Rector Trail

Ever since it opened back in 2018, the Rector Trail quickly became a local favorite and for very good reasons. For starters, this hike lets you get up close to many of the Village of Oak Creek’s most recognizable red rocks like Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte and offers plenty of shady spots along the way – making it perfect for the warmer June temperatures. On a beautiful – and busy – afternoon, we turned onto Rector Trail – named after Gene and Darl Rector, who both volunteered with Friends of the Forest to help improve the local area’s trails – while the masses made their way along Bell Rock Pathway and Courthouse Butte Loop. The Rector Trail is sometimes listed as the Rector Connector Trail due to the fact that it, you guessed correctly, connects both Bell Rock and the Courthouse Butte trails to one another. We were grateful when this opened as it was a much-needed and welcome addition to the trail system. As it turns out, Rector is every bit as spectacular as the aforementioned trails, but it’s much shorter and an ideal summer hike. When we don’t have a ton of time, but still want to soak up some stunning Sedona vistas, this is one of our go-to hikes in the area.

The 2.9-mile Rector loop trail is shady and relatively short – making it an ideal summertime trek. Above, a red rock formation looms in the sky from this trail that was built in 2018.

Start your walk on Bell Rock Pathway at the Bell Rock Trailhead on AZ-179, just north of Bell Rock Boulevard and the Village of Oak Creek. After hiking 0.76 miles on the wide walkway, turn right onto Courthouse Butte Loop. The trail provides up-close-and-personal views of its namesake, but after less than one quarter of a mile, you’ll turn left onto Rector Trail. This Village of Oak Creek trail is narrow and places you closer to Courthouse Butte than even Courthouse Butte Loop does. When you’ve hiked roughly 1.27 miles from the trailhead, you’ll enter into the Wilderness Area.

Mountain bikers will have to turn back here as cyclists are not allowed in the Wilderness Area. Although you may spot a horseback rider here. We did during one recent jaunt. One thing to note: The trails here can be somewhat confusing to follow. Pay close attention to the signs. After entering the Wilderness Area, the trail begins to climb gradually, and you’ll find yourself at the top of a ridge about 1.47 miles into the journey. From here, enjoy views of Capitol Butte, Baby Bell, Twin Buttes and the Chapel of the Holy Cross along with a partial view of Cathedral Rock. As you continue, views include Cockscomb and Airport Mesa. Rector Trail intersects with the route that climbs Bell Rock at 1.62 miles (identified as Bell Rock Climb on the trail signs). Stay straight. Rector ends at Bell Rock Pathway at 1.75 miles. Turn left onto Bell Rock Pathway for a 2.9-mile round-trip loop.