Not only will you have to forge your own path through wilderness, but you must also climb into Keyhole Cave using hands, feet and core strength. So watch your footing and for cacti along the narrow trail. 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! The shuttle works particularly well for accessing Soldier Pass Cave which is renowned as one of the worst places to get parked in Sedona. Are you a regular visitor to US National Parks and Monuments? A steep climb up the northeast facing bank of Fay Canyon much be climbed to reach the arch. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. You use the Sugarloaf Trailhead, which starts with the Teacup Trail, it is located in a little neighborhood just 15 minutes from downtown. We went down the same way we went up, which is right as you approach the cave, but left if you are inside the cave looking out. Read our complete guide to hiking Boynton Canyon Trail into Subway Cave for in depth details and directions for how to access the cave. The tunnel shape has a 5 ft gap running exactly vertical from top to bottom as though it has been sliced in half by a wide knife blade. Ideally, it is best to sit down and use your hands to move slowly for better support, instead of being upright, which can also feel scary. Long Canyon has no facilities. The cave features one large east facing oval window and one much smaller south facing circular window known as Robbers Roost. I hope this trail guide helps you find this enormous Sedona Cave. 29. Unless you strike it lucky with timing of a drop off, you probably won't be able to take one. Coming down you will want to go against that wall on the front of the entrance (down the Right side you came up). Lets take a look at some of the most asked questions about visiting caves in Sedona, Arizona. Preparation saves lives. You can of course follow misc small trails North going at the cave and at some point you will get to it. 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. If youre fascinated by caves and the windows they create then youll love Keyhole Cave. If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Heres a link to our interactive map featuring the locations of the 7 best caves and 1 bonus cave-like arch you can visit in Sedona, along with respective hiking trailheads. We will include photos for every step of the Keyhole Cave hike so you can visualize the trail. 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. This will definitely help you know you are going the right way especially if you get off track. Or you can buy one at a ticket machine when you arrive in person at either parking lot listed further in this guide. Visit Sedona outside of peak season to give yourself higher odds of getting parked up any time of day. Top ways to experience Teacup Trail and nearby attractions. I did it because I just enjoy challenging myself but in all honesty, its not a smart move and most people who I read reviews from on Alltrails for this hike say pretty much the same thing. Subway Cave is arguably the most famous and sought after cave to visit in Sedona. Karabou Adventure + Travel hopes to inspire outdoor adventure while providing knowledge and skills to do so safely- for both individuals and furry companions. 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. 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. Getting down is harder than getting up as there is no support to rely on unless you have the ropes. The elevation also catches up as you get closer to the cave, gaining about 500 feet in the last 20 minutes of the hike, making it more challenging with each step. 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. We recommend only climbing up inside the cave if you are a seasoned hiker, athletic and have ropes and do not mind heights. Hiking is one of the best things to do in Sedona and Keyhole Cave is one of our favorite hidden trails in town. Keyhole Cave is in Sedona Arizona, specifically 1.1 miles north from Sugar Loaf trailhead. It is best to arrive early if you want to park here. However, be aware Soldier Pass Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona so it is always busy. Winter and Summer are comparatively quieter periods in Sedona but they are still overcrowded. Soldier Pass Cave is at the end of arguably the most entertaining hiking trail among the cave hikes in Sedona. 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. 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. To reach the small hole at the back you will need shoes with good traction but once youre inside you will realize why this is such a popular cave. It is important to respect the wilderness areas you will be exploring. You could even use our images during your hike to keep track of where you are along the adventure to Keyhole Cave. 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. Sedona has a total of 7 caves. Park at Long Canyon Trailhead among the trees or on the roadside. For those who have appreciated Munds Wagon Trail and Cow Pies, this trail takes it to the next level. , Hi Mara! Please let us know if you have any questions about hiking Keyhole Cave or your visit to Sedona in the comments below. Unlike the other Sedona Caves which require a bit of hike into the forest depths before seeing the cave, you can spot the Keyhole Cave Sedona way off in the distance, a giant hole amidst the mountains, which is the mouth of the cave. That is exactly what happened to us during our visit to Sedona. Along the way there are several off trails that lead back up to the same place or meander off somewhere else. February 15, 2019. This is where you are headed! Enjoy the views of the grand Sugarloaf mountain and the desert landscapes on the horizon. It looks quite far away but it wont take you long to get back. The view out of Keyhole Cave is spectacular and you can get far enough back inside the formation to easily frame the background through the cave entrance. The arch is actually the most striking and impressive feature along this hiking trail. What can you do to take the stress out of parking? 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. 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. Distance: 1.6 miles round trip (out and back) Time to Summit: 30 minutes to an hour. Its highly likely you already have an annual National Parks pass, which is also known as America the Beautiful or the Interagency Pass. 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. If you're planning to hike the Devil's Bridge Trail, book a room at Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa, just outside downtown . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Read more in our disclosure policy.