Carroll Canyon Trail: West Sedona's Free Parking Alternative When the Main Lots Are Full

4.4 miles, easy-moderate, 450 feet of gain from Posse Grounds Park. Free parking, no Red Rock Pass, 80-space city lot that almost never fills. Capitol Butte and Wilson Mountain views from a slickrock bench. The local backup route when Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock lots hit capacity by 9 AM.

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

Trail Stats

  • Distance4.4 mi loop
  • DifficultyEasy-Moderate
  • Elevation Gain~450 ft
  • Trail TypeLoop
  • Parking~80 spots, rarely fills
  • Pass RequiredNo — free city lot
  • TrailheadPosse Grounds Park, West Sedona
  • Trail UseHikers + Mountain Bikes
The Lowdown Verdict: Carroll Canyon Trail solves Sedona's most predictable problem: showing up at 9 AM on a spring Saturday to find the Bell Rock lot full, the Cathedral Rock lot full, and the Devil's Bridge shuttle already queued. The solution is a 10-minute drive west on SR-89A to Posse Grounds Park, where the 80-space city lot is almost certainly open, the trail is free, and 4.4 miles of canyon drainage and slickrock bench terrain delivers Capitol Butte and Wilson Mountain views that most visitors never bother to find. This is the route the local MTB community uses as a warm-up loop and the route locals recommend when friends visit on a busy holiday weekend. The trail is wide enough that hiker-bike conflict is minimal compared to narrower shared routes like HiLine. The low elevation at approximately 4,300 feet means it stays clear of snow and ice through most winters. Dogs welcome on leash. The one honest limitation: the views are real but not as dramatic as the SR-179 corridor icons. Carroll Canyon is not a substitute for Devil's Bridge Trail or Cathedral Rock — it is what you do when those are inaccessible.
What Carroll Canyon Trail Is Not:
  • Not a Red Rock iconic route. The Carroll Canyon drainage is handsome West Sedona terrain, but it does not deliver the jaw-dropping red formation views of Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, or Devils Bridge. It is a solid hike, not a bucket-list destination.
  • Not hiker-only. The trail is shared with mountain bikes throughout. The trail width reduces conflict compared to narrower MTB routes, but expect bikes on weekday mornings especially — this is a local warm-up loop.
  • Not appropriate in monsoon flood conditions. The Carroll Canyon wash crosses are seasonal. After heavy monsoon rains, the drainage can run with real water flow. The city posts closure notices at Posse Grounds when the wash is unsafe to cross.
  • Not a summit. The slickrock bench is the high point at approximately 4,750 feet. The views are lateral, not a summit panorama. Capitol Butte and Wilson Mountain are visible but in the distance — not overhead.

Trailhead and Parking: Posse Grounds Park, West Sedona

Carroll Canyon Trail begins at Posse Grounds Park in West Sedona. From SR-89A (the main highway through Sedona), turn north onto Posse Ground Road. The park entrance is approximately 0.3 miles north of SR-89A. The City of Sedona parks-and-recreation lot holds approximately 80 vehicles. Parking is free. No Red Rock Pass is required. The lot is paved and well-maintained. Portable restrooms are available at the lot, and the park has additional amenities including a sports field and picnic area.

The lot almost never reaches capacity. Even on peak spring weekends when every Coconino National Forest trailhead within 10 miles is full, Posse Grounds Park sees a fraction of the overflow because most visitors are unaware of the Carroll Canyon trail system. On the rare busy day at Posse Grounds, the road shoulder along Posse Ground Road can accommodate additional parking without citation. The trailhead signage is at the north end of the parking lot and is clearly marked. The Sunrise Trail and Carroll Canyon Trail both depart from this point.

Driving from the main Sedona visitor hub (the Y junction of SR-179 and SR-89A): head west on SR-89A approximately 1.5 miles to the Posse Ground Road turn on the right. For visitors arriving from the SR-179 corridor after finding full trailhead lots, this is a 10-minute drive on a direct route. The Carroll Canyon loop does not require any special vehicle or road capability — any passenger car can access the lot from SR-89A without issue. Check current Sedona trail conditions after rain before heading out.

