HS Canyon Trail: Sedona's Hidden Riparian Canyon Spur

5.4-mile round trip, moderate, free Secret Canyon Trailhead (~12 spots, no pass). FR-152 high-clearance dirt road access. Oak and pine shade in a riparian canyon that sees only ~10 cars per day even on peak weekends.

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

Trail Stats

  • Distance~5.4 mi RT (1.0 mi on Secret Canyon + 1.7 mi spur each way)
  • DifficultyModerate
  • Elevation Gain~400 ft
  • Trail TypeOut and back spur
  • ParkingFree, ~12 vehicles at Secret Canyon TH, end of FR-152
  • Pass RequiredNo (free dispersed access)
  • Road AccessFR-152: 3 mi high-clearance 4WD dirt road from Dry Creek Rd
  • ShadeSignificant oak/pine canopy in canyon; best summer shade pick
The Lowdown Verdict: HS Canyon Trail is the answer to a question most Sedona visitors never think to ask: where do you go for a moderate canyon hike with real shade and real solitude? The riparian corridor inside HS Canyon -- Arizona white oak, alligator juniper, ponderosa pine -- is a genuine departure from Sedona's open red rock landscape, and the trail sees approximately 10 cars at the trailhead on even the busiest spring weekends. The barrier is the 3-mile FR-152 dirt road approach, which requires high-clearance 4WD and filters out the majority of tourists in rental sedans. The parent trail, Secret Canyon Trail, is worth reading before your visit since you will spend the first and last mile of the day on it. Both trails share the trailhead and are accessed together.
What HS Canyon Trail Is Not:
  • Not a standalone trailhead. HS Canyon Trail does not have its own trailhead. You access it via the Secret Canyon Trailhead at the end of FR-152, then hike 1.0 mile on Secret Canyon Trail before the HS Canyon spur branches left. You cannot reach HS Canyon without first walking Secret Canyon.
  • Not accessible without a high-clearance vehicle. The 3-mile FR-152 approach road is unpaved dirt with rocks and washboard sections. A standard sedan, low-clearance crossover, or typical rental car will struggle. 4WD or high-clearance is the consistent recommendation from land managers and trip reports.
  • Not a views trail. The appeal of HS Canyon is the enclosed riparian atmosphere, shade, and solitude -- not panoramic views. If you want Sedona's signature sweeping red rock vistas, choose Brins Mesa or Wilson Mountain instead. HS Canyon rewards with canyon intimacy, not horizon photography.
  • Not a trail you will find on most tourist resources. The combination of the dirt road approach and spur-branch access means HS Canyon does not appear on most hotel concierge lists or popular hiking apps' "top 10" lists. This is by design -- the route requires local knowledge to navigate correctly.

FR-152 Road Access and the Secret Canyon Trailhead

Forest Road FR-152 begins off Dry Creek Road in West Sedona. From AZ-89A, turn north on Dry Creek Road and follow it approximately 2 miles to the FR-152 junction on the right. The first 0.5 miles of FR-152 are navigable by most vehicles. After that, the road becomes increasingly rocky and rutted for the remaining 2.5 miles to the Secret Canyon Trailhead. High-clearance 4WD is required for the full length. The drive takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes from Dry Creek Road at careful speed.

The Secret Canyon Trailhead at the end of FR-152 holds approximately 12 vehicles in a dispersed dirt area. There is no fee, no kiosk, and no Red Rock Pass requirement. A small wooden trailhead sign marks the start of Secret Canyon Trail. Most visitors here are hiking Secret Canyon itself -- HS Canyon spur users are a subset of that already-small group, which accounts for the exceptional solitude inside the canyon.

Road condition on FR-152 varies by season and precipitation. After significant rain events, the road can develop deeper ruts and mud sections that require more clearance than typical. The Coconino National Forest Red Rock Ranger District does not actively maintain FR-152 -- it is a user-maintained dispersed access road. Check Coconino NF road conditions before visiting during or after monsoon season (July through September).

Trail Breakdown: Secret Canyon to HS Canyon Spur

0-1.0 mi

Secret Canyon Trailhead to HS Canyon Junction

Follow Secret Canyon Trail from the trailhead through open pinyon-juniper terrain with partial red rock views. The trail climbs gently through the canyon entrance. At approximately mile 1.0, the signed HS Canyon junction appears on the left. Do not miss this turn -- it is easy to walk past if you are not watching your distance. If you reach the Secret Canyon narrows without seeing a left junction sign, you have gone too far.

1.0-1.5 mi

HS Canyon Junction to Canyon Entrance

Turn left at the junction and follow the HS Canyon spur west-northwest. The trail narrows compared to Secret Canyon and transitions quickly into denser vegetation. Arizona white oak and juniper begin shading the trail within the first 0.3 miles past the junction. A seasonal stream corridor runs through this section -- expect wet crossings in spring.

1.5-2.7 mi

Canyon Interior to Trail End

The canyon deepens and the canopy closes overhead. Ponderosa pine mixes with oak in the canyon bottom. The trail gains approximately 300 feet through this section as it follows the canyon floor upstream. The maintained trail ends at approximately mile 2.7 from the trailhead (1.7 miles from the HS Canyon junction). Return the same way.

2.7-5.4 mi

Return to Trailhead

Retrace the spur back to the Secret Canyon junction at mile 1.0, then continue on Secret Canyon Trail back to the FR-152 trailhead. The descent is easier than the approach. Total round trip from trailhead is approximately 5.4 miles.

