Renting a Jeep was the best decision we made during our 8-day visit to Sedona in December 2021. We personally drove each of the 9 Sedona Jeep trails you’ll find in this guide and we had a blast. We also benefited from some unexpected advantages like accessing popular hiking trailheads on Jeep-only trails, so keep an eye out for our bonus tips within each trail description.
In this guide we walk you through each of Sedona’s 9 fun off-roading trails, based entirely on our own experiences.
Our Experience
Hiking and photography were our two major priorities when we visited Sedona, but we also wanted to do something a little different, so we decided to splurge on renting a Jeep. We’d never attempted off-roading in a Jeep Rubicon before we visited Sedona, but it turned out to be so much fun. Mark couldn’t get enough of the technical Broken Arrow Trail and Kristen enjoyed the wide open Outlaw Trail the most.
We personally completed every route we cover in this guide, which you’ll see in the trail photos we took. Our list is ordered by difficulty from easiest to hardest, so start with the first few to build your confidence and end with Broken Arrow trail which will not only test your driving skills, but also your nerve. Read more about us.
1. Mystic Vista Trail
Despite being the shortest and easiest Jeep trail in Sedona, Mystic Vista is one place you can’t afford to miss on your Jeeping itinerary. Why? Because there’s a hidden viewpoint at the end of Mystic Vista (get the name now?!) that very few people know about when visiting Sedona.
Follow a short, narrow and twisting road leading to a loop. At the very back of the loop you can park your Jeep, scale a short mound and summit onto a flat topped rock formation just above the canopy with astounding views over Sedona.
Trail Details
- Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 20 feet
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Time: 30 minutes (longer at sunrise)
- Gears: 4H only
- Trailhead: FR 9587
Tips
- Drive the short trail before first light to watch a stunning sunrise from a secret vista point at the end.
- Nearby Doe Mountain Trail is a very popular sunrise hike because you can watch hot air balloons taking off at dawn. Well, you get the same view but without the climb from Mystic Vista.
- Do not forget your camera if you drive to Mystic Vista for sunrise or sunset.
- Nobody knows about this Sedona Jeep trail so you’ll likely have it to yourself.
- Mystic Vista is a great trail to drive right after hiring your Jeep and it is directly on the way to other Jeep trails to the west of Sedona.
- Important: The trail is within a residential area, so you must be respectful and keep noise to a minimum at all times.
Pros
- Spectacular hidden gem sunrise location
- Very easy trail perfect for beginner drivers
- Takes less than 30 minutes
Cons
- Not an adventurous drive
- Inside a residential area
- Easy to miss as not signposted
2. Ranch Loop Trail
Are you feeling a little nervous about driving your Jeep in Sedona? Conquer those butterflies by heading over to Ranch Loop and easing your way nicely into the process.
Ranch Loop is a fantastic introductory Jeep trail easily accessed from the main highway running out of Sedona. You can glide around in 4H on mostly flat dirt track with just a few stones and rocks to navigate. You will breeze through gorgeous rural countryside and the best part is you will barely see another vehicle.
Trail Details
- Distance: 8 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 300 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 1 hour
- Gears: 4H only
- Trailheads: FR 525A and FR 761B
Tips
- Start the loop on the north side and drive anti-clockwise to transition from very easy to easy going.
- Always quiet so time of day won’t matter.
- Excellent trail for gaining confidence if there are multiple drivers in your Jeep.
- Combine with Diamondback Gulch for a 3 hour double
Pros
- Located close to the highway
- Very flat and easy Jeep trail
- Perfect for harder trail preparation
Cons
- Not very adventurous
- Least exciting of the longer Jeep trail in Sedona
- Not one to drive if you’re short on time
3. Robbers Roost Trail
How do you like the idea of driving a Jeep to within 10 minutes walk of a hidden cave in Sedona? Head far out to the northwest of Sedona on gravel roads before transitioning onto a high clearance only road and parking at Robbers Roost Trailhead. A quick 10 minute walk later and you can step inside Hideout Cave (sometimes called Shaman’s Cave) which features 2 windows with striking views over Sedona’s desert landscape.
