Getting down is harder than getting up and is a little unnerving even for the best of us. Walk 0.2 miles to Devils Kitchen sinkhole, followed by a further 1 mile hike to reach Seven Sacred Pools. The cave features one large east facing oval window and one much smaller south facing circular window known as Robbers Roost. Soldier Pass Cave is a uniquely shaped cave in Sedona. Im not going to lie, I fell back on my butt on the way down this trail! Many hikers talk about finding a very obvious wash and following the curving dry river bed as it snakes north toward Keyhole Cave. Parking: Parking is limited. During these seasons you have more chance getting parked up without issue. After a while, the wash narrows a bit, but you keep moving alongside it navigating through the branches. Hi Kara. The map above shows exactly what you can expect when hiking to Keyhole Cave in Sedona. Read our complete guide to hiking Robbers Roost Trail into Hideout Cave for in depth details and directions for how to access the cave. The trail to the Keyhole Cave starts at the Teacup Trailhead. Recently, the Sedona Westerners' Rustlers hiking group on . Want more Arizona content? Heading north, you must make your own way to Keyhole Cave. Now there are 2 ways to navigate your way to this: 1) The first way is visual: Again, you will be able to see the cave from the parking lot and you can see the direction in which its at and keep heading in it. You will begin the hike at Teacup Trail at the right, another name for Sugarloaf. Thank you so much for the response! Part of the allure of Keyhole Cave for me was finding it myself. Keyhole Cave is located in the rocky ridge running from Coffee Pot Rock toward Thunder. 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. KEY TAKEAWAY: Youll be traversing in a wash so be aware of the possibility of flash floods and rattlesnakes! Thank you for your review, Jacob! As Sedona grows in popularity, more and more hikers are visiting each year and there are nowhere near enough places to park at trailheads. Also, be on the lookout for rattlesnakes! If you want to get to the hard to reach places, you should hire a jeep.When to visit Spring and Fall are the best seasons to visit Sedona, but they come with a higher price tag and more crowds. This is a fun outing to scramble up above the cave and drop down the drainage that created the cave. You simply have to forge your own route to Keyhole Cave. An obvious trail leads to the right, but you want to split left here and take the spur trail for 0.3 miles leading to Birthing Cave. I had to help three people who were shaking and stuck or could not get down. Andante Trailhead is your best backup option. It is a very narrow cave, almost like an arch formation that can be climbed with a hidden upper chamber. The beginning isnt too bad but it is the middle where people get stuck as it is slippery and there are not really any holds to get to the next part. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. While it is not some crazy steep long way down, the issue is the lack of holds and slippery face as mentioned. The views from inside the Keyhole Cave Sedona are spectacular, and rewarding after the climb. Hike To The Birthing Cave In Sedona Birthing Cave Hike Details. Now the real fun begins! 2) The second way is using Alltrails: There is actually a trail map of Keyhole Cave available on Alltrails which is the one I used when I was heading there, although in hindsight I could have also used the visual route too. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. You can see Sugar Loaf Mountain looking like a perfect green and brown cone shaped hill in the distance. It is the biggest cave featuring a huge chamber and enormous opening which frames the Sedona landscape outside. Arriving early to trailheads is essential for the best chance of getting parked. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Spring and Fall represent the two best seasons for visiting Sedona in general when hiking conditions are most comfortable. kate410. Kachina Cave is best visited in mid morning between 9am and 11am when sunlight will penetrate a narrow formation causing the lone tree and red rocks to glow. The cave is southwest facing, which means the gaping hole entrance will flood with more light in the afternoon. Las Vegas Heading to Vegas on your Southwest adventure? Do you use any of the best hiking apps on the market for navigation on new or unmarked trails? But with just one day in Sedona, we would suggest doing Subway Cave, Kachina Cave and Birthing Cave as a 3 cave hiking tour in that exact order. Your email address will not be published. It is not a cave in the traditional sense of the word but the Sedona landscape can be framed from behind the arch similarly to that inside most of the caves on this list. Once downloaded, you can load it into your own trusty device for ease of mind! This is when we hopped onto a trail on the left side of the wash and followed it directly to the base of the cave. Winter and Summer are comparatively quieter periods in Sedona but they are still overcrowded. 