*. We highly recommend adding this fun off-trail hike to your Sedona itinerary. Along the way you can even see the gaping window in the distance as you head towards it. Thanks for reading, Michael! A short but steep elevation gain will carry you up a bank and into Birthing Cave. Teacup Trail to Coffeepot Rock. Lets hike to the secret Keyhole Cave in Sedona Arizona! While not crazy steep it just is very slippery with a smooth face that does not have a ton of good foot or hand holds to use. Jeep Trails Comprehensive guide to the 9 best Jeep trails in Sedona Arizona, including both popular and hidden gem off road routes. Subway Cave is one of the most photogenic caves you can access in the Sedona area, which explains its popularity on social media and with photographers. We wouldnt recommend taking dogs to any of the caves as they are unsafe and often require climbing. Because you will need to climb a high, slick wall to get into the Keyhole Cave. Want to visit Birthing Cave? While it is a tough hike, it is the least visited Sedona cave. America the Beautiful national parks pass, best things to do on and off the Las Vegas strip, best things to do in Valley of Fire State Park. Want to visit Subway Cave? We are kicking things off with the popular instagrammers favorite Sedona Subway Cave! 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. Is the trailhead located close to Soldiers Pass? From there is where it gets harder. A ledge crossing is required with a fair drop to one side which could be dangerous in rain or icy conditions. I found sticking to the wash is the easiest and most direct way to reach the 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. The final 10% was not clear as there are at least 3 inlets near the top and in sight of the cave. Look for a wooden trail sign and head directly behind into the rough vegetation. 2-star hotels from $105, 3 stars from $170 and 4 stars+ from $237. Make your way slowly navigating through the tree branches occupying many portions, which will need you to use your hands along with placing firm and steady walk on the ground. Read our popular guide on how to plan the perfect 1-7 day Sedona itinerary for ideas on how you can spend up to one week exploring this remarkable red rock landscape. In this guide we will show you: Where to park for Keyhole Cave Which pass you need to display Be advised, if not using the authors GPX files, the final leg may not be very clear. Lets find and explore the best secret caves in Sedona, Arizona! Plus, we can keep an eye on our hiking statistics. Once you are at the massive cave entrance you can see how gigantic Keyhole Cave is inside. Uber has service in Flagstaff but not in Sedona. Difficulty | DifficultDistance | 2.60 miles RTElevation Gain | 529 feetType | Out & BackLocation | Sedona, AZTrailhead | Sugarloaf TrailheadDog Friendly | Yes, but not recommendedFees | Red Rock Pass or America The Beautiful. During these times getting parked at trailheads can be a real challenge. 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. Why Hike To The Sedona Soldier Pass Cave? Cross a narrow ledge carefully on slick rock. This angle looking straight ahead is exactly where you started the hike to Keyhole Cave. Are you a regular visitor to US National Parks and Monuments? I had a few close calls climbing up inside the cave area and climbing down was even harder because I couldnt see where my feet were going. PARKING PASS: Required for parking at the trailhead. We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. From there it is pretty simple with just three turns along the way! Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from . Sugarloaf Mountain looms tall to your right side as you walk through desert vegetation and junipers. The photo above shows our location at Birthing Cave. 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. Hike through the red rocks to explore some of Sedona's more spiritual side. Theres nothing quite like climbing into a cave glowing a deep orange as sunlight creeps in through rugged cracks and openings! As always, please be considerate of the environment so we can keep enjoying it and rememberto leave no trace. You will be off trail and will often see and stumble onto places that zigzag which look like trails and you need to be very careful and not wander off while navigating in the necessary direction to reach the cave (heading north basically from the parking lot). You will go most of the 500 feet in elevation on this hike over the last 10-15 minutes of the hike. 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. Three awesome reasons a hike to Keyhole Cave should be an essential part of every adventurous wishlist of best hikes in Sedona. Ideally come down on your butt and use all of the foot and hand holds at a nice slow pace. Looking for a adventurous way to explore Sedona's Keyhole Cave? 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. Try Andante Trailhead parking if you cant get parked at Sugar Loaf and it looks like you wont be able to any time soon. This post tells you exactly how to find the Keyhole Cave in Sedona, including directions and hiking tips for this adventurous trip safely. If you plan to hike more trails around Sedona over a period of 2 7 days, you should buy the 7 day pass because you will need it at many other trailheads in the area. Please use this link that takes you to Google Maps and download it for offline use. Dont try to cross this ledge in icy or overly wet conditions. The elevation gain of the Sedona Keyhole Cave is 520 feet. In my case, I went left and climbed to get to the proper areas. At the bottom turn right and you will find the first cave. Do you use any of the best hiking apps on the market for navigation on new or unmarked trails? Would you like to stay up to date with all my adventures? Hideout Cave, also known as Shamans Cave, is by far the quietest and most secluded cave in Sedona. The hike to Keyhole Cave begins at Sugarloaf Trailhead which is tucked back in a Sedona Neighborhood. All the stops we make are close to the Interstate. Red Rock Pass options include: 1 Day Red Rock Pass - $5 7 Day Red Rock Pass - $15 Red Rock Annual Pass - $20 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. Required fields are marked *. Check out 5 of the best Sedona Caves and how to find them for more! Fay Canyon Arch is a worthy stop off for hikers to make on the Fay Canyon Trail. Heres the left approach into Keyhole Cave: The bottom section is almost vertical and its smooth which makes it hard to climb. During these seasons you have more chance getting parked up without issue. The cave is accessed via significant off-trail hiking, which means forging a path through rugged desert wilderness. There is a wash you can follow for most of the hike but it twists and turns which adds on distance and time. Sugar Loaf Trailhead is the best parking lot to use for hiking to Keyhole Cave in Sedona. Is it the same with Keyhole cave? Keyhole Cave is the biggest and most adventurous cave you can hike to in Sedona. Hideout Cave is one of the caves that looks more attractive with light. 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. 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 . 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