Twin Buttes Trail: The Cathedral Rock Photo Angle 90% of Visitors Never Find

2.7 miles, easy-moderate, 350 feet of gain from the Chapel of the Holy Cross trailhead. Free parking. A quiet loop that frames Cathedral Rock through the Twin Buttes saddle — the best sunset composition in the Red Rock corridor, with no permit and a lot that rarely fills before 10 AM on weekdays.

By The Lowdown Guide Editorial Team · Visited Spring 2026 · Updated May 2026

Trail Stats

  • Distance2.7 mi loop (or 1.6 mi RT to saddle)
  • DifficultyEasy-Moderate
  • Elevation Gain~350 ft
  • Trail TypeLoop
  • Parking~20 spots, fills by 9–10 AM
  • Pass RequiredNo — free lot (Chapel TH)
  • TrailheadChapel Trailhead, Chapel Road
  • Trail UseHikers Only
The Lowdown Verdict: Twin Buttes Trail sits directly behind one of Sedona's most visited landmarks — the Chapel of the Holy Cross — and is walked by approximately 10% of the people who visit the Chapel. The other 90% take the ramp photo and leave without ever discovering the 2.7-mile loop that starts 50 feet from the parking lot. That loop delivers the most distinctive Cathedral Rock composition you can photograph on foot in Sedona: the twin sandstone pyramids framing Cathedral Rock through the saddle, backlit in the hour before sunset. The trailhead lot has free parking, no Red Rock Pass, and fills an hour later than the SR-179 trailheads. Dogs are welcome. No bikes. No permit lottery. No crowds beyond the usual Chapel day visitors who stay near the ramp. The only catch: the lot is small and shared with Chapel visitors, so the free parking comes with a narrow arrival window. For those wanting a longer extension in the same corridor, Marg's Draw Trail connects south toward Tlaquepaque and offers additional mileage on a similarly quiet trail.
What Twin Buttes Trail Is Not:
  • Not a summit hike. Twin Buttes Trail loops the base of the formation, not the top. There is no route to the actual twin butte summits — they are sheer sandstone spires. The saddle between them is the high point of the trail, not a top-out.
  • Not a midday photography trail. The Cathedral Rock saddle view faces northwest. At midday, Cathedral Rock is backlit and flat. This is a golden-hour trail. Come within 90 minutes of sunset.
  • Not a long hike. The loop is 2.7 miles. If you need more than 3 hours of hiking, pair Twin Buttes with the Chapel Trail extension to Bell Rock Pathway for a longer day out.
  • Not reliably free of Chapel visitors. The parking lot is shared with a popular landmark. On high-traffic days (holidays, peak spring weekends), Chapel visitor overflow competes for the same 20 spots. Arrive before 9 AM on those days.

Trailhead and Parking: Chapel Road, Free and Underused

Twin Buttes Trail begins at the Chapel Trailhead on Chapel Road, off SR-179. From SR-179 heading north toward Sedona, turn right (east) onto Chapel Road at the signed junction approximately 5.5 miles north of the Village of Oak Creek. Drive approximately 0.5 miles up Chapel Road to the small paved lot below the Chapel of the Holy Cross. The lot holds approximately 20 vehicles and is free — no Red Rock Pass is required here because the lot is on Diocese of Phoenix land, not Coconino National Forest land.

On weekdays the lot fills by approximately 10 AM, driven primarily by Chapel visitors arriving mid-morning. On weekends it fills closer to 9 AM. If the Chapel lot is full, Chapel Road shoulder parking is signed and ticketed — avoid it. Overflow parking is available at the Little Horse Trailhead approximately 0.7 miles south on SR-179, which requires a Red Rock Pass and is a 10-minute walk back to the Chapel Trailhead. The Little Horse lot is a better option on busy days because it holds approximately 50 vehicles.

The trailhead itself is well-signed from the lower portion of the Chapel parking area. Look for the trail signage on the south end of the lot. The Chapel Trail and Twin Buttes Trail share the same departure point for the first 0.3 miles. See the permits and passes guide for information on the adjacent Coconino National Forest trailheads requiring Red Rock Pass, and how to distinguish pass-required from free lots in the SR-179 corridor.

