Cibola Pass Trail: The Walk-Up Alternative When Soldier Pass Is Full

1.7-mile loop (2.4 mi P2P), easy, free Sanborn Drive street parking (~10 spots, no pass). West Sedona connector linking Soldier Pass, Brins Mesa, and Jordan Trail systems for 3-5 mile custom loops. Family-friendly, 150 ft gain.

By The Lowdown Guide Editorial Team · Visited Spring 2026 · Updated May 2026

Trail Stats

  • Distance~1.7 mi loop / 2.4 mi P2P connector
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Elevation Gain~150 ft
  • Trail TypeLoop or point-to-point connector
  • ParkingFree street parking Sanborn Dr, ~10 spots
  • Pass RequiredNo (free street access)
  • Network AccessSoldier Pass, Brins Mesa, Jordan Trail
  • Family FriendlyYes, loop suitable for children
The Lowdown Verdict: Cibola Pass Trail earns its place in the West Sedona rotation not as a destination but as the most reliable walk-up backup in the area. When the Soldier Pass Trailhead 14-spot permit lot is gone by 7 AM on a spring weekend -- which it often is -- Cibola Pass via Sanborn Drive gives you free access into the same trail network without a permit or fee. On its own the loop is pleasant and family-friendly with 150 feet of gentle gain. Combined with Soldier Pass, Brins Mesa, or a longer western loop, it anchors a full morning of West Sedona hiking. Know this trail exists before you arrive at Soldier Pass and find it full.
What Cibola Pass Trail Is Not:
  • Not a destination trail with a landmark endpoint. Cibola Pass has no single "wow" terminus like Devil's Bridge or Soldier Pass's Seven Sacred Pools. Its value is as a connector and loop builder. Treat it as the road into a network, not the destination itself.
  • Not a replacement for Soldier Pass Trail's specific highlights. Seven Sacred Pools and the Devil's Kitchen sinkhole are accessed via Soldier Pass Trail, not directly via Cibola Pass. Cibola Pass connects you to the Soldier Pass trail network but does not replace the Soldier Pass route itself.
  • Not a challenging hike. With only 150 feet of elevation gain over 1.7 miles, this is genuinely easy terrain. Experienced hikers should combine it with Brins Mesa or Jordan Trail to get meaningful mileage and gain.
  • Not signed from AZ-89A. Sanborn Drive and the Cibola Pass trailhead are not signed from the main road. Use navigation to find Sanborn Drive off Soldier Pass Road -- the trailhead is at the road's end and can be easy to miss without directions.

Trailhead: Sanborn Drive, West Sedona

From AZ-89A in West Sedona, turn north on Soldier Pass Road. Continue approximately 0.4 miles and turn left on Sanborn Drive. Drive Sanborn Drive to its end, where an informal dirt pullout area holds roughly 10 vehicles. There is no fee, no kiosk, and no Red Rock Pass requirement. Street parking on Sanborn Drive itself is also available for overflow. The trailhead at the road's end connects directly into the Cibola Pass Trail network via a well-marked dirt path.

The Soldier Pass Trailhead, which is the permit lot for accessing the same network, is on a different spur of Soldier Pass Road. The Soldier Pass Trailhead holds only 14 vehicles and requires a day-use permit reservation through Recreation.gov from approximately March through November. When that lot is full -- which on peak weekends happens before 7 AM -- Sanborn Drive and Cibola Pass Trail are your access point into the network without a permit.

From the Cibola Pass trailhead, both the loop option and the point-to-point connector into the Soldier Pass system are accessible within the first 0.5 miles. Signage at trail junctions is reliable and current as of spring 2026 -- follow signs for Cibola Pass and then Soldier Pass for the network connection, or follow the loop markers to return to Sanborn Drive.

Trail Breakdown and Loop Options

0-0.5 mi

Sanborn Drive TH to Cibola Pass Junction

The trail climbs gently north from the trailhead through open juniper and manzanita. The main Cibola Pass junction is reached at approximately 0.5 miles. Signage here is clear: left for the loop return, straight for the Soldier Pass network connection, right for the Brins Mesa and Jordan system.

0.5-0.8 mi

Pass Traverse

The pass itself is a low saddle with views into the West Sedona canyon system. The traverse is the only section with any meaningful grade, climbing approximately 100 feet over 0.3 miles on well-packed trail. Red rock formations line both sides of the saddle.

0.8-1.7 mi

Loop Return or Network Continuation

Loop option: descend the west side and follow trail markers back to Sanborn Drive, completing the 1.7-mile loop. Connector option: continue to the Soldier Pass junction (adds 1.2 miles each way) to access Seven Sacred Pools. Brins Mesa option: continue northeast to join Brins Mesa Trail for a 5-mile total loop back via Jordan Trail.

