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. Aim to be inside Soldier Pass Cave between 1pm and 5pm for the best light. Remember and follow the 7 principles of leave no trace when hiking to caves in Sedona: From our own experience in Sedona, we found people were not always disposing of waste correctly, but perhaps more surprisingly we noticed people were not planning ahead before hiking. Subway Cave is arguably the most famous and sought after cave to visit in Sedona. 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. Sugarloaf Trailhead: 34.8775908,-111.7969803. Fay Canyon How to hike Fay Canyon Trail to an optional adventure ascent and steep climb to Fay Canyon Arch. Required fields are marked *. Most moderately experienced hikers should be fine, but we would not recommend beginner hikers attempt the hike to Subway Cave. We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. 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. If you have 2WD, you must walk up the 4WD road to begin. The views from inside the Keyhole Cave Sedona are spectacular, and rewarding after the climb. Thanks for reading, Michael! Keyhole Cave is located in the rocky ridge running from Coffee Pot Rock toward Thunder. You have three options to get into the cave and going up to the right is definitely the only way you should go. Read our complete guide to hiking Boynton Canyon Trail into Subway Cave for in depth details and directions for how to access the cave. Getting down is harder than getting up and is a little unnerving even for the best of us. 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. Raven Caves is west facing overlooking Oak Creek, so visit later in the day for the best photos as light pours in. But it is also a wonderful place to get off-road in a jeep, shoot stunning photography, visit historic sites and drink wine. If you enter it into Google Maps it will take you right to it. Other (safer) hikes to explore in Sedona: Here are the 40 best things to do on and off the Las Vegas strip and the 15 best things to do in Valley of Fire State Park nearby. Park at Long Canyon Trailhead among the trees or on the roadside. From there is where it gets harder. Try to go earlier in the day or later in the afternoon. Read more in our disclosure policy.*. 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. 1. You may have to sidestep or go back on yourself but that is fine, just find another path heading north. Your email address will not be published. Sedona has a total of 7 caves. Generally considered an easy route. Keyhole Cave was one of our favorite caves in Sedona. I hope this trail guide helps you find this enormous Sedona Cave. It was still difficult due to the sand and slippery rock, though. The hike to Keyhole Cave begins atSugarloaf Trailheadwhich is tucked back in a Sedona Neighborhood. From the 4WD parking area, a trail dips into a V shaped valley and comes up on the other side. Ruins If you are interested in learning about the history around northern Arizona, you should visit all of the 5 ancient ruins near Sedona. 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. After you turn left to take the Thunder Mountain trail, there will be a wash on your right side. This is the easiest cant miss way to go. A great recommendation is the bring a good rope to help everyone up and especially down. Hi Samantha, glad to hear you're heading to Sedona! 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. We found the right side of the cave was easier to climb for it had foot holds and plenty of jagged rocks to hold on to. Many hikers talk about finding a very obvious wash and following the curving dry river bed as it snakes north toward Keyhole Cave. There is a wash you can follow for most of the hike but it twists and turns which adds on distance and time. 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. 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. Hike through the red rocks to explore some of Sedona's more spiritual side. One way to do this is with a GPS system or app. Recently, the Sedona Westerners' Rustlers hiking group on . Sedona is a beautiful place to visit and we have to keep it that way for our kids to enjoy in years to come. Sedona swimming holes are some of the best places to cool off in the city when the temperatures soar. 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. Note that Ravens Caves is the only cave to the south of Sedona and Hideout Cave is a long way out to the northwest of Sedona. Entering Keyhole Cave isnt easy. Other Nearby Trails in . 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. Print/PDF map. Most visitors are hiking on the more popular trails to the north and southeast of town. 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. Instead of buying a Red Rock Pass you can simply display your America the Beautiful Pass at all trailheads when hiking to Sedona caves. The best time of day to hike Keyhole Cave is mid afternoon. This lone tree illuminates under sunlight around mid morning when the sun position is optimal for entering the narrow cave chamber. Park At Sugar Loaf Trailhead And Display Or Buy A Pass, Hiking The Wash Vs The Direct Route To Keyhole Cave, What To Pack For Hiking Keyhole Cave Trail. If you want to find one of the stunning cave views in Sedona then you must hike the Keyhole Cave in Sedona. Now I have to make the following very clear once again: You will be off trail when you do this hike. 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. It isnt that far until youll reach a sign marking the intersection. 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. If you dont have either, buy a 1 day or 7 day pass at the ticket machine or online at recreation.gov. April, May, September and October are peak tourist months in Sedona. You use the Sugarloaf Trailhead, which starts with the Teacup Trail, it is located in a little neighborhood just 15 minutes from downtown. 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. Coordinates: 34.88717 N, 111.79926 W. Dogs Allowed: Yes, but NOT dog-friendly. Move around Keyhole Cave to the far right side. Im Fraser & this site is a guide to help you reach your goals, travel the world and create amazing food in between. From the start of the Teacup trail you will hike just under .5 miles where there is a fork in the road. Want more Arizona content? 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. However, the wash is flatter, more consistent and you wont have to go back on yourself at any point. Are you planning to hike more trails in the area? Is there service? Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs) Hike With Secret Tips. Report inappropriate content. The pass can be purchased at the machine at the trailhead (credit card only). Supposedly the shuttle only runs Thursday through Sunday but we met people in Sedona who claimed to have taken the shuttle on a Tuesday so look out for the bus running if you visit Mon Weds. Or you can buy one at a ticket machine when you arrive in person at either parking lot listed further in this guide. This angle looking straight ahead is exactly where you started the hike to Keyhole Cave. Lets take a closer look at each of the 7 caves you can explore in Sedona. