Hiking Hotspot: A Picturesque, Relaxing Stroll Along Marg’s Draw in Sedona
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Since moving to Flagstaff (just a half hour outside of Sedona), Mike and I have been exploring all the incredible red rock trails. During the summer season when temps soar past 90 regularly, we aim to get out there early and keep our hikes short. Marg’s Draw is one of Sedona’s easiest & shortest trails, and it also happens to be located super close to town, so the combined hike & drive over will not take up too much of your day. This leaves you more time to explore all the other incredible attractions in this red rock wonderland.
I would say this is the perfect starting trail for just about anyone, as it is both easy and picturesque at the same time. While the trek is just 2 miles, you will get to enjoy a lot of nice red rock views in a short period of time. Beginning hikers will enjoy the easy terrain where you can simply look around at the big views without working up a major sweat. Avid hikers will still appreciate the gorgeous scenery and relaxing setting, despite the less-than-stellar workout. Sometimes we like to take it easy (especially during the hot summer months), and that’s when hikes like this one become even more attractive.
While Sedona’s more challenging hikes provide an amazing opportunity to challenge yourself physically, short, easy nature hikes like this one are a great option for anyone seeking a more relaxing vacation experience. Sometimes on vacation, it’s better to just take it easy and save the big workouts for at home. Combining a variety of easy trails with more moderate options is the best way to enjoy a mix of exercise and beauty without going totally out. Luckily, there is a great assortment of trails here for all fitness abilities.
A short, scenic, underappreciated gem
This trail is just over 2 miles and will not take up more than an hour and a half of your time. It’s just long enough where you will get in an invigorating workout, yet will not feel burnt out for the rest of the day. Thus, you will have more time to explore more of gorgeous Red Rock Country. This trail is well-marked and sees few crowds apart from a few locals. I was quite surprised my first time hiking as I saw no one else on the trail. It’s beautiful and close to town, however, most tourists with limited time head to the most advertised trails like Devil’s Bridge (another beautiful trail but a bit more moderate in intensity).
There is not much shade along the trail, although many pretty views of green prickly pear cactus as well as juniper, Arizona cypress, and pinyon pines line the route. You can see in the pics below that there is plenty of greenery alone this one.
You’ll notice a few of the most prominent rock formations along the way. Keep a look out for the Snoopy formation, named after the classic Peanuts character. Note that all rock formations in this city are named after their unique shape.
If you are seeking an easy trail which still packs in a bunch of dramatic red rock views, then I would start here. I recommend all visitors, whether regular hikers or not, to check out this picturesque trail.
On an interesting side note, the unique trail name comes from a stubborn mule who often wandered the trail instead of working.
Several access points are available. The Sombart Lane trailhead is the shortest and easiest to get to.
Trail details
- Location: Sombart Lane
- Distance: 1.3 miles out-and-back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Parking: Red Rock pass required ($5)
- Pet policy: Dogs must be leashed
- No mountain biking
Check out the Coconino National Forest website for more info on hiking trails in this region.
Where to dine post-hike
Surprisingly, there are a number of great local restaurants in this area. If you are looking for a local bite to eat after your hike, I recommend the following restaurants.
The Hudson: Upscale restaurant serving New American fare. I love the gorgeous patio here facing the red rocks. The large menu includes: burgers, salads, bruschetta, tasty apps, and a number of specialty entrees. I love the Butternut Squash ravioli.
Elote Cafe: Southwestern cafe serving everything from Chicken enchiladas to Grilled Halibut. What I really come here for is the Elote dip which is basically fire roasted corn with spicy mayo, cotija cheese, and lime.
Hideaway House: Cozy Italian eatery with a great patio. Great apps especially the garlic cheese blossom.
