It is important to know the Sedona trails you are hiking so you can safely navigate to caves. You can click or touch the map to activate, then move around the map to locate each cave. Difficulty: Moderate. 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. Were not climbers and we dont have any experience with ropes but we made it up the right side easily enough. Follow small white painted lines on rocks for directions. 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. Right at the very back of Birthing Cave is a sphere shaped like half a tennis ball which has eroded out of a smooth curving surface. Early morning the cave will be dark and you wont get those vibrant orange colors. Teacup leads to Sugar Loaf Loop but it also continues on as far as Soldier Pass Trail 1.5 miles over to the east. Keyhole Cave: There is a 2.7-mile round trip hike that is pretty difficult to get to this Sedona cave. Your email address will not be published. Long Canyon has no facilities. It is always quieter because parking spaces are limited for the Long Canyon Trail. Which cave or caves should you visit if you only have a one day Sedona itinerary? The hike to Kachina Cave is not recommended after rain or during snow and ice conditions in Winter. The best time to hike to Keyhole Cave would be spring, late fall, or even during winter if there isnt more than a light dusting of snow. , Hi Mara! Keyhole Cave is the biggest and most adventurous cave you can hike to in Sedona. Hiking Cathedral Rock: All you need to know, Hike to Devils Bridge in Sedona, Arizona, The Birthing Cave in Sedona- EVERYTHING you need to know, Hiking Sunrise Mountain Trail in Peoria, AZ, How To Spend One Day In Bryce Canyon National Park, Hiking Black Top Mesa In The Superstitions Is Worth It, Conquering Three Sisters Summit In The Superstition Mountains. The hike to Keyhole Cave begins at Sugarloaf Trailhead which is tucked back in a Sedona Neighborhood. Once you do reach the cave, hiking up to it to get the famous photo you may see of it is very dangerous (I did it, but I would not recommend it if you are scared of this stuff). Feel the breeze and cool temperatures. The terrain turns a little steeper on your final approach to Keyhole Cave. The best time of day to hike Keyhole Cave is mid-afternoon as the light conditions are perfect at this time, especially the grand entrance of the cave since the cave is southwest facing. What can you do to take the stress out of parking? We visited Sedona in December and some of the caves were busy. Getting down is harder than getting up as there is no support to rely on unless you have the ropes. Your email address will not be published. Fay Canyon How to hike Fay Canyon Trail to an optional adventure ascent and steep climb to Fay Canyon Arch. The hardest part of the right ascent is getting up onto a ledge right at the start of the climb. The hike up Teacup is flat and easy. After you park in the lot, it is easy to find the trail and start at the Sugarloaf Trailhead. If youre interested in learning more about Gaia, you can sign up to Gaia GPS premium with Where Are Those Morgans exclusive 20% off link. The majority of it comes at the end when you hike up from the wash up the hill to the face of the cave. The pass can be purchased at the machine at the trailhead (credit card only). Lets take a quick look at a comparison of what you can expect hiking either the wash or a direct route to reach Sedonas Keyhole Cave. Stay at Greentree Inn Sedona from $186/night, Andante Inn of Sedona from $153/night, Sedona Village Lodge from $105/night and more. But please be warned, the climb into Keyhole is not easy. Soldier Pass Cave is west facing which means you can visit later in the day to see light streaming into the cave from multiple sources. Back to the easy to find wash route, as you follow the wash there are some smaller washes that break off from the main wash but just stick to the larger wash along the way. Sedona's Keyhole Cave is located right in the heart of Sedona. The Seven Sacred Pools Sedona is one of the popular stops for those hiking Soldiers Pass Trail or the, Read More Keyhole Cave Sedona How To Hike To This Adventurous CaveContinue. It is definitely worth visiting Keyhole Cave, the biggest cave you can hike to in Sedona on your itinerary. Hi I'm Vitaliy, creator of TheNatureSeeker.com, thanks for stopping by! Alternatively, try parking at around 2pm so you miss the busiest period. No matter which you choose, one way to ensure you have not wandered off is to make sure you see the cave in the distance in front of you. Read our complete guide to hiking Boynton Canyon Trail into Subway Cave for in depth details and directions for how to access the cave. Im sorry to hear you didnt make it to the cavebut I agree, the area is beautiful regardless. Heres the Sugar Loaf Trailhead parking lot Google Maps location to use for beginning your hike to Keyhole Cave. You'll