24 Hours in Sedona: The Off-Road Itinerary with Sunset AND Sunrise

A day trip to Sedona shows you the place. Twenty-four hours in a lifted Bronco lets you live it. The difference: you catch a sunset and a sunrise from spots most tourists never reach, you eat the food locals eat, and you spread the trail driving over two half-days so it actually feels like a vacation. Here's the 24-hour itinerary we recommend to every overnight renter.

Why 24 Hours in Sedona Off-Road Beats a Day Trip

Sunset and sunrise are when Sedona looks like the postcard. They happen twelve hours apart. A day trip catches one of them, at best. An overnight rental catches both — plus a full evening of trails, dinner from the tailgate, and a sunrise that almost no other tourist will see. A 24-hour rental gives you a vehicle for both moments without doubling the cost of two separate day rentals.

The 24-Hour Sedona Off-Road Itinerary

Day 1 — Morning — Devil's Bridge

Most visitors think the challenge at Devil's Bridge is the bridge itself. It’s not. The real grind is getting there.

For most people, the day starts with a long trek up Dry Creek Road — a rocky fire road that adds miles before the actual hiking trail even begins. Depending on where you park, the round trip can stretch beyond 3.5 miles before you ever step onto the scenic climb to the bridge.

That’s where the Bronco changes the experience.

Instead of spending your energy hiking a dusty access road, you’ll drive the rough terrain in comfort while turning the approach itself into part of the adventure. The off-road drive becomes the warm-up — not the obstacle.

Once you reach the trailhead, the actual hike to the bridge is far more manageable and rewarding, with incredible red rock views and the iconic sandstone arch waiting at the top.

Less backtracking. More scenery. A much better story to tell afterward.

Midday — Lunch

Three local picks depending on your mood:

•       Whole Foods sandwich — fast, cheap, eat at a viewpoint

•       Picazzo's — sit-down, full bar, organic Italian

•       Tres Amigos — local Mexican, the quesabirria quesadilla is the move to make

Afternoon — Broken Arrow

Broken Arrow Trail is the trail that defines off-roading in Sedona. If you’ve seen photos of vehicles climbing across glowing red slickrock, there’s a good chance they were taken here.

The route may be relatively short, but it packs in some of Sedona’s most famous obstacles and viewpoints — including Devil’s Staircase, Chicken Point, and nearby Submarine Rock.

Broken Arrow isn’t just scenic — it’s engaging to drive. Expect steep slickrock climbs, uneven ledges, and technical sections that demand attention behind the wheel. It’s considered one of Sedona’s signature 4x4 trails for a reason.

And yes, it’s popular. Hikers, Jeep tours, and off-roaders all share the trail, which adds to the energy and atmosphere of the experience rather than taking away from it.

Comfortable enough to enjoy. Technical enough to feel accomplished. Exactly the kind of adventure people picture when they dream about Sedona.

Sunset — Lower Schnebly Vista

Schnebly Hill Vista Observation Site might be one of the easiest sunset payoffs in Sedona.

After a long day exploring trails, the last thing most people want is another hike just to catch golden hour. That’s what makes Schnebly Hill Vista such a hidden gem — you can drive nearly all the way to the overlook and reach the view with only a short walk from the parking area.

Perched high above eastern Sedona, the overlook gives you sweeping views as the red rocks shift through orange, copper, crimson, and purple tones during sunset. It’s one of the highest vantage points in the area and especially popular with photographers for that reason.

While places like Sedona Airport Scenic Overlook draw large crowds at sunset, Schnebly often feels quieter and more relaxed — the kind of place where you can pull up, lean against the tailgate, and simply watch the light change across the cliffs.

Approximate sunset times in Sedona, arrive 20 minutes prior (Arizona doesn't observe daylight saving time):

•       Winter (Dec–Feb): ~5:20 PM – 6:10 PM

•       Spring (Mar–May): ~6:25 PM – 7:15 PM

•       Summer (Jun–Aug): ~7:00 PM – 7:40 PM

•       Fall (Sep–Nov): ~5:25 PM – 6:30 PM

Day 2 — Sunrise — Bradshaw Overlook

Yes, it's early. Yes, it's worth it. Bradshaw Overlook at sunrise is silent — no other tourists, no other vehicles — and the light hitting the red rocks at dawn is different from anything you'll see later in the day. Coffee in the Yeti, cameras rolling.

