Hiking Devil’s Bridge Trail for a Sunrise: Complete Guide

Note to my fellow wanderers: This guide was written from my first-hand experiences. I try my best not to over-glamorize any location I travel to because I want HappyWander’s content to be as authentic as possible. My goal is to provide you real information so that you can have the best possible adventures wandering the world. Enjoy!

If you’ve landed on this blog, there’s a great chance you’re planning to visit Sedona soon. Devil’s Bridge is one of the most icon spots in Sedona and across the States. The photos and videos you’ve likely seen make it out to be this EPIC bridge impossibly hovering over the canyons below. There are no railings, it’s just you and the bridge. In this blog, I highlight my full experience Hiking Devil’s Bridge Trail at sunrise, complete with tips and recommendations to make your Devil’s Bridge adventure as memorable as possible. Let’s cross this impossibly beautiful bridge together!

Devil’s Bridge Overview

Devil’s Bridge is one of Sedona’s most iconic natural landmarks, famous for its dramatic sandstone arch and breathtaking views. The hike to reach it offers a mix of scenic desert terrain, red rock formations, and varying elevation that keeps the adventure engaging without being overly strenuous. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just looking for a memorable outdoor experience, Devil’s Bridge is a must-see stop in the Sedona area.

Timing your hike for sunrise transforms the experience into something truly magical. The soft morning light casts warm, golden hues across the red rocks, highlighting the textures and curves of the arch while keeping the temperatures cooler than during the midday sun. Early morning also means fewer crowds, allowing you to fully enjoy the serenity and grandeur of this natural wonder.

Reaching Devil’s Bridge at sunrise isn’t just about the view—it’s about the journey. As you ascend the trail, the changing light and shadow create an almost cinematic backdrop, perfect for photos or quiet reflection. Standing on the bridge as the sun rises over the canyon provides a sense of accomplishment and awe, making the early wake-up and hike well worth it.

Keep reading to learn the essentials of hiking Devil’s Bridge Trail in Sedona, as well as my recommendations to have your best sunrise adventure.

This is a map (via alltrails.com) of the route I did.

Where to Park

Parking was very easy for this one. That’s because I went to Sedona in December AND I arrived at around 5:40 AM. There was 1 other car at that time, and they weren’t on my trail. I recommend grabbing a street parking spot as opposed to the parking lot, if available. Here’s the address: Dry Creek Trailhead, Chuck Wagon Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336

Here’s the Google Map:

Distance Traveled

According to my Alltrails.com GPS tracker, I traveled 3.9 miles on this hike. Short and sweet!

How Long Does it Take to Hike?

Not long! In total, it took me a little over 1 hour to get over to Devil’s Bridge, and about an hour to get back to my car.

Elevation Change

According to Alltrails.com, I hiked 521 feet in elevation, which felt much less than that. It seemed very flat except for the last little stretch to Devil’s Bridge.

Difficulty

This is one of the easier hikes to do in Sedona. With it’s ease and how incredible Devil’s Bridge is, there’s a reason why this one is so popular.

Overall, I’d give this hike an 4 / 10 in difficulty.

Permits

You’ll need the Red Rock Pass or the America the Beautiful Pass (the National Parks pass) to hike this one.

Cost

If you buy a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass, you can park at any of the nearby paid parking lots. I parked in the street, but still displayed my National Park pass on the dashboard.

When to Go

This hike could be done year-round, as long as weather permits. That being said, I’d highly recommend going to Sedona in the off-season or shoulder seasons to make hiking life much more comfortable. Also, because this is a heavy trafficked hike (even in the off-season), I recommend planning for a Devil’s Bridge sunrise hike.

After speaking with a few locals (I might come back to visit Sedona again!), here are some guidelines:

January – Off Season

Quietest time of year. Cold mornings, light snow possible. Lowest crowds and prices.

February – Shoulder Season

Still cool, but tourism begins to pick up — especially around Valentine’s Day and weekends.

March – Peak Season

Spring break begins and wildflower season starts. One of Sedona’s busiest months.

April – Peak Season

Perfect weather; trails, hotels, and restaurants are very busy.