start at Sugar Loaf trailhead and see the Keyhole Cave from there, then navigate to it by first going on the Teacup trail, then going off trail to reach it. This route gets easier higher up on the climb. This is the easiest cant miss way to go. Are you a regular visitor to US National Parks and Monuments? Sedonas red rock scenery becomes more and more impressive with every step. You have three options to get into the cave and going up to the right is definitely the only way you should go. Is there service? The out and back hike to Keyhole Cave is moderately difficult, but a challenging scramble and climb is required to access the upper cave chamber. Another 1 mile heading north will lead you into a wash and eventually to a very obvious fork split in the trail. You do not need a jeep to access any cave in Sedona. . While it is a tough hike, it is the least visited Sedona cave. Check out 5 of the best Sedona Caves and how to find them for more! Keyhole Cave is accessed via Teacup Trail to begin but you will spend three quarters of this hike on unmaintained land with rough vegetation and no clear path. 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. 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. Also, the area lies in the flood region, so do not hike during the rainy and stormy seasons. Youll need to watch your footing on the scree and for cacti along the narrow trail. Las Vegas Heading to Vegas on your Southwest adventure? I especially appreciate this trail because it is not for everyone and takes a level of commitment to truly the unlock the majesty of this trail. Follow the obvious path leading to a short downhill climb. Although you can take your dog on the hike while keeping it on a leash at all times, it is best not to hike with your pets due to the difficulty in accessing the cave, including the steep climbing and slippery floors, along with the rough vegetation on the forest floor. While it is not some crazy steep long way down, the issue is the lack of holds and slippery face as mentioned. All other caves are located in the most popular hiking areas of Sedona and remain busy year round. However, we would highly recommend against taking your dog on this trail due to rough desert vegetation throughout and the challenging climb into Keyhole Cave. It is made up of 5 or 6 separate tunnel like caverns overlooking Oak Creek. Lets find out all about hiking the Keyhole Cave right away. Alternatively, if you hire a jeep or own a 4WD vehicle, you can get a permit to drive FR 9904 which leads to a parking area just 0.1 miles from the trail split leading to Soldier Pass Cave. All of which take a drastic upturn in difficulty from an otherwise straightforward hike. 2-star hotels from $105, 3 stars from $170 and 4 stars+ from $237. Birthing Cave is a relaxing cave to visit thanks to a relatively easy hike and spectacular views. Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs) Hike With Secret Tips. Heres why you should visit these Sedona caves with just one day: Got your days planned out? This is the major road in and out of Sedona from Flagstaff and Grand Canyon South Rim. That is exactly what happened to us during our visit to Sedona. Lets take a quick look at a general packing list for exploring Sedona caves: Here are our top 5 tips for hiking to the Sedona caves: How to get around Sedona is small but youll need a car to access the best hikes to the north and south of town. Subway Cave is east facing which means you should try to access the cave as early in the day as possible for best light. You may have to sidestep or go back on yourself but that is fine, just find another path heading north. Subway Cave is one of the harder cave hikes in Sedona because it is 5 miles roundtrip, requires pathfinding and has a steep climb up a bank to enter the cave. Was This Post Helpful? Recommended A Complete Guide To Hiking the Subway Cave In Sedona. 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. Soldier Pass Cave is at the end of arguably the most entertaining hiking trail among the cave hikes in Sedona. 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. Were going to explain everything you need to know about each of the 7 most popular Sedona caves so you can hike to each stunning cavern during your visit to northern Arizona. Birthing Cave Park at Long Canyon Trailhead. Please take great care not to disturb rock formations or wildlife in any area you hike. You definitely dont need ropes to get into the cave, just some guts to climb up and down it! Sedona, Arizona. This is perfect for getting an early start, hiking to Subway Cave first and then taking the spur to Kachina Cave on the way back timing it perfectly for both caves at best light conditions. 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. Hiking Soldier Pass Trail To Soldier Pass Cave In Sedona, Hiking Robbers Roost Trail To Hideout Cave In Sedona. You will find Subway Cave to be among the busiest on this list of best caves in Sedona but the natural beauty of this formation is well worth dealing with the crowds. 