Backway to Cathedral Rock
Slickrock technical challenge to Sedona's icon
The Backway to Cathedral Rock navigates 8 miles of Sedona’s infamous red slickrock, threading needle-thin passages between sandstone towers and climbing exposed shelves where traction disappears and consequences multiply. This technical route follows ancient water courses carved into the Coconino Sandstone, passing Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte before reaching Cathedral Rock’s base—where Ansel Adams once set up his camera and Hollywood still films westerns. The final approach requires threading “The Crack,” a narrow slot between towering red walls where full-size trucks scrape both sides.
Expert-level difficulty demands experienced drivers with modified 4WDs, differential locks, and rock sliders. Tire pressure adjustments are critical for slickrock traction; most locals air down to 15-18 PSI. Best tackled October through April when temperatures stay manageable—summer heat turns exposed rock into a furnace. No permits needed but parking is limited and popular. The payoff justifies the risk: intimate access to Sedona’s most iconic formations and photo opportunities that separate your Instagram from the tour bus crowds.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Scenic, Technical |
| Length (miles) | 8 mi / 12.9 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4400 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Sedona, Arizona |
| Land manager | Coconino National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Good |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler run Backway to Cathedral Rock, or do I need lockers?
A stock Wrangler will get you into trouble on this one. The trail's slickrock sections demand lockers front and rear — without them you'll be high-centered or spinning out on exposed sandstone ledges. Lift and quality all-terrain tires are expected, not optional.
When is Backway to Cathedral Rock actually driveable, and does it ever close in winter?
October through April is the sweet spot — summer monsoons and heat make the trail miserable and slick in bad ways. Snow is rare at 4,400 feet, but when it hits wet sandstone it gets dangerously glassy fast. Check Coconino National Forest conditions before heading out after any precipitation.
Do I need a permit or pay any fee to run this trail?
No permit is required, but the Red Rock Pass ($5/day or $15/week) is mandatory for parking at the trailhead — Coconino National Forest enforces this and rangers do check. Have cash or a credit card ready; America the Beautiful passes are also accepted.
What's the hardest section on Backway to Cathedral Rock and what makes it gnarly?
The exposed slickrock ledges mid-trail are where rigs get stuck or damaged — steep off-camber moves on bare sandstone with serious drop-offs on the downhill side. One wrong line and you're on your rocker panels with no easy recovery angle. Spotters are not a luxury here, they're necessary.
Is there any camping along the trail, or do I need to base out of Sedona?
Dispersed camping is not permitted in this corridor — Coconino National Forest restricts it near Sedona due to the high-use red rock zone. Base camp at a developed campground like Manzanita or Bootlegger, or stay in Sedona proper and run the trail as a day trip.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.