Robbers Roost Jeep trail is slow going and rocky, but it is easy enough. This one is suitable for beginner drivers or those looking to build confidence for the adventure trails you will find later in this guide.
Trail Details
- Distance: 2.4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 200 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 1.5 hours with hiking
- Gears: 4H and 4L
- Trailhead: FR 525C
Tips
- Time of day doesn’t matter here because it is always quiet
- Hideout Cave windows face east
- Easy to combine with nearby trails and ancient ruins
- Shift into 4L when the trail turns rocky
- Avoid the bigger stones for a more comfortable drive
Pros
- Extremely quiet Jeep trail
- Cave with amazing view within 10 minutes walk
- Easy trail for beginners
Cons
- Out of the way
- Not an adventurous Jeep trail
- Hard to find compared to other trails
4. Outlaw Trail
This is where we begin to take things up a notch. Outlaw is a very popular 4WD off roading trail in Sedona because you get a longer drive with some light adventure elements thrown in for good measure. Outlaw combines moderately challenging driving in 4L with plenty of space to maneuver. The major downside is sharing Outlaw with loads of ATV’s.
You will pass through multiple washes and navigate bigger rocks on this trail. It is important not to get overexcited on the flatter and more open stretches because pot holes and large rocks appear out of nowhere. Driving Outlaw trail allows Jeep drivers to advance into the next band of difficulty and provides the option to visit some of the most important ruins in Sedona.
Trail Details
- Distance: 4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 220 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 2 hours (longer with ruins)
- Gears: Mostly 4L
- Trailhead: End of FR 525
Tips
- Stay under 10mph and err on the side of caution.
- Be confident and decisive but respectful of others.
- Always pull over to let ATV’s pass.
- Consult the trail instructions provided throughout.
- Make sure you are in 4L for a wash crossing at 5 miles.
- Drive Outlaw early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
Pros
- Perfect middle difficulty Jeep trail
- Long open drive with light adventure elements
- Easy to combine driving with nearby ancient ruins
Cons
- Very busy trail with lots of ATV’s
- Not quite as exciting as Diamondback Gulch
- Long way out from Sedona
5. Dry Creek Basin Trail
Dry Creek Basin is definitely one of the most underrated Sedona Jeep trails. Have you heard of the Devils Bridge hike? Well, getting parked to hike Devils Bridge is always a problem. But renting a Jeep means you can drive Dry Creek beyond the traditional parking lot and park right at the Devils Bridge trailhead.
So what happens is everyone in a Jeep takes advantage of this huge benefit by parking at the trailhead (we did it and hiked Devils Bridge for sunrise), but then they forget Dry Creek is a fun Jeep trail of its own accord and they leave after the hike. You should continue beyond Devils Bridge to Van Deren Cabin and even Vultee Arch hiking trail. Using 4L for almost all of the Dry Creek Basin Jeep trail, you will navigate S bends through creeks, drive over significant rocky sections and even through shallow water at times.
Trail Details
- Distance: 10.4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 200 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Time: 2 hours (longer with hike to Devils Bridge)
- Gears: Mostly 4L
- Trailhead: Dry Creek Vista hiking trailhead
Tips
- Watch for hikers who are walking along Dry Creek Basin both ways
- Take things slowly if you drive in the dark to hike Devils Bridge for sunrise
- Parking for 4WD vehicles at Devils Bridge is limited
- Don’t miss Van Deren Cabin and Vultee Arch for a second hike on this road
- At the end once back at Dry Creek trailhead, drive through the parking lot and over more boulders to enter a secret area very few know about. This hidden area is included in our guide to the best Sedona sunset photo spots.
Pros
- Access to Devils Bridge trailhead which is a huge bonus
- The Jeep trail itself is really fun to drive
- Vultee Arch hiking trail at the end of Dry Creek Basin is very secluded
Cons
- This is a busy trail with Jeep tours
- Lots of hikers who aren’t happy about you being in a Jeep!
