Submarine Rock and Chicken Point
Submarine Rock and Chicken Point are two of Sedona’s best-known red-rock landmarks, but reaching them by ATV or UTV takes more than picking a destination on a map. Route access, vehicle restrictions, trail conditions, and busy trailhead parking can all change the plan. This guide explains how to prepare, what to expect, and how to avoid assuming a route is open just because it appears rideable.
Understand the route before planning your ride
Where Submarine Rock and Chicken Point fit into a Sedona trip
Submarine Rock and Chicken Point are landmarks in the Broken Arrow area, southeast of central Sedona. The region is famous for dramatic sandstone scenery, but it is not a free-for-all riding area. Roads and trails are designated for particular uses, and a route that looks like a natural extension of another track may be closed to motorized travel or limited to certain vehicle types.
It helps to treat the names as destinations, not as proof that a particular ATV or UTV can reach them. Access may involve a designated motor route, a permitted high-clearance vehicle route, or a walk from a legal parking area. Whether a machine is allowed depends on the signed route and the applicable land-management rules, not only on its size or capability.
The Broken Arrow area can also feel different from a broad desert trail network. In places, the route is rocky, exposed, and close to popular scenic stops. A UTV that is comfortable on a wide forest road may feel awkward on a narrow, uneven section, while an ATV rider may need to manage rock ledges and loose surfaces carefully. For a general sense of what different routes demand, see [Arizona Trail Difficulty Ratings].
Confirm motorized access for your exact machine
Before planning around Submarine Rock or Chicken Point, identify the specific route you intend to use and check whether it is open to your machine class. “OHV” is not a blanket permission. A route may allow some motor vehicles but not ATVs, side-by-sides, or machines wider than a posted limit. Rental contracts may also prohibit particular routes even when a road is legally open to some vehicles.
Use an official travel management map or motor vehicle use map to verify the route designation and any seasonal closures. A navigation app such as onX Offroad can help you see the route network and follow your planned track, but treat app information as a planning aid rather than a replacement for current official notices and roadside signs. If map layers or local signs disagree, pause and confirm the rule before continuing.
When checking access, look for the exact route name or number, not just the landmark label. Also check the permitted vehicle type, width restrictions, seasonal status, and whether the final approach is a motorized road or a hiking trail. For a step-by-step map check, [Reading an Arizona Motor Vehicle Use Map] can help you understand what a route designation means.
What to expect around Submarine Rock and Chicken Point
Submarine Rock is a destination, not a shortcut
Submarine Rock stands out for its broad, rounded shape and the way it rises from the surrounding red-rock terrain. It is an appealing landmark for photographs and a natural place to pause, but that does not mean every track leading toward it is an authorized vehicle route. Stay on designated roads and trails, and do not drive onto bare rock or create a new line around an obstacle.
If your plan involves approaching the rock on foot, establish where your vehicle may legally park and where the pedestrian route begins. A short walk can still involve uneven sandstone, loose gravel, and exposed terrain. Wear shoes with reliable traction, bring water, and be especially cautious when the rock is wet or when afternoon heat is building.
It is easy to underestimate how long a stop will take when the view is good and the group wants photos. Build time into the itinerary for parking, walking, and getting everyone back to the vehicle. If you are riding with children or anyone who moves slowly on uneven ground, allow even more time and avoid turning a quick photo stop into a rushed scramble back to the machine.
Chicken Point draws riders, hikers, and sightseeing groups
Chicken Point is a well-known overlook in the Broken Arrow area. Its popularity is part of the appeal, but it also means you may encounter other visitors, tour vehicles, hikers, and people stopping to take pictures. On a busy day, the experience can be less like a quiet backcountry ride and more like sharing a compact scenic destination with several groups.
Be patient when approaching a viewpoint or a narrow section. Do not crowd another vehicle to make room, and avoid blocking a trail while someone takes a photograph or gets a passenger settled. If there is not enough space to stop safely, continue to an appropriate pullout rather than parking on a blind curve or forcing other users to pass close to your machine.
Parking conditions can shape the whole outing. Before leaving, check where legal staging is available and whether your trailer fits the designated parking area. [Chicken Point Parking and Crowds] covers the kind of congestion to anticipate, while [Arizona Trailhead Parking and Staging] offers broader planning guidance for arriving with a trailer or larger group.
| Planning question | What to confirm | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Is the route open? | Current official map, route signs, and closure notices | A visible track is not necessarily an authorized route |
| Is my machine allowed? | Vehicle class, width limits, and any route-specific restrictions | “OHV” does not mean every machine can use every road |
| Can I park and unload? | Legal staging area, trailer space, and parking rules | Crowded or unsuitable parking can disrupt the trip before it starts |
| Is the route manageable? | Surface, ledges, exposure, and group experience | A scenic route can still be demanding or uncomfortable |
| Are rentals allowed there? | Rental agreement and permitted route list | A rental provider may restrict access beyond public land rules |
Prepare for the Broken Arrow terrain
Expect rock, tight turns, and exposed scenery
The Broken Arrow area is not a place to judge difficulty by distance alone. A relatively short route can take longer than expected when it includes uneven rock, narrow passages, stops for other users, or sections that require careful maneuvering. Sandstone and gravel can also behave differently depending on recent weather and how heavily the route has been used.
