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

5 miles round trip, moderate, 700 feet of gain. Two creek crossings, 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. Margs Draw lot fills by 9:30 AM on weekends.

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

Trail Stats

  • Distance5.0 mi RT
  • DifficultyModerate
  • Elevation Gain~700 ft
  • Creek Crossings2 (no footbridges)
  • Parking (Margs Draw)~30 spots, fills by 9:30 AM weekends
  • Pass RequiredYes at Margs Draw; No at Schnebly TH
  • Trailhead OptionsMargs Draw (Morgan Rd) or Schnebly Hill Rd
  • 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 crossings are the honest variable — in March through May they run knee-deep and require footwear strategy. In dry months they are ankle-deep and barely an obstacle. 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 water crossings in spring. March through May the Oak Creek crossings run 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 can be accessed from two ends. The most common starting point is the Margs Draw Trailhead, reached via Morgan Road off AZ-179 in the Chapel area of Sedona. The paved lot holds approximately 30 vehicles and fills by 9:30 AM on weekends. A Red Rock Pass is required here: $5 per day or covered by an America the Beautiful annual pass.

The alternative is the Schnebly Hill Road access, parking approximately 0.5 miles past the gate on Schnebly Hill Road. This end is open April through November when the gate is unlocked. No Red Rock Pass is required. However, the road past the first 0.5 miles transitions to rough dirt that recommends 4WD or high-clearance vehicles. Standard sedans should turn back at that transition point. The trailhead itself is reachable on the paved section for those walking in from a sedan parked at the gate.

Most hikers start from Margs Draw and do an out-and-back to the creek and bridge view, returning the same way. Point-to-point using both trailheads requires a car shuttle or a second driver.

The Creek Crossings and Midgley Bridge View

Huckaby Trail descends from the Margs Draw trailhead to Oak Creek, where it crosses the creek twice. The first crossing is at approximately mile 1.2; the second follows within a quarter mile. Neither crossing has a footbridge — these are rock-hop or wade-through crossings depending on season.

From March through May during snowmelt, both crossings typically run 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 crossings are ankle-deep or less. Water shoes, Chacos, or trail runners you don't mind getting wet are the best options for spring visits.

After the second crossing, the trail climbs a short bench to reach the viewpoint below Midgley Bridge at approximately mile 1.5. 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 Crossings

Both Oak Creek crossings run 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. Lot capacity (~30 vehicles) and fill time (by 9:30 AM weekends) verified on the ground. 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 (mile 1.5 from Margs Draw) 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 moderate. It covers 5.0 miles round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain and two Oak Creek crossings. The crossings are 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 parking options. The main option is the Margs Draw Trailhead off Morgan Road, which holds approximately 30 spots and fills by 9:30 AM on weekends. A Red Rock Pass is required at Margs Draw: $5 per day or covered by an America the Beautiful pass. The second option is parking on Schnebly Hill Road approximately 0.5 miles past the gate, which is open April through November. No Red Rock Pass is required at the Schnebly Hill end, but the road past the first 0.5 miles requires 4WD or high-clearance vehicle. Standard sedans should use Margs Draw.
Do you have to cross Oak Creek on Huckaby Trail? +
Yes. Huckaby Trail has two Oak Creek crossings. From March through May during snowmelt and after monsoon rains in July through September, the crossings run knee-deep. The rest of the year they are typically ankle-deep or less. There are no footbridges. Water shoes or sandals are a good choice if you expect wet crossings; alternatively, hiking poles help with balance on the rocky creek bed. Do not attempt the crossings after recent heavy rain or during spring peak flow if you are not comfortable in moving water at knee depth. 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 at approximately mile 1.5 on the standard Margs Draw approach.
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 a smaller trailhead at Margs Draw, the creek crossing requirement (which deters casual visitors), and the Schnebly Hill Road access (which requires either a pass or a rougher approach road) keeps the trail 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.