Soldier Pass Area

The Soldier Pass Area packs more geological diversity into approximately two miles than perhaps any other offroad trail in the Sedona region. This technical route features three of Sedona's most remarkable natural formations in rapid succession: the largest active sinkhole in the area, a series of naturally carved pools with cultural significance to local Native American peoples, and a hidden cave with natural arches and windows overlooking the red rock landscape. The trail requires a motorized use permit that must be reserved at least 72 hours in advance through Recreation.gov, a requirement that limits traffic and preserves a more exclusive, uncrowded experience compared to the busier trails in the area.

The trail begins with a challenging entrance guarded by huge boulders that immediately establish the technical character of what lies ahead. Only properly configured high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles with low-range capability can clear these initial obstacles, which effectively filter out anything less than a capable offroad machine. Beyond the entrance, the trail follows a narrow, twisting path through rocky terrain with steep climbs, large loose rocks, and sections that require disconnecting stabilizer bars for maximum axle articulation. The most technical stretch covers approximately two-tenths of a mile and demands constant attention to tire placement and throttle modulation.

Devil's Kitchen is the first major landmark, and it is genuinely striking. This sinkhole measures approximately 50 feet deep with a 150-by-90-foot opening at the surface, making it the largest and most active sinkhole in the Sedona area. The formation was created when underground caverns in the Pennsylvanian-age Redwall Limestone, known as paleokarst caverns, dissolved and collapsed. Two major collapse events have been documented, one in the early 1880s and another in 1989, and the Arizona Geological Survey has identified it as one of seven recent sinkholes in the Verde Valley. Standing at the rim and looking down into the depression drives home the reality that geological processes are still actively reshaping this landscape.

Four-tenths of a mile past Devil's Kitchen, the trail reaches Seven Sacred Pools, a series of seven naturally carved potholes in the sandstone that increase progressively in size. These tinajas, as they are known in the Southwest, collect rainwater and when fed by seasonal streams create a cascading sequence of pools that flow from one into the next. According to local tour operators and cultural interpreters, these pools were considered sacred by the Apache and Yavapai peoples who inhabited the Sedona area. After significant rain events, the pools fill with fresh water and create an oasis-like scene that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding red rock terrain.

A spur trail at the 1.2-mile mark leads to Soldier Pass Cave, a natural formation featuring arches and windows carved into the sandstone by centuries of weathering. The short but steep climb of approximately 300 feet to reach the cave rewards visitors with a unique vantage point looking out through the natural windows at the red rock landscape spread below. The cave itself is large enough to walk through and provides welcome shade on warm days.

The geological diversity compressed into this short trail is what sets the Soldier Pass Area apart from every other offroad route in Sedona. Within a distance shorter than most neighborhood blocks, you encounter an active sinkhole demonstrating limestone dissolution, water-carved pools showing long-term sandstone erosion, and a cave formation created by differential weathering. Each feature tells a different chapter of the geological story, and together they provide a concentrated lesson in the forces that have shaped the red rock country over hundreds of millions of years.

Spring and fall provide the best riding conditions, with comfortable temperatures and the best chance of finding water in the Sacred Pools. The monsoon season from July through August can fill the pools dramatically but also brings flash flood risk in the narrow canyon sections. A knowledgeable local guide can help you navigate the technical obstacles safely while providing context about the geological and cultural significance of each landmark along the route.