Please let us know if you have any questions about hiking Keyhole Cave or your visit to Sedona in the comments below. After getting up that part the rest is easier as there are better steps with lots of foot and hand holds, however again it is not for those that arent great with heights. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Love the specifics of how to get here, thank you! The majority of it comes at the end when you hike up from the wash up the hill to the face of the cave. However, you should take rope along if you have any doubts about being able to pull yourself up a steep rock face using small foot placements. . The cave features one large east facing oval window and one much smaller south facing circular window known as Robbers Roost. Solider Pass Cave Soldier Pass Trail. However, in doing so I had times when I was in deep wooded areas with trees that had a lot of thorns, cactuss that were stinging me and overall, the hiking experience for about a mile or more was not very pleasant. However, to be honest you should be fine with this particular hike. Are you looking for directions and tips on how to find and access the best caves in Sedona? Please do not visit ruins with your pet. Private 4-Hour Sedona Spectacular Journey and Vortex Tour. This is a fun outing to scramble up above the cave and drop down the drainage that created the cave. But please be warned, the climb into Keyhole is not easy. Instead, go direct and keep following lightly beaten paths where possible. But it is also a wonderful place to get off-road in a jeep, shoot stunning photography, visit historic sites and drink wine. You may need to be extra cautious and plan things for this adventurous hike, but the challenge makes it more appealing adding it to the list of the best Sedona hikes. Recommended A Complete Guide To Hiking The Birthing Cave In Sedona. Sedona's Keyhole Cave is located right in the heart of Sedona. It is truly an adventure finding this one, so keep reading to determine for yourself if youre up for the challenge! Drop in from above. There are very few other top attractions nearby, which helps keep these two trails quiet. In this post Ive included all the details and directions you need to know in order to successfully find Keyhole cave and have a safe adventure. Read our guide on why America the Beautiful national parks pass is one of the best things you can buy if you plan to visit multiple parks in the next year. If youre fascinated by caves and the windows they create then youll love Keyhole Cave. Since the route to get here is in a wash you want to be careful to not hike during or right after a rainstorm. Another 1 mile heading north will lead you into a wash and eventually to a very obvious fork split in the trail. A 4WD trailhead is located an additional 1 mile up Forest Road 9530 which saves 2 miles of hiking total. If you're going on a road trip from Los Angeles to Sedona, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way with Anaheim, Phoenix, Greater Palm Springs, Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Temecula, Laguna Beach, Prescott, Joshua Tree National Park, and Cottonwood and top places to visit like Wilson Creek Winery and Big Bear . Those with 2WD cars must park 1 mile from a second parking area suitable for 4WD vehicles. You can of course split it up and take one of the many small trails back from the cave if you want more of an adventure and to not use the same wash trail you use to get there. Youll have to duck to move around the cave network but you can shoot some interesting photos here. At the bottom turn right and you will find the first cave. Alternatively, you can try parking at Andante Trailhead nearby, which is also a small parking lot. Subway Cave is arguably the most famous and sought after cave to visit in Sedona. One of the most dynamic trails to be added to the Sedona Hiking Trail System in years. It is straight back and looks like a giant gaping hole in the mountainside. If youre looking for an escape from the crowds at Cathedral Rock Trail and Devils Bridge Trail, head out responsibly into the Sedona wilderness and climb into Keyhole Cave. This is the major road in and out of Sedona from Flagstaff and Grand Canyon South Rim. Lets find and explore the best secret caves in Sedona, Arizona! Recommended A Complete Guide To Hiking the Subway Cave In Sedona. Birthing Cave is a relaxing cave to visit thanks to a relatively easy hike and spectacular views. Parking at popular hiking trailheads in Sedona is a real challenge. The climb up is very steep and slippery. You can either climb the left side or right side to access the upper chamber of Keyhole Cave. Keyhole Cave Access: Sugarloaf One of the largest alcoves in the area, Keyhole Cave can actually be seen from many places in West Sedona. Follow the trail without wandering off to the left or right until after hiking for about 0.5 miles, where you will come across a fork with signage indicating the Teacup Trail to the right and Thunder Mountain Trail. All other caves are