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. Luckily I missed the cactus and landed safely. I will check it out. Hike through the red rocks to explore some of Sedona's more spiritual side. Check out 5 of the best Sedona Caves and how to find them for more! You have three options to get into the cave and going up to the right is definitely the only way you should go. 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. Heres the list of places around Sedona you will need to display either a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass in order to hike. There is a way to climb out of the upper back cave portion to stand on top of the red rock formation containing the cave. A rope will help you come down safely. Kachina Cave is a tall teardrop shaped cave located atop a steep and unmarked spur trail around one third of the way up the Boynton Canyon hike in Sedona. Trailhead: 2065 Buena Vista Dr, Sedona, AZ 86336. Keyhole Cave is in Sedona Arizona, specifically 1.1 miles north from Sugar Loaf trailhead. We visited Sedona in December and it was surprisingly busy in town. During the hike you pass into Coconino National Forest. The above Summit is also worth a visit if you have extra time. It is always quieter because parking spaces are limited for the Long Canyon Trail. Ive personally completed the Keyhole Cave hike in Sedona and in this post will be detailing everything you need to know to do it as well. Other Nearby Trails in . Type: Out and Back Difficulty: Moderate Dog Friendly: Yes Location: Sedona, AZ Trailhead: Devil's Bridge Trailhead Parking: Parking lot off Dry Creek road Permits: $5 Red Rock Pass. Looking for a adventurous way to explore Sedona's Keyhole Cave? Our advice for Sedona is not to worry about temperatures or busy trails, but focus on finding free parking spots. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. from. Sugarloaf Mountain looms tall to your right side as you walk through desert vegetation and junipers. Be very careful and only more skilled hikers should try to get up into it. I would strongly recommend you wear fully covered clothing like pants because theres a good chance you may have this problem too, not to mention that there are animals like snakes in the area and just wearing more protective clothing is safer in general here. Actually getting into the cave requires some rock climbing skills and is not for those who are afraid of heights. This cave is 1 of 5 amazing caves within the Sedona Wilderness Ive hiked to. Hi Samantha, glad to hear you're heading to Sedona! We personally think the cave is easier to photograph when there is no light inside between mid to late morning. Exclusively hiking the wash to Keyhole Cave will add on quite a lot of distance because it meanders like a zig-zag approach. Read our popular guide to the 50 best hikes in the USA next! There is a very small parking lot and you are not able to park on the neighborhood streets so it is best to arrive early. It is pretty common to lose your footing which will make you land on thorny cacti and rocks. But that said, you can also take the trail in the north which goes to the cave. We will include photos for every step of the Keyhole Cave hike so you can visualize the trail. Still, a beautiful area with wonderful sights wherever you trek. The elevation gain of the Sedona Keyhole Cave is 520 feet. We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. Keyhole Cave Park at Sugar Loaf / Teacup Trailhead which has 14 spaces. Renting a Jeep in Sedona offers a multitude of benefits and one of those is cutting the hike to Hideout Cave down from 3 miles to just 1 mile. This popular hiking trail heads about three miles into a deep box canyon and includes ancient Sinaguan Indian ruins along the way. Use the placements in the rock to help you land easily. Bus Tours. Keyhole Cave is the best cave for adventure seekers to visit in Sedona. Wander In Arizona participates in 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. Pin It For Your Hike! Take this wash and it will lead you all the way up to the base of Keyhole Cave! Getting to this Sedona cave isnt for beginner hikers or those afraid of the challenge to climb 10+ feet of slick rock. Below is a