Two hours, four wheels, and serious red-rock sights. This private Jeep tour from Red Rock Western Jeep Tours is built for people who want to get off the usual photo spots and onto special forest-service trail access around Sedona. I like that the route is centered on real Sedona landmarks like Devil’s Kitchen and the Apache’s Seven Pools, not just scenic pull-offs.

One heads-up: the ride can be more of a true Jeep workout than a smooth drive, and it is not suitable for everyone. If you prefer easy, flat walking and gentler terrain, bumpy terrain (including rougher passages) is something to consider before you book.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Private group: you go as your own group, with a live English guide driving the plan.
• Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole stop: a famous Sedona site where you can pause and take it in.
• Apache’s Seven Pools: the tour focuses on this especially sacred-feeling area rather than rushing past it.
• Forest-service trail permission: part of the appeal is access beyond the most crowded lookouts.
• Feet-on-trail moments: you step onto trails including Teacup, Jordan, and Thompson.

Soldiers Pass by Jeep: what the private access really means

Sedona is full of viewpoints. This tour aims for a different feeling: moving through the terrain with a guide and getting permission to access specific trail areas that many visitors never see. The “private” part matters because it usually means you are not stuck waiting behind other groups or getting squeezed into a fast-moving conveyor belt.

You also get a trained guide for the full 2-hour experience. That is not just for driving. A good guide can help you understand what you are looking at while you are there, and it can make a big difference when the stops include both famous sites (like Devil’s Kitchen) and more spiritually significant places (like the Seven Pools).

If you like being outdoors but also want someone to connect dots for you, this style of tour can be a win. Just keep in mind it is a Jeep tour, so expect that the ground and the ride quality can vary depending on conditions and the route that day.

Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole stop: famous for a reason, but don’t expect a long detour

Devil’s Kitchen is one of those Sedona stops that people hear about before they ever arrive. Here, it is treated as a real waypoint, not a quick drive-by. You’ll ride in, pause, and take time to look at the sinkhole area from the right vantage points your guide chooses.

What I like about this stop is how it balances “wow” with practicality. It is a specific place you can orient around. When your tour has only a couple of major stops plus trail access, Devil’s Kitchen gives you a strong anchor point that makes the whole session feel like more than just transportation between pull-offs.

The potential drawback is timing. Some people feel the value depends on how many stops they get and how much time they spend at each one. So if you are the type who cares about linger time, pick your questions and ask early about how the day will flow.

Apache’s Seven Pools: quiet beauty with a sacred tone

The Apache’s Seven Pools stop is the other big centerpiece. Even if you are not a geology person, you’ll likely notice why this place draws attention: it has that mix of red-rock setting and water-worn features that makes it feel both still and alive.

This is also one of the stops where “guide interpretation” matters. A guide can help you understand what makes the area significant and why it is not just another Sedona photo spot. In recent experiences with guides like Nick and Donnie, the vibe tends to be calm and unhurried, with time for questions and photos rather than a sprint to the next location.

One consideration: the tour includes time on foot at trail areas, and parts of Sedona can be uneven. If you need a totally smooth, low-effort outing, this may not feel like the right fit. You’ll want to be comfortable moving across natural ground, and you should be prepared for that mix of walking and Jeep rides.

Teacup, Jordan, and Thompson: getting your boots on Sedona trails

A big selling point here is that you do not just look at trails from a distance. You can set foot on famous Sedona routes, including the Teacup Trail, Jordan Trail, and Thompson Trail. That matters because Sedona’s trails are part of the experience, not just the scenery around them.

What this means for you is simple: you get a more complete taste of Sedona. You see key areas, then you step onto well-known trail spaces that many visitors only ever admire from afar. For people who love hiking but do not want to plan everything day-of-day, it is a smart shortcut.

The tradeoff is that a Jeep tour is still time-limited. Some people expect a certain amount of trail time and feel let down if the walking feels shorter than they hoped. The best way to manage expectations is to think of this as a “taste and orientation” tour. You are there to experience the feel of these famous trails within a guided, time-boxed outing, not to complete long trail mileage like an all-day hike.

The ride itself: how rugged is Soldiers Pass?

This is where you should pay attention. This tour is built around Jeep driving off the beaten path, and that can mean rougher terrain than you might picture from a casual scenic tour. One person described getting through passages with the Jeep feeling tough enough that a wheel came off the ground. That kind of detail is a clue: this is not a gentle stroller-friendly ride.

Also, the official suitability note is clear: the tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Even if you personally are comfortable with uneven terrain, you should take that seriously. If you’re at all uncertain about your ability to handle Jeep entry/exit and uneven ground, I’d treat that notice as a hard boundary.