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. The map above shows exactly what you can expect when hiking to Keyhole Cave in Sedona. Walk 0.2 miles to Devils Kitchen sinkhole, followed by a further 1 mile hike to reach Seven Sacred Pools. We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. As you reach closer, along the way, you can see the gaping mouth of the cave in the distance. 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. 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. Aim to arrive inside Birthing Cave between 12pm and 3pm for optimal light conditions. Are you planning to hike more trails in the area? The hike itself is moderate but getting into the cave itself definitely takes it to difficult+. It looks quite far away but it wont take you long to get back. Our advice for Sedona is not to worry about temperatures or busy trails, but focus on finding free parking spots. Did you know you can actually make it an all-time epic cave hike day by combining this with Soldiers Pass to see that stunning cave. It is not big, with only a dozen spaces available and usually fills up most of the peak hours and days as most people hiking the Sugarloaf mountain also park here. Keyhole Cave - Parking at Sugar Loaf / Teacup trailhead requires a pass Red Rock Pass You can buy a Red Rock Pass at this specific recreation.gov site in advance, or you can buy one from a ticket machine in select parking lots. Or you can buy one at a ticket machine when you arrive in person at either parking lot listed further in this guide. Distance: 1.6 miles round trip (out and back) Time to Summit: 30 minutes to an hour. As you approach the trail intersection of Teacup and Thunder Mountain you will see a wooden sign showing Teacup right and Thunder Mountain left. 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. For the best light conditions, plan to be here in the late morning or noon to get splendid pictures. You will go left and just follow Thunder MTN Trail. 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 lot is also known as Teacup Trailhead and is located in a residential area on Buena Vista Drive in north Sedona. Hiking Robbers Roost Trail To Hideout Cave In Sedona, Travertine Hot Springs: Directions, Tips & Pools. They were very much easy to understand and we were able to Hike up all the way to the Cave. 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. This trail is very exposed and the climb up to it gets steep- I would not want to do this one in the summer! kate410. Each cave can be accessed by visitors to Sedona via hiking trails varying in length between 0.5 5 miles roundtrip. It is best to wear fully covered clothing as there are cacti with long and thick thorns and animals like rattlesnakes and other insects. The hike to Keyhole Cave is not physically tough, but you will need good navigation and pathfinding skills. You never want to be in a wash with chance of rain, just incase of flash floods. It is pretty easy to find and you start at the Sugarloaf Trailhead. In addition, thorns and cacti can cause problems and the trail is not marked. from. So we would recommend choosing the caves you most want to visit, consider the best lighting in the cave but also how you will get parked for the hike. Elevation Gain: 250 feet. A 4WD trailhead is located an additional 1 mile up Forest Road 9530 which saves 2 miles of hiking total. Social media channels such as Instagram and TikTok have increased awareness of the now not so hidden Subway Cave over recent years. Bell Rock Hike the Bell Rock Courthouse Butte Loop Trail for stunning Sedona views, a fun slick rock climb and our hidden loop half way up the formation. Are you a regular visitor to US National Parks and Monuments? Subway Cave is arguably the most famous and sought after cave to visit in Sedona. This angle looking straight ahead is exactly where you started the hike to Keyhole Cave. The views from the grand entrance of the caves are surreal and much better than the pictures you see. 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 Zion National Park Zion is an adventure playground for adults, find the very best hikes in Zion and choose between 5 ways you can spend a one day in Zion itinerary. Be very careful as your coming back down! Since the hike begins within a neighborhood dont forget to be quiet and considerate of the residents that live there. TIA! Decide which way to go down and take care with your footing when youre ready to leave Keyhole Cave. Youll want to take a left like youre hiking along Thunder Mountain Trail, but just after you turn left there will be a wash on your right side. Id love to hear your thoughts on the Keyhole Cave if you do it. Teacup Trail to Coffeepot Rock. 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