Backway to Broken Arrow
Slickrock technical challenge in red rock country.
This infamous Sedona trail earned its name from a movie filmed here in the 1950s, but the real drama happens when your bumper meets unforgiving Coconino Sandstone. The route winds through narrow passages between towering red rock fins, demanding inch-perfect wheel placement through off-camber sections and over sandstone ledges that’ll test your clearance and approach angles. Key obstacles include the Devil’s Dining Room sinkhole and several mandatory climbs over slickrock shelves that separate stock SUVs from properly built rigs.
This is expert-level technical driving requiring lockers, skid plates, and aggressive tires with proven grip on smooth rock. Spotters are essential for the blind climbs and narrow squeezes. Summer heat makes this miserable, while winter ice turns slickrock into skating rinks. Spring and fall provide ideal conditions for this bucket-list challenge. The trail sees heavy traffic from Jeep tours, so expect crowds and be prepared to yield. Success here earns you legitimate red rock bragging rights and some of Arizona’s most iconic 4×4 photography.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Scenic, Technical |
| Length (miles) | 3 mi / 4.8 km |
| Duration | 3-4 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4200 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Sedona, Arizona |
| Land manager | Coconino National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Good |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run Backway to Broken Arrow, or do I need lockers?
A stock rig will get you into trouble fast here. The trail requires at least a locker — front, rear, or both — plus a minimum of 2–3 inches of lift and aggressive all-terrain or mud-terrain tires. Slickrock ledges and off-camber moves on sandstone fins punish open differentials.
Is Backway to Broken Arrow accessible in summer, or should I avoid the July heat?
The trail stays open year-round but summer in Sedona means 100°F+ temps on dark rock — your engine and your patience will both suffer. Stick to March–May or September–November for manageable temps and better grip on the sandstone.
Do I need a permit or Red Rock Pass to run this trail?
Yes. Backway to Broken Arrow falls under Coconino National Forest jurisdiction and requires a Red Rock Pass for vehicle access — currently $5/day or $15/week. Display it on your dash. Rangers do check.
What's the hardest section, and what specifically makes it technical?
The slickrock fin crossings mid-trail are where rigs get stuck or tipped — you're placing individual tires on narrow sandstone ridges with steep drop-offs on both sides. One wrong line and you're high-centered with nowhere easy to recover. Spotter highly recommended.
Is there anywhere to camp at the trailhead or along the trail, and how's cell service?
No dispersed camping directly on or at the trailhead — this is day-use terrain in a heavily managed area near Sedona. Car camping options are nearby at Manzanita Campground or dispersed sites further out on the national forest. Cell service is genuinely good throughout, so don't rely on that as an excuse to skip proper prep.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.