Huckaby Trail: Sedona's Quietest Moderate Hike with an Oak Creek Crossing

Just under 6 miles round trip (2.97 mi one way per the Coconino National Forest), moderately strenuous, 170 feet of gain. One creek crossing, a below-bridge view of Midgley Bridge that most Sedona visitors never see, and 20 to 40 hikers per day compared to hundreds at the headline hikes. Trailheads at Schnebly Hill Road or Midgley Bridge.

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

Trail Stats

  • Distance2.97 mi one way (~5.9 mi RT), USFS
  • DifficultyModerately Strenuous
  • Elevation Gain170 ft (USFS)
  • Creek Crossings1 (no footbridge)
  • TrailheadsSchnebly Hill Rd or Midgley Bridge
  • Pass RequiredYes, at both trailheads — Red Rock Pass
  • Trail NumberUSFS Trail No. 161
  • Crowd LevelLow — 20–40 hikers/day
The Lowdown Verdict: Huckaby Trail is the best moderate hike in Sedona that most visitors have never heard of. The trail does two things the headline hikes cannot: it puts you below Midgley Bridge at Oak Creek level for the only under-bridge view in the trail system, and it keeps the crowd count at 20 to 40 hikers per day while Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock absorb thousands. The creek crossing is the honest variable — in March through May it runs knee-deep and requires footwear strategy. In dry months it is ankle-deep and barely an obstacle. At just under 6 miles round trip with a modest 170 feet of gain, it is a longer walk than the headline hikes but not a strenuous climb. If you want a legitimate trail experience on a moderate budget of time and effort without a crowded parking lot, this is the call. The Oak Creek Canyon Drive north of town pairs naturally with a Huckaby morning as a full canyon day.
Who Should Skip or Adjust for Huckaby Trail:
  • Anyone uncomfortable with a water crossing in spring. March through May the Oak Creek crossing runs knee-deep with moderate current. Sturdy footwear required; sandals or water shoes recommended.
  • Hikers arriving after heavy rain in any season. Water levels spike unpredictably. Do not cross if the creek is above knee-deep or moving fast.
  • Visitors expecting a summit or dramatic slickrock scramble. This is a canyon-floor and bench trail — the appeal is the creek, the bridge view, and the quiet, not exposure or elevation conquest.

Trailhead and Parking: Two Options

Huckaby Trail (USFS Trail No. 161) is accessed from two Coconino National Forest trailheads. The Schnebly Hill trailhead is 0.8 miles up the paved section of Schnebly Hill Road, reached by turning off SR-179 just across the Oak Creek Bridge at the south end of Sedona. The Midgley Bridge trailhead is on AZ-89A at the north end of Midgley Bridge, 1.9 miles north of the SR-179/AZ-89A "Y" junction. A Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass is required at both trailheads: $5 per day or covered by the annual interagency pass. Both are reachable by standard passenger vehicle.

Most hikers do an out-and-back from one trailhead to the creek crossing and bridge view, then return the same way. Point-to-point between the two trailheads (2.97 miles one way) requires a car shuttle or a second driver.

The Creek Crossing and Midgley Bridge View

Starting from the Schnebly Hill trailhead, Huckaby Trail descends toward Oak Creek and crosses it once, at approximately the 2-mile mark, where Coconino National Forest trail notes call for wading or boulder hopping — there is no footbridge. Do not cross if the water is high.

From March through May during snowmelt, the crossing typically runs knee-deep. After monsoon rains from July through September, water levels spike quickly. The rest of the year — June, and October through February in normal precipitation years — the crossing is ankle-deep or less. Water shoes, Chacos, or trail runners you don't mind getting wet are the best options for spring visits.

The viewpoint below Midgley Bridge sits near this creek crossing. Midgley Bridge carries AZ-89A over Wilson Canyon above Oak Creek. Most visitors see it only from the highway looking down; Huckaby gives you the reverse: looking up at the bridge span from creek level. It is a quiet, photogenic spot that rarely has more than a few hikers at a time. This view is Huckaby's defining feature and the reason to make the trip.

Season-by-Season Conditions

Mar–May

Snowmelt — Knee-Deep Crossing

The Oak Creek crossing runs knee-deep. Bring water shoes or sandals. Green riparian vegetation peaks in May. Trail is at its most photogenic but creek requires commitment. Do not cross if water is above knee or fast-moving.

Jun

Early Summer — Ankle Crossings, Heat Builds

Creek drops to ankle-depth. Temperatures climb but the riparian sections near Oak Creek offer shade. Start by 7 AM if hiking in June to finish before midday heat. Carry 3 liters of water.

Jul–Sep

Monsoon — Check Creek Level Before Going

Afternoon thunderstorms spike Oak Creek without warning. Crossings can jump from ankle to knee or higher in under an hour. Avoid hiking during or immediately after storms. Mornings before 11 AM are safest in July and August.

