Planning on hitting the trail for a hike in Sedona, Arizona? Learn what you need to pack to go hiking in Sedona to be safe and prepared!

Sedona is one of the best hiking destinations in the Southwest with 400 miles of trails to choose from. There’s something for everyone here, from easy-moderate trails, to dog-friendly hikes, to long, epic adventures. Hiking in the desert comes with some unique considerations, including dry air and summer monsoons, so it’s important to pack appropriately and seasonally.

Many popular hikes in Sedona aren’t very long. You’ll probably only be out for a few hours at most, so carrying a full hiking pack may seem like overkill, but you never know what could go wrong on a hike. It’s always better to be overprepared than underprepared in my book!

What are the 10 essentials?

Throughout this guide you’re going to see references to “the 10 essentials.” These are 10 categories of hiking gear that you should ideally always carry with you when hiking. Hopefully you won’t need to use most of these items during your hike, but if you find yourself in an emergency situation you’re going to be glad you have them!

1. Backpack 

You can’t carry your hiking gear without a backpack and there are a lot of options out there. Like any piece of hiking gear, the best backpack is going to be the one you already have. If you’re in the market for a new pack, I personally use and love the Osprey Sirrus 24L pack. On shorter hikes you may want to opt for a trail running vest for a lighter option that still allows you to carry sufficient water and other essentials.

Read my complete review of the Osprey Sirrus pack to learn more about my favorite hiking backpack!

Hiking Shoes 

In addition to a backpack, a pair of hiking shoes is absolutely essential when hiking in Sedona. Many of the trails in the area involve hiking over slickrock, which means wearing shoes with good traction is a must. Sneakers, unfortunately, aren’t going to cut it and could put you at risk of getting injured. 

Whether you opt for a pair of traditional hiking boots, like the Merrell Moab 3, or a pair of trail runners, like the Altra Lone Peaks, is ultimately a matter of personal preference (I’m personally a fan of trail runners!). The most important consideration is having traction for the trail. 

Water 

Without a doubt the most important thing to carry on your Sedona hike is sufficient water. Do not underestimate the importance of staying hydrated while hiking in the desert!

Aim to carry at least 1L of water per hour of hiking, either in a water bladder or water bottle. Depending on the time of year, temperature, and how acclimated you are to the desert, you may need more or less water. Also consider adding electrolytes to your water, like Scratch, if you’re a sweaty hiker or hiking during warmer months. 

Snacks 

It’s important to stay fueled while hiking, so make sure you pack some snacks. You might not need to eat much during a short hike, especially if you have a meal ahead of time, but you never know how long you may be out on the trail. Carrying extra snacks is always a good idea! Protein bars, trail mix, dried fruit, jerky, and my personal favorite, Nerds gummy clusters are all great hiking snack options.

Sunglasses

A pair of sunglasses are an absolute must when hiking in the desert (at least for me!). Any pair of sunglasses will get the job done, but I recommend wearing a pair with polarized lenses to help reduce glare.

Gear Recommendation: Sunski Polarized Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is another crucial desert hiking essential. Make sure to apply some before hitting the trail and toss a tube into your pack to reapply every 2 hours or after getting sweaty.

Alternatively, you can opt for clothing that provides sun protection, like a sun shirt. Read my review of my favorite hiking sun shirt, the Black Diamond Alpenglow hoody.

Gear Recommendation: Supergoop Mineral Mattescreen

Lip Balm

When it comes to sun protection while hiking, don’t forget your lips (trust me!). Toss some lip balm with SPF in your pack to keep your lips hydrated and protected.

Gear Recommendation: Badger SPF 15 Lip Balm

Hat

A hat is really an optional piece of hiking gear, but one I recommend. Depending on the time of year that you visit Sedona, a hat can provide additional sun protection or warmth. Even though you’re in Arizona it can get cold during the winter, which is my favorite time of year to visit.