- Dry Creek at 2.9 miles may not be passable after heavy rainfall
6. Schnebly Hill Road Trail
Although Schnebly Hill Road is rated as easy in technical difficulty, we think this popular Sedona Jeep trail should be categorized as moderately difficult overall. The drive up to Schnebly Hill Vista Overlook is extremely bouncy, slow and busy with tours. Schnebly Hill is one of those unmissable Jeep trails that you have to drive, but only drive it once! There are three places you should stop to make the most of this trail.
The first is Cow Pies for a short and flat hike out onto circular rock formations. Second is a formation called Merry Go Round which is a popular wedding photography spot with stunning views. Finally, the vista at the top of Schnebly Hill is magnificent and well worth the drive up. At the top you can optionally drive Volcanic Rim Loop, a very rough trail with excellent views. We didn’t drive the additional loop. You will more than likely have a headache by the time you arrive back at the trailhead, even without the extra rough loop!
READ: How to drive Schnebly Hill Road Jeep trail in Sedona
Trail Details
- Distance: 11.4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
- Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
- Time: 3 hours
- Gears: Mostly 4H
- Trailhead: Munds Wagon hiking trailhead
Tips
- Take care near the top with drops to the side of narrow roads.
- Pull over for tour groups as they are on a time schedule.
- Look out for drivers on the wrong side of the road.
- Prepare to bounce around constantly for a long period.
- Don’t forget your camera for the high up viewpoints.
- Drive as close to sunrise as possible so views are away from the sun.
Pros
- Very close to downtown Sedona
- Gain 1,800 ft in 5.7 miles to reach amazing views over Oak Creek Canyon
- Great for hikers and photographers to reach quieter locations
Cons
- By far the bounciest of all Sedona Jeep trails
- Lots of tours passing by and stopping on the road
- Not the most thrilling Jeep trail in Sedona
7. Diamondback Gulch Trail
The thoroughly enjoyable Diamondback Gulch Jeep trail is arguably the most diverse off roading route in Sedona. You will drive in 4H and 4L, navigate a gigantic V shaped ravine, glide through dirt packed turns and cross sharp rocks at a snails pace. Diamondback Gulch was the first trail we went back for a second run at after completing each of the 9 routes in this guide. The gulch itself is a 300 ft steep drop followed immediately by a 400 ft steep climb right back out.
Despite being one of the most popular Sedona Jeep trails, we saw no other Jeeps or tours either time we drove Diamondback Gulch. This is the perfect trail to hone your off roading skills and it gives any nervous drivers in your party a great opportunity to try out a more challenging route without the crowds.
READ: How to drive Diamondback Gulch Jeep trail in Sedona
Trail Details
- Distance: 6.7 miles point to point
- Elevation Gain: 400 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate / Hard
- Time: 2 hours
- Gears: 4H and 4L
- Trailhead: FR 525
Tips
- Start in 4H but shift into 4L around 1 mile in.
- Take the gulch slowly but enjoy the challenge.
- Let others pass so you can take Diamondback Gulch at your own pace.
- Consult the instructions provided as you drive the trail.
- Drive anti-clockwise for the traditional route through Diamondback Gulch.
Pros
- Driving the gulch is fantastic in a Jeep
- Much quieter than other moderate and hard Jeep trails in Sedona
- Fun and exciting drive without too much bouncing
Cons
- Not as adrenaline pumping as Broken Arrow
- Lacks optional viewpoints or side hiking trails
- The gulch is quite intimidating for any nervous drivers
8. Soldier Pass Trail
The only Jeep trail in Sedona even remotely close to giving Broken Arrow a run for its money in terms of technical difficulty is Soldier Pass trail. The multi-faceted Soldier Pass 4WD road was one of our favorite drives in the Rubicon. Soldier Pass is a hugely popular hiking trail leading to Devils Kitchen, Seven Sacred Pools and Soldier Pass Cave.
