The Perfect 24 Hours in Sedona: How to Maximize Your Time in Sedona (Nicki Danger Style)
- nicoletudisco
- Mar 16
- 6 min read
Sedona is one of those places where people arrive thinking they’ll see a few red rocks… and quickly realize there is far more to explore than they expected.
The challenge is most visitors only have one or two days in Sedona, and if you don’t plan it right you can spend half your time sitting in traffic, searching for parking, or hiking long dusty roads before you even reach the trail.
But if I had 24 hours in Sedona with an off-road Bronco, this is exactly how I would do it. This itinerary maximizes adventure, avoids the worst crowds, and helps you experience some of the best things to do in Sedona in just one unforgettable day.
Be warned it's jam packed but epic!
Bronco Obtained at 9:00 AM — Head Straight to Devil’s Bridge
Your 24-hour Sedona adventure begins the moment you obtain your Bronco.
One of the most famous things to do in Sedona is hiking to Devil’s Bridge — the largest natural sandstone arch in the area.
But what many visitors don’t realize is they often hike about 4.6 miles round trip from the main parking lot because they must walk a long dirt road before even reaching the actual trail.
With a capable off-road vehicle, you can drive Dry Creek Road and cut that hike by more than half.
Instead of 4.6 miles, the hike becomes roughly:
1.8 to 2 miles round trip
The drive up takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll pull up near the trailhead while other hikers are still walking the road. The hike itself typically takes:
60–90 minutes
Standing on top of Devil’s Bridge with Sedona’s red rocks stretching for miles around you is easily one of the most iconic views in Arizona.
12:30 PM — Lunch in Sedona
After your hike, head into town for lunch.
Two great quick options:
Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen
Two favorites here are the Elote Pizza and Zo’s Chopped Salad — both are fantastic.
Tres Amigos
If you go here, don’t miss the quesabirria tacos — Tony “Captain Awesome’s” personal favorite.
Before heading out for the afternoon adventure, I recommend making one quick stop for sunset supplies.
You can grab sandwiches or snacks at:
Whole Foods Market Sedona or Bashas’ Sedona
Your Bronco includes a Yeti cooler, which makes it easy to pack a few sandwiches and drinks so you can curb your appetite while enjoying sunset later on the trail.
Dinner out afterward is always an option, but having food with you gives you flexibility so you don’t feel rushed during the best part of the day.
1:30 PM — Experience Sedona’s Most Famous Off-Road Trail: Broken Arrow
After lunch, head toward Broken Arrow Trail, one of the most iconic off-road trails in Sedona.
Broken Arrow is famous for its dramatic slickrock driving and incredible red rock scenery.
Even if you’ve never been off-roading before, this trail is unforgettable.
Along the trail you’ll encounter several famous features including:
• Submarine Rock — small climb up to a 360 panoramic viewpoint
• Chicken Point — viewpoint just on the other side of the Chapel of the Holy Cross
• Slide Rock — also known as the famous “Road of No Return,” a steep slickrock descent that feels like a roller coaster
• Devil’s Staircase — one of the most exciting rock obstacles on the trail, this is where you catch the off road bug
One thing that makes Broken Arrow great for first-timers is that tour Jeeps run this trail constantly, so there are always other vehicles around and it’s nearly impossible to get lost.
Take your time and enjoy the scenery. The trail itself isn’t very long, but the views are spectacular and there are plenty of places to stop for photos.
Plan about 2 to 2½ hours on Broken Arrow, which should have you finishing around 3:30 to 4:00 PM.
4:30 PM — Head Toward Schnebly Hill Road
After Broken Arrow, take a little time to relax, grab water, or swing back by your Airbnb or hotel if you’d like to freshen up.
Then head toward Schnebly Hill Road for the evening adventure.
Plan about 45 minutes to reach Schnebly Hill Vista, or closer to an hour if you stop at Merry-Go-Round Rock along the way.
6:00 PM Sunset at Schnebly Hill Vista
Continue on to Schnebly Hill Vista through the gate (seasonal closure in winter) not only is this an epic sunset location. It will take you 30 to 45 minutes to get to the Vista from Merry Go Round. Try to get there at least 30 minutes before sunset. Right now sunset is around 6:30 PM, but it changes throughout the year.
