You may need a Sedona Red Rock Pass before parking near those cinnamon-colored canyons and juniper-covered trails. The correct pass depends on who manages the site. Check the sign at your exact parking area because Forest Service trailheads, concession-managed day-use sites, and Arizona State Parks follow different fee systems.
Quick Answer
You need a Sedona Red Rock Pass when you park and leave your vehicle at a posted Coconino National Forest fee site. It costs $5 daily, $15 weekly, or $20 annually. An America the Beautiful pass works at many of those sites, but not at state parks or five concessionaire-managed day-use areas.
Key Takeaways
- A Red Rock Pass or qualifying America the Beautiful pass is required when you leave your vehicle at a posted Forest Service fee site.
- Red Rock Pass prices are $5 daily, $15 weekly, and $20 annually.
- Five concession-managed sites use individual daily fees or a separate Coconino Hospitality Pass, priced at $25 weekly or $50 annually.
- Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock State Park charge separate state-park admission and do not accept a Red Rock Pass.
What the Sedona Red Rock Pass Covers
The U.S. Forest Service Red Rock and Coconino Passes Program uses recreation fees to maintain heavily visited sites in and around Sedona. The money supports work such as restroom servicing, trash removal, trail maintenance, signs, picnic facilities, and resource protection.
A Red Rock Pass covers the standard day-use fee at designated Coconino National Forest locations. It does not provide admission to every attraction in Sedona, and it does not cover campgrounds, cabins, state parks, or concession-managed sites with separate fees.
Note: You normally need the pass when you park at a posted fee site and leave your vehicle for recreation. You do not need a Red Rock Pass simply to drive through the area without stopping at a fee site.
Which Sedona Parking Pass Do You Need?
| Pass or fee | Current cost | Where it works | Main limitation |
| Red Rock Pass | $5 daily $15 weekly $20 annual |
Posted Sedona-area Coconino National Forest fee sites | Not valid at state parks or the five concession-managed sites |
| America the Beautiful pass | Varies by pass type | Accepted instead of a Red Rock Pass at many listed Forest Service sites | Cardholder must be present; not valid at state parks or the five concession sites |
| Coconino Hospitality Pass | $25 weekly $50 annual |
Five specific concession-managed day-use sites | Does not cover regular Red Rock Pass sites; covers up to five people in one vehicle |
| Arizona State Park admission | Varies by park, date, and vehicle | Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock State Park | Federal recreation passes do not replace state-park admission |
The Forest Service currently labels the concession product the Coconino Hospitality Annual Pass, although its current price table includes both weekly and annual options. This guide uses the shorter name “Coconino Hospitality Pass” for clarity.
Pro Tip: For regular Red Rock Pass sites, buy daily passes for one or two separate days. The $15 weekly pass becomes cheaper than three $5 daily passes. The $20 annual pass makes the most sense when your visits extend beyond one week or you expect to return within the year.
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Where the Red Rock Pass Is Required
The following locations are on the Forest Service’s current list of sites accepting a Red Rock Pass or a qualifying America the Beautiful pass. Always confirm the sign at the parking area because closures, management arrangements, and fees can change.
Sedona Trailheads and Scenic Parking
- Baldwin Trailhead
- Bell Rock Pathway/Vista
- Bell Trailhead
- Boynton Canyon Trailhead
- Bruce Brockett Trailhead
- Cathedral Rock Trailhead
- Courthouse Vista
- Bear Mountain/Doe Mountain Trailhead
- Dry Creek Trailhead
- Fay Canyon Trailhead
- Huckaby Trailhead
- Jim Thompson Trailhead
- Little Horse Trailhead
- Mescal Trailhead
- Yavapai Vista
Picnic, Overlook, and Heritage Sites
- Bootlegger Picnic Area
- Encinoso Picnic Site
- Halfway Picnic Site
- Midgley Bridge
- Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site
- Honanki Heritage Site
- Palatki Heritage Site
Lake Mary and Flagstaff-Area Sites
- Lake Mary Narrows
- Lava River Cave
- Upper Lake Mary
Lake Mary-specific recreation passes may also be accepted at Lake Mary Narrows and Upper Lake Mary.
