Moonshiners ALley Loop

Looking for a way to experience Sedona’s iconic red rock landscape without spending your day surrounded by crowds? This private guided scenic loop leads into a quieter corner of Red Rock Country, where sweeping vistas, rugged sandstone formations, historic trails, and the natural beauty of the Dry Creek watershed come together in an immersive backcountry experience.

Covering approximately 4.6 miles with 450 feet of elevation gain, this moderate hike offers an enjoyable balance of scenery and physical activity. The route moves between open viewpoints and shaded piñon-juniper woodlands, following a landscape that feels remarkably removed from the busy roads and popular overlooks nearby.

A Different Side of Sedona

One of the most appealing aspects of this adventure is its location. The route skirts the edge of Secret Mountain Wilderness, placing you alongside a vast protected landscape while remaining accessible enough to enjoy without a major physical commitment. Along the way, expansive views reveal the dramatic sandstone formations that have made Sedona famous, while the surrounding wilderness provides a sense of scale and seclusion that can be difficult to find on the region’s most popular trails.

The trail also follows historic pathways once traveled by ancient peoples and early settlers, adding a layer of human history to the experience. As you move through the landscape, the scenery tells a story that extends well beyond the familiar red rock postcard.

Where Water Meets the Desert

The Dry Creek watershed gives this hike a particularly dynamic character. Although Sedona is known for its arid environment, precipitation can temporarily transform these normally dry channels into flowing waterways. Following substantial rainfall, summer monsoon storms, and spring snowmelt — seasonal streams and waterfalls can appear throughout the drainage system. These ephemeral flows are constantly changing and cannot be guaranteed, but when conditions are right, they add an entirely different dimension to the landscape.

Watching water move through the red rock terrain creates a striking contrast between Sedona’s rugged desert environment and the temporary abundance brought by the seasons. For photographers and returning visitors, these changing conditions can make the same landscape feel completely different from one visit to the next.

A Natural Corridor for Wildlife

The combination of water, woodland, desert vegetation, and wilderness creates an important corridor for wildlife. As you travel through the area, keep an eye and ear open for the many creatures that inhabit the Upper Sonoran Desert. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the varied habitat provides wonderful opportunities to observe birds and other desert species in their natural surroundings. Moving quietly through the landscape allows you to experience Sedona as an ecosystem rather than simply a collection of scenic rock formations.

Panoramic Views Without the Crowds

For photographers and travelers seeking spectacular Sedona views, the route delivers an impressive variety of perspectives. Elevated sections open across the surrounding red rocks, while wooded stretches provide a more intimate experience of the desert landscape.

The contrast between shaded forest, open sandstone vistas, seasonal waterways, and distant wilderness creates a continually changing visual experience. Sunrise and sunset starts are also available, allowing the landscape to be experienced during some of the most dramatic light and best solitude of the day.

A Private Backcountry Experience

As a private guided hiking tour, your group can explore at a comfortable pace while your guide provides insight into the geology, ecology, history, and natural features encountered along the way. There is time to stop for photographs, observe wildlife, appreciate seasonal water, or simply take in the quiet surroundings.

If you’re searching for a moderate Sedona hike that combines scenic views, history, wildlife, seasonal waterfalls, and accessible backcountry terrain, this adventure offers a refreshing alternative to the regions most heavily traveled trails.

Come follow the historic paths of Moonshiners Alley, explore the edge of Secret Mountain Wilderness, and discover a side of Sedona where desert and water, wilderness and history, come together in one unforgettable journey.

Outing Includes

• Private Hiking Guide
• Red Rock Pass
• Sedona Resort/Airbnb/VRBO Transportation (Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, Oak Creek Canyon)
• Healthy Packaged Trail Snacks
• Bottled Water
• Ultima Electrolytes
• Osprey Daylite Hiking Backpack
• Trekking Poles (By Request)
• 500 Lumen Black Diamond Headlamp
• Gloves, Beanies, Neck Gaiters (During Winter Months)
• UPF 50 Sun Hoodies
• Disposable Rain Ponchos
• Micro Spikes for Snow (If Needed)
• Osprey Poco Plus Kids Carrying Pack (By Request)
• Kids Car Seats & Booster Seats (By Request)
• Full List of Supplies Included

Logistics

• Duration: 3 Hours of Hiking & 1 Hour of Logistics
• Distance: 4.6 Miles
• Elevation Change: 450ft
• Capacity: 1 - 14 Hikers
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Transport: 1 Vehicle
• Sites Visited: 1 Site
• Map of Hike: View Map of Three Hour: Moonshiners Alley Loop
• Hike Type: Scenic Loop, Sunrise/Sunset Hike
• Trails Used: Mescal Trail, Chuckwagon Trail, Mescal Connector Trail 
• Best Season: All Year
• Start Times: 5AM, 5:30AM, 6AM, 6:30AM, 7AM, 7:30AM, 8AM, 2:30PM
• Upcoming Availabilities: Moonshiners Alley Loop Calendar
• Cost: $215 + Tax/Hiker (Private Group) & $425 + Tax (Private Solo Hiker)

*PRIVATE ONLY TOURS: TWO PERSON MINIMUM FOR PRIVATE GROUPS OR PLEASE REFER TO SOLO HIKER PRICING

**WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND CONSIDERING PEEK PROTECT COVERAGE AND REVIEWING OUR CANCELLATION POLICY BEFORE BOOKING YOUR RESERVATION

***WE REQUIRE ALL HIKERS/ATTENDEES TO HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE TO ATTEND ANY OF OUR OUTINGS OFFERED