Geology Hike and Archaeology Hike at Red Rock State Park

Red Rock State Park, in Sedona, has a monthly-guided geology hike at 1 p.m. on the second Sunday of the month, January to May (January 12, February 9, March 8, April 12 and May 10).

The park is located at the base of the Mogollon Rim, the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. The escarpment is more than 200 miles long and ranges in height from 2,000 to 3,000 feet. Over millions of years of erosion, the rim has receded over 4 miles, leaving behind the picturesque features of Sedona.

Join the park’s knowledgeable volunteers as they venture out on the park’s trails and discuss how Sedona transformed into what we see today. This interpretive experience is for both the beginner and experienced hiker. It lasts between one and a half to two hours, with an elevation gain of 250 feet.

Red Rock State Park also has a monthly-guided archaeology hike at 1 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month, January to May (January 19, February 16, March 15, April 19 and May 17). The park has been a destination for Native Americans for several millennia. Most of the ancient features found in the park are from the Sinagua culture dating about 1100 to 1425 AD.

Come and hear the fascinating story of the pre-Columbian people who lived and traveled in the park. The hike will identify the various archaeological features visible from park trails and interpret them into the wider context of important regional Sinagua sites. The guide will also touch on ideas of other cultures that likely have made use of the park’s resources. The hike will last about one and a half to two hours, with an elevation gain of about 250 feet, along easy to moderate trails and may begin with a short presentation in the theater.

Attendees for both hikes should bring water and wear suitable footwear.