Bell Rock
4.7(239)yelp
Rock FormationHikingQuirky
Overview
Bell Rock is a butte just north of the Village of Oak Creek, Arizona, United States, south of Sedona in Yavapai County. With an elevation at its summit of 4,919 feet (1,499 m), it is just west of Courthouse Butte. Its panoramic views make it a popular landmark and tourist attraction.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-3 hours
Best TimeSpring (March–May) or autumn (October–November) is most comfortable. It's highly recommended to go at dawn sunrise, when it's not only easy to grab a spot in the popular parking lot, but Bell Rock's lines are also extremely crisp and three-dimensional in the morning sun
Getting ThereLocated on the required road (beside the AZ-179 scenic byway) into town from Sedona's south gate. There's an official large parking lot on both the north and south sides of the site, with extremely clear, intuitive signage
Travel Tips
- Named for its shape strongly resembling a giant vintage bronze bell standing in the desert, this is another extremely famous, extremely powerful Earth 'electromagnetic energy vortex' photo center in Sedona
- The trail design here is extremely flexible and inclusive: if you just want an easy stroll, you can walk the gentle Bell Rock Pathway around the mountain
- If you're a hardcore outdoor enthusiast, you can follow the white marker line and challenge yourself by scrambling up to the mid-slope of the 'big bronze bell'
- Parking at the site's lot requires buying and displaying the famous 'Red Rock Pass' (the U.S. National Park annual pass can be used directly instead, displayed prominently on your dashboard), or the Red Rock Ranger District will strictly issue you a ticket
Reviews
Positive
- So friendly to ordinary people! You can decide how high to climb based on your own stamina. Sitting cross-legged to meditate on the red rock terrace, watching the green shrubs all around, I felt my body and mind thoroughly purified and relaxed
- A very interesting 'choose-your-difficulty' climbing experience. Following the white paint markers on the rock you can climb all the way up; the red sandstone has huge friction, and standing mid-slope the view of Courthouse Butte nearby is extremely open
Heads up
- Because it's right next to the busy AZ-179 state route and its fame is simply too great, during the day the loop trail at the foot of the mountain is bustling with people, slightly lacking that absolute paradise-like tranquility