Soldier Pass Road
Technical red rock challenge to sacred pools
Starting from Soldier Pass Road off Highway 89A, this technical red rock adventure immediately throws you into Sedona’s signature slickrock terrain with embedded sandstone ledges that’ll scrape paint and test your approach angles. The trail winds through classic high desert scenery past Devil’s Kitchen — a massive limestone sinkhole that’ll make you question Arizona’s geology — before continuing to the Seven Sacred Pools, natural water catchments carved into the red sandstone that hold water year-round when monsoons cooperate.
This is a difficult technical trail requiring experienced drivers and properly equipped 4WDs with rock sliders, skid plates, and good ground clearance. The embedded rock sections are unforgiving, and the narrow shelf roads have no bailout options. Best tackled in dry conditions from spring through fall — summer heat can be brutal. No permits needed, but respect the sacred pools and pack out everything. The reward is quintessential Sedona scenery without the tourist crowds, plus legitimate bragging rights among Arizona wheelers.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 4 mi / 6.4 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4400 ft |
| Best season | March-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | Sedona, Arizona |
| Land manager | Coconino National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Decent |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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