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies. 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. Are you looking for directions and tips on how to find and access the best caves in Sedona? LOCATION: West Sedona, in Boynton Pass PET FRIENDLY: No. With that said, if there is rain or recent rain and you cant go up the wash then just follow the trails North directing at the cave and you will eventually run into it. This way you can benefit from perfect hiking and light conditions. Thanks Great Directions. Photography Are you more interested in capturing stunning images? 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. 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. The huge cave opening provides striking views over northern Sedona and the trail is very quiet in comparison to other trails in town. You will begin the hike at Teacup Trail at the right, another name for Sugarloaf. Dont try to cross this ledge in icy or overly wet conditions. 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. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use, Copyright 2023 | Where Are Those Morgans, Cave Hikes Requiring A Parking Pass In Sedona, 4. Are you a regular visitor to US National Parks and Monuments? Posted on Last updated: December 18, 2022. Want to visit Soldier Pass Cave? Very few know about Keyhole Cave and even fewer take it on once they hear about the unmarked trail and climb. Accessing the cave does not require any climbing or use of hands, but there is a steep bank to climb on the final approach. , Hi Mara! If so, then sign up to The Nature Seeker Newsletter (it's completely free): How to Hike to Vultee Arch in Sedona Without Getting Lost, Fay Canyon Trail in Sedona Why You Need to Hike Here, Best Things to do in Eastern Oregon: 15 Great Places to See, How to Properly Hike The Spencer Trail in Lees Ferry Arizona, How to Find The Glass Beach in Port Townsend Washington, Hamilton Pool Preserve: 5 Major Things You Need to Know, 10 Things to do in South Mountain Reservation NJ. Youll be traversing in a wash so be aware of the possibility of flash floods. To make your way, you will have to use your hands, feet and core to pull yourself up. You are actually starting this hike on Teacup Trail despite the parking area being called Sugar Loaf. This is a fun outing to scramble up above the cave and drop down the drainage that created the cave. When you see a huge arch at where the rock formation meets green trees on the hillside, this is where you need to begin climbing directly up the bank. After the climb, you will land on a ledge, from where you will be in the cave. Youll have to duck to move around the cave network but you can shoot some interesting photos here. You are able to see the cave from the trailhead and there is a pretty steep climb at the very end of the hike (hence the monkey crawl). Just want to Thank You for your directions. 29. Want to visit Fay Canyon? Soldier Pass Cave is a uniquely shaped cave in Sedona. Early morning the cave will be dark and you wont get those vibrant orange colors. Elevation Gain: 250 feet. All of which take a drastic upturn in difficulty from an otherwise straightforward hike. Youll need to watch your footing on the scree and for cacti along the narrow trail. During these seasons you have more chance getting parked up without issue. Please let us know if you have any questions about hiking Keyhole Cave or your visit to Sedona in the comments below. You never want to be in a wash with chance of rain, just incase of flash floods. You need to stick along the larger wash. Other hikers simply head due north using multiple paths which all twist and intertwine like a maze. Fay Canyon Arch is a worthy stop off for hikers to make on the Fay Canyon Trail. The sun had already moved so far round to the south that the cave was in dark and deep shadow. The final 10% was not clear as there are at least 3 inlets near the top and in sight of the 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. Youll take Teacup Trail which starts right at the trailhead. 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. How do I get to Keyhole? Please do not visit ruins with your pet. Cross a narrow ledge carefully on slick rock. 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. Want to visit Subway Cave? While it is a tough hike, it is the least visited Sedona cave. Keyhole Cave is in Sedona Arizona, specifically 1.1 miles north from Sugar Loaf trailhead. What Trailhead Do You Use to Access The Sedona Keyhole Cave Take rope if one person in your group is a stronger hiker and have them help the others with rope support. 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. We used the buddy system and went one after another, lending a hand and passing the pack up and down. 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. 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. You will begin your hike in Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness before passing into Coconino National Forest. February 15, 2019. You will have problems finding your way back in the dark. Yes Keyhole Cave is a dog friendly hike in Sedona. Why Hike To The Sedona Soldier Pass Cave? At the bottom turn right and you will find the first cave. The shape of its entrance resembles an old fashioned keyhole. In Sedona, we used Gaia to find all of the hidden caves and didnt lose any time trying to figure out if we were on the right path. There is a shuttle now to Soldiers pass and we cant drive. All other caves are located in the most popular hiking areas of Sedona and remain busy year round. Its still a good idea to try getting parked early in the morning so you beat the mid morning rush. 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. Want to visit Birthing Cave? If you are looking for an easy hike, the Doe Mountain trail in Sedona is one of the best, If you are looking for the best Sedona Hot Springs, in this guide, we cover the best hot springs, The best breweries in Sedona should be on your itinerary whether you are a lover of beer or you, Enjoying the stunning Tucson sunset is the perfect way to end your day while exploring this beautiful city. Please do not park in or near driveways of local residents. Thank you so much for the response! Photos (3,140) Directions. Top ways to experience Teacup Trail and nearby attractions. It is important to know the Sedona trails you are hiking so you can safely navigate to caves. 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From perfect hiking and light conditions round to the north and southeast of town food keyhole trail sedona between the at!
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