Thunder Mountain Loop

The Thunder Mountain Loop at Coconino National Forest in Sedona, Arizona is a moderate 4.7-mile loop hike that features views of Thunder Mountain, Chimney Rock, and interesting rock formations.  

Trail names: Thunder Mountain, Andante, Chimney Rock Pass and Lower Chimney trails.

Location: Thunder Mountain Trailhead, Sedona, Arizona.

Permitted uses: Walking, Running, Hiking, non-motorized recreation, some sections of trail are closed to bicycles, but most are open to them.

Prohibited uses: No Camping or campfires. Parking allowed only in designated spaces. Horseback riding is not recommended. No E bikes or pedal assist. No hang gliders.

Fees and Parking: There is no fee to park or use the trails. There is ample parking at the trailhead with room for about 12/14 cars. There is no off-street parking. Vehicles exceeding 20 feet in length are not permitted to use the parking area.

Pets: Dogs MUST be on a leash and owners must remove dog waste.

Accessibility: The trails are not wheelchair accessible.

Sanitation: There is no restroom at the trailhead, but there is a trash bin and there are dog waste bags available to help keep the trails sanitary.

Length and Trail information: This hike was done as a 4.75-mile loop and considered a moderate hike. The hike began at the Thunder Mountain trailhead just off of Thunder Mountain Road. The trailhead parking area has signage by the road and there is a gate at the entrance. Trails close at dusk. The information Kiosk has a large well-maintained map to help you plot your hike. The trail terrain started off with a wide gravel pathway that led us to some great views of Chimney Rock and Thunder Mountain. We were happy to see that although there are no colored trail blazes to mark the trail, there are wooden trail name signs posted and maps at almost all junctions of the trail. These trails get a lot of visitors, so it's pretty easy to see where the trail is. The posted maps help you figure out where you are and where you are headed. We were led along the trail through some shady areas with several different cacti such as Chain-fruit Cholla, Parry's Agave, Banana Yucca, Ocotillo, Green Ephedra and several Sonoran Scrub Oaks. While hiking we were treated to the songs of several of Arizona avian residents. We heard Woodhouse's Scrub Jays, Bushtit, Gambel's Quail, Juniper Titmouse, Bridled Titmouse and Lesser Goldfinch. This hike had some elevation to it and the trail was sometimes a bit rocky, but there was nothing that seemed excessively steep or hard to ascend but it will require some stamina. There was one section of the trail that went over a rocky section that seemed a bit confusing, but we were able to locate a white marker painted on the rocky terrain and stay on the trail. The views are amazing, and the rock formations are awe inspiring. The plants and birds were new to us, so it made the hike even more fun trying to identify what they were. Bring plenty of water for Arizona hiking and know your limits.