Wilson Mountain Trail: Sedona's Highest Summit at 7,122 ft

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

North Trailhead at Midgley Bridge: Parking and Access

The North Trailhead for Wilson Mountain is located at Midgley Bridge on AZ-89A, just north of Uptown Sedona where the highway crosses Wilson Canyon. The parking area is on the east side of the highway at the bridge — a paved Coconino National Forest lot that holds approximately 20 to 25 vehicles. A Red Rock Pass ($5/day, $15/week) or America the Beautiful annual pass is required.

This lot fills by 7:30 to 8 AM on spring weekends. There is limited overflow parking at the bridge itself, but it goes fast. Arriving at 6:30 AM for a Wilson Mountain attempt on a Saturday or Sunday in April or October is not overcautious — it is necessary. The full round trip from this trailhead is 11.2 miles, not a short outing, so plan accordingly regardless of which access point you use.

The trailhead has an information board and pit toilet. No potable water. The trail begins on the west side of the parking area, crossing Wilson Canyon Creek via a footbridge before immediately beginning to climb. The signed trail junction for Wilson Mountain Trail is approximately 0.1 miles from the lot — follow the signs north and up.

The First Bench False Summit: The Most Common Mistake

The single most important thing to know about Wilson Mountain Trail is this: First Bench is not the summit. It feels like the summit. At approximately mile 1.4, the relentlessly steep climb through pinyon-juniper and manzanita suddenly levels onto a broad, open bench at roughly 6,100 feet elevation. The views are sweeping. The terrain flattens. The body screams "done." Many hikers turn around here, satisfied.

The true summit is several more miles and roughly 800 additional feet of gain beyond First Bench — the North Trailhead route totals 5.6 miles one-way (11.2 miles round trip) per Coconino National Forest trail data, so First Bench at mile 1.4 is barely a quarter of the distance. The upper plateau crossing from First Bench to the summit is a different character than the initial climb — the grade is gentler but the terrain is more open and exposed, with the upper Schnebly Hill Formation limestone giving way to basalt cap rock. The final approach to 7,122 feet gains the last 200 feet quickly on the summit knoll.

To ensure you reach the true summit: do not stop at the bench. Continue north-northwest across the plateau following the trail markers. The summit is marked by a USGS benchmark and a register cairn. From the top, Wilson Canyon is visible directly below to the east, and the full arc of Sedona's red rock geography spreads in every direction. If you can see the Midgley Bridge below and the Oak Creek Canyon walls beyond, you are at the right place.

Trail Breakdown: Mile by Mile (North Route)

Monsoon Season, Lightning Risk, and When to Hike

Wilson Mountain's 7,122-foot summit sits well above Sedona's valley floor, which creates specific weather risks that lower-elevation Sedona trails do not share. In monsoon season (July through mid-September), afternoon thunderstorms typically build over the high country by 1 to 2 PM. The exposed upper plateau and summit have no shelter. Being on the summit or upper plateau during a lightning storm is genuinely dangerous — the flat basalt cap acts as an antenna.

The rule on Wilson Mountain during July through September: be off the summit and off the upper plateau by noon. This means starting no later than 6 AM from the North Trailhead to allow the 5 to 7 hours of total hiking time. In spring and fall (March-May, October-November), afternoon thunderstorm risk is lower but still present. Always check the National Weather Service forecast for the Sedona / Coconino Plateau area before starting.

Winter visits are possible but require experience. Snow on the upper plateau and basalt cap can persist well into March. The steep initial climb is dangerous on ice without traction devices. For a hard comparison hike in a similar character without the elevation commitment, Sterling Pass Trail offers 1,100 feet of gain in Oak Creek Canyon. For a shorter mesa experience, Doe Mountain Trail is a 2.5-mile moderate mesa hike accessible to a wider range of fitness levels. Check current trail conditions before any Wilson Mountain attempt in shoulder seasons.