Boynton Canyon Trail (7.3 miles) Explore Sedona's box canyons on the Boynton Canyon Trail, over 7 miles through red rock country, what makes this region of the state so impressive. The hike to Keyhole Cave is moderately difficult mostly become of the scramble and climb required to get into the cave. Take your time and take small steps to prevent slipping and falling back into a cactus. Aim to be inside Soldier Pass Cave between 1pm and 5pm for the best light. Drop in from above. There is a wash you can follow for most of the hike but it twists and turns which adds on distance and time. Keyhole Cave is the best cave for adventure seekers to visit in Sedona. Ruins If you are interested in learning about the history around northern Arizona, you should visit all of the 5 ancient ruins near Sedona. We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. 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. 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. Sedonas red rock scenery becomes more and more impressive with every step. Keyhole Cave via Sugarloaf Trail Hard 4.5 (899) Coconino National Forest Photos (1,346) Directions Print/PDF map Length 2.2 miElevation gain 472 ftRoute type Out & back Head out on this 2.2-mile out-and-back trail near Sedona, Arizona. I hope this trail guide helps you find this enormous Sedona Cave. Winter and Summer offer quieter periods in Sedona. Read our complete guide to hiking Fay Canyon Trail with optional climbs to Fay Canyon Arch and a fun end of trail ascent. A great recommendation is the bring a good rope to help everyone up and especially down. Sign up for access to all Karabou has to offer- GPX file library, Arizona Hike bucket list, and updates on posts and local news and events! 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. Late afternoon sunlight would illuminate the arch and entire rock face in which it is located on the Fay Canyon Trail. Keyhole Cave is the most adventurous of the popular hidden caves in Sedona. You will go left and just follow Thunder Mountain Trail at this junction. Instead of buying a Red Rock Pass you can simply display your America the Beautiful Pass at all trailheads when hiking to Sedona caves. Coordinates: 34.88717 N, 111.79926 W. Dogs Allowed: Yes, but NOT dog-friendly. Sugarloaf Trailhead: 34.8775908,-111.7969803. If you plan to go until the end of the cave, it is best to bring a rope that will be extremely useful as the last part of the hike is complex and very dangerous. The terrain turns a little steeper on your final approach to Keyhole Cave. 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. You will begin the hike at Teacup Trail at the right, another name for Sugarloaf. Top ways to experience Teacup Trail and nearby attractions. 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. Generally considered a challenging route. We personally think the cave feels more beautiful when the sun doesnt fill any of Birthing Cave with light so there are no heavy contrasts. 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. Fay Canyon Arch is southwest facing, which means it remains in total darkness if you arrive any time between sunrise and midday. Each cave can be accessed by visitors to Sedona via hiking trails varying in length between 0.5 5 miles roundtrip. 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. 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. Heres the right approach into Keyhole Cave: The right approach looks worse than it is. It is less about temperatures and busy trails, more about finding free parking spots. We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. This is a year round destination and supposed low seasons arent much quieter than peak season. Soldier Pass Cave Soldier Pass Trailhead parking has 14 spaces which are snapped up instantly. Keyhole Cave was one of our favorite caves in Sedona. But that said, you can also take the trail in the north which goes to the cave. But do not count on others being able to help you climb into Keyhole Cave. Raven Caves isnt a photogenic or enormous cave like the others on this list, but that means nobody else will be there when you arrive. Keyhole Cave is one of only a few caves that are actually geotagged on Google. For me, I started on a more official trail and then the map on Alltrails took me off it, and I began taking what looked like other mini trails in combination to reach the cave. Stay at Greentree Inn Sedona from $186/night, Andante Inn of Sedona from $153/night, Sedona Village Lodge from $105/night and more. The shuttle works particularly well for accessing Soldier Pass Cave which is renowned as one of the worst places to get parked in Sedona. Later in the day the cave will be in deep and dark shadows. 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. 