Full Moon Hikes in Sedona: How to Do One Safely This Fall
Full moon hikes in Sedona are something you remember. The red rocks turn silver, the trail glows pale under your feet, and the whole landscape feels quiet in a way it never does during the day.
It’s also a different kind of hiking. The terrain that’s easy at noon can be tricky at night, and fall evenings get cold fast. Here’s how to plan a full moon hike safely, from the best dates and trails to what to bring.
Fall 2026 Full Moon Dates in Sedona
| Full moon | Best night in Arizona | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hunter’s Moon | Sunday, October 25 | Mild evenings, the most comfortable of the three |
| Beaver Moon | Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24 | A supermoon: slightly bigger and brighter |
| Cold Moon | Wednesday, December 23 | A supermoon; cold nights, dress for winter |
Timing tip: a full moon rises around sunset in the east. The night before the full moon is often the best choice for hiking, because the moon is already up and bright when you set out in the last of the daylight.
The Easiest Way: A Guided Moonlight Hike
If this is your first night hike, a guided outing is the easiest way to start. Red Rock State Park runs naturalist-led Moonlight Hikes that start at sunset from a park overlook, then return by moonlight. You’ll learn about the area’s history, geology and wildlife along the way.
- Cost: $20 per person
- Distance: 2-mile or 2.5-mile routes, about 2 to 2.5 hours
- Rules: registration required, minimum age 12, closed-toed shoes and a flashlight required, no pets
- Dates: the park’s published 2026 schedule runs through September 26. In past years the season has sometimes included a final October hike, so check AZStateParks.com for any added fall dates. If none are listed, look for a private guide or stargazing tour company that runs evening outings.
Going on Your Own: Pick the Right Trail
A good night trail is wide, well marked and mostly flat, with no ledges or scrambling. A bad night trail is anything you’d call exciting in daylight.
Good choices for a self-guided full moon walk:
- The Bell Rock Pathway: wide, sandy and easy to follow, with Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte glowing above you. Keep to the main pathway rather than the loop’s rougher sections.
- A trail you’ve already hiked in daylight. This is the single best rule. Walk it once during the day, and you’ll know every turn.
Save these for daytime:
- Cathedral Rock: the steep, hands-on scramble is risky in the dark.
- Devil’s Bridge: the arch has sheer drop-offs.
- Anything with slickrock ledges or cliff edges, including the rim sections of Airport Mesa.
Check the trailhead hours. Some sites close at dusk. Crescent Moon Picnic Site, for example, closes its gate in the evening.
Your Full Moon Hike Safety Checklist
- Don’t go alone. Hike with at least one other person.
- Tell someone your plan. Share your trail and the time you’ll be back.
- Bring a headlamp, even with a bright moon. Clouds roll in, and shadows hide rocks and roots. A red-light setting protects your night vision and keeps the dark sky dark for everyone.
- Carry a charged phone and an offline map. Cell service is patchy around the rocks.
- Dress for the cold. Temperatures drop quickly after sunset. November nights can dip into the 30s. Bring a warm layer, a hat and gloves.
- Pack water and a snack, even for a short walk.
- Watch your step for wildlife. Snakes can still be out on warm fall evenings, and javelina and coyotes are more active after dark. Give them plenty of room.
- Start in daylight. Begin 30 to 45 minutes before sunset, so you’re on the trail as the moon rises.
- Turn around early. If anything feels off, head back. The trail will still be there tomorrow.
No Hike? You Can Still Enjoy the Full Moon
A full moon hike isn’t for everyone, and that’s fine. Watching the moon rise over the red rocks from a quiet spot with an open view east is just as memorable. Bring a blanket and a warm drink, and arrive a little before sunset.
One note for stargazers: a full moon washes out most of the stars. If seeing the Milky Way is your goal, plan your trip around the new moon instead.
For more on the trails mentioned here, see our complete Sedona hiking trails difficulty guide and Bell Rock vs. Cathedral Rock: Which Hike Is Right for You?
Stay Near the Moonlit Trail
The best full moon walk starts close to home. Kokopelli Inn sits in the Village of Oak Creek, a few minutes from the Bell Rock Pathway, one of the easiest trails in Sedona to enjoy by moonlight. Walk it in daylight, rest in the afternoon, then head back out as the moon rises over Bell Rock.
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