How to Be a Sedona Jeep Tour Guide

For breathtaking views of canyons and mountains unlike those seen anywhere else in the United States, most people head to Sedona, Arizona. Indeed, movie directors shooting Western films have often used Sedona for shooting locales. To see this beautiful countryside, many will employ a Jeep tour guide. If you like being with people and love history and nature, you might be a great Sedona Jeep tour guide.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Get hired as a Sedona Jeep tour guide. Doing so is difficult; only about 50 percent of applicants make the cut. You must show an outgoing personality, safety awareness and interest. Be entertaining, fun and energetic.

2. Learn the geography, history and environmental facts about Sedona. Training in this area can take up to 12 weeks.

3. Practice driving the type of 4-by-4 Jeep that is used by Sedona Jeep tour guides. These handle differently than regular Jeeps. Extensive training is mandatory, even if you have experience driving Jeeps.

4. Tour with senior or veteran guides only, or have a veteran ride with you for your first few tours. Different companies approach new tour guides differently.

5. Keep up with changes in the area by reading and visiting local areas of interest. Tour guides must be current and include up-to-date information in their presentations.

Tips & Warnings

• Being a Sedona Jeep tour guide is a seasonal position, with little or no work during the winter. Put away some money during the busy season to get you through the lean months.
• Tour guides are paid by the hour, usually around $11 per hour to start, only while driving. You may have to spend your own time washing your own Jeep, for instance.
• Many companies don't pay tour guide trainees for training time.

Resources

• Get Sedona Jeep Tours contact information here.