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SEDONA TRAILS

EXPLORE SEDONA'S OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES

Discover Your Next Adventure

Sedona’s stunning red rock landscape is yours to explore with our off-road trails. Whether you have 2 hours, 4 hours, or an entire day, we’ve got you covered with unforgettable OHV adventures tailored to your time frame. Choose your adventure based on the time you have and the sights you want to see.

Tackle the iconic Soldier Pass Trail, where natural arches and hidden caves await. Explore Diamondback Gulch for its dramatic terrain and heart-pounding descents. For history enthusiasts, the Honanki Heritage Site offers rugged trails paired with ancient Native American ruins. No matter the route, Sedona’s trails provide a one-of-a-kind off-road experience surrounded by breathtaking red rock landscapes.

Trail Options by Rental Duration

Looking for an adventure that fits your schedule? Our trail recommendations are designed to maximize your time on the trails, whether you’re setting out for a quick two-hour ride or planning a full-day exploration. Upon checking in, our team will work with you to go over trail details, provide tips, and help you create the perfect adventure.

2-Hour Trail Adventures: ​​

Perfect for quick outings and capturing Sedona’s highlights. Explore a recommended trail, stop for photos, and make unforgettable memories.

West Sedona Adventure (ATV Adventures Location)

Trail: Vultee Arch to Devil’s Bridge (Option 1)

  • Points of Interest: Vultee Arch OHV Trail to Devil’s Bridge Hike
  • Trail Condition: Very rugged
  • Brief Description:
    • Taking a rental to Devil’s bridge cuts down the hike immensely! Access Devil’s Bridge on the OHV trail to get to .8 of a mile to devil’s bridge. This makes the hike to devil’s bridge a 1.6 mile round trip hike, taking the full 2 hours to complete. Regularly the hike is nearly 4 miles long and takes roughly 4 to 5 hours.

 

a man riding a motorcycle down a dirt road
a dirt road in front of a house

Trail: Vultee Arch to Van Deren Cabin (Option 2)

  • Points of Interest: Vultee Arch OHV Trail and Van Deren’s historic cabin
  • Trail Condition: Very rugged
  • Brief Description: 
    • Enjoy the towering red rocks from up close as you move through the folds of the canyon on the rugged terrain trail. Out to an abandoned carbon that was built in the 1920’s and renovated last in the 1930’s by the Van Deren family. This historical marvel is a hidden gem located at the trail end of the Vultee Arch OHV trail.

 

Trail: Schnebly Hill, Uptown Sedona Adventure

  • Points of Interest: Snoopy Rock, Cowpies, Merry-Go-Round Rock
  • Trail Condition: Very rugged
  • Brief Description:
    • Follow along one of Arizona’s most picturesque routes as you climb from the base of the Mogollon Rim to Merry-Go-Round-Rock at the “top”. This trail features iconic red rock formations as you climb in elevation on the side of the canyon wall to a gorgeous aerial view point where you can see all of Sedona from above!

 

a view of a canyon

Experiencing Schnebly Hill Road Trail

The Schnebly Hill Road Trail offers a captivating journey through Sedona’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. This 13-mile historic route is a favorite for off-road explorers seeking both scenic splendor and rugged terrain. Winding upward toward the Mogollon Rim, the trail reveals a dramatic progression from Sedona’s iconic red rock formations to lush pine forests, offering a true feast for the senses.

The trail is best known for its panoramic overlooks, where you can marvel at sweeping views of Bear Wallow Canyon, Munds Mountain, and the Verde Valley. Landmarks like Merry-Go-Round Rock and the Cow Pies punctuate the route, adding unique photo opportunities and a touch of Hollywood nostalgia, as they’ve appeared in classic Westerns.

Schnebly Hill Trail provides a sense of grand elevation, allowing you to rise above Sedona’s valleys and experience a dramatic shift in the environment. As you ascend, the air becomes crisper, and the scenery transitions from striking sandstone cliffs to the rich greenery of the high desert.

With its rich history as a cattle route from the early 20th century, Schnebly Hill Trail offers a connection to Sedona’s past alongside its natural wonders. The journey is as rewarding as the destination, with countless opportunities to stop and soak in the incredible views or enjoy a quiet moment surrounded by nature.

4-Hour Trail Adventures:

Dive deeper into Sedona’s beauty by exploring 2-3 stunning trails. Perfect for adventurers seeking variety and excitement.

Outlaw Trail in Sedona

is a thrilling off-road adventure that blends Sedona’s natural beauty with a sense of history and rugged exploration. Perfect for OHV enthusiasts, this trail features a moderate level of difficulty with rocky terrain, winding paths, and open desert stretches that promise excitement for both beginners and seasoned drivers.

The trail winds through stunning red rock landscapes, offering up-close views of Sedona’s famous formations and sweeping desert panoramas. Named after the outlaws who once roamed this area, the trail carries a sense of mystery and history, making your ride feel like a journey back in time.

Highlights along the way include scenic overlooks and spots to pause, take in the surroundings, and snap some unforgettable photos. Prepare your OHV for uneven ground and sandy patches, and don’t forget essentials like water, sunscreen, and sturdy footwear.

