Carroll Canyon (Scorpion, Pyramid, Old Post, Ridge, Skywalker)
The locals' trail system you can ride straight from the house, techy and lightly traveled, with a standout descent.
Intermediate to advanced, not a warm-up. It's lightly signed, so download Trailforks and know your route before you drop in. The Old Post climb is a grind, and the Scorpion/Pyramid descent is the payoff. From the neighborhood you can link into the Carroll Canyon singletrack within a few minutes' pedal. Best for confident riders; if that's not you, the Bell Rock Pathway or the Thunder Mountain and Andante loops are friendlier.
Thunder Mountain / Andante / Teacup
Smooth, scenic cross-country loops with big views, the better pick for less-experienced riders in the group.
Easy to low-intermediate, the gentlest neighborhood-style riding around. It's across 89A to the north, a few minutes' drive or a longer pedal from the house. Andante is the smoothest; Thunder Mountain adds a few rockier bits.
Dry Creek network (Mescal, Chuck Wagon, Aerie, Cockscomb)
Classic West Sedona intermediate riding, including the slickrock traverse of Mescal.
Intermediate. About 10 minutes northwest. This area is big and spread out with no water on trail, so download Trailforks, carry plenty of water, and have a route in mind. Mescal is a local favorite and not very technical, with some minor exposure.
Western Gateway (Outer Limits, Ground Control, Bottom Out)
A step up in tech from Dry Creek, with longer flow lines for riders ready to push.
Solid intermediate, a notch rockier than Dry Creek. Loops here run long with few bail points, so commit only if legs and water are ready.
Sedona Bike Skills Park
A free pump track, jump lines, and rated skills trails to warm up or session before hitting the real trails.
Free. Great for all levels and for kids, with green through expert lines, a pump track, and progression jumps. Reachable from the shop via the paved Sunrise path. Restrooms and shade ramadas on site.
Broken Arrow / Hiline / Hangover
The famous high-stakes Sedona riding, slickrock domes, big exposure, and the Hangover ledge.
Advanced to expert only, with real consequences for mistakes. About 20-25 minutes via SR-179. Submarine Rock and Chicken Point are the accessible highlights; Hiline and Hangover are for experienced, confident riders. Know your limit here.
Bell Rock Pathway
The mellowest ride in the area, wide and smooth with knockout views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.
The closest thing to true beginner riding, good for a family spin. About 20 minutes south. Red Rock Pass required at the lots.
Casner Mountain (e-bike legal)
A big forest-road climb where the e-bike is actually allowed, with wide-open views the higher you go.
The answer to "where can we ride the e-bike," since pedal-assist is banned on all the singletrack. It's a long, steep dirt-road climb (roughly 14 mi round trip, about 3,500 ft of gain), so it rewards the assist. Northwest of town; bring plenty of water and check current fire and road status first.
Thunder Mountain Bikes (rentals & trail beta)
West Sedona's go-to shop, the largest MTB rental fleet in town, and you can ride from their door.
Closest rental shop, about 5 minutes away. Open 9am-6pm daily. Hardtails from around $39/day up to high-end full-suspension; multi-day discounts. Reserve ahead for size and fit. Phone (928) 282-1106. Handy if you have more than four riders or want an upgrade over the house bikes.
Absolute Bikes (Village of Oak Creek)
A well-regarded second rental option down south, close to the VOC and Broken Arrow trail networks.
About 30-35 minutes from the house, so most convenient if you're already riding the southern trails. Good fleet and mechanics. Call ahead to reserve.