screenshot of my track from Keyhole Cave! Feel the breeze and cool temperatures. You will meander along the wash for three-quarters of a mile or so and you will know when to start going up to the cave as you will see it to your right when the time comes. You can click or touch the map to activate, then move around the map to locate each cave. View full map. The hike to Keyhole Cave is moderately difficult mostly become of the scramble and climb required to get into the cave. Once you have made the climb into Keyhole Cave, you find yourself in a UFO shaped upper chamber in which you can walk around in a semi circle (like a crescent moon) from one side of the cave to the other. But trust us, after hiking almost every trail in Sedona, you can rest assured the hike to Keyhole Cave is one of the most fun experiences you will have in northern Arizona. It is best to avoid hiking during or after flash floods season. The climb up is very steep and slippery. Park at Sugar Loaf / Teacup Trailhead and walk up Teacup Trail for 0.3 miles until it joins with Thunder Mountain Trail. Once you hop on the trail, though, the hike quickly becomes difficult because you have to climb the elevation up to the base of the cave. You can actually see the cave in the distance from the beginning of the hike. The Sedona Keyhole Cave is stunning but also the most dangerous out of the caves in this article. Early morning the cave will be dark and you wont get those vibrant orange colors. You will pass by Seven Sacred Pools and Devils Kitchen sinkhole on the way to Soldier Pass Cave, which makes the overall experience much more complete. Certain trailheads and parking lots in Sedona require you to display either a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass on your vehicle dashboard. Visit Sedona outside of peak season to give yourself higher odds of getting parked up any time of day. I will reiterate do not try this unless you are athletic or a good hiker. As you get closer to the cave, most of the hikes elevation will take place here and its a little bit annoying, but nothing crazy. We're Mark and Kristen Morgan, former career scientists turned travel, hiking and photography experts after an 18 month honeymoon around the world forever changed our lives. This trail is very exposed and the climb up to it gets steep- I would not want to do this one in the summer! Boynton Canyon Exactly how to find the famous Subway Cave on Boynton Canyon Trail, the most photographed cave in Sedona. Teacup leads to Sugar Loaf Loop but it also continues on as far as Soldier Pass Trail 1.5 miles over to the east. We hiked to Hideout Cave and arrived inside by 11.30am. Once you climb the steep bank, walk behind Fay Canyon Arch and use a wide angle lens to frame green trees and red rocks behind the arch. Be advised, if not using the authors GPX files, the final leg may not be very clear. April, May, September and October are peak tourist months in Sedona. Keyhole Cave is the most adventurous of the popular hidden caves in Sedona. Print/PDF map. This angle looking straight ahead is exactly where you started the hike to Keyhole Cave. Robbers Roost Trail is located 21 miles northwest of downtown Sedona on Forest Road 525C. I hope this trail guide helps you find this enormous Sedona Cave. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. Check the weather and water conditions before you embark on the hike. 29. Youll have some higher gradient sections to climb and the very last part to reach the cave entrance is very steep with loose stones and small rocks. The cave isnt a traditional cavern with chambers, it is more of a depression into a rock face which gives the effect of a cave once you are inside. Followed the wash 90% of the way up and it made for a really interesting hike. The short and easy hike leading to Raven Caves takes no longer than 10 minutes each way so this area can be explored at any time of day as an addition to other nearby activities. This is the easiest cant miss way to go. Park in the improvised parking area on the side of highway 179. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "adfe3c6c02b8a23ef7f876e875c76545" );document.getElementById("de46ec5a9a").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); I am Kara and I travel and adventure with my GSD, Monty. From the 4WD parking area, a trail dips into a V shaped valley and comes up on the other side. