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Best Canyon Hikes near Flagstaff

The directory currently contains 9 quality-checked routes matching this guide near Flagstaff. Their average mapped distance is 4.6 km and average recorded ascent is 179 m (587 ft); the longest route in the set is 8.1 km.

This subset represents 8% of the 108 quality-checked routes near Flagstaff. Average recorded ascent is 179 m (587 ft), versus 224 m (735 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

These routes carry a canyon or gorge tag. Flood risk, access infrastructure and technical terrain require a current local source. Within this set, 0 routes (0%) are rated easy, 0 (0%) are rated hard or expert, and 0 (0%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.

Data refreshed September 2026

Choose by the details

How do these routes differ?

A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

1.9 km

Canyon of Fools #174F

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

13 m

Canyon of Fools #174F

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

0 recorded loops

Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.

Plan the return journey →

Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.

Trails

Loy Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Loy Canyon #5

Arizona · United States

Distance
7.8 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
603 m
Typical duration
2 hr 32 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Long Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Long Canyon #122

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.8 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
14 m
Typical duration
1 hr 14 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Boynton Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Boynton Canyon #47

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.9 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
302 m
Typical duration
1 hr 28 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Fay Canyon is a favorite hike for many who prefer a shorter hike with minimal elevation gain or who enjoy the grandeur of red sandstone walls towering overhead. Some people visit Fay Canyon to see the natural arch located just under a half
Moderate

Fay Canyon #53

Arizona · United States

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
95 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Long Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

Canyon of Fools #174F

Arizona · United States

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
13 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
Secret Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona
Moderate

HS Canyon #50

Arizona · United States

Distance
5.2 km
/ 3.2 mi
Elevation gain
231 m
Typical duration
1 hr 26 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Secret Canyon Trail, Sedona, Arizona - Yavapai County
Moderate

Secret Canyon #121

Arizona · United States

Distance
8.1 km
/ 5.0 mi
Elevation gain
275 m
Typical duration
2 hr 6 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Red Rock Canyon road
Moderate

Wilson Canyon #49

Arizona · United States

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
41 m
Typical duration
26 min
  • Canyon and gorge
Moderate

Casner Canyon #11

Arizona · United States

Distance
4.1 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
34 m
Typical duration
55 min
  • Canyon and gorge

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Loy Canyon #5Arizona7.8 km603 m2 hr 32 minModerateJune to October
Long Canyon #122Arizona5.8 km14 m1 hr 14 minModerateJune to October
Boynton Canyon #47Arizona4.9 km302 m1 hr 28 minModerateApril to October
Fay Canyon #53Arizona2.1 km95 m34 minModerateApril to October
Canyon of Fools #174FArizona1.9 km13 m25 minModerateApril to October
HS Canyon #50Arizona5.2 km231 m1 hr 26 minModerateApril to October
Secret Canyon #121Arizona8.1 km275 m2 hr 6 minModerateJune to October
Wilson Canyon #49Arizona1.8 km41 m26 minModerateApril to October
Casner Canyon #11Arizona4.1 km34 m55 minModerateJune to October

Loy Canyon #5, Boynton Canyon #47, Long Canyon #122 currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Plan with more confidence

All planning articles →

Choosing a route

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.

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Understanding the map

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.

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Planning your day

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.

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