The Photo Angle Most Visitors Miss

Cathedral Rock is Sedona's most photographed formation, but almost all Cathedral Rock photos are taken from Oak Creek below (Cathedral Rock Trail at the water crossing) or from SR-179 pull-offs. The Twin Buttes saddle gives something entirely different: Cathedral Rock framed in a natural sandstone archway between the two pyramidal buttes, with Bell Rock visible to the east in the same composition. The framing geometry only works from the saddle at the mid-loop point, approximately 0.8 miles from the trailhead. You cannot replicate it from any road-accessible viewpoint in Sedona.

The light timing is precise. Cathedral Rock faces east, so the northwest-facing saddle viewpoint puts the sun behind you in the morning (harsh, flat light on the rock face) and puts it at your back in the late afternoon (golden side-light on the western faces of Cathedral Rock's towers). The optimal window is 60 to 90 minutes before sunset, when the amber light hits the tallest towers directly. In spring and fall, this window aligns perfectly with a comfortable hiking temperature and the ability to drive back to Sedona before full dark.

Photography note: the saddle viewpoint is a flat sandy area wide enough for a tripod. There is no scrambling required to reach the best composition. If you see other hikers at the saddle, the west-facing edge of the saddle offers a slightly different framing that eliminates Bell Rock from the frame and isolates Cathedral Rock. For hikers wanting to continue exploring the Chapel area, the Bell Rock Trail is accessible south via the Easy Breezy connector from the Twin Buttes south loop, adding 2 to 3 miles to the day.

Trail Breakdown: Mile by Mile

0–0.3 mi

Chapel Trailhead to Twin Buttes Junction

The Chapel Trail departs the parking lot heading south on packed sand and gravel. Grade is flat. The twin sandstone buttes are visible ahead as the trail clears the pinyon scrub. At approximately 0.3 miles, the signed junction for Twin Buttes Trail branches right (west). Take the right fork to begin the loop. Staying left on Chapel Trail takes you toward Bell Rock Pathway.

0.3–0.8 mi

North Slope Climb to Saddle

The Twin Buttes Trail climbs the north slope between the two buttes on rocky trail. Elevation gain concentrates here: approximately 200 feet in 0.5 miles. The footing is uneven but manageable. At approximately mile 0.8, the saddle opens with the Cathedral Rock framing view to the northwest. This is the photograph point. Wide flat area suitable for a tripod or a rest stop.

0.8–1.5 mi

South Loop, Descent Past East Butte

Past the saddle the trail continues south along the east side of the formation, descending gradually. Views shift to Bell Rock and Lee Mountain to the east. The south portion of the loop is quieter than the saddle section and rarely has other hikers. Sandy terrain through open scrub. The Mystic Trail junction appears at approximately mile 1.3 — stay on Twin Buttes to complete the loop.

1.5–2.4 mi

South Base, Easy Breezy Junction

The trail wraps around the south base of Twin Buttes on flat to mildly rolling terrain. Easy Breezy connector junction at approximately mile 1.8 — that trail leads south to Bell Rock Pathway. Stay on Twin Buttes for the loop return. The formation's south faces show the best red-orange color in the afternoon light from this angle.

2.4–2.7 mi

Return to Chapel Trail Junction and Lot

The loop closes at the Chapel Trail junction (mile 2.4). Turn left (north) and follow Chapel Trail back to the trailhead lot. Gentle downhill. The Chapel of the Holy Cross ramp is visible from the trail on the return. Total loop: 2.7 miles from parking lot.

Best Season and Nearby Trails

Twin Buttes Trail is accessible year-round and is one of the better winter hiking options in the Sedona network. The loop stays mostly below 4,500 feet and rarely accumulates snow. Even when higher routes like Wilson Mountain Trail are icy, Twin Buttes is typically clear. Summer months are manageable with an early start: the trail has some morning shade on the north-slope section and is shorter enough (2.7 miles) to complete before temperatures peak at 9:30 AM. The saddle photography window is, regardless of season, the late afternoon hour before sunset.

Natural pairings from the Chapel Trailhead: the Chapel Trail continues south to Bell Rock Pathway (adding 1.5 to 2.0 miles each way) if you want a longer day. Cathedral Rock Trail (2.1 mi RT, hard) is a 10-minute drive north on SR-179 and offers a completely different Cathedral Rock experience from below at the creek crossing. Bell Rock Trail (1.8 mi RT, easy) and Courthouse Butte Loop (4.0 mi, easy-moderate) are accessible south via Bell Rock Pathway if you park at Little Horse and walk the Chapel Trail connection.