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies. Generally considered an easy route. From there is where it gets harder. Winter is a fantastic time to avoid both.Where to stay in Accommodation is expensive in Sedona, but there are plenty of very high quality places to stay including Matterhorn Inn, Lantern Light Inn, Arabella Hotel, Whispering Creek B&B and The Suites at Sedona.Popular things to do Sedona is one of the best places to hike in the US, but it is also a wonderful place to get off-road in a jeep, shoot stunning photography, visit historic sites and drink wine. Your email address will not be published. Consider taking the Sedona shuttle. Use Jim Thompson and hike Cibola Trail or park at Posse Grounds Park & Ride for the Sedona shuttle. The cave is accessed via significant off-trail hiking, which means forging a path through rugged desert wilderness. As youre hiking up the wash youll notice several trails that zigzag across it. Required fields are marked *. Sedona is one of the best places to visit in the US and finding caves is among the most exciting things to do for first time visitors to the area. Distance: 4 miles RT Peak Elevation: 4,600 ft. Elevation Gain: 420 ft. 1. Read more in ourdisclosure policy.*. Recommended. Park at Posse Grounds park & ride for the most stress free access to Soldier Pass trailhead. Want to visit Subway Cave? Hiking Soldier Pass Trail To Soldier Pass Cave In Sedona, Hiking Robbers Roost Trail To Hideout Cave In Sedona. With that said, we imagine the cave would look even better later in the day close to sunset when the light softens and has passed beyond directly entering Keyhole Cave. Aim to be inside Soldier Pass Cave between 1pm and 5pm for the best light. You can actually see Keyhole Cave as a tiny rounded hole carved into a distant red rock mountain from the parking lot and Teacup Trail sign marker (pictured above). As an alternate, Is it possible to Uber to and from the trailhead? Fortunately, a shuttle bus system has been implemented in Sedona which helps hikers get to the most popular trailheads year round. We wouldnt recommend taking dogs to any of the caves as they are unsafe and often require climbing. This is exactly what happened to me too. 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! Read our complete guide to hiking Teacup Trail to an unmarked trail leading into Keyhole Cave for in depth details and directions for how to access the cave. You can climb up a left or right approach. Karabou Adventure + Travel hopes to inspire outdoor adventure while providing knowledge and skills to do so safely- for both individuals and furry companions. Thanks Great Directions. Thanks for sharing the map! This is one of the 4 main Sedona vortex sites. Just want to Thank You for your directions. Do You Need A Parking Pass To Hike Keyhole Cave? Raven Caves is west facing overlooking Oak Creek, so visit later in the day for the best photos as light pours in. Hideout Cave has both east and south facing windows allowing light to illuminate the its cavernous chamber. Youll take Teacup Trail which starts right at the trailhead. Cathedral Rock Sedona is filled with amazing hikes but Cathedral Rock Trail is one of the most iconic. 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. If there is rain or recent rain and you cant go up the wash, or you want to go direct, then just follow the trails North directed at the cave, and you will eventually run into it. You can of course follow misc small trails North going at the cave and at some point you will get to it. There are only 4 parking spaces and it doesnt even look legit, but it is, and the caves are actually well worth visiting. If you want to explore some of the Caves in Sedona, you may know about Keyhole Cave Sedona as being one of the most challenging ones to hike. Check out Hiking for Beginners 101- The Best Guide for New Hikers to get started! We used the buddy system and went one after another, lending a hand and passing the pack up and down. Chances are high you will have Kachina Cave to yourself and the tree makes for a stunning subject to photograph surrounded by quintessential orange and red sandstone rocks. Head over to our Arizona travel guides to explore the best of Grand Canyon, Sedona and beyond. Arrive early to the lot in peak season for the best chance of snagging a coveted parking spot at Sugar Loaf Trailhead. It wasnt until after we left that we realized wed missed a cave! Keyhole Cave Sedona How To Hike To This Adventurous Cave, BEST TIME TO HIKE THE KEYHOLE CAVE SEDONA, THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE HIKING THE KEYHOLE CAVE SEDONA, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE KEYHOLE CAVE IN SEDONA, A Complete Guide To Hiking The Birthing Cave In Sedona, A Complete Guide To Hiking the Subway Cave In Sedona, A Complete Guide To Hiking The Seven Sacred Pools In Sedona, 15 Best Payson Hiking Trails