Sedona Trails Open to Side-by-Sides
A side-by-side can look ready for Sedona’s red-rock trails, only for a width restriction, seasonal closure, or unclear route map to derail the day. The key is checking each route for motorized access and vehicle limits before you unload. This guide explains where to start, what to verify, and how to plan a more confident ride.
Which Sedona trails may suit a side-by-side
Sedona-area routes vary widely: some are rough forest roads, some are narrow trails, and some popular destinations are reached only by routes that may not suit every machine. A trail name alone does not tell you whether your UTV can legally travel the full route. Confirm access for your machine’s width and type before heading out.
Broken Arrow and other popular red-rock routes
Broken Arrow is one of the best-known off-road routes near Sedona, but its reputation can make it sound more universally suitable than it is. The terrain is rocky and challenging in places, and the route’s conditions and access rules should be checked before you go. Don’t assume a route used by guided tours is automatically appropriate for your particular side-by-side, or that every machine can travel every section.
If Broken Arrow is on your list, check the current motor-vehicle map and route notices, then compare the route’s restrictions with your machine’s actual width and configuration. A vehicle’s marketed category—such as “compact UTV”—isn’t a substitute for measuring it as equipped. Accessories, mirrors, tires, and other modifications can affect the overall width.
For a closer look at the terrain and difficulty, see [Broken Arrow Trail Difficulty]. If you’re comparing it with other Sedona-area riding, [Riding Arizona's Sedona Red Rock Trails] provides broader trip-planning context.
Schnebly Hill Road and forest-road options
Schnebly Hill Road is a well-known route connecting the Sedona area with higher country toward the Mogollon Rim. It offers a very different experience from a tight, technical trail: expect changing surfaces, uneven sections, and conditions that can vary with weather and traffic. Before treating it as an easy alternative, check that the segment you plan to ride is open to your vehicle and that the road is suitable for your machine and experience level.
Forest roads can look inviting on a navigation app but still have restrictions, closures, or conditions that make them a poor fit for a side-by-side. Confirm the route’s official motorized designation, permitted vehicle types, and any width limits. A road that is open to some motor vehicles may not be open to every kind of OHV.
If you want a route with more room than a narrow trail, compare the official map with your machine’s specifications rather than relying on a general label such as “forest road.” For additional route-planning guidance, see [Arizona Trails Rated for Full-Size Rigs].
Why a trail name or online track is not enough
A downloaded track can show where someone drove, not whether the route is currently open or legal for your machine. Tracks may be old, may cross private or restricted land, or may include a segment that is too narrow for a wider side-by-side. Treat user-shared routes as navigation clues, not permission to ride.
Use the current official motor-vehicle map for the land manager responsible for the route. Compare the mapped designation with posted signs at the trailhead and along the route. If information conflicts, don’t ride past a sign or gate based on an app track. [Reading an Arizona Motor Vehicle Use Map] explains how to use route maps when planning a ride.
| What to check | Why it matters | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Motorized route designation | A visible road or track may not be open to public motorized use | Current official motor-vehicle map |
| Vehicle width limit | Some routes are restricted to narrower machines | Map notes, posted signs, and route notices |
| Seasonal or temporary closure | Weather, fire danger, maintenance, or other conditions can change access | Land-manager alerts and trailhead notices |
| Parking and staging rules | A legal route can still have limited or regulated access at its entrance | Trailhead information and local rules |
| Machine requirements | Registration, decal, equipment, or permit rules may apply | Arizona requirements and land-manager guidance |
Check access before you load the machine
A little checking at home can save a frustrating drive to a closed gate or a trail too narrow for your UTV. Make the route decision using current official information, then check again close to departure because conditions and closures can change.
Confirm route status, width, and land manager
Start by identifying the exact route and the agency or land manager responsible for it. Around Sedona, a planned ride may involve forest roads or other public-land routes, and rules can differ from one area to the next. Use the official map and current notices to confirm that each planned segment is open to motorized travel and permits your vehicle’s width.
Measure your side-by-side as it is actually set up. Don’t rely on the number in a brochure if you’ve added accessories or changed the vehicle. If your measurement is close to a stated limit, ask the responsible land manager how the limit is applied rather than assuming the machine will fit.
The onX Offroad app can help you review route information and organize navigation, but an app should complement—not replace—the official map and signs. Download the information you need before leaving dependable service, and keep a backup plan if a route is closed or unsuitable.
Review closures, fire restrictions, and weather
Conditions around Sedona can shift quickly. Rain can make a rocky or dirt route more difficult, while heavy use can mean slower travel and crowded staging areas. Fire restrictions may also affect access or activities in the surrounding public lands. Check for current closures and restrictions before leaving, and don’t assume that a route is open because it was open on a previous visit.