Approximate sunrise times in Sedona — arrive 30 minutes before for the pre-dawn glow (the soft alpenglow on the red rocks before the sun breaks the horizon is often the best shot of the morning). Arizona doesn't observe daylight saving time:

•       Winter (Dec–Feb): ~6:45 AM – 7:35 AM

•       Spring (Mar–May): ~5:15 AM – 6:45 AM

•       Summer (Jun–Aug): ~5:10 AM – 5:55 AM

•       Fall (Sep–Nov): ~5:55 AM – 7:10 AM

After Sunrise to Return

After Bradshaw, you've got time to fill before your return. How much depends on the pickup window you booked — a 9 AM return is tight, an 11 AM return gives you real room.

The easy finish. Head to Sedonuts. They're known for their cinnamon rolls — get one. Personal pick: the cake donuts, especially the classic glazed old fashioned. Roll back to our shop, return the Bronco, done.

Want more? If your return time allows, you're already on the west side after Bradshaw — which puts two great trails within easy reach:

• Diamondback Gulch — the closest pick to Bradshaw. The level-up from a beginner trail: tighter, rockier, more committed. The Greasy Spoon section has chuckwagon history (read the 48-hour itinerary for the full story). Allow about 2 hours plus travel.

• Outlaw Trail — also on the west side. Eleven miles of scenic Coconino backcountry, the gentler of the two. Great if you want big views without big intensity. Allow about 2 hours plus travel.

  
  

You can still grab donuts on the way back if the timing works. We'll help you do the math at pickup.

Return Bronco

You're back at our shop with photos most people don't come home with after a week in Sedona.

Why a Lifted Bronco for 24 Hours in Sedona

•       A/C vs. side-by-sides eating dust

•       Comfort for the long haul — More than a Jeep and way more than any ATV

•       Push-button 4WD — no floor-shifter learning curve

•       Front and rear cameras — confidence on every descent, in every light

•       Yeti cooler included — and bonus ice pack

•       Trail guide + restaurant picks — written by local off-roaders, not a chain tour

•       We're available by phone the whole rental — questions get answered in real time

•       You keep the Bronco overnight at your hotel — no shuttle back, no returning between days

More or Less Time? Read These Next

• One Day in Sedona Off-Road: The Lifted Bronco Itinerary — the day-trip version if you can't stay overnight. Link: /blog/one-day-in-sedona-off-road

• A Weekend in Sedona Off-Road: The 2-Day Bronco Itinerary — the full version with six trails and two sunsets. Link: /blog/weekend-in-sedona-off-road

FAQ

Is 24 hours in Sedona enough? For a couples' trip or first-time visit, 24 hours is the sweet spot. You catch sunset and sunrise — the two times Sedona looks the way it does in photos — without the cost or commitment of a full weekend.

What time do you offer pickups? 24-hour rentals are available with 9 AM, 10 AM, or 11 AM pickups. Return time matches your pickup time the next day. A later pickup gives you more flexibility for a Day 2 morning trail before returning.

Do I need off-road experience to rent a Bronco? No. We walk you through the Bronco at pickup. Push-button 4WD is easier than a manual Jeep — but we have a Jeep too if you insist!

Where do I park my personal vehicle? Where do I sleep? You'll park your vehicle in place of our Bronco and keep the Bronco at your hotel overnight. Sedona has hotels at every price point — we'll send recommendations when you book.

Is this trip good for couples? This is one of the best 24-hour couples' adventures in the Southwest. Sunset from the tailgate at Schnebly Vista plus a Bradshaw sunrise the next morning sells itself.

Can I customize the route? Yes. Every 24-hour rental includes a build-your-day conversation at pickup. Photographers, hikers, and date-night couples each get a different version.

Is the sunrise stop necessary? Only if you want the sunrise photo. If you're not a morning person, swap it for a second mid-morning trail — we'll suggest one at pickup.

Book Your 24-Hour Bronco

The only lifted Broncos in Sedona. Trail guide, restaurant picks, and our number for the whole rental.

Book Your Adventure Now: https://www.arabellaoffroad.com/booknow