Trail: Outlaw Trail

  • Points of Interest: Navigate a historic wagon trail with scenic viewpoints and access to the Honanki Heritage Site.
  • Trail Condition: Moderately challenging
  • Brief Description: 
    • Outlaw Trail is a rocky terrain, Old’ Wagon trail in the west canyons of Sedona. Taking you down rocky washes and up close to the red rock structures near the end of the OHV trail. Amazing views mixed with fun adventurous off roading all the way through this trail makes for a well rounded trip.

Trail: Diamondback Gulch

  •   Points of Interest: Gulches, distant red rock formations
  •   Trail Condition: Rugged 4×4 terrain
  •   Brief Description: 
    • Rugged Terrain, Steep inclines and declines. Winding in and out of the gulches in the west canyon Diamondback gulch is known as nature’s roller coaster, the highlight of this trail is a ten story descent in and out of the largest gulch in the western canyons of Sedona.

Trail: Ranch Loop

  • Points of Interest: Red rock formations and views of Jerome
  • Trail Condition: Moderately paced, Rocky Dry Beds
  • Brief Description:
    • Ranch Loop is our lazy river run as far as Sedona OHV trails are concerned. Running through more open stretches of the canyon, distant views of Sedona’s red rock wilderness as well as distant views of the old mining, ghost town Jerome. This trail is great for families looking to get off the beaten path in the west with more moderate terrain than other OHV trails in the area.

Trail: Cliffhanger

  • Points of Interest: Diverse terrain with red rock vistas, unique Cliff View Point and Red Rock State Park views
  • Trail Condition: Rugged, rocky terrain
  • Brief Description: 
    • Cliffhanger is off in a different direction from most of the other western canyon OHV trails. This trail is in T shape with a triangle in the center. Rocky terrain and red rock scenic wilderness views, accessed through the Red Rock State Park, when entering and exciting on the same leg of the trail. Take Note: DO NOT USE DIVIDED HIGHWAY EXIT IN THE UNIT.

Trail: Powerline

  • Points of Interest: Technical off-roading in the heart of the canyon, with stunning views of rock formations and riverine landscapes.
  • Trail Condition: Rugged 4×4 terrain
  • Brief Description:
    • In the deepest accessible portion of western canyon trails there is the Powerline Trail, this trail is a rugged and fun technical off roading experience with great views of the canyon through the trail, main view points will be distant rock formations and close up drop offs in ravines with a gorgeous staggered fault line effect when photographed.

8-Hour Trail Adventures:

Spend a full day uncovering hidden gems, exploring trails in-depth and taking in the beauty of Sedona’s most remote trails. These full-day adventures provide the ultimate off-road experience.

Trail: Robbers Roost (Shaman’s Cave)

  • Points of Interest: Hidden cave with a natural window
  • Trail Condition: Rugged, Rocky 4×4 terrain
  • Brief Description: 
    • Robbers Roost, otherwise known as Shaman’s Cave, is located out in the western canyon. Past OHV trails such as: Vultee Arch, Diamondback Gulch, Outlaw, and Ranch Loop. Its location makes it most reasonable to get to within a 6 to 8 hours time frame. Booking a full day rental gives you the freedom to go at your own pace, enjoy the scenery, and get some hikes that would be hard to get to otherwise! Robbers Roost is located off of the graded dirt road Loy Butte Rd, following into Forest Service Rd 525C, turning off at marker 9530. This is a “Hidden” Cave there are very minimal markings in the area and the hiking trail is completely unmarked. Though the parking area is a bit more obvious once you are on route. The trail opens up to the left where you park, hiking down to the right into a ravine and back up onto the rock formation that obscures the view of the cave on the farther side, where there is a step into this natural wonder. The Cave has a gorgeous circular natural window making it amazing for an outstanding photo opportunity!

 

a zebra standing on top of a rocky mountain
a large body of water
a canyon with a mountain in the background

Trail: Soldiers Pass OHV to Hike

    • Recently this policy was updated with the state and now allows only 12 participants to purchase a motorized vehicle permit a day for this trail. Using this option allows to cut the hike to soldiers pass down quite a bit, you will pass the public parking at the beginning of the OHV trail where you will input your code and cary on to the OHV parking lot that is further into the desired hike to soldiers pass and the seven sacred pools in this area. This permit can be purchased at: www.recreation.gov/permits/4251901 for dates that they are available!

Additional Information

  • Trail Maps: maps and GPS coordinates for each trail are available at our Trailhead Kiosk and on our website.
  • Trail Conditions: Be prepared for varying trail conditions, including rocky terrain, steep inclines, and loose surfaces.
  • Permits: Some trails may require permits or have limited access. Check with our staff for the latest information.
  • Safety First: Always wear appropriate safety gear, including helmets and seatbelts.
  • Environmental Responsibility: Stay on designated trails and minimize your impact on the environment.

Plan Your Adventure Today!

Ready to hit the trails? Book your rental now and discover Sedona’s incredible off-road trails with ease and confidence. Whether it’s a quick 2-hour outing or a full-day escapade, Sedona Off Road Center has the perfect adventure waiting for you.