FAQ

Shuttle Information

Sedona Shuttle is the free, easy and eco-friendly way to explore some of Sedona’s favorite trails.

What trailheads are served by the Sedona Shuttle?

  • Cathedral Rock
  • Little Horse
  • Soldier Pass
  • Dry Creek Vista, with access to Devil’s Bridge
  • Mescal

Parking Restrictions:

Cathedral Rock Trailhead: The parking lot(s) located at the Cathedral Rock Trailhead will be closed to the general public whenever the shuttle is operating and will reopen after the shuttles go out of service.

The USFS has not established specific hours for access to the Cathedral Rock trailhead, however, overnight camping is not allowed at this location.

Soldier’s Pass Trailhead: The USFS parking lot located at the Soldier’s Pass trailhead will be closed to the general public whenever the shuttle is operating.

Note: Per U.S. Forest Service regulations, both the trailhead and parking lot at Soldier’s Pass are ALWAYS closed between 6 p.m.-8 a.m.

Soldier’s Pass Trailhead Parking Lot Gate Hours:

DaysOpensCloses
Mon-Weds08:00 a.m.6:00 p.m.
Thur -Sunday (Normal Shuttle Operation)ClosedClosed

Note: Shuttles run year-round, Thursday thru Sunday. However, Shuttles will run EVERY DAY during Spring Break (Feb 29 – Apr 21, 2024), and during select holidays. (Watch for service alerts on the main page of this website for schedule modifications).

The parking restrictions noted above shall go into effect at both of these locations whenever the shuttle system is operating.

Little Horse Trailhead: Little Horse Trailhead Parking IS NOT to be used as an overflow parking lot for the Cathedral Rock trailhead. Overflow parking for Cathedral Rock should use the Yavapai Vista Point parking area.

When do the Shuttles run?

Thursday through Sunday

7:00 AM to 5:30 PM

See the ‘Shuttle Schedules’ tab for current schedules.

Holiday and Supplemental Services

During the Spring Break season (February 29th through April 21st, 2024) the shuttles will run daily.

Shuttles also run on select holidays. Here is the schedule of holiday and supplemental services for the coming year:

Holiday/EventDates ObservedService Schedule*
Week Before Thanksgiving11/16/23 – 11/22/23Service Operates Daily
Thanksgiving Day11/23/2023 (Thu)No Service
Week Before Christmas12/14/23 – 12/24/23Service Operates Daily
Christmas Day12/25/23 (Mon)No Service
Week After Christmas12/26/23 & 12/27/23Service Operates
New Years Day1/1-2/24 (Mon & Tue)Service Operates
Spring Break 20242/29/24-4/21/24Service Operates Daily
Memorial Day5/27/24 (Mon)Service Operates
Independence Day7/4/24 (Thu)Service Operates
Labor Day9/2/24 (Mon)Service Operates

During days and hours when the shuttles are running, the parking lots at the Cathedral Rock and Soldier Pass Trailheads will be closed.  All visitors are asked to use the shuttle to access these trailheads. Outside of shuttle hours, the Cathedral Rock trailhead parking will be open. Parking at all other trailheads will be open as determined by the National Forest Service.

Where do you catch the Shuttles?

The shuttles pick up from three park and ride lots:

  • North SR 179 Park and Ride, 1294 SR 179  with service to:
    • Cathedral Rock Trailhead
    • Little Horse Trailhead
  • Posse Grounds  Park and Ride, 20 Carruth Dr. (in West Sedona), with service to:
    • Soldier Pass Trailhead
    • Dry Creek Trailhead
  • West SR 89-A, 905 Upper Red Rock Loop Road
    • Mescal Trailhead
    • Dry Creek Trailhead

Notes:

  1. For your safety shuttles pick up at designated bus stops only.
  2. RVs, campers, and buses are prohibited from parking in the shuttle park and ride lots.
  3. NO OVERNIGHT PARKING

You can ride the Verde Shuttle to two of our Park & Ride lots

You can use the Verde Shuttle to get from Cottonwood or Sedona to the Sedona Shuttle park and ride lots on SR 179 and 89A. From there you can take the Sedona Shuttle to Cathedral Rock, Little Horse, Mescal, and Dry Creek Vista Trailheads where you can hike some of Sedona’s favorite trails.

To get to the Park & Ride lot on 179A, just get off and on the Verde Shuttle at one of these stops:

  • Southbound (from Uptown) – Use the Verde Shuttle stop on US 179 north of Arrow Drive
  • Northbound  (towards Uptown) – Use the Verde Shuttle stop on US 179 just south of Morgan Road

To get to the Park & Ride lot on 89A, just get off and on the Verde Shuttle at one of these stops:

  • Westbound (from Sedona) – Use the Verde Shuttle stop on 89A at Upper Red Rock Loop Road (by the Courtyard Marriott)
  • Eastbound (to Sedona) – Use the Verde Shuttle stop on 89A at Cultural Park Place (by Yavapai College)

The Verde Shuttle runs hourly, every day from 6 AM to 10 PM.  For a complete schedule, visit VerdeShuttle.com.

How many vehicles will be able to park at each park and ride lot?

  • North SR 179 Park and Ride – 65 vehicles
  • Posse Grounds Park & Ride – 260 vehicles
  • West SR 89A Park and Ride – 91 vehicles

Are the parking and shuttles really free?

YES! Both parking at the Park and Ride lots and the shuttle rides are free. 

Is a  Red Rock Pass required for shuttle riders at the trailhead?

No. Shuttle riders will not be charged a parking fee at the trailhead.

How many people can the shuttle carry?

Each shuttle bus can accommodate 20 seated passengers or 16 seated passengers and two riders in wheelchairs.

Are the shuttles accessible to persons in wheelchairs?

Yes, shuttles can accommodate up to two wheelchairs.

Can the shuttles carry bicycles?

Each shuttle bus is equipped with a bike rack, on the front of the bus, which holds up to three bicycles. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is room in the vehicle, additional bikes may be accommodated in the wheelchair positions inside the bus.

Bicycles (including E-bikes) must weigh LESS than 55 lbs. E-bikes must be powered down before being transported by the service.

Motorized Bicycles with gasoline powered engines of any kind are strictly prohibited!

Can I bring my dog onto the bus?

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Sedona permits service animals to accompany individuals with disabilities onto the Sedona Shuttle. Service animals are defined as “any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform observable tasks for an individual with a disability.

Pets:

All pets shall be transported in a pet carrier or other vessel that is suited to properly contain the animal, with the following exception:

DOGS (non-service animals) are allowed onto the service in either an appropriate carrier or with a muzzle and the animal must be on a leash. Dog muzzles[1] or masks must be properly fitted to fit over the snout to prevent the animal from biting other animals or humans.

Pets must remain under the owner’s control at all times and shall not be left unattended. Pets shall not block the aisleway or passenger doors.

[1]covering put over an animal’s nose and mouth in order to prevent it from biting:

Do the park and ride lots and bus stops at trailheads have restrooms and trash facilities?

Yes, all pickup and drop-off locations have restroom facilities and trash receptacles.

Are Face Masks Required on the Sedona Shuttle?

Based on current CDC guidance, face masks are recommended at this time but are not mandatory. Should face masks be required, the driver will let you know and will provide a mask if you need one.

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