How difficult is Forest Road 525 (Sycamore Pass and Loy Butte)?

Forest Road 525 (Sycamore Pass and Loy Butte) is rated easy. The route runs 14 miles.

When is the best time to visit Forest Road 525 (Sycamore Pass and Loy Butte)?

The best months are Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov. Avoid Jul, Aug.

Guides/Overland routes/Arizona

Overland route14 midifficulty: easy

Forest Road 525 (Sycamore Pass and Loy Butte)

RegionArizonaAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—

Photo by Brady Smith / Coconino National Forest via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Trail vitals6 facts

Length

14mi

Technical difficulty

Easy

Direction

Point to point

Vehicle

High-clearance 2WD in dry conditions; 4WD after rain or snow.

Best months

Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov

Cell coverage

Spotty. Service drops within a mile of the pavement and returns near Cottonwood.

Take action

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Forest Road 525 is the back route between Sedona and the Verde Valley, a 14-mile graded dirt road that crosses Coconino National Forest's Red Rock Ranger District west of town. The road threads Sycamore Pass and runs past Loy Butte, Bear Mountain, and the rim of Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, ending at Highway 89A near Cottonwood. It serves as both a scenic byway and the primary access for a string of Coconino dispersed campsites that ring the western red rocks.

The road is graded throughout with no technical obstacles. High-clearance 2WD handles it in dry weather, though the surface goes slick in rain and the few low-water crossings can run after summer storms. The route is a popular alternative to crowded paved Sedona for first-time visitors and the standard approach for Honanki Heritage Site, the largest Sinagua cliff dwelling complex in the area.

Hazards

Read before you go

Slick when wet. Sedona's red clay turns to grease in rain. The road's grade and side hills become unsafe quickly.
Wash crossings. Several low-water crossings run after summer storms. Wait for water to drop.
Heat. Summer temperatures top 100°F at the lower elevations near Cottonwood.
Crowded weekends. The road is one of Sedona's most popular dispersed-camping corridors. Plan weekday visits if you want quiet.
Tire damage. The road's volcanic rock punctures sidewalls. Carry a spare.

Location

14 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 34.879, -111.957

Trail facts

5 fields

Agency	U.S. Forest Service
Nearest town	Sedona, Arizona
Website	www.fs.usda.gov/coconino
Closed	Jul, Aug
Approx. location	34.879, -111.957

Getting there

Directions

From Sedona (eastern entry). Drive west on SR-89A about three miles past the SR-89A/SR-179 junction. Turn west on Forest Road 525 (signed). The pavement ends within a quarter-mile.

From Cottonwood (western entry). From Page Springs Road off SR-89A, follow signs onto Forest Road 525.

Photos

3 photos

Photos · 3

Field notes

Getting Oriented

FR 525 runs along the west side of Sedona's red rocks, leaving SR-89A at the Forest Road 525 turnoff west of town. The route climbs through pinyon-juniper, drops into Sycamore Pass, and descends to Highway 89A near Cottonwood through Coconino NF's Red Rock Ranger District. The road's western end ties into Forest Road 525C, which continues to Honanki Heritage Site, and FR 152C, which links to Palatki Heritage Site.

Trail Overview

Fourteen miles point-to-point, graded dirt. The road threads pinyon-juniper at the start, climbs over the saddle at Sycamore Pass with views into the Verde Valley, and descends past Loy Butte and Casner Mountain to the pavement near Page Springs. There are no technical obstacles. Dispersed campsites cluster along several side spurs (FR 525C, FR 9529, FR 9530), most of them designated and signed under Coconino NF's red rock dispersed-camping management plan.

Points of Interest

Honanki Heritage Site. The largest Sinagua cliff dwelling in the Sedona area, occupied between 1100 and 1300 CE. Reached via FR 525C; guided tours run from the Coconino NF visitor center.
Palatki Heritage Site. Another Sinagua cliff dwelling complex with rock art panels, accessed via FR 795 off FR 525.
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness. The road's western edge runs along the canyon's south rim. Foot access only beyond the road.
Loy Butte. Sandstone monolith visible from most of the central road segment.
Bear Mountain. A larger sandstone formation north of the road, one of Sedona's classic hikes.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping along FR 525 is governed by Coconino NF's Red Rock Ranger District dispersed-camping rules. The corridor has dozens of designated sites with signed numbers, many requiring no permit. The standard 14-day stay limit applies. Pine Flat and Cave Springs Campgrounds (developed) sit east of Sedona on Oak Creek; Dead Horse Ranch State Park is south near Cottonwood.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

Honanki and Palatki tours require advance reservations; book through the Coconino NF visitor center.
Stay on designated roads. The Red Rock Ranger District has closed many old social routes and signed designated dispersed sites.
Avoid the road in wet weather. Sedona red dirt is some of the slickest mud in Arizona.
Cell service drops within a mile of pavement. Carry an offline map.
Air down on the rougher western segments to reduce dust and improve traction.
The Red Rock Ranger District (928-203-2900) handles current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Forest Road 525 (Sycamore Pass and Loy Butte)?: Forest Road 525 (Sycamore Pass and Loy Butte) is rated easy. The route runs 14 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Forest Road 525 (Sycamore Pass and Loy Butte)?: High-clearance 2WD in dry conditions; 4WD after rain or snow.
When is the best time to visit Forest Road 525 (Sycamore Pass and Loy Butte)?: The best months are Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov. Avoid Jul, Aug.
Is there cell service at Forest Road 525 (Sycamore Pass and Loy Butte)?: Spotty. Service drops within a mile of the pavement and returns near Cottonwood.