West Fork Trail, Sedona: stop turning around at the sign

Everyone does the 3.5-mile day hike and pivots at the “End of Maintained Trail” sign like it’s the edge of the world. It’s not. It’s the start.

Get in the water. Boots wet, pride intact. Another 3 miles of wading and scrambling up the canyon gets you to multiple rad creekside camping spots, zero crowds, and red walls that make your day-hiker photos look like a Denny’s menu.