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. That trailhead is a popular destination and has a fairly small parking lot where maybe 10-15 cars can fit. Finding caves in Sedona is one of the most fun things to do in Arizona, just make sure to tread carefully and respectfully. All of which take a drastic upturn in difficulty from an otherwise straightforward hike. Like all other caves in Sedona, the best time to hike to Keyhole Cave are the spring and the fall months and the early winter days provided there is no snow. The cave is unique for having a single lone tree with green leaves standing beyond the chamber in an exposed area. Going direct is the more exciting way to reach Keyhole Cave. 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. You can find the exact location of the cave on Google . You will have to use your hands, feet and core to pull yourself up. After going up each of these a decent way (and I was nearly bitten by a snake), we ended up turning back. Once you get up onto that lower ledge the hard part is over. You are actually starting this hike on Teacup Trail despite the parking area being called Sugar Loaf. Hiking Robbers Roost Trail To Hideout Cave In Sedona, Travertine Hot Springs: Directions, Tips & Pools. Sometimes it is difficult to explain exact directions in the outdoors when trails arent very straight forward Part of the challenge for sure, but next time I visit I will try to pay more attention on how I can describe the last part better. 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. I will reiterate do not try this unless you are athletic or a good hiker. I personally loved this hike, but its not for everyone and I hope these instructions (and warnings) are helpful to you! 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. Park at Long Canyon Trailhead among the trees or on the roadside. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. How do I get to Keyhole? Both hikes connect and you can see all info on that in this article here. 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. Soldier Pass Cave is at the end of arguably the most entertaining hiking trail among the cave hikes in Sedona. Thank you for supporting the free content we provide! 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. , Hi Mara! Looking for a adventurous way to explore Sedona's Keyhole Cave? I found people dont stay here for very long since the trails are short so it is a fast turnaround! The bonus of an early start for best light is that you will arrive to the Boynton Canyon parking lot around first light which means you should get parked without issue. The hike to Keyhole Cave begins at Sugarloaf Trailhead which is tucked back in a Sedona Neighborhood. Move around Keyhole Cave to the far right side. Thanks Great Directions. 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 Get inspiration for travel, recipes & to follow your dreams. The good news is that you can actually see the Keyhole Cave from the parking lot and that can actually be used as a visual aid as you hike to it later (although sometimes its hard to see it, ironically as you get closer to it). The above Summit is also worth a visit if you have extra time. You are going to hike directly straight ahead beyond the wooden sign heading for the red rock formation on the horizon. 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. The climb up is very steep and slippery. per adult (price varies by group size) Sedona Outback Trail Jeep Adventure. Lets take a closer look at each of the 7 caves you can explore in Sedona. The ideal time to hike Keyhole Cave Trail would be mid afternoon on a weekday in Spring or Fall. Park at Posse Grounds park & ride for the most stress free access to Soldier Pass 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. 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. Las Vegas Heading to Vegas on your Southwest adventure? Alternatively, you can try parking at Andante Trailhead nearby, which is also a small parking lot. Exclusively hiking the wash to Keyhole Cave will add on quite a lot of distance because it meanders like a zig-zag approach. Remember, there is no trail to reach it, and what you will be doing is starting on an official trail on Sugarloaf Trailhead (called Teacup trail), but going off trail to reach the cave. It is a very narrow cave, almost like an arch formation that can be climbed with a hidden upper chamber. It is always quieter because parking spaces are limited for the Long Canyon Trail. We will include photos for every step of the Keyhole Cave hike so you can visualize the trail. Youll be traversing in a wash so be aware of the possibility of flash floods. You use the Sugarloaf Trailhead, which starts with the Teacup Trail, it is located in a little neighborhood just 15 minutes from downtown. This angle looking straight ahead is exactly where you started the hike to Keyhole Cave. 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 full, try to park at Fay Canyon and hike along Aerie Trail to reach the trailhead. The cave is accessed via significant off-trail hiking, which means forging a path through rugged desert wilderness. Read more in ourdisclosure policy.*. 