What to do before you go: if your group has anyone who gets motion-sick or hates technical terrain, ask your guide how the route handles rough sections. A good guide will explain what you can expect in plain terms.

And bring comfortable shoes. That one item is in the provided guidance for a reason. When a tour includes trail steps, footwear is not optional.

Guides: the real quality variable (and why names like Donnie and Maverick matter)

With a private tour, your guide has a direct impact on the whole experience. Recent experiences highlight how much the tone can change based on the person in the driver seat.

For example, Donnie showed up in a positive experience that emphasized patience, time at each stop, and letting people take photos without rushing. Nick also received praise for being personable and professional, and for making the Seven Pools and Devil’s Kitchen stop feel memorable. Maverick was noted for safe driving and knowledge, with a route that balanced red rocks and other visible seasonal color. Ralph was praised in another experience as awesome and as someone familiar to repeat customers. Ian appeared in a less favorable experience where the tour felt short on time versus the expectation and value.

So here is the practical takeaway: if you want a tour that feels relaxed and interpretive, aim for a guide who is known for patient pacing and answering questions. If you care most about technical Jeep time and quick stops, that is also something you can communicate. Private time means you can set the tone early.

Price and value: $159 for 2 hours, and what can swing the feeling

The listed price is $159 per person for a 2-hour private Jeep tour. On paper, that can be solid value if the tour gives you the full structure: private guiding, the main Sedona anchors (Devil’s Kitchen and Seven Pools), and some feet-on-trail moments.

But value is not just the base price. It is also how the two hours are spent. Some experiences point to situations where the timing felt compressed compared with expectations, or where there were fewer stops than hoped. Another complaint centered on paying a higher total than a comparable group, which speaks to how private-tour pricing can feel uneven when groups differ in size.

Then there’s the guide factor again. When a guide invests in pacing, photo time, and explanation, the tour tends to feel worth it. When you get rushed or you feel the guide cannot answer your questions, the same price can feel steep fast.

My advice: before you book, check that your group composition makes sense for the private model. If you are a small group and the tour feels like it is supposed to be faster than what you want, ask about the stop plan so you know what you are paying for.

And remember the tip guidance: 15%–20% is recommended if you enjoy the tour.

Planning your time: check-in and the pace of a 2-hour tour

This type of tour runs on tight timing because the total is just 2 hours. You’ll be asked to arrive early. The info you have includes two related time notes: plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure, and also treat check-in as 30 minutes before the tour. In practice, that means you should give yourself cushion so you are not stressed at the start.

Because you have limited time, think like this: the better your start, the more calmly you can enjoy the stops. If you show up rushed, you’ll feel it later when you want to take pictures or ask questions.

One more thing: bring comfortable shoes and be ready for off-road movement. That combination makes trail access more enjoyable and reduces the chance you spend the tour thinking about discomfort instead of the scenery and stories.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This is a good match if you want:

• A private guided Jeep outing rather than a big-group bus-style experience
• Real Sedona stops like Devil’s Kitchen and the Apache’s Seven Pools
• The chance to step onto Teacup, Jordan, and Thompson trail areas without planning the route yourself
• A guide who can help you connect what you see to why it matters

I’d consider skipping if:

• You need smooth, easy terrain and minimal walking
• You have mobility limitations or are traveling during pregnancy (the tour is not suitable)
• You get disappointed when a short tour does not linger long at every stop

Should you book Red Rock Western Jeep Tours for Soldiers Pass?

If you want a focused, guided Sedona experience with off-road driving and a mix of famous sites plus trail access, this tour can be a strong pick. The Devil’s Kitchen and Seven Pools combination gives you two anchors that make the short time feel purposeful, and the forest-service trail permission is a meaningful differentiator.

The main thing to get right is expectations. This is not a slow, easy scenic stroll. It is a Jeep tour with natural ground and real off-road movement, and the quality of the experience will often track with the guide’s pacing and communication. If you match that style and you are comfortable with uneven terrain, you’ll likely find it memorable for the right reasons.

If the idea of rough passages or limited time at each stop makes you nervous, ask questions before booking. For some people, those details turn a good ride into a frustrating one.

FAQ

How long is the Sedona Private Soldiers Pass Jeep Tour?

The tour duration is 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $159 per person.

Is this a private tour, and is there a live guide?

Yes, it is a private group tour with a live English-speaking tour guide.

When should I arrive for the tour?

You are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure time, and check-in time is noted as 30 minutes prior to the tour departure.

What should I bring?

You should bring comfortable shoes.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.