Red Rock Pass note: the Chapel Trailhead lot is free, but if you overflow to Little Horse Trailhead, a Red Rock Pass is required there. Purchase options and all trailhead kiosk locations are listed in the permits and passes guide. The America the Beautiful annual interagency pass ($80) covers all Coconino National Forest lots and pays for itself in two or three visits if you are spending multiple days hiking in the Red Rock District.

Pink Jeep and Cathedral Rock Sunset Tours from Sedona

Viator lists guided sunset jeep tours in the Cathedral Rock and Chapel of the Holy Cross corridor. If you want the sunset photo experience with local geological narration and without driving logistics, Sedona Pink Jeep and competitor operators run evening tours that cover the key vantage points including areas near the Twin Buttes formation. Tours typically depart 90 to 120 minutes before sunset.

Find Sedona Sunset Tours on Viator →

Affiliate link — we earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Editorial note: Trail researched Spring 2026 by The Lowdown Guide editorial team. Trailhead lot capacity (~20 vehicles) and free parking status verified on-site (Diocese of Phoenix lot, no Red Rock Pass required). Saddle viewpoint photography timing and Cathedral Rock framing angle field-verified. Loop distance and saddle elevation confirmed against USFS trail maps. Overflow at Little Horse Trailhead confirmed as nearest paved alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is Twin Buttes Trail in Sedona? +
Twin Buttes Trail is rated easy-moderate. The 2.7-mile loop gains approximately 350 feet across sandy trail and a short slickrock saddle climb. There is no cliff exposure and no technical scrambling. The grade is gentle throughout except for the mid-loop saddle pitch, which gains approximately 100 feet in 0.2 miles on a rocky trail. Fit adults complete the loop in 1.5 to 2 hours. It is appropriate for older children who can handle a 3-mile day on uneven terrain. Dogs are permitted on leash and the trail surface is manageable for most dogs year-round outside of summer midday heat.
Where do you park for Twin Buttes Trail in Sedona? +
Twin Buttes Trail starts at the Chapel Trailhead off Chapel Road, just below the Chapel of the Holy Cross. From SR-179, turn onto Chapel Road and drive approximately 0.5 miles to the small paved lot below the chapel. The lot holds approximately 20 vehicles. There is no Red Rock Pass required at this lot, which is managed by the Diocese of Phoenix, not the Coconino National Forest. The lot fills by 10 AM on weekdays and by 9 AM on weekends because Chapel of the Holy Cross visitors share it. If full, overflow is available at Little Horse Trailhead approximately 0.7 miles south on SR-179 and requires a Red Rock Pass.
What is the best time to hike Twin Buttes Trail for photos? +
The best photography window on Twin Buttes Trail is the hour before sunset. From the mid-loop saddle between the two buttes, Cathedral Rock is framed directly to the northwest and catches the last gold and amber light of the day. This composition is one of the most distinctive Cathedral Rock angles available on foot in Sedona because most Cathedral Rock photos are taken from Oak Creek below or from the Cathedral Rock Trail directly. The Twin Buttes saddle gives a lateral framing that most photographers never find. Arrive at the trailhead approximately 90 minutes before sunset to reach the saddle viewpoint with time to settle.
Is Twin Buttes Trail a loop or out-and-back? +
Twin Buttes Trail is a 2.7-mile loop. It begins from the Chapel Trailhead via the Chapel Trail heading south, transitions onto Twin Buttes Trail, loops the base of the Twin Buttes formation through the saddle viewpoint, continues around the south side of the buttes, and returns via Chapel Trail back to the lot. The loop has no dead ends or forks requiring route decisions once you are on the Twin Buttes Trail segment. The out-and-back option to the saddle viewpoint only (1.6 miles) is a valid shorter alternative if you want to hit the photograph spot and return.
Can you combine Twin Buttes Trail with the Chapel of the Holy Cross visit? +
Yes, and this is the recommended pairing. The Chapel of the Holy Cross sits above the trailhead parking area and takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to visit including the ramp walk. Most Chapel visitors photograph the exterior, walk the observation ramp, and return to their car in under 30 minutes. Adding Twin Buttes Trail extends the visit to approximately 2 to 2.5 hours and transforms a quick photo stop into a genuine morning or afternoon in the area. The Chapel Trailhead serves both. Note that the Chapel ramp itself has no fee, but donations are accepted and the building is a functioning Roman Catholic chapel, so appropriate behavior applies.