located in the most popular hiking areas of Sedona and remain busy year round. The elevation gain of the Sedona Keyhole Cave is 520 feet. Distance: 1.6 miles round trip (out and back) Time to Summit: 30 minutes to an hour. Sedona, AZ 86339 Open today: 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM Save Private 4-Hour Sedona Spectacular Journey and Vortex Tour 33 Book in advance from $288.88 per adult Check availability View full product details Z9866ZHnancyl Miami, Florida 85 28 Made it to The Subway Keyhole Secret Review of Boynton Canyon Trail Reviewed May 2, 2021 You just never know when youll lose your footing on these desert rocks. Heres a summary of the 7 caves and one bonus arch you can visit in Sedona: Before we get started with the best hidden Sedona caves, it is important to touch on etiquette. However, they are also the busiest times of year, which also means the most expensive. During these seasons you have more chance getting parked up without issue. Rome2rio makes travelling from Brea to Sedona easy. If you cant get into the most convenient lot, where will you park? Half of the fun is finding the caves in the first place, the rest of the fun is figuring out how to climb into and photograph each of the Sedona caves. It truly is a off-beaten gem and perfect for silhouette photos. Most moderately experienced hikers should be fine, but we would not recommend beginner hikers attempt the hike to Subway Cave. The elevation gain of the Sedona Keyhole Cave is 520 feet. Other (safer) hikes to explore in Sedona: Thank you for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts. Along the way there are several off trails that lead back up to the same place or meander off somewhere else. Raven Caves is west facing overlooking Oak Creek, so visit later in the day for the best photos as light pours in. Sedona, Arizona. That means you get to enjoy it even more once you are standing inside the UFO shaped upper cave chamber. Please use this link that takes you to Google Maps and download it for offline use. You have three options to get into the cave and going up to the right is definitely the only way you should go. Where Are Those Morgans LLC is a participant in the Amazon services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It can get a little confusing but if you have a map you can see the trail intersection on it which makes it much easier. While this part is doable for most everyone, the real issue comes when you reach the cave and attempt to climb up into it. Instead of buying a Red Rock Pass for your visit to Sedona you can simply display your America the Beautiful Pass at every hiking trailhead. Going direct to Keyhole Cave means you have to contend with short but steep hills covered in cacti and other harsh vegetation with sharp dagger-like needles that can seriously tear up your feet, ankles and legs. Boynton Canyon Exactly how to find the famous Subway Cave on Boynton Canyon Trail, the most photographed cave in Sedona. Is the trailhead located close to Soldiers Pass? Hideout Cave, also known as Shamans Cave, is by far the quietest and most secluded cave in Sedona. Your Travel Guide To The Grand Canyon State. Use this guide to familiarize yourself with the exact locations and hiking trails for each cave you want to visit during your time in Sedona. During the busiest periods in Sedona from Spring through Fall you need to be at parking lots by first light to give yourself a chance at getting a space. On the teacup trail, you will see the majestic Sugarloaf mountain on your right and the views get prettier along with the distinct desert vegetation as you walk along the trail. Instead of one single cave opening, Soldier Pass Cave has 3 small but completely separate light sources. This angle looking straight ahead is exactly where you started the hike to Keyhole Cave. Karabou Adventure + Travel is a participant of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Park at the Fay Canyon Trailhead and follow the flat trail for 0.6 miles keeping your eyes on the rock formations to your right side. Decide which way to go down and take care with your footing when youre ready to leave Keyhole Cave. Lets take a look at some of the most asked questions about visiting caves in Sedona, Arizona. Wander In Arizona is a comprehensive resource for hiking, camping, and exploring Arizona. But from here, the challenge begins as the wash is very rocky; plus, look out for rattlesnakes along the way. If full, try to park at Fay Canyon and hike along Aerie Trail to reach the trailhead. