You have seen the photos. Red rock formations rising above the trail. A line of riders moving through the canyon. Views that look like they belong on a movie set.
But if you’ve never been on an ATV tour in Sedona before, you might be wondering what the experience actually looks like from start to finish. What do you do when you arrive? What happens on the trail? What comes after?
This guide walks you through the whole journey, so you know exactly what to expect and can show up ready to ride.
Key Takeaways
- The West Sedona Canyon ATV Tour is a 4-hour guided experience with about 3 hours on the trail.
- Every tour starts with a mandatory practice loop and skills test before heading out.
- Guides lead the route and adjust the pace to match your group’s comfort level.
- Drivers must be at least 15 1/2 years old with a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license.
Before the Tour: Getting Ready for the Trail
A great ride starts before you even leave the parking lot. Here is what the pre-tour experience looks like.
Booking and What to Know Ahead of Time
The first step is reserving your spot. You can book online at arizonaatvadventures.com or call (928) 282-8540 to check availability. Since July is a popular travel month, booking in advance is the best way to secure your spot.
A few things to keep in mind before your tour day:
- Bring a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license if you plan to drive.
- Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants for the ride.
- Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a small backpack for personal items since ATVs do not have built-in storage.
- July mornings in Sedona can be warm, so dress in light, breathable layers you can move in comfortably.
- A refundable security deposit per vehicle is required at check-in.
- All riders must sign a waiver before the tour begins.
If you are booking for a group of six or more, gratuity is added upfront. Private tours are also available for groups, though they are not offered during busy peak periods like March, April, September, and October.
Arriving at the Office
Your adventure starts at our office at 3075 W State Route 89A in West Sedona. This is where you’ll check in, meet your guide, and get ready for the ride. Helmets and goggles are provided for all riders. During cooler months, gloves are available for purchase.
The staff will go over the basics with you and answer any questions before the group heads out.
The Practice Loop and Skills Test
This is one of the most important parts of the whole experience, and it is also one of the most underrated.
Before you hit the trail, we will walk you through the controls and take you on a quick practice loop right behind the shop so you can get the feel for it first. The ATVs have fully automatic transmissions, so there is no manual shifting to worry about. The practice loop gives you a chance to feel how the vehicle responds, get comfortable with the throttle and brakes, and build confidence before the real terrain begins.
Every driver must pass a skills test on the practice loop before heading out to the main trail. This is not about pressure. It is about making sure everyone starts the ride feeling ready.
New to off-roading? No worries. Before we hit the trail, you will get a quick intro and take a spin on our private practice loop to get a feel for the ride. Not quite ready to take the handlebars? No problem. You can ride tandem and enjoy the adventure as a passenger.
That tandem option matters. If someone in your group decides after the practice loop that they would rather ride along than drive, they can do exactly that. The experience is still fully enjoyable from the passenger seat.
Who Can Ride?
Before the tour begins, here is what every group needs to know:
- Drivers must be at least 15 1/2 years old with a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license
- Riders under 17 must have a parent or guardian on the tour
- No children under 5 years old are allowed on the ATVs. Passengers must be at least 5 years old or weigh 50 pounds or more
- Single rider weight limit: 463 lbs
- Combined weight for tandem riders: under 615 lbs
- The tour is not recommended for guests with neck or back issues or for pregnant women
Pre-Tour Checklist
| What to Bring | Why It Matters |
| Valid learner’s permit or driver’s license | Required to drive an ATV on the tour |
| Closed-toe shoes and long pants | Required for all riders |
| Sunscreen and sunglasses | Sedona’s July sun is bright on open terrain |
| Small backpack | No storage on ATVs, so pack light and carry it |
| Camera or phone | You will want to capture the views |
| Light, breathable layers | Mornings can be comfortable but the trail is exposed |
| Water bottle | Hydrate before the ride, water is also provided on tour |
During the Tour: What Happens on the Trail
Once the practice loop is done and everyone is ready, the real adventure begins.
The Ride to the Trailhead
Most guests ride with us to the trailhead in our passenger van. Guests who prefer to head out right after the tour often follow the van and park at the trailhead instead.
That van ride is part of the experience. It is a chance to get to know your guide, ask last-minute questions, and feel the anticipation build as you head deeper into the landscape.
On the Trail
Once you arrive at the trailhead, the ride begins.
Every ride follows our signature route through the desert trails west of Sedona, with minor route or pace adjustments to match your group’s comfort level. The tour covers about 30 miles of trail over approximately 3 hours, moving through the West Sedona Canyon and the surrounding landscape.
The terrain shifts as you go. You will move through rocky stretches, open valley sections, and winding paths that reveal new views around every turn. The landscape is dramatic in a way that is hard to describe until you are in the middle of it. Red rock formations rise on all sides. The valley opens up below you. The trail keeps pulling you forward.
One of the standout moments is the view from Skeleton Bone Mountain, which rises more than 800 feet above the valley floor. From the top, you get a sweeping panoramic look at the Verde Valley that makes the whole ride feel worth it.
This area has also served as the backdrop for more than 40 major motion pictures over the past several decades. There is a reason filmmakers keep coming back. The scenery is that good.
Your Guide Leads the Way
You are never out there figuring it out alone. Your guide leads the group through the route, points out landmarks, shares local stories, and keeps the pace moving in a way that works for everyone.
Our guides keep a close eye on the group and adjust the pace to make sure everyone feels confident and has fun, whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned rider.
