HikeArizona.COM

We are brand new to backpacking so want to try out all our gear fairly close to home. Sedona/Oak Creek is 2 hours from us so we were looking for an overnight trip but could extend to a few days. Sedona doesn't seem particularly backpacking friendly that I can find on google searches. We were thinking of hiking the Oak Creek West Fork which I know is 12 miles each way and I know several water crossings. That's what is scaring me a way. I don't mind wading through but don't have the gear to swim across as I'd need a way to take our packs across and I don't think we are that experienced yet. So thinking of making this just a short out and back and looking for another nearby place. I'd like to do a 5-10 mile hike, camp and then return. We will probably then move on to a nearby campground to do some other local trails Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, etc. Do we need any kind of permit? We are going next week (April 28th). Any advice is welcome~

Parsons trail #144 might be an option. You can camp here, but the camp site has to be 3.7 miles or so from the trailhead. I would check with a rangers office before you go to confirm camping is an option, though, because I dont remember seeing any campsites. It has water available until this point. The description says backpacking is available, and someone else found campsites--> http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=30727. It might be cold out this time of year.

The drive out there was not too bad when I went, washboard gravel road.

Red rock ranger district 928-203-2900.

This may be a shorter hike than what you are looking for, but would be a fairly easy hike and camping for a beginner and would be easy to bail out if gets into trouble or gets too cold.

@nahimana222
There are campsites available near the spring area. There's a sign along the trail that indicates when you have hiked far enough to camp.

I agree, that would be a nice one. http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=86

Possibly try Secret Canyon trail?
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=116