Allen's Bend Trail: Sedona's Best ADA-Accessible Creek Walk

0.6 miles, easy loop, 30 feet of gain at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon. First half is paved and wheelchair-accessible. Ends at Oak Creek for wading. $12 day-use fee — America the Beautiful pass is NOT accepted here. Wilson Mountain view from the bend.

By The Lowdown Guide Editorial Team · Visited Spring 2026 · Updated May 2026

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America the Beautiful Pass NOT Accepted Here

Grasshopper Point charges a $12 vehicle day-use fee under the Oak Creek Canyon Recreation Area fee system — separate from the Red Rock Pass system. Your America the Beautiful annual interagency pass does not cover this fee. Bring cash or card. This surprises many visitors who expect their pass to work everywhere in the Sedona area.

Trail Stats

  • Distance0.6 mi loop
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Elevation Gain~30 ft
  • SurfacePaved (0.3 mi) + dirt
  • ADA AccessFirst 0.3 mi paved
  • Fee$12 day-use (no AtB pass)
  • TrailheadGrasshopper Point, AZ-89A mp 376
  • Best Pick ForFamilies, strollers, elderly, summer
The Lowdown Verdict: Allen's Bend is the trail Sedona's accessible hiking infrastructure has needed: a short, paved-to-dirt loop that genuinely works for wheelchairs, jogging strollers, and anyone who can't manage steep terrain — while still delivering a real payoff: Wilson Mountain framed above a tree-lined creek bend, and the option to wade Oak Creek at the end. The $12 fee stings more than the Red Rock Pass because the America the Beautiful pass doesn't cover it — know this before you arrive. In summer, this is one of the few Sedona-area trails where the creek destination justifies a midday visit. Pair it with West Fork Trail for an Oak Creek Canyon creek-focused day. For families with young children who want to add a structured activity, Oak Creek Canyon scenic tours on Viator cover the same corridor from a vehicle.
What Allen's Bend Trail Is Not:
  • Not a full-day hike. The loop takes 20 to 30 minutes at a relaxed pace. It is a complement to other activities, not a stand-alone adventure hike.
  • Not fully wheelchair-accessible. The first 0.3 miles is paved; the remaining dirt section is uneven and not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
  • Not covered by Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful. The $12 Grasshopper Point day-use fee is separate. Do not arrive expecting your pass to work.
  • Not ideal after monsoon rain. Oak Creek can flood the trail approach after heavy July or August rains. Check conditions before visiting during monsoon season (July–September).

Getting There: Grasshopper Point

Allen's Bend Trail is accessed via the Grasshopper Point Picnic Area on AZ-89A, approximately 2 miles north of the Sedona Y junction at milepost 376. The entrance is on the east side of the highway, just before the canyon narrows dramatically. A fee booth at the entrance collects the $12 day-use fee — cash or card accepted, America the Beautiful pass not valid here.

The parking area is a paved lot with picnic tables and restroom facilities — one of the more developed day-use sites in the Oak Creek Canyon corridor. Capacity is moderate; the lot fills on summer weekends by mid-morning due to the creek swimming appeal of the site, not just the trail. Arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends for reliable parking.

The trail begins at the far end of the parking area near the picnic shelters. Look for the paved path heading toward the creek bend. The loop can be walked in either direction; most visitors walk counterclockwise (paved first) to front-load the accessible section.

Trail Breakdown

0–0.3 mi

Paved Section — ADA-Accessible

A smooth paved path winds from the parking area through cottonwood and Arizona sycamore trees along the creek bank. The grade is minimal — accessible for standard wheelchairs and jogging strollers. Wilson Mountain becomes visible above the canyon wall as the path rounds the main bend. Creek sounds and tree canopy make this the most pleasant section of the hike.

0.3 mi

Bend Overlook — Wilson Mountain View

The main overlook point where Oak Creek makes its bend and Wilson Mountain fills the view above the canyon rim. This is the photographic destination of the trail. The paved surface ends here; the return leg transitions to the dirt path back to the lot. Wheelchair users and stroller parents turn back here or retrace the paved section.

0.3–0.6 mi

Dirt Return + Creek Access

The dirt section loops back toward the parking area with a creek bank access point partway through. The bank access allows wading in warmer months. The terrain is uneven compacted dirt — manageable for most adults and older children but not suitable for wheelchairs. The loop returns to the parking area in approximately 10 minutes from the bend overlook.

