How difficult is Schnebly Hill Road?

Schnebly Hill Road is rated moderate. The route runs 12 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain.

When is the best time to visit Schnebly Hill Road?

The best months are Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov. Avoid Jul, Aug, Dec, Jan.

Guides/Off-road trails/Arizona

Off-road trail12 mi1,500 ft gaindifficulty: moderate

Schnebly Hill Road

RegionArizonaAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—

Photo by Doug Dolde via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

Trail vitals7 facts

Length

12mi

Elev gain

1,500ft

Technical difficulty

Moderate

Direction

Point to point

Vehicle

4WD with high-clearance and skid plates. The road is rated easy in technical difficulty but the continuous rock garden punishes vehicles without proper armor.

Best months

Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov

Cell coverage

Spotty

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Schnebly Hill Road climbs from north Sedona's red rock canyons up the Mogollon Rim escarpment to Interstate 17 above, a 12-mile route through Coconino National Forest passing the Schnebly Hill Vista — one of the most-photographed overlooks in the Sedona area. The road's reputation rests not on technical obstacles but on its unrelenting surface: a continuous rock garden of embedded boulders and ledges that demands slow speeds and skid-plate protection.

The lower section from Sedona is the more difficult half; the road eases as it approaches I-17. Most drivers run it uphill from Sedona to the Mogollon Rim, finishing on pavement back to Flagstaff. 4WD is mandatory and skid plates are recommended; vehicles bottom out on big rocks without armor.

Hazards

Read before you go

Vehicle damage. The continuous rocks bottom-out unprepared vehicles. Skid plates required.
Snow and ice. The upper road sees snow December through February. Lower road can ice up at night in winter.
Heat. Summer temperatures top 100°F at the lower end with limited shade.
Tight passing. Single-lane sections require uphill traffic to yield. Plan for slow progress.
Cell coverage. Spotty between Sedona and the rim.
Wilderness boundary. Munds Mountain Wilderness borders parts of the road. Stay on the legal route.

Location

12 mi · Off-road trail

Approx. location 34.876, -111.762

Trail facts

5 fields

Agency	U.S. Forest Service
Nearest town	Sedona, Arizona
Website	www.fs.usda.gov/coconino
Closed	Jul, Aug, Dec, Jan
Approx. location	34.876, -111.762

Getting there

Directions

Sedona end (typical start). From the SR-179 roundabout in central Sedona, head east on Schnebly Hill Road. Pavement ends quickly; the road climbs continuously to the vista at mile 5.7.

Flagstaff end. From Interstate 17 about 6 miles south of Flagstaff, take Exit 320 (Schnebly Hill Road / Munds Park) and head east. The graded section descends to the rim before the rocky descent begins.

Approximate Sedona trailhead coordinates: 34.876° N, -111.762° W.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

Schnebly Hill Road starts at the State Route 179 roundabout in north Sedona, climbs east through Bear Wallow Canyon, and tops out near Interstate 17 about 6 miles south of Flagstaff. The road sits in Coconino National Forest. The Mogollon Rim, the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau, drops 2,000 feet in this stretch from the rim country down into the red-rock canyons of Sedona.

The road is named for Theodore Schnebly, a Sedona-area pioneer (Sedona Schnebly, his wife, was the namesake for the town). The original Schnebly family ranch was at the base of the road.

Trail Overview

Most drivers run uphill from Sedona, climbing 1,500 feet over the lower 5.7 miles to the Schnebly Hill Vista. The climb is the most difficult section: continuous embedded rock, several rock-step ledges, and tight switchbacks. The road's official rating is "easy" technically, but the trail's punishment makes it feel harder, and most casual drivers turn around at the vista rather than continuing.

From the vista the road continues east across the rim to I-17, with the surface easing through pinyon-juniper forest. The full 12-mile drive takes 2 to 3 hours with stops. Expect to crawl in low range for most of the rocky lower section.

Points of Interest

Schnebly Hill Vista. The classic overlook of Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona's red rocks. The road's main destination.
Bear Wallow Canyon. The drainage the lower road follows, with prominent red-rock formations.
Munds Mountain Wilderness. Adjacent to the road; access by foot only.
Cow Pies. A short hike off the upper road to vista points overlooking Sedona.
Mogollon Rim view. From the rim, panoramic views of the Verde Valley.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed in the surrounding Coconino National Forest with the standard 14-day stay limit. The road itself has no developed campgrounds. Sedona has commercial RV parks and lodging; the Pine Flat and Cave Spring campgrounds in Oak Creek Canyon are nearby but pre-pavement.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

Visit spring or fall. Summer temperatures top 100°F at the lower end; winter ice can close the upper section.
Skid plates are recommended; vehicles bottom out on big rocks without armor.
Drive slowly. The rock garden is unforgiving of speed.
Sedona's main parking near the trailhead requires the Red Rock Pass ($5/day or $15/week). Available at most local stores.
Do not pass on uphill traffic in the narrow sections. Pull over and yield.
Cell service is unreliable on the climb.
Contact Coconino National Forest's Red Rock Ranger District at 928-203-2900 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Schnebly Hill Road?: Schnebly Hill Road is rated moderate. The route runs 12 miles with 1,500 feet of elevation gain.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Schnebly Hill Road?: 4WD with high-clearance and skid plates. The road is rated easy in technical difficulty but the continuous rock garden punishes vehicles without proper armor.
When is the best time to visit Schnebly Hill Road?: The best months are Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov. Avoid Jul, Aug, Dec, Jan.
Is there cell service at Schnebly Hill Road?: Spotty