Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Sedona and Northern Arizona

Before you go

What happens when you get there

Sedona trails

Mountain Modern's own list of dog walks includes the Bell Rock Pathway, the Baldwin Trail, West Fork, Little Horse, Munds Wagon, Chuckwagon, Doe Mountain, Cathedral Rock and the Red Rock Crossing loop at Crescent Moon Ranch. Those are hotel recommendations. We couldn't confirm the Coconino National Forest lead rule or the Red Rock Pass price, so check the Forest Service's own page before you park at a trailhead.

Sedona Shuttle

The free trailhead shuttle serves Dry Creek Vista and Mescal, Soldier Pass, and Cathedral Rock and Little Horse, Thursday to Sunday from 7am to 5:30pm, with extra days at Spring Break and some holidays. Dogs may ride only in a carrier, or muzzled and on a lead. If your dog won't wear a muzzle, plan to reach those trailheads another way.

State parks

Red Rock State Park is a conservation park and allows no pets at all. That's this one park, not Sedona's trails generally. Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon allows dogs on a lead but not in the swim area, and they can't be left in a vehicle. Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood allows pets on a lead, not in park buildings and not left unattended.

Grand Canyon South Rim

Pets must be on a lead of up to six feet at all times. They're allowed on trails above the rim, in Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, Trailer Village and developed areas. They aren't allowed below the rim on inner canyon trails or on the park shuttle buses. So a rim walk with a dog works and a hike into the canyon doesn't.

Kennels at the canyon

The Grand Canyon Kennel near Maswik Lodge on the South Rim is open daily from 7:30am to 5pm for dogs and cats, day or overnight, on 928-638-0534. Dogs need proof of rabies, DHLP, bordetella and parvo vaccination. In Williams, the Grand Canyon Railway Pet Resort boards dogs from 7am to 8pm all year at USD 40 for the first dog and USD 35 for a second in the same kennel, booked on 800-843-8724. Whether dogs can ride the train isn't published, so ask.

Grand Canyon North Rim

Pets on a lead are allowed only on the bridle trail between the North Kaibab Trail and the park entrance, from 15 May to 15 October. There's no kennel on the North Rim.

Saguaro National Park, Tucson

Dogs on a six-foot lead are limited to a short list. In the east district that's the Mica View dirt road and Mica View Trail, the paved Desert Ecology Trail and Cactus Forest Loop Road. In the west district it's Bajada Loop Drive, the paved Desert Discovery Trail and Golden Gate Road. Every other trail is closed to pets.

Heat and hazards

Saguaro's own warning covers burned paws from hot ground, heat stroke that has killed otherwise healthy animals, cactus spines, rattlesnakes and scorpions. The Grand Canyon warns about heat and altitude and tells owners not to leave pets in vehicles. Carry more water than you think you need and test the ground with your hand.

Best walks

In Sedona, the walks Mountain Modern sends its dog guests to: the Bell Rock Pathway at 3.5 miles round trip, the Baldwin Trail at 3 miles round trip, the Red Rock Crossing loop at Crescent Moon Ranch at 2 miles, plus West Fork, Doe Mountain and Cathedral Rock. Slide Rock State Park takes dogs on a lead outside the swim area, and Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood takes them too. At the Grand Canyon it's the trails above the South Rim. In Tucson, the Mica View Trail and the paved Desert Ecology Trail in Saguaro's east district, and the paved Desert Discovery Trail in the west.

When to go

Plan around heat first. The national parks here warn about hot ground burning paws and about heat stroke, so in the hot months keep walks to the cool ends of the day and never leave a dog in the car. If the Grand Canyon's North Rim is on your route, the one trail open to dogs there runs from 15 May to 15 October only. In Sedona the trailhead shuttle runs Thursday to Sunday, with extra days at Spring Break and some holidays, so check the timetable for your dates if you're relying on it.