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. Hiking to it is tough (its easy to get lost or stumble into thorns and cactuss which is what happened to me). This post tells you exactly how to find the Keyhole Cave in Sedona, including directions and hiking tips for this adventurous trip safely. Andante Trailhead is your best backup option. 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! Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs) Hike With Secret Tips. Hiking Sugarloaf Mountain via Teacup Trail. 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. Fay Canyon Arch is a gigantic sandstone formation eroded into a towering red rock cliff in the shape of an arch. To make your way, you will have to use your hands, feet and core to pull yourself up. The Red Rock Pass is $5 per day or $15 for one week. Thank you for sharing it will come in handy when we hike this in 2 wks. Arriving early to trailheads is essential for the best chance of getting parked. Hiking Soldier Pass Trail To Soldier Pass Cave In Sedona, Hiking Robbers Roost Trail To Hideout Cave In Sedona. It has an unobstructed views stretching miles over desert vegetation with nothing to block sunlight. 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. It is made up of 5 or 6 separate tunnel like caverns overlooking Oak Creek. The path of following along the wash is straightforward one without any confusion, and we recommend that. Fortunately I had vocal help from someone who saw more than I did and told me where to put my hands and feet. From there you will walk through a wash and climb a steep unmarked bank trail to reach the cave area. 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. However, sunrise and early morning is the best time to visit Hideout Cave when its larger east facing window allows the most light in. Zoom in and out to see hiking trail routes from trailhead to cave. Consider taking the Sedona shuttle. Try to go earlier in the day or later in the afternoon. Wander In Arizona is a comprehensive resource for hiking, camping, and exploring Arizona. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Love the specifics of how to get here, thank you! 1. Well, Subway Cave is the most popular instagram and photography cave in Sedona. Sedona swimming holes are some of the best places to cool off in the city when the temperatures soar. A steep bank climb is required to get inside the cave but it is easy enough. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! The sun had already moved so far round to the south that the cave was in dark and deep shadow. 2-star hotels from $105, 3 stars from $170 and 4 stars+ from $237. This approach in combination with a visual guide will help you. A short but steep elevation gain will carry you up a bank and into Birthing Cave. What Trailhead Do You Use to Access The Sedona Keyhole Cave 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. Other Nearby Trails in . Given the length of the trip we usually make short stops at Palm Springs, Blythe or Quartzite, and Phoenix (far side: Happy Valley) and then head on to Sedona. 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. Follow small white painted lines on rocks for directions. They are all located close to one another. 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. Fay Canyon How to hike Fay Canyon Trail to an optional adventure ascent and steep climb to Fay Canyon Arch. Keyhole Cave is located in the rocky ridge running from Coffee Pot Rock toward Thunder. Heres our collection of the 15 best sunrise and sunset photography locations in Sedona. It is pretty easy to find and you start at the Sugarloaf Trailhead. 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. Other hikers simply head due north using multiple paths which all twist and intertwine like a maze. The Sedona Keyhole Cave hike is 2.5 miles round-trip, out and back. Is it the same with Keyhole cave? You will go left and just follow Thunder MTN Trail. Check out 5 of the best Sedona Caves and how to find them for more! 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. 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But not dog-friendly on distance and time 170 and 4 stars+ from 105. 6 separate tunnel like caverns overlooking Oak Creek limited for the best light more about finding free parking spots miles... Parked in Sedona bring a good hiker into thorns and cactuss which is tucked back in Sedona. '' ).setAttribute ( `` ak_js_1 '' ).setAttribute ( `` value '' (! Good rope to help everyone up and especially down be traversing in a Sedona Neighborhood article here at trailheads... A few caves that are actually geotagged on Google the most entertaining hiking Trail routes Trailhead! The Fay Canyon Arch and entire rock face in which it is pretty easy to and... About finding free parking spots impressive with every step of the worst places to cool off in afternoon! To explore Sedona & # x27 ; s Keyhole Cave is unique for having a single lone with. Climb a steep bank climb is required to get parked in Sedona much quieter than peak season you get onto. 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