Palatki planning note: A Red Rock Pass or federal interagency pass does not replace the timed tour reservation. Reserve your visit through the official Palatki Heritage Site Tours page, then carry valid pass coverage for the vehicle. Weather can close the site or its access road.
Sites Not Covered by the Red Rock Pass
Coconino Hospitality Pass Sites
The five locations below are managed under a concession arrangement. They do not accept a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass. You can pay the individual day-use fee or buy the shared Coconino Hospitality Pass in person.
| Site | Listed daily fee |
| Call of the Canyon Picnic Site/West Fork | $15 |
| Crescent Moon Picnic Site | $15 |
| Grasshopper Point Picnic and Swimming Area | $15 |
| Beaver Creek Day-Use Picnic Site | $14 |
| Lower Lake Mary Picnic Area | $12 |
The shared Coconino Hospitality Pass costs $25 weekly or $50 annually and covers up to five people in one vehicle. It must be purchased in person at one of the five participating locations.
Arizona State Parks
Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock State Park charge separate admission. Their rates and operating conditions can vary by season, vehicle type, and date, so check the official park page before visiting.
Campgrounds, Cabins, and Special Uses
A Red Rock Pass does not pay for developed campgrounds, cabins, reserved facilities, commercial guiding, commercial filming, weddings, organized events, or other uses that require separate fees or permits.
Sedona Shuttle and Trailhead Parking
The free Sedona Shuttle trailhead service normally runs year-round from Thursday through Sunday, with additional daily service during spring break and selected holidays. No reservation is normally required for the fixed trailhead routes.
Under the normal parking arrangement:
- Cathedral Rock Trailhead: The public parking lot closes while the trailhead shuttle is operating.
- Soldier Pass Trailhead: The public lot closes while shuttle service is operating and is always closed from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Little Horse Trailhead: Do not use it as overflow parking for Cathedral Rock.
Current access alert, July 23, 2026: Sedona Shuttle reports that Route 11 to Dry Creek Vista and Mescal and Route 14 to Soldier Pass are temporarily not operating because of the Pocket Fire. Route 15 continues to Cathedral Rock and Little Horse. Check the live Sedona Shuttle alert and the Coconino National Forest alerts before leaving.
Using a free park-and-ride lot and shuttle means you are not parking your vehicle at the closed trailhead fee lot. Follow the current signs and shuttle instructions rather than relying on an older map or itinerary.
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How to Buy and Use a Red Rock Pass
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Buy Online
Purchase the specific Red Rock Site Pass through Recreation.gov. An online purchase does not create a printable Red Rock Pass. Enforcement staff verify it through the license plate entered with the order.
Check every character of the plate number before completing the purchase. If the plate changes while the pass remains valid, contact the Recreation.gov Help Center and request a modification before parking at a fee site.
Buy at a Fee Site
Kiosk fee machines at participating recreation sites sell daily, weekly, and annual Red Rock Passes. Complete the purchase before leaving your vehicle and follow the display instructions printed on the physical pass.
Buy In Person
- The Sedona Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center sells Red Rock Passes.
- The Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center sells daily and weekly Red Rock Passes.
- America the Beautiful passes are available from participating federal offices and official federal sellers.
Note: A pass pays the required recreation fee but does not reserve a parking space. A full lot does not permit roadside parking where signs, lane markings, or traffic rules prohibit it.
Vehicle Coverage and Pass Transfer Rules
A valid Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass covers the people traveling in the passholder’s vehicle, provided the cardholder is present. The Coconino Hospitality Pass covers up to five people in one vehicle.