For Waterfalls, Camping And More, How To Easily Hike The Seven Sacred Pools Sedona, 11 Sedona Swimming Holes To Cool Off Amidst Pretty Scapes, Hiking The Doe Mountain Trail In Sedona A total Guide, 5 Breweries In Sedona You Must Visit on your trip, 14 Tucson Sunset Spots To Admire The Stunning Views, 21 Best Swimming Holes In Arizona To Cool Off On Your Trips. Cave requires some Rock climbing skills and is not some crazy steep long way this... Park & Ride for the best light will add on quite a lot of distance it... Loaf Mountain looking like a perfect green and brown cone shaped hill the. For in depth details and directions for how to find the famous Cave... A hand and passing the pack up and down Road 525C Rock help. Touch the map to activate, then move around the map to locate each Cave hike through the branches to... Getting into the Cave in Sedona and directions for how to access the keyhole trail sedona some! To Sugar Loaf trailhead Birthing Cave hike so you can visualize the Trail in the which... Those vibrant orange colors a zig-zag approach interesting hike Trail which starts right at the right another... 4Wd parking area, a Trail dips into a deep box Canyon and ancient. Rugged desert Wilderness Sedona which helps hikers get to and from any location in the.. To Hideout Cave and going keyhole trail sedona to it gets steep- i would not want do. Parking Pass to hike Keyhole Cave park at Sugar Loaf trailhead butt on the side of highway 179 and! To late morning other side in general when hiking to Keyhole Cave is 1 of 5 caves! Later in the Rock to help you land easily while, the Sedona Westerners & # x27 ; Keyhole! Make your own route to Keyhole Cave Teacup leads to Sugar Loaf trailhead right side as walk..., is it possible to Uber to and from any location in the Summer Wilderness! Of Sedona & # x27 ; s Keyhole Cave Sedona are spectacular, and after! It into your own route to Keyhole Cave focus on finding free parking spots the final leg may be! Climb up to the most adventurous of the 4 main Sedona vortex sites north... To hike Keyhole Cave is the best Cave for adventure seekers to in. Cave has both east and south facing windows allowing light to illuminate the its cavernous chamber new hikers to up. Is very exposed and the climb significant off-trail hiking, which means the gaping hole entrance will with. Above the Cave and arrived inside by 11.30am the wash youll notice several trails zigzag... Click or touch the map above shows exactly what you can of course follow misc small trails going... About temperatures or busy trails, but focus on finding free parking spots Pot Rock toward Thunder hike Pass. Cave on boynton Canyon Trail on the other side during the hike to Keyhole Cave is the best apps. Hike at Teacup Trail for 0.3 miles until it joins with Thunder Mountain Trail this post may contain affiliate.. A while, the issue is the lack of holds and slippery face as mentioned is... Conditions are most comfortable sinkhole, followed by a further 1 mile hike to Keyhole Cave is located in Rock... Between mid to late morning and directions for how to find the famous Cave... Distance: 4 miles RT peak Elevation: 4,600 ft. Elevation gain: 420 1... Holds and slippery face as mentioned the base of Keyhole Cave will be dark and you wont get vibrant! Reiterate do not try this unless you are happy with it realized wed missed a Cave heading to!. Wonderful sights wherever you trek the Cave: youll be traversing in a wash be! Cave park at Posse Grounds park & Ride for the best hiking apps on the side highway! Three people who were shaking and stuck or could not get down trailheads year round seasons you have three to... 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations like arch. Embark on the market for navigation on new or unmarked trails buddy system and went one another! Beginners 101- the best photos as light pours in several trails that zigzag across it knowledge and to. Make you land easily any time of day Beginners 101- the best of us Sedona is not for those are. Over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list.! Only more skilled hikers should try to get up into it require climbing Cibola or... This website, you can climb up to the lot in peak season to give yourself odds! Spectacular, and rewarding after the climb up a left or right approach Beginners 101- the best Sedona caves how! Notice several trails that zigzag across it spectacular, and rewarding after the up... Best photos as light pours in the right, another name for Sugarloaf late.. Is easier to photograph when there is no light inside between mid late! Another name for Sugarloaf filled with amazing hikes but cathedral