After years of planning and environmental review, construction is underway on the Turkey Creek Trail System, a large-scale non-motorized trail project on national forest land designed to expand recreation access while protecting sensitive terrain.
The project, led by the U.S. Forest Service with substantial support from community partners and private donors, will ultimately include about 35 miles of interconnected trails for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The system is intended to provide new recreation opportunities and help relieve pressure on heavily used trails elsewhere in the Sedona area.
“This is one of those projects that only happens when a lot of people stick with it,” said Dick Williams, president of the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund. “There were plenty of chances for this to stall out over the years, but folks are staying committed, keep stepping up financially and trusting the process.”
Planning for Turkey Creek began about four years ago as part of the Red Rock Trails Access Plan, which included several smaller trail projects and the much larger Turkey Creek effort. While most of the smaller projects were completed earlier, Turkey Creek required more extensive environmental review, funding and coordination.
The completed system will include about 21 miles of newly built trail, two miles of rerouted trail, more than 10 miles of adopted social trails and the closure and rehabilitation of more than 10 miles of unauthorized routes. A new main trailhead is also planned, with parking for more than 35 vehicles and space for horse trailers.
Trail construction alone is expected to exceed $750,000 over three years. When trailhead design and construction are included, the total investment in the Turkey Creek project is projected to surpass $1.25 million.
Funding has come through a grants and private philanthropy. The Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund raised and directed funds to support the USFS’s work, including underwriting critical studies needed to move the project forward.
The Trail Fund paid approximately $50,000 for archaeological and biological studies, funded anonymously. Those studies were necessary components of the National Environmental Policy Act review required for all projects on national forest land. The project also required attention to drainage and erosion control because the area lies within the Oak Creek watershed. Trail design and construction methods were adjusted to reduce runoff and protect water quality.
Two trail segments have opened to positive public response, including the Del Sol Trail and the recently completed Third Rock Trail, which offer expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
Six USFS seasonal employees are working on the project, supported by a five-person American Conservation Experience crew scheduled to spend four months on site. Volunteer labor from partner organizations and community members continues to play a significant role.
During the 2025–26 field season, trail crews are expected to build close to nine miles of new trail as part of Phase II of the project.
Additional trail construction, maintenance and rehabilitation work planned for the coming year is expected to cost about $250,000. Trailhead design and construction alone is estimated at more than $400,000.
In this fiscal year $164,110 has been raised through contributions from major donors, the MBAA, the Arizona Community Foundation and community support with $85,890 needed to fund Phase II.
The Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and official partner of the U.S. USFS Red Rock Ranger District. Learn more at redrocktrailfund.org.