Trailhead parking is impossible with just 14 spaces, but in your Jeep you can drive straight through the tiny parking lot and beyond the gate to access the off road trail. The 4L Soldier Pass trail itself is fantastic and testing with narrow, twisting and technical roads leading you directly to Devils Kitchen and Seven Sacred Pools in the Jeep. Follow the road to the end, park under cover of trees and hike a short distance to enter the famous Soldier Pass cave.
Important: You must apply for a motorized use permit to drive Soldier Pass 4WD off road trail. You cannot access the road without a code to unlock the gate.
Trail Details
- Distance: 3 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 50 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate / Adventurous
- Time: 1-3 hours depending on hiking
- Gears: Mostly 4L
- Trailhead: Soldier Pass hiking trailhead
Tips
- Permit requirement means Soldier Pass trail is limited to less than 10 Jeeps per day.
- Expect envious eyes from people trying to park as you drive through the parking lot and enter.
- Don’t forget to drive the spur trails leading to Devils Kitchen and Seven Sacred Pools.
- Both spur trails are technical and narrow so don’t start with this trail, build up to it.
- Park right at the very end of the road and climb up to Soldier Pass cave.
Pros
- Short but very technical and one of the more diverse Sedona Jeep trails
- Leads to 3 popular natural landmarks
- Guarantees you access to Soldier Pass hiking trail
Cons
- Requires permit to drive
- Narrow and technical which may not suit all drivers
- Have to be aware of hikers
9. Broken Arrow Trail
Completing our list of best Jeep trails in Sedona is the legendary Broken Arrow. We tried hard not to go with the consensus but it is impossible not to love this trail. After driving it 3 times, we have to agree that Broken Arrow is the best Jeep trail in Sedona. It’s all action, thrill and adrenaline.
You will drive to stunning viewpoints and take on challenging obstacles that will blow your resting heart-rate into the stratosphere. Just be aware you are going to share Broken Arrow with a lot of other Jeep rentals and Jeep tours. Chicken Point overlook is a fantastic viewpoint, but we think Submarine Rock is even better. Back in the Jeep, you are going to enjoy “the traffic circle”, “the slide” and “the steps” so much that you will go straight back around the loop.
READ: How to drive Broken Arrow Jeep trail in Sedona
Trail Details
- Distance: 4 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 220 feet
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Time: 2 hours
- Gears: Almost all 4L
- Trailhead: Morgan Road
Tips
- Broken Arrow is by far the most heavily trafficked Jeep trail in Sedona.
- You will be sharing the trail with other Jeep rentals, personal 4WD vehicles and tours.
- Take things slowly and err on the side of caution.
- Be confident and decisive but respectful of others.
- Always pull over to let tour groups pass because they are on the clock.
- Consult the trail instructions provided upon hiring your Jeep.
- Plan to walk around both Submarine Rock and Chicken Point Overlook.
Pros
- Very close to downtown Sedona
- Short, sweet and packed full of adventure
- Excellent viewpoints along the route
Cons
- Very busy trail with lots of tours
- Certain parts may be intimidating
- Trail can be hard to follow around Panorama Point
Sedona Jeep Trails Map
Click or touch the map below to activate. Zoom in and out, move around the map and see the locations for each of the Sedona Jeep Trails we’ve covered in this guide.
Map key:
- Green – Trail start points
- Red – Trail end points
- Blue – The driving routes
Off-Roading Itinerary
Okay great, now you know the trails, but how do you incorporate them into your Sedona itinerary?
Well, here are some of our example itinerary ideas for splitting the trails up based on how many days you rent your Jeep:
Easy to Hard – 1 Day
Split the trails into difficulty, starting with the easiest to build confidence and ending with the more technical routes. This will work better if you’ve never driven off-road or if you feel nervous.
- Morning – Start with Ranch Loop, then drive Outlaw and move onto Diamondback Gulch.
