A Full Day of Sedona Off-Roading Without Wasting a Minute

nicoletudisco
May 18
5 min read

If you've only got one day in Sedona, you don't want to spend it stuck behind tour buses at the same three viewpoints everyone Instagrams. Here's the truth: one day is enough — but only with the right vehicle and a plan. Below is the exact itinerary we hand to every 12-hour lifted Bronco renter, pressure-tested by hundreds of first-time Sedona visitors.

Why Off-Road Beats a Standard Day Trip to Sedona

Most "one day in Sedona" itineraries you'll find online assume you're hiking. The trailhead parking lots fill before 7 AM. You spend half the day looking for spots. With a lifted Bronco, you drive past the trailheads, into the backcountry, and out to the views that hikers can't reach in a day. It's a different city when you're off-pavement.

And unlike guided Jeep tours, you're not on someone else's schedule — no caravan, no fixed stops, no shared vehicle. This is your day.

The One-Day Sedona Off-Road Itinerary

Start by 8:30 AM — Outlaw Trail

Outlaw Trail is one of the most underrated off-road experiences in the Sedona area — and honestly, one of the most enjoyable for people driving a capable vehicle for the first time.

While trails like Broken Arrow get most of the attention, Outlaw offers something different: space to drive, varied terrain, and enough technical sections to make you feel like you’re truly exploring the backcountry instead of waiting in line behind tour traffic.

The route typically runs through Loy Butte Road, an unpaved road stretching roughly 11 miles through the western Coconino National Forest. Smooth sections let you comfortably pick up speed and enjoy the scenery, while rocky patches, wash crossings, and uneven terrain keep things interesting behind the wheel.

What makes it such a great recommendation is the balance: challenging enough to feel adventurous, approachable enough that first-timers usually finish with a lot more confidence than they started with.

Mid-Morning — Honanki Heritage Site

One of the best parts about running Outlaw Trail is that the adventure doesn’t end when the driving does. The trail leads directly toward Honanki Heritage Site — one of the largest and best-preserved Sinagua cliff dwelling sites in the region.

Built more than 700 years ago beneath towering sandstone cliffs, Honanki was once home to generations of Sinagua people and later visited by other Indigenous cultures over centuries. Today, you can walk beneath the rock overhangs, view preserved pictographs and ancient structures, and experience a side of Sedona that most visitors completely miss.

It’s the perfect contrast to the trail itself — adrenaline and history in the same afternoon.

And yes, there are pit toilets at the entrance. After hours in the backcountry, that detail becomes far more valuable than it sounds.

Lunch around noon — Hilltop Deli

Lunch matters, and lunch shouldn't eat two hours. Hilltop Deli does generous sandwiches, no wait, parking that fits a lifted Bronco. Back on the road in 45 minutes.

Early Afternoon — Soldier Pass + Soldier Pass Cave

Before anything else, there’s one important thing to know about Soldier Pass Trail: motorized access is tightly limited. The Forest Service only allows a small number of vehicle permits each day, and they must be reserved in advance HERE. Once you’ve secured the permit, though, Soldier Pass delivers one of the highest reward-to-effort ratios in Sedona.

The off-road section itself is relatively short, but it gives you direct access to some of Sedona’s most recognizable landmarks — including Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole and the Seven Sacred Pools — without committing to an all-day hike.

The terrain is more technical than beginner routes like Outlaw, with rock ledges and uneven sections that make the drive feel adventurous while still staying approachable in a capable vehicle.

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Sinkhole on Soldier Pass Off Road Trail - Sedona AZ

Want to add the famous Soldier Pass Cave? From the end of the motorized route, it becomes a much shorter and more manageable hike than starting from the main public trailhead, about 30 minutes each way — giving you more scenery and less unnecessary mileage.

Sunset — Lower Schnebly Vista

Schnebly Hill Road delivers one of the easiest sunset rewards in Sedona.

After a full day on the trails, the last thing most people want is another long hike just to catch golden hour. That’s what makes the Lower Schnebly Vista such a perfect final stop — within minutes of the parking area, you’re standing at a panoramic overlook with virtually no effort required.

As the sun drops, the cliffs across eastern Sedona begin shifting through layers of orange, copper, crimson, and deep violet. The elevated viewpoint along Schnebly Hill gives you sweeping views over the red rock landscape without the crowds and chaos that often come with Sedona’s more famous sunset stops.

Instead of fighting for parking at Airport Mesa, you can pull off, lean against the tailgate, crack open a cold drink, and watch the light move across the cliffs in peace.

Simple. Scenic. One of the best endings to a Sedona trail day.

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

Return Bronco

End your day having seen more of Sedona than most week-long visitors.

Why a Lifted Bronco for a Day 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

Have More Time? Read These Next

• 24 Hours in Sedona: The Off-Road Itinerary with Sunset AND Sunrise — add an overnight and catch the light show at both ends of the day. Link: /blog/24-hours-in-sedona-off-road

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

FAQ

Can you really see Sedona off-road in one day?

Yes, if you start by 8 AM. The itinerary above is what we hand to every 12-hour renter and it's built from years of actually driving these trails.

Do I need off-road experience to rent a Bronco in Sedona?

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!

Is the Soldier Pass permit included with the rental?

No, but we'll point you to where to grab one at booking. Only 12 vehicles are allowed per day and the permit must be booked the day before. Easy to do, but a step you can't skip.

Where do I park my personal vehicle?

You'll park your vehicle in place of our Bronco for the day.

Is one day in Sedona enough for a couple?

For a one-day date trip, this itinerary is hard to beat — Schnebly sunset from the tailgate sells itself. If you've got an overnight, the 24-hour version unlocks sunrise too.

Can I customize the route?

Yes. Every pickup includes a build-your-day conversation. The itinerary above is a menu, not a mandate.