May – Peak Season

Still ideal weather and high visitor volume before summer heat arrives.

June – Shoulder Season

Hot days reduce crowds; still busy on weekends but not peak.

July – Off Season

Very hot with monsoon humidity; lowest tourism levels of the year.

August – Off Season

Still hot, still quiet. Afternoon monsoon storms common.

September – Shoulder Season

Cooling down, visitors return, but not as busy as fall peak yet.

October – Peak Season

One of Sedona’s absolute busiest months. Ideal weather + fall foliage days.

November – Shoulder Season

Moderate crowds; busy Thanksgiving week, quieter before and after.

December – Off Season (early), Shoulder (late)

Early December is slow. Holidays (mid-late Dec) bring a temporary bump in visitors — not peak, but busier.

I visited in December and it was lovely during the day. In the morning at around 5:30, it was a frigid 35 degrees. But with the proper gear, that is nothing!

Recommended Gear

Having the right gear can make or break your hiking experience. In Sedona, preparing accordingly will help you maximize your adventure. I’ll highlight the gear that I brought hiking Devil’s Bridge Trail in December, as well as additional gear that might benefit you:

• The Proper Clothing: In December, the weather was pleasant during most days (50s to low 60s). I did a sunrise hike, so it was definitely freezing in the morning. I wore long exercise pants, exercise shorts underneath and a short sleeve exercise shirt. I typically roll up a waterproof/windproof jacket and keep it in my pack, but I wore it on this one. I also recommend wearing some thick socks so you don’t get blisters. (If it’s cold, wool are great. if it’s not cold, get something breathable). I also brought along a sun hat, which also doubles as a rain hat.
• Hiking backpack with straps: If you don’t have a backpack with straps, I recommend you get one. They aren’t too expensive on Amazon. Your shoulders and back will thank you later.
• Portable charger: If you take a lot of photos / videos like me, you’ll want to bring a portable charger for your phone. I also use the alltrails.com app to navigate so having enough battery is important.
• Water bladder: If you want to save on weight and also help your backpack be more balanced than carrying a big bottle of water in your bag, a water bladder is important. I personally use a 3L water bladder.
• Hiking Shoes: You can do this hike in good tennis shoes, but I’d recommend waterproof hiking shoes. The terrain is not super tennis shoe friendly, and if it’s wet or muddy, which it was in parts, hiking shoes are beneficial.
• Snacks: Who doesn’t like snacks? While hiking, even on a short hike like this, some organic gummy bears did the trick for me.
• Bug spray: While I didn’t encounter mosquitos on this hike, it’s never a bad idea to be prepared. I can imagine in the summer you’d find some bugs out on the trail.
• First aid kit: It’s a good idea to bring Band-Aids, a bandage, and some cut cleaning items. I have needed band-aids in the past from slipping on rocks, but I did not on this hike.
• Sunscreen: If you go during the day, this hike is pretty exposed. I hiked over in pitch black for sunrise, so no sunscreen needed.
• Flashlight: If you go anytime near sunrise or sunset, I’d recommend having a flashlight.

Nice to Have Gear:

Here are a few items that would make your hiking experience even better:

• Shoe impact insoles: These can help as you traverse hard rocks along the way.
• Phone tripod: If you go alone or with a group and want great pictures, a phone tripod is key. I use one on every hike I go on.
• DJI Osmo Action Camera: This is my go-to recording device for every hike I go on. I recorded the entire hike.

The Play By Play: My Route Hiking Devil’s Bridge Trail in Sedona

So what’s it like hiking Devil’s Bridge at sunrise? Read my hiking guide play by play below:

Parking

If you arrive early in the morning like I did, there’ll likely be parking in abundance. You can choose to park in the parking lot nearby the Dry Creek Road trailhead, or there’s plenty of street parking even close. I chose to park in the street.

Dry Creek Road

You’ll start out on Dry Creek Road trail, and if you’re hiking for sunrise, it will likely be pitch black at first. The wide, well-defined path makes it manageable in low light, but a headlamp is essential.