Oct–Feb

Fall and Winter — Best Conditions

Creek at ankle-depth or lower in dry years. Temperatures ideal October through November. October sycamore foliage adds color to the creek corridor. December through February is quiet and cold; crossings are the lowest of the year in most seasons.

Gear Notes for Huckaby Trail

Footwear is the primary gear consideration. For March through May visits, bring water shoes, Chacos-style sandals, or trail runners you don't mind soaking. The creek bottom is rocky, not sandy — bare feet are not comfortable or safe. For fall and winter visits, standard trail runners or light hiking boots are fine; expect wet soles on the crossing rocks regardless of season.

Trekking poles are useful for balance at the creek crossings, especially in spring. They are not required for the trail terrain itself, which is moderate without technical sections. Carry 2 liters of water minimum; 2.5 liters in warm months. There is no reliable water source on the trail above the creek, and the creek itself should not be consumed without treatment.

For a broader Sedona canyon experience, the things to do in Sedona guide covers the full range of creek and canyon options, including Pink Jeep excursions in the Oak Creek corridor. The hiking index lists all trail deep-dives for comparison if you are building a multi-day itinerary.

Editorial note: Trail visited April 2026 by The Lowdown Guide editorial team. Distance (2.97 mi one way), elevation gain (170 ft), and creek-crossing count and location confirmed against the Coconino National Forest's official trail page for Huckaby Trail No. 161. Creek crossing depth ranges confirmed against current Coconino NF trail reports and seasonal hydrology data for Oak Creek at the Sedona gauge. Midgley Bridge view location (near the creek crossing) field-verified. Crowd counts (20–40 hikers/day) based on observed visitation over two weekday and one weekend visit in April 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is Huckaby Trail in Sedona? +
Huckaby Trail is rated moderately strenuous by the Coconino National Forest. It covers 2.97 miles one way (about 5.9 miles round trip) with 170 feet of elevation gain and one Oak Creek crossing. The crossing is the main variable: knee-deep from March through May during snowmelt and after monsoon rains July through September, ankle-deep the rest of the year. The trail itself involves rolling terrain with some rocky sections but no sustained steep grades or technical scrambling. Allow 2.5 to 3.5 hours. It is one of Sedona's more approachable moderate hikes and significantly less crowded than Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, or Devil's Bridge, with only 20 to 40 hikers per day.
Where do you park for Huckaby Trail in Sedona? +
Huckaby Trail has two official Coconino National Forest trailheads. The Schnebly Hill trailhead is 0.8 miles up the paved section of Schnebly Hill Road from the Oak Creek Bridge (just off SR-179). The Midgley Bridge trailhead is on AZ-89A at the north end of Midgley Bridge, 1.9 miles north of the SR-179/AZ-89A junction. A Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass is required to park at either trailhead: $5 per day or covered by the annual interagency pass. Both trailheads are reachable by standard passenger vehicle.
Do you have to cross Oak Creek on Huckaby Trail? +
Yes. Huckaby Trail has one Oak Creek crossing, at approximately the 2-mile mark from the Schnebly Hill trailhead, per Coconino National Forest trail notes. From March through May during snowmelt and after monsoon rains in July through September, the crossing runs knee-deep. The rest of the year it is typically ankle-deep or less. There is no footbridge -- it requires wading or boulder hopping. Water shoes or sandals are a good choice if you expect a wet crossing; alternatively, hiking poles help with balance on the rocky creek bed. Do not cross if the water is high. This trail is not recommended as a winter pick after recent rain.
What is unique about the view on Huckaby Trail? +
Huckaby Trail is the only Sedona trail that offers a below-bridge view of Midgley Bridge. Virtually every hiker who has been to Sedona has seen Midgley Bridge from the AZ-89A roadway looking down into Wilson Canyon. Huckaby Trail reverses this angle: you look up at the underside of the bridge from Oak Creek below. It is a perspective most Sedona visitors never see and makes the trail worth doing for the view alone even if the rest of the route feels routine. The bridge view appears near the trail's Oak Creek crossing, roughly 2 miles in from the Schnebly Hill trailhead.
Is Huckaby Trail crowded in Sedona? +
Huckaby Trail is one of the least crowded moderate hikes in Sedona at 20 to 40 hikers per day. By comparison, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Devil's Bridge each see hundreds of visitors daily. The combination of smaller trailheads (Schnebly Hill and Midgley Bridge), the creek crossing (which deters casual visitors), and the trail's near-6-mile round-trip length keeps it quiet. Weekday mornings from October through April are the least crowded times. It is an ideal choice if you want genuine trail solitude at a moderate difficulty level.