1. Parking at popular hiking trailheads in Sedona is a real challenge. Instead try a backup parking area such as Andante Trailhead. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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 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. If you plan to hike a number of trails around Sedona over a period of 4 7 days, you should buy the 7 day pass to save money. The above Summit is also worth a visit if you have extra time. 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. Look for tree branches on the ground. Personally we went for the right side both up and down, but we know others have taken the left route instead. A short climb with a ledge walk to access the cave is moderately difficult but comparatively straight forward. One of the most impressive caves in Sedona, Try parking at Andante if Sugar Loaf Trailhead parking is full, Go direct off-trail to save time vs the wash, Take rope if youre not confident of climbing into Keyhole Cave, Keyhole Cave has the best light between lunch and late afternoon. So watch your footing and for cacti along the narrow trail. 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. 3 rappels to make it down ending in a epic one right over the Keyhole Cave. The wash is extremely rocky so be careful of your footing the entire way while looking out for snakes. New to hiking? Easy 4.6 (2494) Coconino National Forest. Trailhead: 2065 Buena Vista Dr, Sedona, AZ 86336. Fay Canyon How to hike Fay Canyon Trail to an optional adventure ascent and steep climb to Fay Canyon Arch. It is located along the popular Boynton Canyon Trail but 99% of hikers on this path are headed to Subway Cave and probably dont even know Kachina Cave exists. You will have problems finding your way back in the dark. from. This is exactly what happened to me too. Note that since it is a residential neighbourhood, you cannot park on the road. Lets find out all about hiking the Keyhole Cave right away. The path of following along the wash is straightforward one without any confusion, and we recommend that. This way you can benefit from perfect hiking and light conditions. Rome2rio makes travelling from Brea to Sedona easy. 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. Lets take a look at some of the most asked questions about visiting caves in Sedona, Arizona. Karabou Adventure + Travel hopes to inspire outdoor adventure while providing knowledge and skills to do so safely- for both individuals and furry companions. 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. Going next weekend, being that it is the weekend after thanksgiving Im worried about how busy it will be in parking areas. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, you can use this as well. Posted on Last updated: December 18, 2022. You use the Sugarloaf Trailhead, which starts with the Teacup Trail, it is located in a little neighborhood just 15 minutes from downtown. 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. 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. I tried following these trails last year during my first attempt to find Keyhole Cave and was unsuccessful. 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. It is best to get down on the right side, the same way you went up. Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs) Hike With Secret Tips. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from . Due to the more complex network like structure of these caves, you can easily manipulate light to create unique images. Other (safer) hikes to explore in Sedona: Three awesome reasons a hike to Keyhole Cave should be an essential part of every adventurous wishlist of best hikes in Sedona. The lightly beaten paths can be hard to follow and often run out or are blocked by thick vegetation. Keyhole Cave is the biggest and most adventurous cave you can hike to in Sedona. Experienced hikers and adventurers will be fine getting up. I would not recommend this for anyone scared of heights, who dont have shoes with great grip or for the lesser athletic. If the lot is full you can try waiting a for a little to see if anyone leaves. 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. A ledge crossing is required with a fair drop to one side which could be dangerous in rain or icy conditions. Devil's Bridge Trail Stats. 5 of the best Sedona Caves and how to find them, Hiking for Beginners 101- The Best Guide for New Hikers, Visit these 4 Sedona Wineries all in one day, Keyhole Cave in Sedona and EXACTLY how to get there. However, to be honest you should be fine with this particular hike. Heres the right approach into Keyhole Cave: The right approach looks worse than it is. As I adventure around the Southwest I aim to inspire you to get outdoors while sharing knowledge and skills to do so safely! Birthing Cave is a simple, easy and short hike. You will need either a Red Rock Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) to access this list of places in Sedona. We always download offline maps onto Gaia GPS so we can track our exact location at all times. You will begin your hike in Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness before passing into Coconino National Forest. Keyhole Cave: There is a 2.7-mile round trip hike that is pretty difficult to get to this Sedona cave. Hideout Cave has a striking view over desert vegetation and red rocks, plus is it so far out of the typical touristy area of Sedona that you are almost guaranteed to have this cave to yourself. You can sit or stand right on the edge and someone behind you can take a photo of you as a silhouette against the light outside the cave. Read our popular guide to the 50 best hikes in the USA next! The Sedona Keyhole Cave hike is 2.5 miles round-trip, out and back. From the 4WD parking area, a trail dips into a V shaped valley and comes up on the other side. 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. People often bring ropes to help others up and down, which is a great idea. You will be hiking to caves and exploring the natural environment around Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness areas of Coconino National Forest in Sedona, Arizona. Aim to arrive inside Birthing Cave between 12pm and 3pm for optimal light conditions. Print/PDF map. Cross a narrow ledge carefully on slick rock. 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. Try this 2.7-mile loop trail near Sedona, Arizona. Preparation saves lives. A steep climb up the northeast facing bank of Fay Canyon much be climbed to reach the arch. 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! After the climb, you will land on a ledge, from where you will be in the cave. But if you are a seasoned hiker looking for an adventure, you will be rewarded with fascinating views from the Keyhole Cave in Sedona. Check the weather and water conditions before you embark on the hike. 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. Most importantly, wear a good pair of hiking shoes that will facilitate an easier hike overall. Were not climbers and we dont have any experience with ropes but we made it up the right side easily enough. Some of the caves are better with sunlight inside and others with no sunlight inside. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I hope you find the cave and enjoy your adventure. 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. However, they are also the busiest times of year, which also means the most expensive. Birthing Cave is a relaxing cave to visit thanks to a relatively easy hike and spectacular views. Actually getting into the cave requires some rock climbing skills and is not for those who are afraid of heights. We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. If youre fascinated by caves and the windows they create then youll love Keyhole Cave. Instead of buying a Red Rock Pass you can simply display your America the Beautiful Pass at all trailheads when hiking to Sedona caves. 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. 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. Long Canyon has no facilities. The hike to Keyhole Cave begins atSugarloaf Trailheadwhich is tucked back in a Sedona Neighborhood. Winter and Summer offer quieter periods in Sedona. The climb up is very steep and slippery. Set your Google Maps or Apple Maps to "West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead" or "Call of the Canyon Picnic Site". We wouldnt recommend taking dogs to any of the caves as they are unsafe and often require climbing. Here, the path is slippery again so take your time and it is best to take small steps to prevent slipping and falling back into a cactus. 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. Birthing Cave The easiest cave to reach in Sedona is Birthing Cave on Long Canyon Trail, ending with amazing views and a crowd free climax. 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. 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. 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. You can get far enough back inside the formation. Your email address will not be published. Accessing Hideout Cave means driving 50 minutes from Sedona, mostly on gravel roads and then hiking a short trail to reach the cave entrance. 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. Back inside the formation visit if you have extra time 4WD parking area as! Also the busiest times of year, which is a relaxing Cave to visit thanks to a relatively hike! 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