When to Visit

Allen's Bend works year-round but is at its best in summer, which is the opposite of most Sedona trails. Oak Creek Canyon runs north-south with tall canyon walls that provide shade through most of the morning — the canopy temperature runs 10 to 15°F cooler than the open red rock country to the south. When Cathedral Rock and Devil's Bridge are dangerously hot by 10 AM in July, Grasshopper Point is still comfortable.

Spring (March through May) brings the highest creek levels from snowmelt — wading is possible but the water is cold. Fall (September through November) offers the best canopy color, when the cottonwoods and sycamores turn yellow along the creek. Winter visits are quiet and cold; the paved section remains accessible.

Avoid midday summer visits when the Grasshopper Point swimming area becomes crowded with non-hiking visitors. The trail itself stays accessible, but parking stress is highest between 11 AM and 3 PM on July and August weekends. Check current conditions against the Sedona May 2026 trail conditions update for season-specific advice.

Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Tours

Several Sedona operators run guided vehicle tours through Oak Creek Canyon, covering the full corridor from Sedona to Slide Rock. A guided tour adds geological and historical context to what you see at Grasshopper Point and the surrounding canyon formations.

Find Oak Creek Canyon Tours on Viator →

Affiliate link — we earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Editorial note: Trail and fee structure researched Spring 2026 by The Lowdown Guide editorial team. ADA-accessibility assessment (paved 0.3 mi vs. dirt return) verified on-site. Fee information ($12 day-use, America the Beautiful pass not accepted) confirmed at the Grasshopper Point entrance booth. Wilson Mountain viewpoint from the bend overlook confirmed on the ground. Creek wading conditions based on seasonal observation and Coconino National Forest Oak Creek Canyon recreation guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Allen's Bend Trail wheelchair accessible? +
Allen's Bend Trail is wheelchair accessible for the first 0.3 miles. The paved section from the Grasshopper Point parking area to the main bend viewpoint is smooth and gradual, suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The second half of the loop transitions to packed dirt and becomes uneven — not suitable for wheelchairs. The paved section alone provides the Wilson Mountain overlook view and access to the Oak Creek bank, making it a worthwhile destination even for visitors who cannot complete the full loop.
Does the America the Beautiful pass work at Allen's Bend Trail? +
No. The America the Beautiful annual interagency pass is not accepted at Grasshopper Point Picnic Area. Allen's Bend Trail is accessed through the Grasshopper Point Picnic Area, which charges a separate $12 day-use fee under the Oak Creek Canyon Recreation Area fee system — this is a Coconino National Forest recreation site fee, not a Red Rock Pass fee area. Bring cash or a credit card. The $12 covers vehicle entry for the day regardless of group size.
Can you wade in Oak Creek at Allen's Bend Trail? +
Yes. Allen's Bend Trail ends at an Oak Creek access point where wading is possible from late spring through early fall. The creek at this location is shallow and wide in summer, making it a popular cool-down spot for families. Water levels are highest in March and April from snowmelt and drop significantly by July. During peak summer (late June through August), the water temperature is refreshing against Sedona's afternoon heat. Do not wade after heavy monsoon rains — creek levels can rise rapidly and currents become dangerous.
Where exactly is Allen's Bend Trail in Sedona? +
Allen's Bend Trail is located at the Grasshopper Point Picnic Area in Oak Creek Canyon, on AZ-89A near milepost 376 — approximately 2 miles north of the Sedona Y junction. The picnic area entrance is on the right (east) side of the highway heading north into the canyon. The $12 day-use fee is collected at the entrance booth. The trail begins at the far end of the parking area near the creek bank. GPS for the Grasshopper Point entrance: approximately 34.909°N, 111.745°W.
What can you see from Allen's Bend Trail? +
Allen's Bend Trail offers a view of Wilson Mountain from the bend overlook — the massive flat-topped mesa that defines the eastern wall of Oak Creek Canyon. Wilson Mountain is one of the largest individual formations in the Sedona area. The overlook also frames the canyon corridor north toward Slide Rock. The creek access at the trail's end offers a ground-level view of the canyon walls rising steeply on both sides, and the water reflections of the sandstone formations make this a productive photography spot in morning light.