- Afternoon – Move onto Soldier Pass and end with Broken Arrow.
East vs West – 2 Days
Split the trails by geography and spend 2 full days off-roading in Sedona. This works better if you’re a confident, experienced driver and you want to spend two full days on the trails.
- East Sedona Day 1 – Drive Dry Creek Basin and hike Devils Bridge for sunrise, then drive Soldier Pass. Move onto Schnebly Hill and end with Broken Arrow.
- West Sedona Day 2 – Start with Mystic Vista for sunrise, then drive Diamondback Gulch, Ranch Loop, Outlaw and Robbers Roost.
Jeep, Hike and Sightsee – 3 Days
Take things easy and combine Sedona’s Jeep trails with hiking and heritage sites. This works better if you have a longer trip to Sedona and you want a varied itinerary.
- 1st Day – Start with Dry Creek Basin and hike Devils Bridge, then drive Soldier Pass and hike to Soldier Pass Cave, before finishing with Schnebly Hill and the Cow Pies Hangover Loop hike.
- 2nd Day – Start with Mystic Vista for sunrise, hike nearby Fay Canyon Trail or Doe Mountain Trail, drive to Palatki Ruins and Honanki Ruins, drive Outlaw and Robbers Roost to hike Hideout Cave.
- 3rd Day – Drive Ranch Loop, then drive Diamondback Gulch before heading over to Broken Arrow to drive a few loops around the technical obstacles.
Is It Worth Renting A Jeep In Sedona?
Renting a Jeep in Sedona is definitely worth it if you have a healthy travel budget, at least 3 or 4 days in your itinerary and you want to try something different. Not only can you drive the awesome off-roading trails we’ve talked about, but you can also use the Jeep to access hard to reach areas and certain hiking trailheads.
It’s important to know that renting a Jeep isn’t cheap. We paid around $500 for 3 full days, and that was a special discounted rate because we visited Sedona in December during the low season. So you need to be prepared for a splurge! But even if we paid full price, we still think it would have been worth it.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- You get to drive amazing off-road trails around Sedona in a Jeep Rubicon. That alone is a pretty cool reason to do it!
- The Jeep will let you see several areas of Sedona you otherwise would not be able to visit. That includes ancient heritage sites, caves and countless miles of rural countryside.
- A Jeep will give you a huge advantage over the crowds on popular hiking trails like Devils Bridge and Soldier Pass. Plus, it gives you access to other hard to reach trailheads like Vultee Arch and Robbers Roost.
Cons:
- Hiring a Jeep is going to cost you a small fortune and it’ll eat into a huge chunk of your overall travel budget.
- You’ll use up a significant portion of time on your Sedona itinerary, so you might not want to lose an entire day or two days from your trip.
Jeep Or ATV?
You do have the option to rent an ATV instead of a Jeep. But we highly recommend choosing a Jeep and here’s why:
- Jeeps are fully enclosed so you’re protected from the elements like sun, wind or rain.
- You’ll have to wear goggles, helmets and neck buffs in an ATV but you can take it easy in a Jeep.
- Stones can kick back on busy gravel roads and off-road trails, in a Jeep you’re fully protected.
- You can use the Jeep in place of your personal vehicle for driving around Sedona all day and night.
- You’ll be provided with a cool box for the back of the Jeep, so you can carry food and drinks.
- There’s plenty of storage in the back of the Jeep for warm clothes or hiking and photography gear.
- ATV’s are limited to certain trail types in Sedona, we never saw any on the harder trails.
- Jeeps are far more comfortable to ride and they have air conditioning.
- ATV’s are similarly priced to Jeeps, so really it’s a no brainer.
Jeep Rental Companies
There are a handful of official companies operating Jeep rentals in Sedona. You can and should compare prices, and reach out to any you like the look of for more information.
Here are the companies you can check out:
After reading reviews and window shopping around town, we decided to go with Barlow Adventures. They had extremely positive reviews and the Jeeps on display looked spotless. From start to finish we were very impressed with the entire service, from customer service to help with planning which trails to drive. And our maroon Jeep (Amy) turned out to be fantastic.
