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 |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler run Soldier Pass Road, or do I need a built rig?
Stock rigs will struggle — the red rock ledges and loose boulders demand real articulation and underbody protection. A modified 4WD with skid plates, a lift, and all-terrain tires is the minimum. A stock SUV risks frame and oil pan contact on the technical sections.
Is Soldier Pass Road accessible year-round, or does it close in winter?
Best window is March through November. Winter can bring snow and ice on the rock slabs, which turns an already technical trail into a genuinely dangerous one. Check Coconino National Forest road conditions before heading out in December through February.
Do I need a permit to drive Soldier Pass Road?
No vehicle permit is required, but the trailhead falls within Coconino National Forest jurisdiction so standard forest rules apply — no campfire restrictions during fire bans, pack out your trash. Check fs.usda.gov/coconino for any current closures before you go.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it technical?
The rocky ledges near the Devil's Kitchen sinkhole section are the crux — you're picking lines over stacked sandstone with minimal run-up and real drop-off exposure. Spotters help here. One wrong line and you're high-centered or kissing a boulder with your rocker panel.
Are the water crossings on Soldier Pass Road deep enough to be a problem, and is there anywhere to camp nearby?
The crossings are typically shallow and manageable for a modified 4WD, but depth varies significantly after rain — monsoon season (July–September) can make them legitimately sketchy. There's no dispersed camping on the trail itself; Sedona is right there for a basecamp, or check Coconino NF for nearby forest dispersed sites.
Trail track
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