Typical Sedona sunset times:
Spring (Mar–May) — 6:30–7:30 PM
Summer (Jun–Aug) — 7:20–7:45 PM
Fall (Sep–Nov) — 6:00–7:00 PM
Winter (Dec–Feb) — 5:20–5:40 PM (GATE TYPICALLY CLOSED WINTER)
Watching the sun drop behind Sedona’s red rocks from Schnebly Hill Vista is easily one of the most epic sunset views in Arizona. Remember the afterglow happens 10 to 20 minutes after sunset!
This is the perfect moment to pull out those sandwiches from the cooler and enjoy dinner with a view.
Additional fun fact! This is where the iconic scene in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) where Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) realizes Aunt Edna has passed away—and subsequently drives with her body tied to the roof—was filmed at the Schnebly Hill Vista Overlook in Sedona, Arizona.
Optional Exit
After sunset, you can return the way you came, quicker but with a shelf road. If you’d rather avoid the shelf road at night, you can continue onward it's a flat gravel road through pine trees that takes you to Interstate 17. This route is longer but again mostly flat, making it an easy cruise back while enjoying Sedona’s incredible night skies.
4:30 am to 6:30 am Sunrise the Next Morning
Before returning your Bronco, there’s one more moment you shouldn’t miss.
Head back toward Schnebly Hill Road early in the morning.
Shortly after entering the trail, take your first strong left and go to the end where it starts to turn right and park. From where you enter the trail it should only take you about 5 minutes to get to this point. Check out map and seasonal sunrise times below. You will have an incredible view as the sun rises over Sedona.
Typical Sedona sunrise times:
Spring — 5:20–6:30 AM
Summer — 5:10–5:45 AM
Fall — 6:00–7:00 AM
Winter — 7:20–7:35 AM
Watching Sedona wake up in the early morning light is something special.
7:30 AM — Coffee and Sedonuts
Before wrapping up your adventure, stop for coffee and donuts at:
Sedonuts
It’s the perfect cherry on top of your Sedona adventure.
Return the Bronco — 9:00 AM
After coffee, gas up, make sure you have all your belongings and return your Bronco and wrap up one incredible 24-hour Sedona adventure.
Experience Sedona Beyond the Pavement
Most visitors see Sedona from the pavement.
But the real magic often happens beyond it.
With the right off-road vehicle you can:
• Reach hidden trailheads
• Skip long dusty road hikes
• Discover epic viewpoints
• Experience more of Sedona in less time
That’s exactly what a 24-hour adventure with Arabella Off Road is designed for. Book today:
Map of This 24-Hour Sedona Adventure
Here is the route for Nicki Danger’s perfect 24 hours in Sedona:
Devil’s Bridge Trailhead via Dry Creek Road
Lunch: Picazzo's or
Lunch: Tres Amigos
Broken Arrow Trail
Sunset at Schnebly Hill Vista
Sunrise viewpoint near Schnebly Hill Road
Morning stop at Sedonuts
Tip: Save these locations in Google Maps before you start your adventure so navigation is easy even if cell service drops in some areas.
Tips for Driving Sedona Off-Road Trails
Sedona’s backcountry roads are incredibly scenic, but a few simple tips will make your adventure smoother.
Start early.The most popular trails like Devil’s Bridge can fill up quickly.
Bring water and snacks.Sedona is high desert and dehydration sneaks up quickly.
Take your time on slickrock.Sedona’s famous red rock formations provide amazing traction, but slow and steady is always best.
Expect tour Jeeps on popular trails.Trails like Broken Arrow are frequently used by Jeep tours, which makes them easier to navigate for first-time visitors.
Respect the land.Stay on designated trails and follow posted signs to protect Sedona’s fragile desert environment.
Sedona Off-Road Adventure FAQ
Can you drive to Devil’s Bridge in Sedona?
Yes, a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle can drive Dry Creek Road and reach the trailhead near Devil’s Bridge, cutting the hike from about 4.6 miles round trip to roughly 1.8–2 miles.
Is Broken Arrow Trail difficult?
Broken Arrow is considered a moderate off-road trail with slickrock sections and obstacles like Devil’s Staircase and Slide Rock. It is one of the most famous off-road experiences in Sedona.
Do you need a 4x4 vehicle in Sedona?
Many of Sedona’s most scenic backcountry roads require a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle to access safely.
What is the best time to visit Sedona?
Spring and fall are the most popular seasons due to comfortable temperatures, but Sedona is beautiful year-round.
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