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. Some of the caves are better with sunlight inside and others with no sunlight inside. It was still difficult due to the sand and slippery rock, though. Birthing Cave is a simple, easy and short hike. The good news about a southwest facing cave is you can visit anytime between mid morning and late afternoon for the best light. But they come with a higher price tag and more crowds. Since the hike begins within a neighborhood dont forget to be quiet and considerate of the residents that live there. Instead of going directly behind the sign at the Teacup / Thunder Mountain Trail intersection, turn left onto Thunder Mountain Trail and walk 150 feet until you see a dry bed to your right side. Follow along for a little ways until you reach an intersection with Thunder Mountain Trail. It is pretty easy to find and you start at the Sugarloaf Trailhead. You will make it without issue as long as you keep heading north and keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of the cave opening. Are you a regular visitor to US National Parks and Monuments? Sugar Loaf Trailhead is the best parking lot to use for hiking to Keyhole Cave in Sedona. The exciting hike to Keyhole Cave in Sedona is not on any map, the trail is not marked with signs and the cave access climb is challenging. Take this wash and follow that up to the right until reaching the base of the cave, and this part is easy, and you cannot get lost at all. Park at Posse Grounds park & ride for the most stress free access to Soldier Pass trailhead. There may be hikers already in the cave who have rope. Park at Boynton Canyon Trailhead and walk for around 1.3 miles until you reach a left turn onto a spur trail. Long Canyon has no facilities. Please let us know if you have any questions about hiking to any of the caves or your visit to Sedona in the comments below. 1.2K Likes, TikTok video from Desert Sistas (@desert.sistas): " Keyhole Cave via Sugarloaf Trail This hike is located in Sedona, Arizona and is ranked moderate. Getting down is harder than getting up as there is no support to rely on unless you have the ropes. You will have to climb some steep and slick walls. All the stops we make are close to the Interstate. Recommended A Complete Guide To Hiking The Seven Sacred Pools In Sedona. If you do try to do Keyhole Cave around sunset, dont leave it too late because you need to get back to the parking area before darkness. Still, a beautiful area with wonderful sights wherever you trek. Set your Google Maps or Apple Maps to "West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead" or "Call of the Canyon Picnic Site". Keyhole Cave is a southwest facing cave located in Coconino National Forest to the north of downtown Sedona. The trail was hard to follow, we didnt know exactly where it started or ended, and we ended up bushwhacking and being way off of where we needed to be. Ropes can come in handy at this point, especially if you are in groups to help one another move around. . Accessing the cave does not require any climbing or use of hands, but there is a steep bank to climb on the final approach. For those who have appreciated Munds Wagon Trail and Cow Pies, this trail takes it to the next level. It's a relatively easy hike most of the way, with a steep climb at the end to reach the entrance. Want to visit Soldier Pass Cave? Make sure the cave appears at a distance as this will help you know you are going the right way especially if you get off track. Head over to our Arizona travel guides to explore the best of Grand Canyon, Sedona and beyond. I will check it out. Looking for a adventurous way to explore Sedona's Keyhole Cave? After going up each of these a decent way (and I was nearly bitten by a snake), we ended up turning back. I knew what it looked like and where it was, I just didnt know how to get to it- now Im glad Ive figured it out! Luckily I missed the cactus and landed safely. Park at Long Canyon Trailhead among the trees or on the roadside. The trail is entirely in the wilderness with no shelter, so it is not recommended to do this in the summer. Looking for hiking inspiration? It is pretty common to lose your footing which will make you land on thorny cacti and rocks. Raven Caves is a very easily accessed series of maze-like caves on the south side of Sedona. Inside the cave (maybe its a vortex or magnetic issue), but my GPS started scrambling and adding about another 6 miles to my hike incorrectly. Here are 4 photos showing the inside of Keyhole Cave as we walked around the cave from left to right looking out: If you climb up the right side you will summit the cave at the place where the most popular instagram photograph is taken. From the start of the Teacup trail you will hike just under .5 miles where there is a fork in the road. So watch your footing and for cacti along the narrow trail. The map above shows exactly what you can expect when hiking to Keyhole Cave in Sedona. Teacup Trail to Coffeepot Rock. Dont try to cross this ledge in icy or overly wet conditions. Look for a wooden trail sign and head directly behind into the rough vegetation. Some branches hang low over the trail and you may need to use two hands to step over some large rock areas, but overall the wash is extremely easy to follow and traverse. The turnoff is about 2 miles into the trail. Fortunately I had vocal help from someone who saw more than I did and told me where to put my hands and feet. 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