Gear Recommendation: REI Pom Beanie

Extra Socks

Having a pair of extra socks in your pack can come in handy on hikes that have water crossings or where your feet might get wet. Keeping your feet dry while hiking helps prevent blisters and keeps them healthy. Opt for a pair of lightweight wool socks for their quick drying, moisture-wicking properties.

Read my review comparing Smartwool socks with Darn Tough socks!

Gear Recommendation: Smartwool Low Cut Performance Socks

Headlamp

A headlamp might seem like an unnecessary piece of hiking gear during a day hike, and if you’re hiking in the morning (which is a good idea to beat the heat and the crowds) you probably won’t need it. However, if you’re hiking later in the day or going on a sunset hike it’s important to carry a headlamp to help you see the trail after it gets dark. 

Discover the top sunset hikes in Sedona!

Gear Recommendation: Black Diamond Cosmo Headlamp

First-Aid Kit

A well stocked first-aid kit should always be in your pack as part of the 10 essentials. Standard items to carry include band-aids, moleskin, Tylenol/Advil, and any emergency medications you may need, like an inhaler or Epipen. When hiking in the desert it’s also helpful to carry a pair of tweezers in case you accidentally brush up against a cactus!

Gear Recommendation: Adventure Medical Kit

Map & Compass

While most trails around Sedona are well-signed and fairly easy to navigate, you should always carry a map & compass in the event you get lost. While a physical map is going to be your best option, there are also many apps out there that provide accurate digital maps (I personally track all of my hikes on AllTrails). If you are going to rely on a digital map make sure you also carry a backup battery charger in case your phone dies.

Knife

It’s pretty unlikely that you’re actually going to need a knife while hiking in Sedona. However, it’s one of the 10 essentials, which is why I’ve included it on the list. A knife can serve a variety of purposes from gear repair to protection in the event of an extreme emergency. You can also carry a multitool for even more tool options, like mini-scissors or pliers.

Emergency Shelter

An emergency shelter is another one of the 10 essentials that you’re hopefully not going to need while hiking in Sedona, but it could save your life in the event of an emergency. Having an emergency bivvy or space blanket can help you stay comfortable and warm if you have to spend an unexpected night in the backcountry.

Gear Recommendation: SOL Emergency Bivvy

Hiking Poles

You don’t necessarily need to carry hiking poles while hiking in Sedona, but they can be a useful piece of gear to have on certain trails. Hiking poles have a number of different benefits, including taking pressure off of your knees, helping with stability in rocky terrain, and providing momentum to help you hike faster.

Gear Recommendation: Trekology trekking poles

Outer Layer(s)

Dressing for a hike in Sedona is going to depend on a number of factors including the forecast, time of year, and your personal preferences. Helpful layers to consider wearing or bringing on your hike include a sun shirt, windbreaker, and outer layer (how heavy of an outer layer depends on the time of year).

If there’s rain in the forecast, or you’re hiking in the summer during monsoon season, it’s also a good idea to pack a rain coat. Be aware, monsoons can be extremely dangerous and cause flash flooding, so always check the forecast before you go and avoid hiking in canyons if there’s a chance of rain.

Emergency GPS

I always carry a Garmin in-reach mini GPS on hikes to easily get in contact with authorities in the event of an emergency. While Sedona has great cell reception and you may find that you have service on the trail, it never hurts to have an emergency device just in case. Some phones also offer a way to contact emergency officials while out of service, but they may not provide as precise a location as an emergency GPS device.

Gear Recommendation: Garmin inReach mini 2

Camera

Carrying a camera with you while hiking in Sedona isn’t totally necessary, especially since your phone probably takes high-quality photos and videos. However, if you’re a photographer or just want to be more intentional about the photos you take, then it doesn’t hurt to pack your camera. Sedona has some pretty epic views!

WAG Bag

Human waste doesn’t break down easily in desert environments, so the best practice for managing poop while hiking in Sedona is to pack it out in a WAG bag. WAG bags are very easy to use and come with 2 bags, along with a small wad of toilet paper and a hand sanitizer wipe. Help keep Sedona beautiful by recreating responsibly!