Your Party Alone in a Jeep, Rattling Past Bear Mountain
A two-hour private jeep run out of A Day in the West's tour center in West Sedona, over boulders and dry creek beds past Doe Mesa and Bear Mountain, on the trail the operator sells as its family ride.
Only your own party rides in the jeep. The guide drives out of the tour center on the west side of Sedona into the canyons below Thunder Mountain, Doe Mesa and Bear Mountain, and the whole run takes about two hours.
This booking is the Lil' Rattler, sold on this listing as a private jeep. It needs at least two travelers, takes up to six, and starts and ends at the operator's tour center.
PRIVATE Sedona Jeep Tour 2-hour Lil' Rattler Off-RoadA two-hour private off-road jeep tour through West Sedona's canyons with a narrating guide, for two to six travelers, starting and ending at A Day in the West's tour center.www.viator.comLess Rattle Than the Diamondback, Still Bumpy
The operator pitches Lil' Rattler as the milder sibling of its Diamondback Gulch trail: still big boulders and rocky roads, with less shaking, and fun for the whole family. Its own tour page rates the ride moderate. The booking listing sounds rougher, calling it a rugged 4x4 trail that gets your heart racing. One traveler who rode the Lil' Rattler with a party of five in March 2026 called it "very gentle for an off road tour." Several travelers say their guide asked how rough they wanted it, or warned them before the roughest stretches.
The listing also ticks "suitable for all physical fitness levels," and in the same breath says the ride is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. The operator's FAQ is firmer on two points. Pregnant travelers cannot ride under any circumstances, and anyone with serious back or neck problems must sign a risk acknowledgment. For riders with back problems or injuries, the operator points to its on-road tours.
Thunder Mountain, Doe Mesa and Bear Mountain
The route runs through Dry Creek Canyon and along the Boynton Canyon side of West Sedona, with Thunder Mountain, Doe Mesa and Bear Mountain in view. Expect dry creek beds, washes and big boulders. Along the way the guide stops so you can get out and take photos, and will take the family shot if you ask. The talk covers how the red rock formed, the high desert plants and animals, Sedona's western history and native culture, plus some local folklore.
The trails are mostly U.S. Forest Service land, and the operator says it is permitted by the Coconino National Forest. There are no restrooms out on the trail, so use the public restrooms behind the tour center before you leave. Smoking and alcohol are not allowed on the tour. Snacks and drinks are fine as long as nothing is in glass.
Kids From Three, and the Dog Can Come
The minimum age is three, on both the listing and the operator's site. The operator adds that children under 16 must have an adult on the tour, and everyone rides belted in. Children five and under get a booster or a five-point harness seat at no charge. Tell the operator in advance if you need one. One parent who rode the Lil' Rattler with children summed it up as "Bumpy but not crazy!"
Dogs are welcome: the listing says they are always allowed, and the operator answers "Absolutely!" and adds that your tour is private. The jeeps seat five or six plus the guide, depending on the trail and the size of the riders, and the operator may ask for each guest's height and weight. The jeeps are lifted and boarded by side steps. Neither the listing nor the operator's FAQ addresses wheelchair access, so ask before booking if that matters.
Start Times, Price Steps and the 24-Hour Line
The booking calendar lists start times from 7:30 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening, though not every slot runs every day. The price is per person and steps down as the party grows from two to six. The 7:30 and 8:00 AM departures are priced lower than the rest of the day.
On this listing, a full refund holds until 24 hours before departure, and nothing comes back after that. The operator's own website uses a stricter 48-hour rule for bookings made there, which does not govern this one. The listing lets the operator cancel for bad weather. Its FAQ says local showers are usually brief, ponchos ride in the jeeps, and a run may be called off for weather, hazardous road conditions or a Forest Service request.
📍 Check in at A Day in the West's tour center, 2900 W State Route 89A, on the west side of Sedona. The operator asks you to arrive about 15 minutes early; check-in is where you sign the waiver and meet your guide.
- Bring a photo ID, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Dress in layers for the high desert, and carry water in a non-glass bottle
- Contact lens wearers may prefer to wear glasses
- Wear clothes you do not mind getting dusty; travelers often mention red dust coming home on theirs
- The jeeps are open-air, so bring a warm layer in winter; travelers on cold days mention blankets and heated seats in some jeeps
- A gratuity is not included; the listing suggests 15 to 20 percent
Plan to come back a shade redder than you left.