Summer Shade and Best Season

HS Canyon is one of only a handful of moderate Sedona hikes with meaningful overhead shade throughout the route. The open slickrock trails that define most Sedona hiking -- Bell Rock, Devil's Bridge, Cathedral Rock -- provide little to no shade and become genuinely dangerous for afternoon summer hiking. HS Canyon's riparian corridor runs north-to-south with canyon walls and oak/pine canopy keeping temperatures 5 to 10 degrees cooler than exposed mesa trails at the same elevation.

The best window for HS Canyon is May through September for summer shade, and October through early November for fall foliage in the oak and cottonwood corridor. Spring (March through May) is also excellent for seasonal stream flow, which adds a water element to the canyon that disappears by June in most years. Winter access depends on FR-152 conditions -- the road can become impassable after winter precipitation.

Start no later than 7:30 AM even for summer visits. The first mile on Secret Canyon Trail is exposed. Completing the exposed approach before 8:30 AM and spending the heat of the day in the shaded canyon is the correct strategy. Carry at least 2 liters of water -- there is no reliable water source on the route despite the seasonal stream, which may carry giardia and requires treatment if used.

Gear for HS Canyon Trail

  • ✓Water: 2-3 liters -- 5.4 miles with an exposed approach section; treat any stream water before drinking
  • ✓Hiking boots or trail runners with grip -- the canyon interior has rocky uneven terrain and possible wet crossings; sandals are inadequate
  • ✓Offline map download -- AllTrails or CalTopo with FR-152 and HS Canyon spur marked; cell service is unreliable at the trailhead
  • ✓Trekking poles -- useful for the canyon floor creek crossings and loose rock sections on the return descent
  • ✓Snacks for a half-day outing -- with the drive, approach, and canyon time, plan for 4 to 5 hours total

Related Trails and Further Reading

Since HS Canyon Trail begins on Secret Canyon Trail, read that guide before visiting -- it covers the FR-152 road conditions in detail and the junction navigation. For other canyon hikes in the Sedona area with riparian character, West Fork Oak Creek Trail is the most accessible shaded canyon option but significantly more crowded. Loy Canyon Trail offers another dirt-road-access riparian experience with a different canyon character. For the full West Sedona high-clearance trail network, see the Sedona hiking index which flags all FR-road access trails.

Guided Sedona Canyon Hiking and Jeep Tours

If you want guided access to Sedona's backcountry canyon trails without navigating FR roads yourself, Viator lists jeep tours and guided hikes into the Secret Canyon and Boynton Canyon corridor departing from Uptown Sedona.

Find Sedona Canyon Tours on Viator →

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

Stay in West Sedona for Backcountry Access

Staying in West Sedona puts you 10 minutes from Dry Creek Road and the FR-152 junction. Expedia lists West Sedona lodging with real-time availability for your dates.

Find Sedona Hotels on Expedia →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to HS Canyon Trail in Sedona? +
HS Canyon Trail is accessed via Forest Road FR-152, a high-clearance dirt road approximately 3 miles long leading to the Secret Canyon Trailhead. FR-152 is off Dry Creek Road in West Sedona. High-clearance 4WD is required for FR-152 -- standard sedans and low-clearance vehicles cannot safely complete the road. The Secret Canyon Trailhead at the end of FR-152 holds approximately 12 vehicles and has no fee and no Red Rock Pass requirement. From the Secret Canyon Trailhead, hike 1.0 mile on Secret Canyon Trail and turn left at the signed HS Canyon junction.
Where does HS Canyon Trail branch off Secret Canyon Trail? +
HS Canyon Trail branches left off Secret Canyon Trail at approximately mile 1.0 from the Secret Canyon Trailhead. The junction is signed. If you reach mile 1.5 on Secret Canyon without seeing a left-branching signed spur, you have passed the HS Canyon junction. The spur runs approximately 1.7 miles into HS Canyon from the junction, making the total round trip from the trailhead approximately 5.4 miles.
How crowded is HS Canyon Trail? +
HS Canyon Trail is one of the least-crowded moderate hikes accessible from Sedona, seeing approximately 10 cars at the Secret Canyon Trailhead even on peak spring weekends. The combination of a 3-mile high-clearance dirt road approach and the spur nature of the trail (branching off Secret Canyon rather than being a standalone trailhead) keeps overall visitor numbers extremely low. You can realistically expect to have the canyon to yourself or encounter only 1 to 3 other parties during a full morning on the trail.
Is HS Canyon Trail shaded in summer? +
Yes, HS Canyon Trail is one of Sedona's best summer shade picks among moderate hikes. The hidden riparian canyon is lined with Arizona white oak, alligator juniper, and ponderosa pine, providing significant overhead canopy throughout the canyon section. The approach along Secret Canyon to the mile 1.0 junction is more exposed, but once inside HS Canyon the shade is consistent. Best summer start time is before 7:30 AM to complete the exposed approach before the heat builds. The canyon itself remains cooler than Sedona's open slickrock trails by several degrees.
Do you need a permit or Red Rock Pass for HS Canyon Trail? +
No permit and no Red Rock Pass are required for HS Canyon Trail. The Secret Canyon Trailhead at the end of FR-152 is a dispersed access point with no fee. This is one of the few moderate-to-long hikes near Sedona proper that is completely free. The FR-152 dirt road itself is open to the public at no charge. The only requirement is a vehicle with sufficient ground clearance to safely navigate the 3-mile dirt road approach.