Schnebly Hill Road in Sedona

The Sedona Vista

A Road Ascended to Trail

Schnebly Hill Road was once the only way in to Sedona from up on the Mogollon Rim, Flagstaff territory. In the time since then Interstate 17 and Highway 89 have been fully developed, making Schnebly relatively redundant. Eventually the town of Sedona decided that the difficulty of maintaining the road as an inlet was unnecessary. This was a great thing for offroading in Arizona.

Schnebly Hill Road has evolved since then into an easily accessible trail like none other. It’s still ‘two lanes’ wide and maintained to safe levels but it’s not as much so much of a road any more. Periodically you’ll see manhole covers ringed in concrete sticking up among the rocks and dirt but what you won’t see is a smooth surface. Schnebly Hill Road is not technically challenging but it is rocky and rough in a way that rewards off-roaders and sightseers alike. If you have a vehicle that can make it…

Factory trucks and cars are not at all suited for traversing Schnebly Hill Road. If it came off a showroom it might make it but you’re almost guaranteed to need repairs afterward. If you break your brand new half-ton truck part way through the trail repairs won’t be cheap and rescue services will cost even more. Everyone should witness this amazing trail and its unequaled beauty. Do yourself a favor and take one or more of the following vehicles: UTVs, ATVs, adventure bikes, dirt bikes, upgraded Jeeps, even mountain bikes, or your own two feet. However you get there it’ll be worth the trip.

Schnebly Hill Virtual Tour