Sedona

[phoen1c1an]

Well, I'm going camping April 16th to Sedona. I haven't been there in ages, nor have I ever 4x4'd this area. I saw the thread on Broken Arrow and looks like a great time. What other trails are accesible from Sedona, and also, what's the level of difficulty of these trails? I don't have rock sliders on yet, or lockers. Just basically a lifted stock jeep. I don't really want to "beat the hell out of it" yet. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks.

[sschwar4]

I hope you had a good trip (April 16). LOL. :D

There are alot of trails in the area.
1 - Check out the trails index on the AZVJC site and look for near Sedona. There are some good writeups with some directions.
2 - The downtown Sedona information booths have maps of local trails.
3 - Get an AZ trails book. They have them up there in the book stores.
4 - I have heard there are some of the Jeep Tour companies that do tag along trips, so you don't go by yourself.

Hope this helps.

[phoen1c1an]

July 16th. Damn it's hot outside, frying my brain. :p

[jeepin_al]

I feel like I am following your posts or something. I am trying to get up to Sedona that same weekend, I haven't done any wheeling up there (took a hummer trail once that was pretty darn cool for about a 5 minute stretch that we went down and up a pretty sick hill, the guy said he hadn't seen any stock jeeps make it up besides a rubicon). Maybe catch up? wheeling alone always intimidates me.

[phoen1c1an]

I'd very much enjoy your company. It's going to be my first jeep trip in AZ. Are you also planning on camping up there?

[jeepin_al]

With the fires I am not going to be up there. I am going to be in Tucson instead. I was planning on camping and will be in the future, see you on the trails, AL

[phoen1c1an]

Heading up on friday. Anyone have any recommendations on NON-reserverable campsites. All the reserved ones are already booked. Also, what time should I head up to get a spot. I heard it fills up fast. Thanks!

[LarryM]

I know it's a little late for a response but for future reference...

This time of year the campgrounds start filling up on thursday morning. Going up on a friday you will pretty much have to luck into a site.

I like Cave Springs campground.

I dont even try to go when school is not in session. Too many familes with noisy kids and crying babies.

[topjimmy]

I know it's a little late for a response but for future reference...

This time of year the campgrounds start filling up on thursday morning. Going up on a friday you will pretty much have to luck into a site.

I like Cave Springs campground.


Me too. The only way to go there is with a reservation. Gotta book way in advance though.

[Sedona Jeep School]

Howdy! Although this post is too late for the "April" camping trip, I thought some general information for everyone would be useful.

Weather: Sedona is 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Phoenix year-round.

January, May, September, November, and December (except for any holiday periods) are good times to visit in order to avoid the crowds. Sedona has anywhere from 1.5 to 4 million visitors per year, depending on which goverment agency you ask.

Sedona is completely surrounded by the Coconino National Forest. There is a Red Rock Pass (highly controversial) required for PARKING a vehicle on the National Forest. $5/day, $20/year, or buy a Golden Eagle Pass for $65.

Camping: Open camping (making your own campsite) is not allowed within 5 miles of Sedona city limits. So, unless you have campground reservations, you have to go to the top of Schnebly Hill Road, or west of FR 525 in order to be able to open camp. We are frequently in fire restriction mode, so call to check current conditions.

The USFS has a visitor center in the Village which is open 7 days a week. Their phone number is (928) 284-5324. Red Rock Ranger District headquarters is (928) 282-4119, M-F. They can answer questions about camping and open/close status of Jeep trails, only if you have the FR # (they don't know any trail names except Broken Arrow or Soldier Pass).

There are a lot of nice trails, with the toughest being up to 3.5, depending on conditions. The trouble is getting directions or maps. There is no map or guide book with complete and accurate descriptions or directions to the wide variety of trails. The Charles Wells book, Arizona Backroads and 4-wheeling Trails, is the best, but even that has some outdated and inaccurate info in it.

You can always contact me with questions, or if you are in town, stop in at Farabee's Jeep Rental. He is always willing to chat with Jeepers.

Here are some useful links:
Weather: www.SedonaWeather.net
Visitor info: www.VisitSedona.com
Coconino National Forest: www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/
Districts map: www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/about/districts/index.shtml

Happy trails!