Keyhole Cave is the biggest and most adventurous cave you can hike to in Sedona. Raven Caves is west facing overlooking Oak Creek, so visit later in the day for the best photos as light pours in. You will have to climb some steep and slick walls. Follow small white painted lines on rocks for directions. Read our complete guide to hiking Boynton Canyon Trail into Subway Cave for in depth details and directions for how to access the cave. If you have 2WD, you must walk up the 4WD road to begin. Try to go earlier in the day or later in the afternoon. Park at Sugar Loaf / Teacup Trailhead and walk up Teacup Trail for 0.3 miles until it joins with Thunder Mountain Trail. If you want to get to the hard to reach places, you should hire a jeep.When to visit Spring and Fall are the best seasons to visit Sedona, but they come with a higher price tag and more crowds. 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. Keyhole Cave is the best cave for adventure seekers to visit in Sedona. Is there service? 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. However, the wash is flatter, more consistent and you wont have to go back on yourself at any point. This small hole is accessible and it is from this point you will get the best view looking out of the flame shaped cave entrance. The Sedona Keyhole Cave hike is 2.5 miles round-trip, out and back. You have three options to get into the cave and going up to the right is definitely the only way you should go. Hiking to it is tough (its easy to get lost or stumble into thorns and cactuss which is what happened to me). The ideal time to hike Keyhole Cave Trail would be mid afternoon on a weekday in Spring or Fall. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Ideally come down on your butt and use all of the foot and hand holds at a nice slow pace. You can actually see Keyhole Cave as a tiny rounded hole carved into a distant red rock mountain from the parking lot and Teacup Trail sign marker (pictured above). 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. Once youre done exploring this area, its just a matter of heading back down south to reach the parking lot to complete this hike. Teacup Trail to Coffeepot Rock. You just never know when youll lose your footing on these desert rocks. 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. Once you hop on the trail, though, the hike quickly becomes difficult because you have to climb the elevation up to the base of the cave. If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. Required fields are marked *. There are two places you can park for hiking Robbers Roost Trail to Hideout Cave. 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. Looking for a adventurous way to explore Sedona's Keyhole Cave? If you cant get into the most convenient lot, where will you park? 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. Im sorry to hear you didnt make it to the cavebut I agree, the area is beautiful regardless. Keyhole Cave is one of only a few caves that are actually geotagged on Google. To make your way, you will have to use your hands, feet and core to pull yourself up. Look for tree branches on the ground. This is the major road in and out of Sedona from Flagstaff and Grand Canyon South Rim. 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. 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. 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. Ruins If you are interested in learning about the history around northern Arizona, you should visit all of the 5 ancient ruins near Sedona. Keyhole Cave Sedona How To Hike To This Adventurous Cave, BEST TIME TO HIKE THE KEYHOLE CAVE SEDONA, THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE HIKING THE KEYHOLE CAVE SEDONA, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE KEYHOLE CAVE IN SEDONA, A Complete Guide To Hiking The Birthing Cave In Sedona, A Complete Guide To Hiking the Subway Cave In Sedona, A Complete Guide To Hiking The Seven Sacred Pools In Sedona, 15 Best Payson Hiking Trails For Waterfalls, Camping And More, How To Easily Hike The Seven Sacred Pools Sedona, 11 Sedona Swimming Holes To Cool Off Amidst Pretty Scapes, Hiking The Doe Mountain Trail In Sedona A total Guide, 5 Breweries In Sedona You Must Visit on your trip, 14 Tucson Sunset Spots To Admire The Stunning Views, 21 Best Swimming Holes In Arizona To Cool Off On Your Trips. 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. After you turn left to take the Thunder Mountain trail, there will be a wash on your right side. As I adventure around the Southwest I aim to inspire you to get outdoors while sharing knowledge and skills to do so safely! Park in the improvised parking area on the side of highway 179. Another big thing to note in this area: I also read on Alltrails that people lost their GPS connection or it went crazy. Three awesome reasons a hike to Keyhole Cave should be an essential part of every adventurous wishlist of best hikes in Sedona. 