Devil's Bridge Trail: The Iconic Sandstone Arch
Devil's Bridge is the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area and probably the most Instagrammed object in Arizona that is not the Grand Canyon. The bridge itself is short — walking out on it takes thirty seconds — but getting there has become genuinely complicated in the last few years thanks to a Forest Service shuttle program. Read this before you go.
Trail overview
The bridge sits about 1.2 miles from the upper trailhead (Mescal) and 2 miles from the Dry Creek Vista trailhead. The hike itself is moderate — the first three quarters are mostly flat across desert grassland and a sandy wash, then the final quarter mile climbs roughly 350 feet up a series of sandstone steps to the bridge itself. Plan three hours round-trip including time on the bridge for photos. The arch spans about 50 feet across and stands maybe 4 feet wide at its narrowest point, which feels much narrower when you are standing on it.
What to expect
The famous shot — one person standing on the bridge silhouetted against the sky — is taken from a sandstone shelf to the right of the bridge, not from the bridge itself. There is almost always a queue for the photo on busy days. Etiquette: walk out, get your shot, walk back, let the next person have a turn. Do not sit, do not lie down, do not try to take a thirty-shot sequence. The far end of the bridge does not connect to any continuing trail — it is a dead-end ledge — so there is no reason to linger past your photo.
The bridge is solid sandstone and structurally sound, but it is also a hundred feet above the ground on either side with no railings. Take it seriously, especially with kids. The Forest Service does not recommend dogs on the final climb — the sandstone steps are awkward for paws and the bridge itself is no place for a leashed animal.
Permits + parking (the shuttle problem)
Since 2022 the Forest Service runs a seasonal shuttle serving Devil\'s Bridge from the Posse Grounds Park-and-Ride in West Sedona. From roughly March through November (dates change yearly — check the Forest Service website), private vehicles cannot park at the Dry Creek Vista trailhead between 8 AM and 5 PM; you must ride the free shuttle. The shuttle runs every 15-20 minutes from 7 AM to 6 PM. Bring a Red Rock Pass for the parking lot at Posse Grounds.
The shuttle has changed the experience. The trailhead is no longer the parking-lot zoo it became in 2019-2021, and the trail itself is genuinely pleasant again. But it adds 30-60 minutes of logistics on either end of your hike. Plan accordingly. Off-season (December through February) the shuttle does not run and you can park at Dry Creek Vista directly, which is the easier visit if your dates allow it.
Alternative: drive a high-clearance 4WD vehicle on Forest Road 152 directly to the Mescal trailhead — cuts the hike by 1.6 miles round-trip. The road is rough; do not attempt in a rental sedan.
Best time to go
Sunrise. The bridge faces east and lights up beautifully in the first hour after dawn, and you can be on the trail before the shuttle starts running (private vehicles are allowed at the trailhead before 8 AM in shuttle season, though parking is extremely limited — arrive by 5:30 AM in summer, 6:30 AM in winter). Sunset is also dramatic but the crowds are much heavier. Avoid midday in summer; the sandstone climb is brutal in 100°F heat with no shade.
Difficulty + safety
Moderate. The flat approach is easy; the final climb is short but steep and rough. Carry at least 1.5 litres of water per person, more in summer. The exposure on the bridge itself is the real safety concern — every year there are rescues for people who froze halfway across or twisted an ankle on the descent steps. If anyone in your group has a fear of heights, send them to the photo shelf instead of out on the bridge; the view from the side is arguably better anyway.
Stay nearby
Our West Sedona rentals are a five-minute drive from the Posse Grounds shuttle pickup — guests typically catch the first shuttle of the day and are back at the property by mid-morning. See our Sedona vacation rentals for properties close to the shuttle, and check Visit Sedona\'s Devil\'s Bridge guide for current shuttle schedules and trail status.