Season, Timing, and Permits

Cibola Pass Trail is open year-round and has no permit requirement of its own. The strategic value peaks during peak season (March through November) when the Soldier Pass Trailhead permit lot fills quickly. On spring weekends from March through May, the Soldier Pass lot is typically full by 6:30 to 7:00 AM. Arriving at Sanborn Drive by 7:30 AM guarantees street parking even on the busiest days, because this access point is not well-known among non-local visitors.

If your goal is reaching the Soldier Pass network landmarks (Seven Sacred Pools, Devil's Kitchen), you can do so via Cibola Pass with approximately 1.2 additional miles each way compared to entering via the Soldier Pass permit lot directly. The total roundtrip from Sanborn Drive to Seven Sacred Pools and back is approximately 4.4 miles. This is a comfortable half-day hike at a moderate pace with no permit friction.

Gear for the Cibola Pass Loop and Network

  • ✓Water: 1-2 liters -- 1 liter for the loop alone; 2 liters if extending to Soldier Pass or Brins Mesa
  • ✓Trail runners or hiking shoes -- the trail surface is packed dirt and sandstone; no technical footwear needed for the loop
  • ✓Trail map or AllTrails download -- the junction network can be confusing on extensions; offline map is useful for first-time visitors
  • ✓Sun protection -- the trail is partially exposed; hat and sunscreen from April through October

Related Trails and Network Connections

Cibola Pass Trail is most valuable when understood in context of the West Sedona network. Soldier Pass Trail is the primary connection for Seven Sacred Pools and Devil's Kitchen. Brins Mesa Trail connects northeast for a longer loop with more elevation and panoramic mesa views. For other free-access West Sedona hikes that avoid the permit pressure entirely, the Llama Trail on Sanborn Drive is another low-key option from the same access area. See the full Sedona hiking index for planning a complete itinerary across the West Sedona network.

Guided West Sedona Hiking Tours

If you want a guided experience in the West Sedona trail network with a local guide who handles parking logistics and navigates the junction system, Viator lists West Sedona hiking and jeep tours that cover the Soldier Pass and surrounding area.

Find West Sedona Tours on Viator →

Affiliate link -- we earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Stay in West Sedona

Sanborn Drive is a 5-minute drive from AZ-89A's West Sedona hotel strip. Staying in West Sedona puts you minutes from Cibola Pass, Soldier Pass, and Brins Mesa trailheads. Expedia lists Sedona lodging with real-time availability.

Find Sedona Hotels on Expedia →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Cibola Pass Trail start in Sedona? +
Cibola Pass Trail starts from the Sanborn Drive area in West Sedona. Street parking on Sanborn Drive holds approximately 10 vehicles and is free with no Red Rock Pass required. The trailhead is accessed from the end of Sanborn Drive where it meets the trail network. From uptown Sedona, take AZ-89A west and turn north on Soldier Pass Road, then left on Sanborn Drive. The trailhead connects directly into the Cibola Pass, Jordan, and Soldier Pass trail network.
Do you need a permit for Cibola Pass Trail? +
No permit and no Red Rock Pass are required for Cibola Pass Trail. Street parking on Sanborn Drive is free. This makes Cibola Pass the primary walk-up alternative when the nearby Soldier Pass Trailhead permit lot, which holds only 14 vehicles and requires advance reservation, is full. You can access the same West Sedona trail network via Cibola Pass without a permit or fee of any kind.
What trails connect to Cibola Pass Trail? +
Cibola Pass Trail connects to Soldier Pass Trail, Brins Mesa Trail, and Jordan Trail. By combining Cibola Pass with these connectors you can build loops of 3 to 5 miles. The most popular combination is Cibola Pass to Soldier Pass to the Seven Sacred Pools and Devil's Kitchen sinkhole, returning via Cibola Pass for approximately 4 miles total. Cibola Pass to Brins Mesa to Jordan Road adds a longer loop option of approximately 5 miles with more elevation.
Is Cibola Pass Trail good for families? +
Yes, Cibola Pass Trail is one of the most family-accessible trails in West Sedona. The elevation change is only approximately 150 feet, the trail surface is well-packed and wide enough for young hikers, and the loop format prevents backtracking confusion. The Sanborn Drive access is easy to navigate and the free street parking removes the permit stress of nearby Soldier Pass. For families with children under 8, complete the Cibola Pass loop on its own rather than extending into the Soldier Pass system, which has more exposure and uneven terrain.
What is the difference between Cibola Pass Trail and Soldier Pass Trail? +
Cibola Pass Trail is a connector trail in the same West Sedona network as Soldier Pass Trail, but with free access versus Soldier Pass's 14-spot permit lot. Soldier Pass Trail leads directly to the Seven Sacred Pools and the Devil's Kitchen sinkhole, which are specific geological landmarks. Cibola Pass Trail is the connecting route that links the Sanborn Drive access point to the broader Soldier Pass, Brins Mesa, and Jordan Trail systems. When Soldier Pass Trailhead permit spots are gone, Cibola Pass is the walk-up route into the same network.