Devil’s Bridge Trail

After branching off Dry Creek Road, the Devil’s Bridge Trail becomes narrower and more scenic. This section winds through juniper and red rock, with steady elevation gain that starts to feel more like a true hike. At this point, it was still dark.

Climbing Up the Rocks Near Devil’s Bridge

Probably the most “difficult” part of this hike is climbing up the rocks near the bridge. The scramble is short but steep, requiring you to use both hands in a few spots. While it can feel intimidating in the dark or low light, the rock has good traction and the climb is manageable if you take your time.

As soon as I finished this climb (which was also in the dark), I noticed the full moon was starting to set behind a canyon. This was the first time I ever saw a “moonset” on a hike:

I used a little AI to turn my image into a video:

Devil’s Bridge

Reaching Devil’s Bridge at sunrise is well worth hiking in the dark for.

With fewer crowds and soft morning light, the massive sandstone arch feels even more dramatic and peaceful. This is the perfect time for photos and to enjoy the view before the area fills up later in the day.

When I arrived at Devil’s Bridge, there was no one! It was incredible. I had the place to myself for almost 30 minutes.

After about 30 minutes, a girl named Daisy walked up. We ended up talking and going to breakfast after the hike! She took this amazing video of me walking across Devil’s Bridge:

Walking Back

Because Devil’s Bridge Trail is an out-and-back, you’ll have to come back the same way you came up. If you do a Devil’s Bridge sunrise hike, you won’t see the trail much in the dark on the way over. On the way back, you can actually see what everything looks like!

About My Experience Hiking Devil’s Bridge Trail in Sedona

Overall, the Devil’s Bridge hike is pleasant but definitely not one of the better hikes. Devil’s Bridge on the other hand, is exceptionally awesome.

Favorite Parts

Here are a few of my favorite parts of doing a Devil’s Bridge sunrise hike:

Devil’s Bridge

Obviously, Devil’s Bridge steals the show and is probably the only reason anyone would do this trail.

Had Devil’s Bridge to Myself for 30 Minutes

If you have any reservations about doing Devil’s Bridge Trail in the dark to get there at sunrise, I strongly advise that you do. After reading so many reviews online about waiting for an hour or more in line to get on Devil’s Bridge, having Devil’s Bridge to myself for 30 minutes was awesome.

Easy

This trail is one of the easier trails in Sedona, allowing you to stack multiple hikes in a row without a body beating.

Least Favorite Parts

Here is my least favorite part of this hike:

The Trail

The actual trail hike is unspectacular. The views really happen near Devil’s Bridge, but for the most part, it’s just an average trail.

Overall Score

If I was reviewing the trail alone, I’d give it a 6. But because I had such a great experience (alone) on Devil’s Bridge and with a new friend I met on Devil’s Bridge, I give this one an 8.8. Devil’s Bridge is well-worth the 2-3 hours you’ll spend here if you find yourself on the bridge alone.

Hiking Tips for Devil’s Bridge After the Fact

Here are some hiking tips for doing a Devil’s Bridge sunrise hike that I learned after the fact that can help you have the very best adventure:

• I recommend parking 1.5 hours before sunrise. If you’re a quick hiker, you’ll get there in an hour or less, giving you 30+ minutes to enjoy the pre-sunrise at Devil’s Bridge.
• Definitely check the weather, the mornings will likely be cold if you’re in Sedona in the off-season.
• Make sure that you map out the right section of Devil’s Bridge to stand on for photos. When you step on a big stone that’s different from the other part of the bridge, you’ll know that is the right spot.

Final Thoughts on Doing a Devil’s Bridge Sunrise Hike

Thanks for getting through my complete guide to hiking Devil’s Bridge Trail! The hike itself is nothing special, but Devil’s Bridge is awesome, especially if you find yourself alone on the bridge for any number of minutes. While the actual sun doesn’t really show itself for the sunrise, it still lights up the canyon and Devil’s Bridge to some epic oranges and reds. I highly recommend waking up early to do a Devil’s Bridge sunrise hike, you might just find yourself out on the bridge alone like I did.

Happy wandering to you!