SEDONA SHUTTLE: Riding Sedona Just Got Easier

Sedona Shuttle and the new on-demand service makes local trails more accessible than ever

One of the best things about riding Sedona is the easy access to trails. No matter where you are, a trailhead is rarely more than five minutes pedal and the singletrack network will take you virtually anywhere in town.

Now, thanks to the city’s continued investment in public transportation, trail access is becoming easier than ever.

In March of 2022, the city launched Sedona Shuttle’s trailhead service, free public transport that connects three Park & Ride lots to some of the most popular trails in town. 

Click here to download the Route Map & Schedule

“During the pandemic, we saw an explosion of demand on trails and parking like nothing we’d ever seen before,” says Lauren Browne, Communications Director for the City of Sedona.

“The Sedona Shuttle was part of the solution. We want visitors to come enjoy the trails without the stress of having to worry about crowded lots. In the end, we are striving to create a system that allows you to not even have to use your car in Sedona at all.” 

The three lots service some of Sedona’s best singletrack; just leave your vehicle at these easy-access spots and hop a quick ride to the trails. Buses from Posse Grounds Park take riders to Dry Creek Vista trailhead (think: Chuckwagon, Girdner, and Mescal trails) and Soldier Pass trailhead (Teacup and Jordan trails). From West SR-89 Park & Ride, next to Sedona Red Rock High School, there’s also access to Dry Creek Vista, as well as Mescal trailhead (Mescal, Chuckwagon, Long Canyon, and Deadman’s Pass). And from North SR-179 Park & Ride, south of Tlaquepaque, you can get to Cathedral Rock trailhead (Easy Breezy, Templeton, Baldwin, trails—Hiline, if you’re spunky!) and Little Horse Trailhead (Little Horse, Lama, Broken Arrow, Hogs).

All buses carry three bikes on front racks and even more inside if space is available.

Schedules vary by route, but all run from 7a.m. to 5:30p.m. daily (in high season), with departures at least every half hour. The more popular routes are every 15 minutes.

During low season, the shuttles run Thursday through Sunday 7a.m. to 5:30p.m.

“It’s perfect for checking out trails outside of town without pedaling the long miles that might otherwise require,” says Browne. “And it’s also a great backup if you’re out riding and get a mechanical or just want to call it early for pizza. Hop on a bus and cruise back to town.”

And starting August 2024, the city expanded and improved the system with Sedona Shuttle Connect, an on-demand service. By using the TransLoc mobile app (or calling dispatch: 928-203-5152), riders are able to hail a ride between any two points in the broad central service area for just $2 per person. The Shuttle Connect service schedule mirrors that of the routed Shuttles, with rides available 7a.m. to 5:30p.m. daily during high season and holidays, and Thursday through Sunday 7a.m. to 5:30p.m. during the low season. 

It’s Uber in a town that doesn’t otherwise have dependable rideshare. Plus, bringing your bike along is a breeze compared to most other transportation options, letting you plan longer routes and see more of Sedona without having to pedal all the way back to where you started.

For instance, you could start with a free trailhead shuttle from the high school to Mescal, ride a loop up north (Dawa, Cockscomb, Aerie, Mescal), loop back to town on Chuckwagon, make your way east on Thunder Mountain, Teacup, and Jordan, get a burger and beer from Sedona Beer Company, then get a pickup in Uptown for a quick return to your vehicle.

Or start at SR-179 Park & Ride to Little Horse Trailhead, then ride Easy Breezy and Llama to Hiline and Baldwin, cross the river at Red Rock Crossing, and climb Ridge or Scorpion back to West Sedona for a pickup and return to your car.

“This should allow for different point-to-point rides than you might normally do,” says Browne. “We want to make it as easy as possible for visitors to get out of their cars and enjoy town and our trails.”

It also makes Sedona one of the most bike-friendly spots for visitors. Even if you’re coming from out of town, you can skip the hassle and cost of a rental car. Several companies will get you from the airport to Sedona and back. Once you’re here, the local shuttle will get you and your bike to all the trails, restaurants, and other sights in town.

Thunder Mountain Bike's owner Mike Raney is bullish on the system.

“Sedona has invested so heavily in trails and infrastructure over the years, and this is just another demonstration of the city’s commitment to being one of the best riding destinations in the country,” he says. “The on-demand service is going to make it easier than ever to explore our trails.”

Need help deciphering the system or figuring out what trails are right for you? Give us a call or stop by the shop and we'll get you on the right path.

Images provided by the City of Sedona

by Aaron Gulley Aaron has been writing about cycling, travel, and the outdoors and reviewing gear for the likes of Outside, Bicycling, Velonews, and others for over two decades.