north side of Courthouse where the trail empties out dramatically.
What to expect
The north side of the loop is the highlight: a long traverse beneath the towering 700-foot east face of Courthouse Butte, with the formation looming overhead and the open Coffee Pot drainage stretching north into the desert. This stretch is quiet, dramatic, and a different experience from the more popular Bell Rock side. The loop returns past the Spaceship Rock formation on the back side of Courthouse before reconnecting with Bell Rock Pathway for the final half-mile back to the trailhead.
Combined with the Bell Rock Pathway loop, this trail makes a 7-mile day around both formations — the comprehensive Village of Oak Creek hike that lots of visitors do not realise is possible. The connector trails between the two loops are well-signed; consult a trailhead map before starting.
Permits + parking
Same as Bell Rock Pathway — South Bell Rock Vista trailhead (largest lot), North Courthouse Vista (smaller, less obvious), or the Yavapai Vista trailhead a mile south. A Red Rock Pass is required at all three ($5 day). The South Bell Rock lot fills by 9 AM on weekends.
Best time to go
Year-round. Spring and fall are ideal. Summer mornings (start by 7:30 AM) are workable; midday in summer is exposed and hot. Winter mornings are excellent. The trail handles light snow without becoming dangerous.
Difficulty + safety
Easy. The minimal elevation gain and the easy tread make this an approachable hike for most fitness levels including children and seniors. Carry 1.5 litres of water per person, more in summer. Dogs welcome on-leash and this is one of the best dog hikes in Sedona — soft tread, easy distance, no scrambling.
The full 7-mile combined loop
Doing Bell Rock Pathway and the Courthouse Butte Loop together makes a 7-mile day around both formations — the comprehensive Village of Oak Creek hike. Start at the south Bell Rock Vista lot, walk Bell Rock Pathway counter-clockwise first (sees Bell Rock\'s south and east faces), then continue onto the Courthouse Butte loop around the north and east sides of Courthouse, finishing the full circuit back at your car. The connector trails are signed at every junction. Allow 3 to 4 hours including breaks. Bring extra water — the combined distance is more than most groups carry water for if they were planning only one loop.
Stay nearby
The Bell Rock Vista trailhead is a five-minute drive from our Village of Oak Creek rentals, ten minutes from West Sedona properties. See our Sedona vacation rentals for properties within easy reach, and check Visit Sedona for current trail conditions.
