• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sengerson - Home DIY, Motherhood, and Family Vacations Blog
  • Tour My House
  • Home DIY
  • Cricut & Silhouette
  • Travel
  • Motherhood
  • Crafts
  • Meet Seng
  • Shop
  • FREE Resource Library
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Tour My House
  • Home DIY
  • Cricut & Silhouette
  • Travel
  • Motherhood
  • Crafts
  • Meet Seng
  • Shop
  • FREE Resource Library
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Family Vacations » Bell Rock Loop Trail Hike with Young Kids - What You Need to Know

    Bell Rock Loop Trail Hike with Young Kids - What You Need to Know

    Last Updated Date: August 27, 2022 | Published Date: August 14, 2022 by Seng N

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    The Bell Rock Loop trail is just a little under 1 mile loop that's out and back in Sedona, Arizona. It generally takes half an hour to complete with kids. Within this loop, there are entrances to other trails, such as to Cathedral Rock, which allows you to go up the mountain side.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona

    There is another trail with a similar name, called the Bell Rock Pathway Trail, which is a 3.6 mile out and back that links to two other trail heads called Bell Rock Vista and Little Horse.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona

    The Bell Rock Loop trail provides a direct pathway to the Bell Rock formation and is absolutely beautiful, and will allow your family to get beautiful family photos in front of the stunning rock that looks like a bell, which everyone poses for. It provides beautiful panoramas of the surrounding red rock city of Sedona.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona

    Table of Contents

    • Overview of Bell Rock Loop Trail
    • Best Tips for Bell Rock Loop Trail with Kids
    • Things to Know About Bell Rock Loop Trail with Young Kids
    • Bell Rock with Young Kids
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Final Thoughts
    • More Things to Do in Arizona with Kids on Vacation

    Overview of Bell Rock Loop Trail

    In any photo of Sedona, you'll find an image of the Bell Rock formation, which provides a "bell" silhouette close to Highway 179. This trail has slight elevation gain near the end of the loop and you'll find lots of people on the trail on any given day.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona highway

    For families with young kids, this is a beautiful and breathtaking.

    • Length: 0.8 miles
    • Elevation: 203 feet
    • Route Type: Out and Back Loop
    • Usage of Stroller: Up to a quarter mile into the trail
    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona all trails hike map

    There are also options for hiking to the top of the formation, but I wouldn't recommend this for kids younger than 10 years old.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona visual

    Best Tips for Bell Rock Loop Trail with Kids

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona rock formation

    As a mom of four young kids, you are probably wondering what to expect on this trail.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona stroller friendly

    It is definitely a place that you can get absolutely beautiful photos with the family, but the hiking trail has no shade and is pretty long for those that are uninitiated to hiking.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona family photo

    Here are a few considerations I would recommend that you review before planning your trip.

    Parking at Bell Rock Loop Trail

    In order to get a parking spot without waiting, you should get there a little after sunrise. For those going for the shorter Bell Rock Loop Trail, the wait right after sunset is generally pretty quick.

    Yavapai Point Parking is located 0.5 miles North and has 20 parking spots that can serve as overflow parking for the Bell Rock Loop Trail.

    However, when we went around spring break, or wait was no more than 20 minutes to get to the trail.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona rock stacking

    Fees

    You can purchase a daily pass for all of the Sedona, Arizona trails for around $5.00. There are kiosk machines at each of the parking lots that accept credit card only.

    Bathrooms

    There are bathrooms at the trailhead in the parking lot. However, there are no rest areas or bathrooms on the trail itself.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona bathroom locations

    Things to Know About Bell Rock Loop Trail with Young Kids

    Go Counter Clockwise When Hiking

    I would recommend going counter clockwise to avoid sun in your eyes, which would help keep the kids excited about finishing the trail.

    No Shade

    There is no shade on the trail. While there were trees sparingly on the trail, shade was few and far in between. In order to avoid the brutal sun, go in the morning or right before sunset to ensure that the heat doesn't upset the kids.

    Bring water, sunscreen, and download the map.

    Bring Lots of Water

    While the trail is relatively short 0.8 miles, I would recommend bringing water for the kids.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona water

    We purchased water packs for the kids that they carried on their backs.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona

    This is the one we got for our 5 and 7 year old that fit perfect.

    Sale
    Hydration Pack for Kids Hydration Water Backpack with 1.5L Hydration Bladder Lightweight Insulated Water Pack for Festivals Raves Hiking Biking Climbing Running (Blue)
    285 Reviews
    Hydration Pack for Kids Hydration Water Backpack with 1.5L Hydration Bladder Lightweight Insulated Water Pack for Festivals Raves Hiking Biking Climbing Running (Blue)
    • 【Keep 4 Hours Insulated】 KUYOU Hydration backpack have thick insulated layer, the insulated bladder compartment keeps your liquid cool or hot for up to 4 hours, and built-in clip for fixing water bladder in position.
    • 【Lightweight & Durable & Festival Choice】Hydration water pack features rugged ripstop nylon and sturdy metal zipper. Weights just 16oz, included 1.5L water bladder pouch and small object pocket. Adopts anti-splash water surface, and is specifically designed for those who want to stand out from the next music festival, carnival, etc.
    • 【1.5L Hydration Bladder】Water bladder is made of premium TPU material. Our hydration bladder passed the pneumatic pressure test, 24-hour swing test and 24-hour vibration test. Large opening is easy to clean and add ice cube. 135 degrees rotatable mouthpiece allows for easy drinking.
    $29.98
    Buy on Amazon

    Not Stroller Friendly

    While the beginning part of the trail is stroller friendly, once you turn off from the pathway, it gets rocky and bumpy. If you have a stroller that has lots of grip, there are areas that require lots of strength and muscle.