Approach rough sections slowly and leave room between machines. A close following distance gives the rider ahead little space to stop or choose a line, and it can expose the next rider to dust and loose debris. In a side-by-side, make sure passengers are seated and secured before moving through uneven ground; an abrupt stop or jolt can be uncomfortable even at low speed.
If the route includes a feature that feels beyond your group’s comfort level, do not let the pressure of keeping up dictate the decision. Turn around where it is safe and legal, or choose a more suitable route. [Broken Arrow Trail Difficulty] and [Riding The Steps on Sedona's Broken Arrow Trail] are useful references for thinking about the trail’s more demanding terrain.
Match the machine and the group to the route
A capable machine does not automatically make a route appropriate. Consider the machine’s width, ground clearance, tires, turning space, and condition, along with the least experienced person in your group. A driver who has only ridden on smooth dirt roads may find rocky ledges and tight turns stressful, even if the vehicle has four-wheel drive.
Before setting out, check tires, brakes, steering, lights, fuel, and any recovery equipment you expect to need. Make sure the group knows how to communicate between machines, especially if engines and wind make conversation difficult. Agree on a regrouping point before a narrow section so no one feels pushed to continue merely to avoid losing sight of the others.
Rental riders should be particularly careful about route assumptions. A rental company’s machine may be mechanically prepared for off-road use, but the agreement can still exclude certain trails or surfaces. Ask for the permitted route list and clarify whether the restriction applies to the entire Broken Arrow area or to specific sections. [Riding Broken Arrow in a Rental] explains why it is worth sorting this out before signing out the machine.
Plan for maps, timing, and changing conditions
Use more than one way to stay oriented
In Sedona, a route can be easy to recognize on a screen and confusing once you are surrounded by rock formations, junctions, and similar-looking tracks. Download or save the information you need before leaving dependable service. Carry a paper map or an offline map option as a backup, and make sure the person leading the ride can read the route without relying on a live connection.
onX Offroad can be useful for viewing a planned route and tracking your position, particularly when you want to compare the ride with surrounding roads. Still, map apps can lag behind closures, temporary restrictions, or changes in access. Confirm the route using current official information and obey signs on the ground. If a road is marked closed, do not treat an app line as permission to continue.
Before departure, share the route and a rough return plan with someone who is not on the ride. Set a turn-back time instead of relying on “we’ll head back when we feel like it.” That small decision helps prevent a scenic stop, a slow section, or a navigation mistake from stretching the outing into the hottest or darkest part of the day.
Pick a time that suits your group
A weekday may bring a quieter experience than a busy weekend, but it does not guarantee an empty trail or open parking. Popular Sedona destinations can draw visitors throughout the year, and conditions can change with holidays, weather, and local events. Arrive with patience and a backup plan rather than assuming a particular lot or route will be clear.
Start early when conditions call for it, especially in warmer weather. The temperature and sun exposure can make even a short stop feel demanding, and red-rock terrain offers little shade in many places. Carry more drinking water than you think you will need, and make sure every passenger has access to it rather than storing the only supply under cargo.
Weather can change the character of a route. Rain may make rock slick, while a storm can create hazards in low areas and drainage crossings. Check local conditions before leaving and do not enter flooded washes. For timing ideas and crowd considerations, [Riding Sedona on a Weekday] offers additional context for planning a less pressured visit.
Ride responsibly and keep a backup plan
Share the area with care
Sedona’s scenery is the reason the area is so popular, and it is also why riders should be careful about where they travel. Stay on designated routes, avoid disturbing vegetation or wildlife, and do not widen a trail by driving around obstacles. A shortcut that seems harmless can scar fragile ground or encourage others to follow an unauthorized line.
Near an overlook, slow down early and watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorized users. Keep noise and dust in mind when passing people who are stopped or walking close to the route. Give others time and space, and do not assume they can hear your machine approaching from behind.
Pack out everything you bring in, including food wrappers, broken straps, and small pieces of gear. Before leaving a viewpoint, look around the stopping area and make sure nothing has fallen from the vehicle. This is especially easy to overlook when passengers are switching seats or taking equipment out for photos.
Know when to change the plan
A good ride plan includes a reasonable alternative. If the intended route is closed, parking is full, a rental agreement rules out the trail, or the group is not comfortable with the terrain, do not improvise onto an unmarked track. Choose another confirmed route or enjoy the destination on foot from a legal parking area if access allows.
Review route status shortly before the trip, not only when you first start planning. Closures and conditions can change, and a route that was open on a previous visit may not be open now. [Checking Arizona Trail Status Before You Drive] is a useful reminder to make that check part of the departure routine. Keep onX Offroad or another offline navigation option ready for orientation, but use current official information to make the access decision.
Finally, leave room in the schedule to turn around without feeling that the day has been wasted. Submarine Rock and Chicken Point are memorable because of the landscape, not because a rider has to reach every named spot at any cost. A careful trip with a clear return plan is better than pushing into a difficult section simply to complete an itinerary.
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.