Jeep Tours
An alternative way of experiencing the most popular Jeep trails in Sedona is to take a Jeep tour. You’ll see loads of Pink Jeep Tours, Red Rock Tours and similar companies cruising around town throughout your stay.
We recommend you take a look at all Jeep tour options with Viator and Get Your Guide to see if you can find better value for money with a tour, rather than spending big on hiring a Jeep yourself. This might work better if you only want to experience Broken Arrow for instance.
Top rated Jeep tours in Sedona:
READ: 25 top rated tours in Sedona
Driving Your Jeep In Sedona
Sedona’s off road trails are awesome. But they are very different to driving your every day car and there are a few things you need to know:
- You’ll frequently shift into 4L and 4H. Instructions on which gears to use on specific trails will be given to you upon hiring the vehicle and it’s important to follow them.
- You must respect the Jeep, the trails and other drivers on the trails. Enjoy driving but be courteous and considerate.
- Watch out for ATV’s flying by and kicking back loose stones which might hit your Jeep windshield. There’s not much you can do, just pull over to the side and let them pass.
- You will get mud and dust on your Jeep. The key is to have a blast but at the same time be safe and respectful of the vehicle. The place you rent from will know how you treat the Jeep with one look.
Best Time To Drive Jeep Trails In Sedona
You can drive Sedona’s Jeep trails any time of day and you’re going to have a fantastic experience. But if you want to avoid crowds, we suggest staying away from Broken Arrow, Diamondback Gulch, Outlaw and Schnebly Hill between 10:00 and 3:00pm. You’ll be rewarded with quieter trails if you can get out early in the morning or much later in the day.
If you’re interested in sunrises or photography, you should consider driving Broken Arrow or Schnebly Hill at dawn or dusk. They have west facing views from elevated viewpoints which are spectacular at both sunrise and sunset.
Here’s when we would suggest driving each Sedona Jeep Trail:
- Mystic Vista – Sunrise is amazing from the viewpoint
- Ranch Loop – Any time of day the trail will be quiet
- Robbers Roost – Any time of day
- Outlaw – Any time but busiest mid morning to mid afternoon
- Dry Creek – Before sunrise to make the most of parking for Devils Bridge hike
- Schnebly Hill – Sunrise or sunset for best light and to avoid tours
- Diamondback Gulch – Any time of day
- Soldier Pass – Any time of day but the hike and cave will be busiest midday
- Broken Arrow – Early morning or early evening for best light and avoiding tours
Spring and fall are the two busiest seasons in Sedona. More people in town means more Jeeps and more tours on the trails. Plus, prices for Jeeps are going to be at peak. Summer is slightly quieter and winter is much quieter. There are very few instances during the calendar year in which Jeep prices are temporarily slashed to accommodate for low seasons, but if you can catch one you’ll save a lot of money.
We were fortunate enough to be in town in December during one of the few periods in the calendar year when Jeep rentals are slightly discounted. There were no downsides to visiting in winter either. The weather was great, the trails were quieter and we got a cheaper price.
More From Sedona
- 20 best hikes in Sedona
- 5 best ruins near Sedona
- 15 best Sedona sunrise and sunset spots
- 7 hidden caves to find in Sedona
- Where to stay in Sedona AZ
More From The Southwest
- 20 best hikes in Zion
- One day in Zion itinerary ideas
- 40 best things to do in Las Vegas
- 10 best day trips from Las Vegas
- Grand Canyon South Rim itinerary
- 17 best hikes at Grand Canyon South Rim
Want more Arizona content? Head over to our Arizona travel guides to explore the best of Grand Canyon, Sedona and beyond.
We hope this guide to the thrilling Sedona Jeep trails helps with planning your visit to Arizona!
Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Happy Driving,
Mark and Kristen
Enjoy this guide? Pin it for your visit!
Note: This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.
Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.
Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us.