Sharing the Trail with Mountain Bikes on Carroll Canyon

Carroll Canyon Trail is designated multi-use by the City of Sedona, with full mountain bike access. The West Sedona MTB community uses it as a warm-up loop before tackling more technical terrain. On weekday mornings from 7 to 9 AM, bikes are the primary users. On weekend mornings, hiker-to-bike ratios are more even. The important distinction from Sedona's NF trails: the Carroll Canyon route is generally wider and less technical for bikes than routes like HiLine, which means cyclists can slow and pass more easily. Head-on collisions at blind corners are the main hazard on the canyon drainage sections where the trail narrows.

Trail etiquette: step to the right when you hear a bike approach. On the slickrock bench section above the canyon, the trail is wide enough that bikes and hikers pass side by side with a verbal heads-up. The canyon drainage crossing points are the tightest sections — pause and let bikes clear before crossing. The city park environment and the generally recreational (rather than high-performance) character of the trail users keeps the interaction more relaxed than the NF MTB trails. Most riders here are commuters and neighborhood cyclists rather than competitive downhillers.

For hikers who want to avoid bike sharing entirely in West Sedona, the Long Canyon Trail and Fay Canyon Trail northwest on Boynton Pass Road are designated hiker-only corridors in the Coconino NF. Both require a Red Rock Pass. The trade-off is the pass cost and longer drive versus Carroll Canyon's free, walk-out-your-door convenience for West Sedona residents and visitors staying in the western part of town.

Trail Breakdown: Mile by Mile

0–0.5 mi

Posse Grounds to Carroll Canyon Trailhead

The Sunrise Trail departs the north end of the Posse Grounds lot and climbs gently northeast on a wide dirt trail. Capitol Butte (Thunder Mountain) rises prominently to the north. The trail passes through open pinyon-juniper scrub. At approximately 0.5 miles, the signed Carroll Canyon Trail junction branches right. Take the right fork to enter the Carroll Canyon drainage.

0.5–1.5 mi

Carroll Canyon Drainage Walk

The trail drops into the Carroll Canyon wash and follows the seasonal drainage north. Two wash crossings at approximately mile 0.8 and 1.2 require hopping rocks or getting feet wet after rain. The canyon walls close in somewhat, giving the enclosed feel of a small slot canyon. Juniper and scrub oak provide intermittent shade. This is the coolest section of the loop.

1.5–2.2 mi

Slickrock Bench, Capitol Butte Views

The trail climbs out of the drainage and gains a red slickrock bench. This is the high point of the loop at approximately 4,750 feet. Capitol Butte dominates the northern view and Wilson Mountain is visible to the northeast. The bench is wide and open with room for a rest stop. This is the primary photography vantage point on the route. The MTB trail is widest here.

2.2–3.5 mi

Lower Wash Return Route

The trail descends from the bench via the lower wash return route, curving west and south through open scrub. Grade is gentle and mostly downhill. The Old Post Trail junction appears at approximately mile 3.0 — stay on Carroll Canyon Trail (signed). The Pyramid Trail to Cultural Park is an alternate exit at mile 3.3 if you want to vary the return, but it adds 0.5 miles.

3.5–4.4 mi

Return to Posse Grounds

The trail descends to the Sunrise Trail junction at approximately mile 3.8 and returns south to the Posse Grounds lot. The final section is wide, flat, and fast. The park entrance comes into view at mile 4.2. Total loop: 4.4 miles from parking lot.

Best Season and Nearby Trails

Carroll Canyon Trail is the best winter hiking option in the West Sedona trail network. At approximately 4,300 feet base elevation, it is 200 to 400 feet lower than most other Sedona trailheads and is the last to accumulate snow and the first to clear. When Wilson Mountain Trail and the Schnebly Hill routes are icy, Carroll Canyon is typically hikeable. The same low elevation makes it a reasonable year-round option, though summer midday is still hot on the open bench section. Early morning hikes from June through August are advised.

For visitors based in West Sedona, the Carroll Canyon loop is the walk-out-your-hotel-door option. Nearby alternatives that also depart from the western side of town: Thunder Mountain Trail (5.0 mi RT, moderate) accesses Capitol Butte directly from the Cultural Park area and is the more dramatic option if you want to push harder. Soldier Pass Trail (4.0 mi RT, moderate) to the Devil's Kitchen sinkhole is a popular counterpart that does require a Red Rock Pass from its trailhead off Soldier Pass Road.

