6 Sedona Solo Hiking Safety Tips

Jennifer Stefanow • October 11, 2024

I’ve been hiking in Sedona for so long, I sometimes forget that I’m in one of the wildest areas of the nation. It doesn’t feel that way at overflowing trailheads, but occasionally, the solitude of more distant treks reminds me of my mortality and the importance of taking safety measures when solo hiking.

Solo hiking can be an introvert’s dream. Who’s to laugh at you for trying to talk with one of the area’s many ravens or lingering too long watching bees play among the desert globe mallow? You can set as vigorous or idle a pace as you like and whistle the whole way without getting on anyone’s nerves.

However, you have to protect yourself. How? Here are six Sedona solo hiking safety tips.

1. Leave a Flight Plan

Your first and most vital Sedona solo hiking safety tip is to let someone in civilization know where you intend to go and when you expect to return. Providing the trail names can help, as can sending your GPS coordinates via your smartphone. If you don’t show up when anticipated, your buddy back home can direct rescue crews where to look.

If you’re not the most tech-savvy but can text pictures, do so. You’re not only sharing your journey — you’re creating an electronic record of where you’ve been in case people have to search for you.

2. Carry Plenty of Water

We can’t emphasize this next tip enough: please, carry plenty of water with you when you hike. This advice goes double if you’re from a less arid region, which is nearly everywhere. The desert is no joke, and it will dry you out like one of Georgia O’Keefe’s beloved cattle skulls.

If you watch Only in Sedona Yoga, you might have noticed I carry a 46-ounce Yeti cooler with me everywhere I go. We love this company for keeping you hydrated. They recently premiered their Rescue Red line, honoring wilderness first responders — what better way to stock up for your trek while honoring those who make your favorite pastime safer?

Another recommendation: invest in a camelback. You have an extra stash of water conveniently on your back, keeping your hands free. You can also add Molle bags for storing supplies.

How much do you need? A good rule of thumb is a half liter for each hour, but you might want to double that in the summer months. Many Sedona trails feature little to no shade, and you will dehydrate faster than you think.

3. Dress for the Occasion

Sedona weather is…interesting. I once considered it predictable. Then this past winter happened.

Suffice it to say you could experience anything from a foot of snow to triple-digit temperatures depending on the time of year. Please dress accordingly, layering in cold weather to keep you comfortable as you start to sweat:

Inner layer: Forget cotton long johns and use merino wool, silk, or a synthetic blend to wick sweat away from your body.
Middle layer: Your insulation. Here’s where you pile on the cozy Sherpa fleece to protect you against frigid temperatures, although many people get by with a lined vest in a typical Sedona winter (this past 2022-2023 one was not).
Top layer: The final layer protects you from snow and wind, so look for something that repels the elements.

Another must-have is a good pair of hiking boots. Before I found mine, I’d often head out in the easiest shoes I could kick off to get a better grip on the rocks barefoot. However, there are a lot of mighty sharp things in the desert, and hiking in flip-flops isn’t a good idea even on the paved portion of the trail at Red Rock State Park.

Find a pair that fits. It might mean going into men’s sizes if you have big muppet feet like me, but it’s well worth the comfort on the trail. You need to keep your feet feeling fine and healthy to hike you out of any jams you accidentally get into.

4. Consider a Signaling Device

If you stick to the more popular trails, you won’t have too many worries about getting lost. However, it is easy as heck to take a detour on a side trail that looks like the real deal, only to end up in the middle of nowhere with zero idea where you are.

Pro-tip: You will not always have cellphone reception out here. It’s just the way it is.

Therefore, consider carrying a signaling device, just in case. A small pocket mirror does the trick in a pinch. Those with deeper pockets can invest in a handheld GPS that sends an emergency signal to a specified contact or the authorities with a touch of a button, but such tech can set you back several hundred dollars.

5. Gear Up

I used to head out on solo hikes with little but a desire to be outdoors and a prayer.

I wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed.

Nowadays, I wouldn’t dream of heading out without my gear belt. It’s a tactical belt containing survival essentials like a multitool, knife, whistle, bear spray, compass, and basic first aid. In all my years of hiking Sedona, I have never once needed it. However, I take great comfort in knowing that it’s there if something should go awry when solo hiking.

6. Learn Basic Survival Skills

All the gear in the world won’t do you a lick of good if you don’t know how to use it. That’s why the final Sedona solo hiking safety tip is to master some basic survival skills.

At the very least, you should know:

How to start a fire without matches
How to perform basic first aid
How to find water in a pinch
How to avoid wild animal encounters

Many survival kits come with flint and steel fire strikers. You can also use your signaling mirror or even a soda can. The American Red Cross offers basic first aid and CPR classes — you might have to attend a session for your job. However, you should take advantage even if it isn’t required.

To find water in a pinch, your best Sedona bet is to head to the base of one of the many mountains. Water rolls downhill, and digging into the soil a few inches sometimes reveals a stash. Extreme adventurers might want to learn how to build a solar still in case they get caught out overnight — the desert isn’t as rich in dew as some areas.