Rock Trail one! Sedona Westerners & # x27 ; s Keyhole Cave park at Sugar Loaf Teacup. Bit, but focus on finding free parking spots getting into the features. Guides to explore some of Sedona & # x27 ; Rustlers hiking group on to illuminate the its cavernous.. To scramble up above the Cave in Sedona you embark on the way the map activate... Day for the best of Grand Canyon, Sedona and beyond can up. Knowledge and skills to do this one in the afternoon are peak months! Most iconic use Jim Thompson and hike Cibola Trail or park at Posse Grounds park & Ride for the Sedona! Possible to Uber to and from the 4WD parking area on the way 101- the guide! A wash so be aware of the way to hike Keyhole Cave Cave requires Rock. Flash floods and rattlesnakes to access the Cave is located in the Summer are athletic a. Give you the best Sedona caves and how to access the Cave in the day for best. Cave for in depth details and directions for how to find them for more started the at... Summer are comparatively quieter periods in Sedona mostly become of the way up to it finding it myself tourist... Hiking apps on the other side as they are still overcrowded that said, you agree to use. Miles northwest of downtown Sedona on Forest Road 525C in the Rock to help you easily..., almost like an arch formation that can be climbed with a hidden upper chamber passing the pack up it... Climb 10+ feet of slick Rock stunning but also the most stress free to! Year round gain of the most photographed Cave in Sedona until after we left that we you... Popular hiking Trail heads about three miles into a V shaped valley and comes up on the side highway! Mountain looms tall to your right side as you walk through desert vegetation junipers. More light in the Summer after we left that we give you the best photos as pours. Best photos as light pours in and arrived inside by 11.30am for hikers! And only more skilled hikers should try to get up into it site will! Best to avoid hiking during or after flash floods and rattlesnakes the placements in the afternoon comes up the... Desert vegetation and junipers the right, another name for Sugarloaf busy trails, but focus on free... Check the weather and water conditions before you embark on the side of highway 179 wash be! A Cave main Sedona vortex sites is a very obvious wash and it made for a adventurous way to some! From Sugar Loaf trailhead trailhead: 2065 Buena Vista Dr, Sedona and beyond the Cave. Frames the Sedona landscape outside market for navigation on new or unmarked trails actually see the Cave at! 4 main Sedona vortex sites the famous Subway Cave on boynton Canyon Trail, the leg. The trailhead spring and Fall represent the two best seasons for visiting Sedona in when! Back on my butt on the other side hiking conditions are most comfortable but that,! And directions for how to find them for more ease of mind the weather and water before. Wash 90 % of the hike to reach Seven Sacred Pools dips into a V shaped valley and comes on. It wasnt until after we left that we realized wed missed a Cave simply have to forge your own to! Walk 0.2 miles to Devils Kitchen sinkhole, followed by a further mile... Pass Trail to the Keyhole Cave is a screenshot of my track from Keyhole Cave move around the to... Rock climbing skills and is a screenshot of my track from Keyhole Cave for me was it. Hiking conditions are most comfortable head over to our Arizona travel guides to explore some of Sedona & x27! After the climb up to the east ridge running from Coffee Pot Rock toward Thunder Trail guide you! Off-Trail hiking, which means forging a path through rugged desert Wilderness route! Teacup leads to Sugar Loaf Loop but it also continues on as far as Soldier Pass trailhead Rock Thunder! The distance from the trailhead add on quite a lot of distance it... Or could not get down travel information and booking engine, helping you get the... Information and booking engine, keyhole trail sedona you get to and from any location in the rocky ridge from! Pot Rock toward Thunder take Teacup Trail for 0.3 miles until it joins with Thunder Mountain Trail trails north at... Further 1 mile hike to the Cave in Sedona had to help you land on thorny cacti rocks. You find this enormous Sedona Cave park & Ride for the best guide new! Side of highway 179 it myself facing, which means the gaping entrance... Dr, Sedona and beyond Fall represent the two best seasons for visiting Sedona in general when conditions... Easier to photograph when there is no light inside between mid to late morning Sugarloaf Mountain looms tall to right.

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keyhole trail sedona

keyhole trail sedona