    You can expect to turn around half a mile into the trail if you bring a stroller.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona flat area
    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona rocky terrain

    Bell Rock with Young Kids

    Age Recommendation

    In order to do the entire trail, I would recommend that kids no younger than 5 years old with 2-3 trail hike experience go on this trail.

    Hiking Shoes

    Ensure that kids have comfortable, broken in shoes for this hike. These are the hiking shoes that we got our little kids for the hike.

    DREAM PAIRS Boys Girls KFS212 Hiking Shoes Non-Slip Outdoor Walking Trekking Sneakers Rose/RED Size 9 Toddler
    188 Reviews
    DREAM PAIRS Boys Girls KFS212 Hiking Shoes Non-Slip Outdoor Walking Trekking Sneakers Rose/RED Size 9 Toddler
    • Safety: Anti-collision wrapped rubber toe cap and slip-resistant rubber sole provide better protection and grip for your kids during outdoor sports with confidence and safety
    • Convenient: Designed with adjustable double hook-and-loops. These shoes are convenient for children to put on and take off by themselves and provide a snug fit
    • Soft and Comfortable: The mesh fabric lining and soft foam insole offer optional cushion, support and comfort during each outdoor adventure for your kids
    Buy on Amazon

    Clothing to Wear

    Let kids wear lightweight hiking pants or shorts because it will be hot! However, make sure they have their knees covered for climbing things and a potential rock tripping incident.

    In addition, I would recommend wearing sleeveless shirts as well as ensuring that all kids have some sort of hat.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Bell Rock Trail Loop stroller friendly?

    Bell Rock Trail Loop is stroller friendly for the first half mile. Afterwards, there will be a lot of strength and muscle required to push the stroller through narrow trails with rocky terrain.

    Is Bell Rock trail in Sedona kid friendly?

    For kids over the age of 5 years old, Bell Rock Loop Trail is a great hike. However, for kids 4 years old and under, this may be a tough trail because of the heat and no shade offered on the trail.

    What's the difference between Bell Rock Trail Loop vs Bell Rock Pathway Trail?

    Bell Rock Trail Loop is a 0.8 mile out and back loop. Bell Rock Pathway Trail, which is a 3.6 mile out and back that links to two other trail heads called Bell Rock Vista and Little Horse.

    Final Thoughts

    If it is not too hot, I would recommend this hike for kids older than four years old. Bell Rock, while flat in some places, will require some climbing in some parts. Our five year old was able to weather the hike only because we had her hike around the trails in our area prior to the trip. If your kids have not gone on previous hikes, I would still visit, but only plan on hiking maybe a quarter into the loop.

    bell rock loop trail hike with kids in sedona

    More Things to Do in Arizona with Kids on Vacation

    If you are looking for more detailed review on our trip, checkout our posts below on our itinerary of things we did on our family of six trip to both Phoenix and Sedona for a 5-day mini getaway vacation. Here is a Example 5 Day Itinerary for Phoenix and Sedona for Families with Kids.

    Phoenix Vacation Ideas for Families with Kids

    • Sample 2 Day Itinerary in Phoenix for Family with Kids
    • Honest Review of Hilton Phoenix at the Peak Water Resort for Families and Kids
    • Restaurants to Try in Phoenix with Families and Kids on Vacation
    • Camelback Mountain on Echo Canyon Trail with Kids in Phoenix
    • Piestewa Summit Trail 300 Squaw Peak with Kids in Phoenix
    • Papago Park - Hole in Rock Trail
    • Montezuma's Castle Between Phoenix and Sedona

    Sedona Vacation Ideas for Families with Kids

    • Sample 3 Day Itinerary in Sedona for Family with Kids
    • Honest Review of Hilton Sedona at Bell Rock for Families and Kids
    • Restaurants to Try in Sedona with Families and Kids on Vacation
    • Slide Rock State Park Review for Kids and Families
    • Bell Rock Trail Loop Hike (0.8 miles) Review for Kids and Families
    • Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona - Worth visiting with kids?
    • West Fork Oak Creek Trail (6.5 miles) with Kids
    • Baldwin Loop Trail (2.5 miles) for Families
    « Quick Homemade Garlic Bread from Hot Dog Buns
    Baldwin Loop Trail in Sedona - 2.5 Mile Hike »


    Disclosure

    Many of the links on this blog are affiliate links. Sengerson.com receives a small comission when certain items are purchased, but the price is the same for you. Sengerson.com is a participant in the Amazon LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.


    Subscribe for Access to Resource Library

    Subscribe down below for access to the FREE resource library that provides access to affordable home decor, printables, and family vacation hacks. Once you sign up, you'll get access to tons of absolutely free content. You'll also be signed up for my monthly newsletter where I share tips and tricks along the way!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Nice to meet you!

    Seng is a life and style blogger for the modern mom. She is a mom of four that works outside of the home balancing the delicate balance of her career and being present for her family.
    Hi I'm Seng - a working mom, loving wife, lifestyle blogger, family photographer, and the ultimate purveyor of the "honey do list". More »

    Looking for Something

    Footer

    ↑ BACK TO TOP

    Meet Seng

    • About
    • Shop
    • DIY Web Stories
    • Home Tour
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

    Ideas by Room

    • Bathroom
    • Bedroom
    • Living Room
    • Dining & Kitchen
    • Outdoor Living
    • Paint Colors
    • Organization
    • Shopping Guide

    Motherhood

    • Family Vacations
    • Parenting
    • Baby Registry
    • Productivity Tips
    • Easy & Fast Recipes
    • Mom Fashion
    • Kids Fashion
    • Gift Guides

    ©2021 SENGERSON LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Email
    • Print
    • Save