Secret Canyon to Bear Sign Canyon Loop

Secret Canyon Trail is a beautiful trek in between the mountains of the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, and connecting to Bear Sign Canyon offers an adventurous, rewarding trek that feels far away from the hustle of Sedona. This route can be done in a day or you can make use of backcountry camping areas to make it a multi-day adventure.

You’ll need a high-clearance vehicle to reach this trailhead. Traditional passenger cars won’t be able to make it. Additionally, make sure you bring lots of water. Sources on the trail are heavily impacted by recent rainfall, which can be light at certain times of the year.

From the trailhead, head left onto Secret Canyon Trail. The first 2.5mi of the hike is mostly sand and rock. The views aren’t as stellar yet as they will be. Pine trees begin to scent the air as you cross between Little Round Mountain and Maroon Mountain. The trail may become hard to follow, so make sure you’re referencing a downloaded GPS track to stay on the right trail. Follow the creek, staying right at the two junctions before taking a sharp right onto Bear Sign Trail.

Take BEar Sign through the canyon, staying right where a spur trail heads off to the east. You’ll follow the rest of the canyon back to the trailhead.