That guide-led format changes the whole feel of the ride. You are not navigating or second-guessing. You are just riding, taking it all in, and enjoying the experience with your group.
What the Ride Feels Like
It is hard to fully capture the sensory experience of riding through West Sedona Canyon until you are actually on the trail. But here is a sense of what to expect:
| Moment on the Trail | What You Experience |
| Leaving the trailhead | The landscape opens up and the ride begins |
| Rocky terrain sections | You feel the trail beneath you, hands on the handlebars, fully engaged |
| Open valley stretches | Speed picks up, views widen, the canyon spreads out around you |
| Climbing toward viewpoints | The elevation builds and the scenery gets bigger |
| Skeleton Bone Mountain | A panoramic view of the Verde Valley that stops you in your tracks |
| Riding back to the van | That satisfied, energized feeling that comes from a real outdoor adventure |
After the Tour: The Wind-Down
The ride ends back at the trailhead, where the van picks up the group and returns everyone to the office on Arizona 89A. By the time you are back, you have covered about 30 miles of Sedona terrain and spent the better part of a morning doing something genuinely memorable.
Here is what the post-tour experience typically looks like.
Gear Return and Wrap-Up
Helmets and goggles go back at the office. The security deposit is returned, provided there are no vehicle damages. If your guide made the experience exceptional, this is a good time to leave a tip. Gratuities are not included in the tour price and are always appreciated.
You Have the Rest of the Day
One of the best things about the 8:00 a.m. summer departure is that the tour wraps up well before midday. That leaves you with a full afternoon to explore Sedona at your own pace.
A few popular ways to spend the rest of the day after a morning ATV tour:
- Grab brunch or lunch at one of the local cafes in West Sedona
- Walk one of Sedona’s scenic viewpoint trails for a different perspective on the landscape you just rode through
- Browse the shops and galleries along Arizona 89A
- Head back to your hotel or rental and relax with the kind of satisfaction that only comes from a real outdoor adventure
- Book a Jeep tour through the sister brand, Safari Jeep Tours, for a different angle on the terrain
Sharing the Experience
July is a popular travel month, and Sedona draws visitors from all over the country. If you are traveling with a group, the post-ride conversation is usually one of the highlights. Everyone has a favorite moment. Someone loved the climb. Someone else could not stop talking about the view from the top. The ride gives you shared memories that carry the energy of the day long after you are back at the hotel.
If you want to capture those moments, bring your camera or make sure your phone is charged before the tour. There are no storage compartments on the ATVs, so a small backpack is the best way to keep your gear with you on the trail.
Is an Arizona ATV Tour Right for You?
If you are still on the fence, here is a simple breakdown of who tends to love this experience most.
| Type of Traveler | Why the Tour Works for Them |
| First-time ATV riders | The practice loop and guide-led pace make it approachable and fun |
| Experienced riders | The terrain and 30-mile route give you plenty to work with |
| Families with teens | Teens 15 1/2 and older can drive, younger kids can ride tandem |
| Couples | A shared adventure that gives you something to talk about all day |
| Friend groups | Social, energetic, and full of moments you will replay later |
| Solo travelers | A great way to connect with a group and see Sedona from a new angle |
Now You Know What to Expect
An Arizona ATV tour is not complicated. It is just a really good time, from the moment you arrive at the office to the moment you hand back your helmet.
You show up, get geared up, run the practice loop, load into the van, and spend three hours riding through one of the most scenic landscapes in the Southwest. Then you head back, grab a meal, and spend the rest of your July day in Sedona doing whatever sounds good.
The whole experience is designed to be accessible, exciting, and memorable, whether it is your first time on an ATV or your tenth.
Ready to see what the trail looks like for yourself?
Book your West Sedona Canyon ATV Tour at Arizona ATV Adventures or call (928) 282-8540.
FAQ: Arizona ATV Tours
Q: What is included in an Arizona ATV tour? tel:(928) 282-8540
A: Your tour includes ATV use, a professional local guide, helmets, goggles, bottled water, snacks, and van transportation from the office to the trailhead. A $500 refundable security deposit per vehicle is required at check-in.
Q: How long is the West Sedona Canyon ATV Tour?
A: The tour is 4 hours total, with approximately 3 hours of riding covering about 30 miles through West Sedona Canyon.
Q: What time do tours depart in July?
A: During summer months, the West Sedona Canyon ATV Tour departs at 8:00 a.m. only.
Q: Do I need experience to join an Arizona ATV tour?
A: No experience is required. Every tour begins with an instructional briefing and a practice loop behind the shop. All drivers must pass a skills test before heading out on the main trail.
Q: Can I ride as a passenger instead of driving?
A: Yes. Tandem riding is available on 2-seater ATVs. If you decide after the practice loop that you would rather ride along, you can enjoy the full experience from the passenger seat.
Q: What are the age requirements for Arizona ATV tours?
A: Drivers must be at least 15 1/2 years old with a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license. Riders under 17 must have a parent or guardian on the tour. No children under 5 years old are allowed on the ATVs.
Q: What should I wear on an Arizona ATV tour in July?
A: Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a small backpack for personal items. Light, breathable clothing works best for July mornings on the trail.
Q: What happens if I am not comfortable driving after the practice loop?
A: If you are not confident after the demo, your guide may suggest riding tandem as a passenger. The goal is for everyone to have a great time, and there is no pressure to drive if you are not ready.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: July is a busy travel month in Sedona. Booking in advance is recommended to secure your preferred date and time.
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Created on 07-06-26
