Schnebly Hill Road 4x4 Trail in Sedona
One of Sedona’s most scenic 4x4 drives — huge red-rock views, short walks, legendary photo stops and unforgettable sunsets.
Your Trail Starts Here
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Drive any Sedona trail, Broken Arrow included
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Trail planning and driving orientation included
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From $375 for 6 hours, plus tax and fees
Trail at a Glance
Difficulty:
Mileage / Route:
Approx. Time:
Terrain:
Best For:
Moderate | Very rough and bumpy, with more exposure above Merry-Go-Round Rock
Moderate | Very rough and bumpy, with more exposure above Merry-Go-Round Rock
About 2–3+ hours depending on how far you drive and how long you stop
Rocky, very bumpy road with shelf sections and increasing exposure as you climb
Scenery lovers, sunset seekers, couples, families, photographers and newer off-roaders comfortable with rough roads
Why This Trail Is Worth It
If the views come first, Schnebly Hill Road belongs near the top of your Sedona list.
The trail climbs through an amphitheater of red rock, delivering one incredible viewpoint after another without requiring the technical obstacles of trails like Broken Arrow. Short walks lead to Cow Pies, Merry-Go-Round Rock and other hidden-feeling overlooks, while those who continue higher are rewarded with sweeping views from Schnebly Hill Vista.
Merry-Go-Round Rock is also one of Sedona’s most dramatic locations for engagement photos, wedding portraits and elopements, with sweeping red-rock backdrops just a few minutes from where you park.
And there’s a special Arabella connection: Sedona was named for Sedona Arabella Miller Schnebly — and her middle name helped inspire Arabella Off Road.
Watch Before You Drive
See Schnebly Hill before you go. Our trail video shows the stops Arabella recommends most — including the lower overlooks, Cow Pies, Merry-Go-Round Rock and the climb toward Schnebly Hill Vista.
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Don't Miss These
Lower Schnebly Sunset Stop: Only a few minutes up the dirt road and perfect when you want one last Sedona sunset without committing to the full climb.
Short Cave Stop: An easy opportunity to stretch your legs and explore a visible cave near the lower section of the road.
Cow Pies: A short walk opens onto broad red-rock scenery with views toward Batman Rock, Mitten Rock, Schnebly Windows and Merry-Go-Round Rock.
Merry-Go-Round Rock: One of Sedona’s most memorable photo locations — popular for engagements, wedding portraits and elopements — and only a few minutes on foot from parking. It was also a filming location for Elvis Presley’s Stay Away, Joe.
Schnebly Hill Vista: The high-elevation payoff — sweeping views over Sedona and one of Arabella’s favorite places to watch the sunset.
What To Expect Behind The wheel
Schnebly Hill is challenging more because of its constant rocks, bumps and rough surface than because of major technical obstacles.
Expect slow speeds and plenty of suspension movement as you climb. Lower sections are generally comfortable for newer off-road drivers, while the road becomes narrower, rougher and more exposed beyond Merry-Go-Round Rock on the way toward Schnebly Hill Vista.
Allow roughly 20–30 minutes to Cow Pies, 30–45 minutes to Merry-Go-Round Rock and about 60–75 minutes to the Vista before stops. Then add time for photos and short walks — because getting out of the vehicle is a big part of what makes Schnebly Hill worth driving.
Is Schnebly Hill Road right for you?
Choose Schnebly Hill if you want some of Sedona’s biggest views without making technical obstacles the focus of your day.
It’s an excellent choice for couples, families, photographers, sunset seekers and first-time off-roaders who are comfortable with a very rough road. You can stop for short walks, explore Cow Pies, take photos at Merry-Go-Round Rock or continue higher for the sweeping views from Schnebly Hill Vista.
The beauty of Schnebly is that you don’t have to drive the entire road to have an incredible experience. If heights or exposed shelf roads make you uncomfortable, enjoy the lower overlooks and make Merry-Go-Round Rock your turnaround point.
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Arabella Insider Tips
Choose your sunset based on time. The lower Schnebly overlooks give you a beautiful sunset with very little extra driving. For the biggest view, continue to Schnebly Hill Vista and allow plenty of time.
Don’t rush past Merry-Go-Round Rock. It’s only a short walk from where you park and one of the best photo locations anywhere along the route.
Planning something special? Merry-Go-Round Rock is one of Arabella’s favorite locations for proposals, engagement photos, wedding portraits and elopements. If you’re planning a Sedona wedding experience, explore our Sedona Weddings & Elopements page for vehicle options and details.
Look for the “Elvis Tree.” Stay Away, Joe was filmed at Merry-Go-Round Rock, including scenes around the overlook.
Think about the drive back before sunset. If you’re uncomfortable driving rough shelf roads in the dark, begin your descent before the light disappears.
Build in time to get out and explore. Schnebly Hill is not a trail to simply drive from Point A to Point B — the short walks and viewpoints are what make it special.
Hikes off Schnebly Hill Road
Schnebly Windows
[COMING SOON: we're hiking it for you first.]
Parking:
Just off Schnebly Hill Road, beside the trail
Hike Time:
About 45 minutes each way
Difficulty:
[To be confirmed after our hike]
Best For:
[To be confirmed]
FAQ
Is Schnebly Hill Road difficult to drive?
Schnebly Hill is very rough and bumpy, but the challenge comes more from sustained rocks, rough terrain and exposure than from major technical obstacles. The road becomes narrower and more exposed higher up.
How long does it take to reach Merry-Go-Round Rock?
Allow roughly 30–45 minutes from the start of the dirt road, depending on pace and traffic.
Where's the best sunset on Schnebly Hill?
For the biggest panoramic view, Schnebly Hill Vista is hard to beat. If you’re short on time, the lower Schnebly overlooks offer beautiful sunset views only a few minutes up the dirt road.
Do I have to drive all the way to Schnebly Hill Vista?
No. One of the best things about Schnebly Hill is that you can build the drive around your time and comfort level. Cow Pies and Merry-Go-Round Rock both deliver major scenery without driving the entire road.
Is Schnebly Hill Road good for first-time off-roaders?
Yes, especially on the lower portion of the road. It’s very rough, but it does not require the same technical obstacle driving as trails like Broken Arrow. Drivers uncomfortable with heights may prefer to turn around at Merry-Go-Round Rock.
Ready to Drive Schnebly Hill Road?
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