Monsoon note: the Carroll Canyon wash sections become unsafe to cross during and immediately after heavy monsoon rainfall (July through September). The City of Sedona posts closures at the Posse Grounds trailhead when conditions warrant. Always check the current trail conditions report before heading out between July and September. Outside of active monsoon events, the trail is open and accessible. See the permits and passes guide for the full breakdown of which Sedona trailheads are free versus pass-required.

Guided MTB Tours in West Sedona and Thunder Mountain Area

Viator lists guided mountain bike tours in the West Sedona and Thunder Mountain corridor. If you want to explore the Carroll Canyon network and the broader West Sedona trail system with a local guide who knows the MTB-shared etiquette and best loop combinations, guided rides depart from multiple West Sedona outfitters. Equipment rental is typically included in guided tour pricing.

Find Sedona MTB Tours on Viator →

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

Editorial note: Trail researched Spring 2026 by The Lowdown Guide editorial team. Posse Grounds Park lot capacity (~80 vehicles), free parking status, and city leash law enforcement confirmed on-site. MTB co-use status confirmed via City of Sedona trail designations. Loop distance (4.4 mi) and slickrock bench elevation (~4,750 ft) verified against City of Sedona trail maps and field observation. Wash crossing flood closure policy confirmed via City of Sedona parks-and-recreation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is Carroll Canyon Trail in Sedona? +
Carroll Canyon Trail is rated easy-moderate. The 4.4-mile loop gains approximately 450 feet across the Carroll Canyon drainage and a slickrock bench section. The terrain is a mix of wide dirt trail, sandy wash, and open red rock. No technical scrambling and no significant cliff exposure. The distance is the primary challenge, not the grade. Fit adults complete the loop in 2 to 2.5 hours. The trail is shared with mountain bikes throughout, but the trail width minimizes conflict on most sections. Dogs are permitted on leash under Sedona city leash law, which is enforced at Posse Grounds Park.
Is Carroll Canyon Trail free to hike? Does it require a Red Rock Pass? +
Carroll Canyon Trail requires no Red Rock Pass. The trailhead is at Posse Grounds Park, which is City of Sedona parks-and-recreation land, not Coconino National Forest land. Parking is free. There are no kiosk fees. This is one of the only multi-mile trail loops in Sedona with free parking at a large lot that never fills. The trail itself passes through a mix of city land and adjacent open space. For visitors who have exhausted their daily Red Rock Pass budget or who did not purchase one, Carroll Canyon is the main fallback option with full trail access.
When should you use Carroll Canyon Trail instead of the main Sedona trailheads? +
Carroll Canyon Trail is the right call when the main Sedona trailheads along SR-179 and SR-89A are full. Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Devil's Bridge, and Soldier Pass lots all fill by 8 to 9 AM on spring and fall peak weekends. When that happens, Posse Grounds Park on the west side of Sedona is 10 minutes away and has 80 free parking spaces that rarely approach capacity. Carroll Canyon gives a genuine 4.4-mile hike with slickrock bench views of Capitol Butte and Wilson Mountain without requiring a permit, a pass, or a 6 AM wakeup. It is also the best option when other areas have snow or icy trail conditions due to its low elevation of approximately 4,300 feet.
Is Carroll Canyon Trail dog friendly? +
Carroll Canyon Trail is dog friendly. Dogs are permitted on leash throughout the trail. The Posse Grounds Park starting point is a city park with an active leash ordinance that rangers enforce, so a 6-foot leash is required from the parking lot through the entire route. The trail surface is primarily wide dirt and sandy wash with no cliff exposure, making it one of the better dog options in Sedona. The low elevation means the surface heats more slowly in the morning than the higher exposed slickrock routes. Carry at least 1.5 liters of water per dog on warm days, as the wash crossing is seasonal and not a reliable water source.
What are the views from Carroll Canyon Trail in Sedona? +
Carroll Canyon Trail's primary viewpoint is a slickrock bench approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead with open views north to Capitol Butte (Thunder Mountain) and northeast to Wilson Mountain. The bench view looks across West Sedona and gives a sense of the scale of the red rock escarpment from a perspective that most visitors never reach because it requires walking away from the tourist corridor. The Carroll Canyon drainage section itself is a pleasant enclosed wash walk rather than a panoramic experience. The views are most dramatic at the slickrock bench section, which is the mid-loop high point.