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Courthouse Butte Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.3 (45)
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Flagstaff and Northern AZ
  4. …Sedona
  5. Courthouse Butte
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“A loop around Courthouse Butte. ”

Ray Smith
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Map Key

3.9

Miles

6.3

KM

Loop

4,471' 1,363 m

High

4,253' 1,296 m

Low

302' 92 m

Up

303' 92 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · Views · Wildflowers

Overview

A lovely loop combining parts of other trails through the expansive terrain around Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock. The route is long, but rewards with stretches of solitude and perspectives on all sides of the famous rock formations.

Need to Know

Very little shade on this trail. I did the loop on a 106 degree day with plenty of water. The far side of the trail away from the parking lot is very serene. I only saw other hikers as I got close to Bell Rock.

Description

This is a fairly easy loop around Courthouse Butte. From the parking area head left to the intersection of the Courthouse and what is listed as the Phone Trail. Take a right and head up towards the butte.

Continue clockwise around Courthouse Butte on the Courthouse Loop until the trail intersects with the Big Park Loop Connector and the Bell Rock Trail. This will take you back to the parking area.

The far side of Courthouse Butte offers really lovely vistas and solitude. Not only do you see some of the red rocks the Sedona area is famous along the Munds Mountain Wilderness area for but you also see part the Horse Mesa with it's contrasting green trees.

Part of this loop along the far side follows along and crosses a creek bed. There was a wee bit of water when I went through with the largest concentration of tadpoles I have ever seen.

Flora & Fauna

Typical desert stuff. The day I was there I didn't see any critters but I understand others have seen rattlesnakes. Be aware.

Plenty of birds provided a soothing backdrop to my huffing and puffing up the hills.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Coconino National Forest Office

Shared By:

Ray Smith with improvements by Jesse Weber
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 45 votes

#1

in Courthouse Butte

#290

Overall
  4.3 from 45 votes
5 Star
49%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Courthouse Butte

#15

in Arizona

#290

Overall
31 Views Last Month
7,710 Since Jul 8, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate
13%
3%
81%
0%
3%
0%
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Photos

Bell Rock
Oct 27, 2023 near Village…, AZ
Bell Rock.
Jul 8, 2016 near Village…, AZ
A pass with a very determined little tree.
Jul 8, 2016 near Village…, AZ
Courthouse Rock.
Aug 9, 2016 near Village…, AZ
Courthouse Butte.
Jul 8, 2016 near Village…, AZ
Bell Rock hides under the snow in Arizona.
Mar 6, 2017 near Village…, AZ

1 Comment

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 11 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 17, 2024
Tommy F
Dec 15, 2023
Kelly Haedt
Oct 19, 2023
George Vogel
3.9mi — 2h 06m
Apr 16, 2023
Gelila Fente
Feb 16, 2023
Brittney Casados
Muddy after a snowfall and took a few detours for the views. Great hike, but I would suggest getting there early for parking. 4.7mi — 2h 17m
Jan 11, 2023
Ali Rae
Mar 11, 2022
Vince D
Mar 9, 2022
Vince D

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