If there has been rain, ask whether the route is passable and whether driving it could cause damage. A wash or low section that looks manageable on a dry day may become hazardous after storms. Never enter moving water or a flooded crossing just because another vehicle has gone through.
For broader seasonal planning, consult [Arizona Fire Restrictions by Stage]. Use onX Offroad or another navigation tool to keep track of your planned route, but follow official closure notices and posted signs if they differ from what appears in the app.
Sort out permits, decals, and staging
A trail being open does not mean every rider can use it without meeting other requirements. Depending on your machine, residency, and where you plan to ride, Arizona OHV decal rules may apply. Visitors should check the requirements that apply to their own situation before traveling; start with [Arizona Non-Resident OHV Decal].
Also distinguish between a vehicle requirement and an area-access requirement. A decal or registration does not necessarily replace a land-use permit, parking authorization, or other requirement for a particular destination. Check the rules for the land and trailhead you intend to use. [Sedona Trail Permits and Fees] is a useful companion when planning access.
Staging deserves its own check. Confirm where trailers may be parked, whether the area is open, and whether there are restrictions on unloading or overnight parking. A legal riding route can still be difficult to reach if the staging area is full or unsuitable for a large tow vehicle.
Choose a route that fits your machine and group
A good Sedona ride is not necessarily the most famous or most technical one. It’s the route that is open, legal for your vehicle, and realistic for the people riding with you. Build the day around the least-experienced driver and the actual capability of the machine.
Match route width and difficulty to your UTV
Before choosing a route, record your machine’s width and check its owner information. Then compare that measurement with the route’s posted or mapped restrictions. If a trail is designated for narrower machines, a wider side-by-side should not be squeezed through on the assumption that careful driving makes it acceptable.
Terrain is just as important as width. A route with steep rock steps, ledges, or loose climbs may be a poor choice for a new driver, even if the vehicle is allowed. Consider ground clearance, tires, protection underneath the machine, and whether your group has the experience to handle obstacles without rushing or taking unsafe lines.
If your vehicle is a compact model, don’t assume every narrow-trail designation automatically applies to it. Confirm the official restriction and measure the actual vehicle. [Arizona Trails That Suit a 50-Inch Machine] can help you think through the difference between narrow-route riding and full-size UTV access.
Plan for time, navigation, and a backup route
Give yourself more time than the route’s distance might suggest. Rocky ground, photo stops, trail traffic, and careful driving all slow progress. Agree on a turnaround time before you start, especially if the group has a fixed return schedule or is unfamiliar with the area.
Save your route information offline and carry a backup navigation option. Cell coverage can be unreliable away from town, and a phone battery can drain faster when it is being used for navigation. The onX Offroad app can be useful for organizing a route and reviewing map details in advance, but make sure you know how to interpret the official route information as well.
Choose a backup ride before leaving the staging area. If the planned route is closed, too difficult, or too narrow, turn around and use a verified alternative rather than improvising onto an unsigned track. Leaving the designated route can create safety, access, and land-damage problems.
Prepare for Sedona’s terrain and conditions
Sedona’s red-rock setting can be hard on both riders and equipment. Carry enough water for everyone, wear eye protection, and bring sun protection even when the air feels cool. Dust can reduce visibility behind another vehicle, so leave space and slow down when you can’t see clearly.
Check the machine before the ride: tires, brakes, steering, lights, fuel, and recovery equipment all deserve attention. Bring tools and a communication plan appropriate to the route and group. A small issue that would be simple to handle near town can become a much longer delay when you are far from pavement.
Keep the group together without crowding. Agree on where to stop, how to communicate at trail junctions, and what to do if someone falls behind. If trailhead parking is part of your plan, [Arizona Trailhead Parking and Staging] offers more guidance on preparing for arrival and unloading.
A practical pre-ride checklist
Use this short checklist before you load up. It’s especially helpful when you’re visiting Sedona for the first time or bringing a machine you haven’t ridden in the area before.
- Pick a specific route. Identify the exact road or trail segments, not just a general destination.
- Check the official map. Confirm motorized access and any vehicle-width or machine-type restrictions.
- Check current notices. Look for closures, fire restrictions, weather concerns, and trailhead updates.
- Measure your UTV. Use the actual equipped width and compare it with the route’s stated limits.
- Confirm requirements. Check the decal, registration, permits, and parking rules that apply to your trip.
- Plan navigation offline. Save official map information and a backup route before leaving cell coverage.
- Match the ride to the group. Account for driver experience, passenger needs, terrain, and daylight.
- Choose a turnaround plan. If a sign, closure, or unsuitable obstacle appears, turn around rather than pushing on.
Sedona has plenty to explore, but the right side-by-side route depends on the exact trail, current access rules, and your vehicle’s dimensions. Verify all three before you go, and be ready to change plans if conditions on the ground differ from what you expected.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