Animals you’re likely to encounter on a Sedona solo hike include:

Coyotes: They will generally leave you alone. However, fight back if they become aggressive, throwing stones and smacking them with your backpack.
Javelina: These spotted peccaries will generally leave you alone if you give them the same courtesy. I once encountered a troop while solo hiking and simply went in another direction without incident.
Bobcats and mountain lions: You’ll rarely see a mountain lion. Bobcats are more prevalent, sneaking into residential areas at times. Make plenty of noise as you hike along and stay on your feet if you encounter one, waving your arms to make yourself look larger. Do not get on the ground. Cats don’t consider 2-legged creatures prey, but the bets are off if you crouch.
Bear: You’re more likely to encounter bear further north, but there has been the occasional report of one spotted on the trails. Make plenty of noise to alert them to your presence and don’t let Fido run ahead of you — he could lead a not-so-gentle-Ben right to you. Keep your pets leashed for their (and your) safety.

Sedona Solo Hiking Safety Tips

Solo hiking in Sedona can be an intense, spiritual experience. However, it is a wilderness, and you must take appropriate measures to protect your safety.

Follow these six tips to stay safer on your Sedona solo hike. You’ll enjoy your trek more when you feel secure.

Cool aside: The day after writing this article, I came across a woman hiking solo. She had barely begun but was ready to turn around because the trails looked way too remote for her east-coast eyes. Fortunately, I set her on the right path for the Big Park/Middle Trail Loop, which connects back to Bell Rock Pathway, and she was able to get her miles in. If you see us out on the trails during your Sedona visit, please stop and say hi! ~ J.

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Can’t Sleep? Try This Evening Ritual (Updated for 2026) Written by Jennifer Stanley Few things in life are psychologically harder to cope with than insomnia. You know sleeplessness is going to affect you the next day. Worse is the anxiety that builds when it strikes night after night. You stumble through waking life like a zombie but curse the sight of your bedroom ceiling through your open eyelids at night. Although scientists don’t fully understand why living creatures need sleep, they know it harms your health when you don’t get enough. You become more accident prone, and your risk of various diseases increases. Plus, you get moody and snap at loved ones, straining your relationships As someone who struggles with insomnia, I empathize. While nothing health-related is guaranteed, certain habits and practices can nevertheless make it easier to get your Zzz’s. Try parts or all of this evening ritual the next time you can’t sleep or, worse, suffer a stretch of insomnia. What’s Causing Your Insomnia? Get Mindful Finding the root cause of your insomnia might be a no-brainer. An ailing loved one, a struggling relationship, work woes, financial troubles — all can impact sleep quantity and quality. If difficult life circumstances underpin your insomnia, radically accepting that you might find it hard to sleep for a while can sometimes, ironically, help. If not, at least it stops that nagging anxiety-choir of “what’s wrong with me, I’m exhausted, I know I need rest.” Acknowledging, “Hey, anyone would be struggling right now,” can be just the shot of loving-kindness your weary soul needs, and while it’s no substitute for eight solid hours, it’s better than fighting a losing battle with dreamland. Medicine, Food, and Hormones, Oh, My! At other times however, your insomnia might arise from physical or environmental factors you may not have considered. For example, medications as diverse as beta blockers [1], antidepressants and even cold tablets can affect sleep. Undiagnosed food allergies can likewise affect slumber by raising histamine levels [2] that promote wakefulness. If you suspect a sensitivity but can’t afford testing, the elimination diet method can sometimes pinpoint a culprit. Be patient and methodical, as it can take a while if you’re sensitive to something outside of the Big 8. Hormones are also a factor — shout out to my other 50-somethings experiencing night sweats. High cortisol levels are a common offender [3], hence, why it’s harder to sleep during life’s most stressful moments. However, keep in mind that changes in other hormonal levels, such as estrogen [4], can also cause cortisol fluctuations. If possible, consider a consultation with your doctor. If primary care offers few answers, a qualified naturopath or other holistic health practitioner may take more time to go over all over your symptoms and your life history to establish a course of care. Examine Your Daily Routine How you pace your day influences how well you sleep at night. In general, you want to tackle your toughest mental and physical activities soon after waking, taking on less stressful activities as you get closer to bedtime. Recently, some people have reported terrific success using the 10-3-2-1-0 sleep rule. What Is the 10-3-2-1-0 Sleep Rule? Dr. Jess Andrade, sports medicine physician, explains the 10-3-2-1-0 sleep rule [5] as a guide of activities to cease at specific intervals before bedtime to encourage more restful sleep. It works like this: Stop drinking caffeine 10 hours or more before bedtime. Caffeine blocks your adenosine receptors [6], a body chemical that builds up over the course of the day, making you sleepy. Finish your last big meal at least three hours before bed. Digestion can stimulate you, keeping you awake, and lying down too quickly after eating can trigger gastric reflux. Stop all work activities at least two hours before bed and begin your evening ritual. Turn off all screens at least one hour before bed, as it stimulates your mind and the blue light can keep you awake [7] by affecting melatonin. How many times do you hit snooze? Zero! That’s a big goose egg. Studies suggest hitting snooze doesn’t add to quality sleep and may extend morning grogginess [8], a condition called sleep inertia. The Role of Exercise What about exercise? Doesn’t a good daily workout help you get more rest? Yes, and exercise should absolutely be a part of your routine — with one caveat. Three hours before bed, cease all heavy physical activity. You can still include a gentle, soothing yoga routine, such as the one below, to ease you into dreamland. However, save anything that exerts your muscle power or gets your heart pumping for earlier in the day, as it keeps your core temperature elevated [9] and revs up your metabolism, which can make sleep elusive.