A group of Friends of the Forest Trail Ambassadors on the Ground Control Trail.
The morning sun hits the sandstone spire of Bell Rock, casting a long, cool shadow across the trailhead. For most people, this view signals the start of a vacation adventure or a quick morning workout. But for a Friends of the Forest Trail Ambassador, it marks a chance to “hike with a purpose” and serve as the welcoming face of the Coconino National Forest.
If you frequent Sedona’s trails, you have likely seen them: hikers wearing the distinctive Forest Service volunteer badge, armed not just with trekking poles but also with a wealth of knowledge. To the casual observer, it might look like they are simply enjoying a walk in the woods. In reality, they are performing a critical role in managing the impacts of the millions of visitors who flock to Red Rock Country each year.
Being a Trail Ambassador is about balancing stewardship with hospitality. The role was born out of necessity. As visitation to Sedona surged, bringing over three million people annually to our sensitive desert landscape, the U.S. Forest Service needed boots on the ground to supplement their ranger staff. Friends of the Forest, a non-profit dedicated to assisting the Red Rock Ranger District, stepped up to fill that gap.
The primary duty of an ambassador is exactly what the title suggests: goodwill. Ambassadors are often the first point of contact for visitors who may be confused by trail signage or unsure of their route. A typical hike involves answering dozens of questions, ranging from “How do I get to the vortex?” to “Is this cactus prickly?” (The answer is always yes.) By engaging with hikers in a friendly, non-authoritative manner, ambassadors help disperse crowds by suggesting less-used alternatives, and ensure visitors have the maps and apps they need to stay found.
While the interactions are mostly lighthearted, the role has a serious undercurrent. Trail Ambassadors are trained to spot the warning signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration. They scan the crowd for hikers carrying a single 16-ounce water bottle for a midday trek in July, or visitors attempting a rugged scramble in flip-flops. The intervention is subtle but effective. A friendly check-in — “Do you folks have enou gh water for the return trip?”— can be the difference between a safe return and a rescue helicopter ride. Ambassadors do not act as law enforcement; instead, they use education to encourage safe decisions, often convincing unprepared groups to turn back or choose a safer objective before a crisis occurs.
Beyond visitor safety, Trail Ambassadors serve as the eyes and ears of the Forest Service. With over 300 miles of trails in the district, it is impossible for paid rangers to patrol every acre. Ambassadors use a specialized mobile app to record data that helps the Forest Service manage resources. During a patrol, a volunteer might log the number of hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians to help track usage trends. They also report maintenance issues, such as downed trees blocking a path, washed-out switchbacks, damaged wilderness signage, or occurrences of graffiti, and they pick up trash.
So, what is it really like to be one of these volunteers? It is, by many accounts, one of the best volunteer “gigs” in the Southwest. For retirees and locals who love the outdoors, it provides a structured excuse to explore the forest they love while giving back to the community. The camaraderie among volunteers is strong, with opportunities to learn from experts in local geology, archaeology, and botany. There is a profound sense of ownership that comes with the territory; when you care for a trail week after week, you become a guardian of that specific slice of canyon.
It is not always easy work. It requires patience to explain for the fifth time that day why drones are not allowed in the wilderness, or why stacking rocks disrupts the ecosystem. But the rewards outweigh the challenges. There is the satisfaction of watching a family you helped safely navigate a loop trail return to the trailhead with smiles on their faces. There is the quiet peace of a mid-week patrol when the crowds thin out and the red rocks belong, for a moment, only to you and the ravens.
As Sedona continues to grow in popularity, the need for dedicated stewards grows with it. Friends of the Forest is always looking for new members who are passionate about protecting our public lands. To learn more about the organization and becoming a Trail Ambassador, visit: https://www.friendsoftheforestsedona.org. It might lead to the most rewarding walk you ever take.
Serving Sedona, written this week by Bob Dores, Friends of the Forest, appears Wednesday in the Sedona Red Rock News.