The Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund grew from a 2013 public gathering of citizens concerned that the Red Rock Trail System was outdated and poorly maintained due to limited federal budgets. During this gathering, community members and Forest Service District staff prioritized actions to sustain the unique ecosystem and trail experience. Actions included expansion of the trail system, re-routes for sustainability, more trailhead access, addition of high-interest routes and critical annual trail maintenance. Understanding that the Forest Service was limited in its ability to complete the actions due to insufficient funds and staffing, local citizens formed the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund as an Arizona nonprofit corporation to address both issues.
Since its creation, the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund has provided over $1.5M for its mission to fund trail maintenance and enhancement.
Funding is secured from various sources that include grant awards, business contributions and donations by individuals. The great majority of donations come from individuals who care about the trails they use. Every donation is important and donations in any amount, pooled together, make a positive impact for our trails.
Because many visitors use the trails, the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund has developed many outreach endeavors to make it easy for visitors to contribute. Outreach includes raffles at community events and partnerships with businesses. We have two unique business partnerships that support the trails.
Sedona Trail Keepers is managed by our non-profit partner, the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau, in conjunction with the City of Sedona, the US Forest Service and the local business community. Since 2016, participating businesses in the Trail Keepers program have each donated $1,000 annually to help keep trails ready to handle our visitors and residents. The Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau matches each donation, doubling the financial impact. To date, Sedona Trail Keepers have donated more than $370,000 towards the costs of maintaining and improving Sedona’s trails in the surrounding Coconino National Forest.
Trail Bucks Partners is a different partnership with businesses in our area to collect donations from visitors. Businesses participating in the Trail Bucks program simply ask their customers or guests to contribute to the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund. With over 3 million visitors coming to Sedona annually, it is vital that they play a role in supporting the Trail System so that everyone can enjoy hiking, biking and riding our trails.
Partnerships such as these have broadened the scope of impact for the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund. Amy Tinderholt, Red Rock Ranger District, has commented that “partnerships are absolutely essential to sustain these popular trails in Red Rock Country.”
The Red Rock Ranger District currently encompasses more than 400 miles of system trails and is known to be some of the most popular and heavily visited locations in Arizona, including Bell Rock, West Fork, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon and Oak Creek Canyon.
Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund is dedicated to raising funds through grantors, businesses and individuals. Between 2013 and 2021, donors have provided funds to the Red Rock Ranger District for trail maintenance and enhancements and financed construction of over 60 new trails. This work has been accomplished with a seasonal crew that has increased from 2 to 10 workers since 2013, in large part due to the support provided by the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund.
The make-up of the Board of Directors of the SRRTF represents all types of non-motorized trail users: hikers, cyclists, runners and equestrians, who partner with the Red Rock Ranger District to maintain and enhance the Red Rock Trails that we all love.
To learn more, visit RedRockTrailFund.org.
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