If your group parks two vehicles at fee sites at the same time, both vehicles need valid coverage. A physical pass can only be displayed in one vehicle at a time. An online Red Rock Pass is connected to the license plate entered during purchase and should not be treated as transferable until Recreation.gov approves a plate correction.
Tips for a Safe and Respectful Visit
- Check current conditions: Review Forest Service alerts, road conditions, weather, and shuttle notices on the day of your trip.
- Stay on designated trails: Shortcuts widen trails, damage vegetation, and disturb sensitive desert soils.
- Carry enough water: Sedona can be hot and exposed even during cooler seasons.
- Protect heritage sites: Do not touch rock art, climb on structures, remove artifacts, or enter closed areas.
- Give wildlife space: Observe animals from a distance and never feed them.
- Pack out your waste: Take all food wrappers, pet waste, and other trash with you.
- Respect parking controls: Do not block roads, gates, driveways, emergency access, or shuttle stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Red Rock Pass just to drive through Sedona?
No. The fee applies when you park and leave your vehicle at a posted Coconino National Forest fee site. Driving through without using a fee site does not require a Red Rock Pass.
Can I use an America the Beautiful pass in Sedona?
Yes, at many Coconino National Forest locations that normally require a Red Rock Pass. The passholder must be present. It does not cover Slide Rock or Red Rock State Park, and it is not accepted at the five Coconino Hospitality Pass sites.
Does a Red Rock Pass guarantee a parking space?
No. The pass pays the required day-use fee but does not reserve parking. Use the Sedona Shuttle when trailhead lots are closed, and never park in a prohibited roadside area.
Can one Red Rock Pass cover two vehicles?
Not at the same time. Each vehicle parked at a fee site needs valid coverage. A physical pass can only be displayed in one vehicle, while an online Red Rock Pass is connected to the license plate entered during purchase.
Can I transfer an online pass to another vehicle?
Online Red Rock Passes are verified through the registered plate. Contact the Recreation.gov Help Center to request a plate modification before using another vehicle. Do not assume the change is valid until it has been confirmed.
Are refunds or exchanges available for an unused pass?
Policies depend on the product and point of sale. Review the terms shown with your Recreation.gov order or contact the original seller. Do not assume that an unused, lost, expired, or incorrectly entered pass can be refunded or replaced.
Is the Red Rock Pass valid for commercial tour operators?
A recreation pass only addresses the standard visitor fee. Commercial guiding, outfitting, transportation, filming, photography workshops, and organized events may require separate Forest Service authorization.
Does the pass cover pets or service animals?
The pass only covers the recreation fee. Pet access, leash rules, service-animal access, and shuttle requirements are separate and depend on the location. Follow the signs at the trailhead, heritage site, park, or shuttle stop.
Does a Red Rock Pass allow camping or overnight parking?
No. It is a standard day-use recreation pass. It does not pay campground or cabin fees and does not override site-specific closing times, overnight-parking restrictions, camping rules, or permit requirements.
Sources
- U.S. Forest Service Red Rock and Coconino Passes Program — current pass prices, covered sites, concession sites, purchase methods, and license-plate rules.
- Recreation.gov Red Rock Site Pass — official online Red Rock Pass purchase page.
- Sedona Shuttle FAQ — routes, normal operating schedule, parking closures, and animal policy.
- Recreation.gov Palatki Heritage Site Tours — reservation, pass, road, and closure information.
- Slide Rock State Park — official state-park admission and visitor information.
- Red Rock State Park — official state-park admission and visitor information.
Conclusion
For most posted Coconino National Forest parking areas around Sedona, choose a $5 daily, $15 weekly, or $20 annual Red Rock Pass, or use a qualifying America the Beautiful pass. Check for concession or state-park signs before paying, confirm live shuttle and closure information, and remember that a pass pays the fee but does not reserve parking. With the right pass and respectful trail habits, you can spend more time enjoying Sedona’s sandstone views and less time sorting out access rules.