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. Parking: Parking is limited. Getting down is harder than getting up and is a little unnerving even for the best of us. Fay Canyon Arch is a worthy stop off for hikers to make on the Fay Canyon Trail. Check the weather and water conditions before you embark on the hike. Lets find and explore the best secret caves in Sedona, Arizona! The hike to Kachina Cave is not recommended after rain or during snow and ice conditions in Winter. As you approach the trail intersection of Teacup and Thunder Mountain you will see a wooden sign showing Teacup right and Thunder Mountain left. Grand Canyon Just 2 hours from Sedona is the incredible Grand Canyon South Rim, create your wishlist from the best hikes at Grand Canyon South Rim. From that parking lot are several hikes available, including the one to Keyhole Cave, but at the same time, Keyhole Cave is not an official spot on that list. Set your Google Maps or Apple Maps to "West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead" or "Call of the Canyon Picnic Site". When researching which caves to explore in Sedona, we never saw any mention of Kachina Cave. For those who have appreciated Munds Wagon Trail and Cow Pies, this trail takes it to the next level. Thanks for reading, Michael! @Mark and Kristen Morgan, 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. The climb up is very steep and slippery. Visit Sedona outside of peak season to give yourself higher odds of getting parked up any time of day. Fay Canyon Arch is southwest facing, which means it remains in total darkness if you arrive any time between sunrise and midday. Just want to Thank You for your directions. Youll have to duck to move around the cave network but you can shoot some interesting photos here. You use the Sugarloaf Trailhead, which starts with the Teacup Trail, it is located in a little neighborhood just 15 minutes from downtown. Buy an annual pass if you intend to revisit Sedona in the next year. That means you get to enjoy it even more once you are standing inside the UFO shaped upper cave chamber. The shape of its entrance resembles an old fashioned keyhole. 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. Was This Post Helpful? Which cave or caves should you visit if you only have a one day Sedona itinerary? We now help over 2 million people each year to travel, hike and photograph their bucket list destinations. A steep bank climb is required to get inside the cave but it is easy enough. The climb into Soldier Pass Cave isnt too difficult and the other trail landmarks make this one of the most popular cave trails for families visiting Sedona. 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 was still difficult due to the sand and slippery rock, though. Once inside you can feel a breeze and the cooler temperatures, a wonderful break from the desert sun. Have a great time! On this path, you will notice many smaller washes branching off the main one. 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. Lets take a closer look at each of the 7 caves you can explore in Sedona. Its still a good idea to try getting parked early in the morning so you beat the mid morning rush. Instead of going directly behind the sign at the Teacup / Thunder Mountain Trail intersection, turn left onto Thunder Mountain Trail and walk 150 feet until you see a dry bed to your right side. Hiking Sugarloaf Mountain via Teacup Trail. As always, please be considerate of the environment so we can keep enjoying it and rememberto leave no trace. Soldier Pass Cave Soldier Pass Trailhead parking has 14 spaces which are snapped up instantly. Soldier Pass Cave is a uniquely shaped cave in Sedona. Due to the more complex network like structure of these caves, you can easily manipulate light to create unique images. Hiking Soldier Pass Trail To Soldier Pass Cave In Sedona, Hiking Robbers Roost Trail To Hideout Cave In Sedona. Keyhole Cave Access: Sugarloaf One of the largest alcoves in the area, Keyhole Cave can actually be seen from many places in West Sedona. Grand Canyon Just 2 hours from Sedona is the incredible Grand Canyon South Rim, create your wishlist from the best hikes at Grand Canyon South Rim. It's a relatively easy hike most of the way, with a steep climb at the end to reach the entrance. 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. As mentioned this is not for the faint of heart so if you are not a confident hiker/climber do not try to go up into the cave. Other (safer) hikes to explore in Sedona: Also, the area lies in the flood region, so do not hike during the rainy and stormy seasons. Keyhole Cave is located in the rocky ridge running from Coffee Pot Rock toward Thunder. Las Vegas Heading to Vegas on your Southwest adventure? Are you a regular visitor to US National Parks and Monuments? Andante Trailhead is your best backup option. After going up each of these a decent way (and I was nearly bitten by a snake), we ended up turning back. Or you can buy one at a ticket machine when you arrive in person at either parking lot listed further in this guide. Most importantly, wear a good pair of hiking shoes that will facilitate an easier hike overall. All you have to do is sidestep or go back on yourself a few paces then try another path. Head over to our Arizona travel guides to explore the best of Grand Canyon, Sedona and beyond. I will reiterate do not try this unless you are athletic or a good hiker. Please take great care not to disturb rock formations or wildlife in any area you hike. Sedona has a total of 7 caves. Suggest edits to improve what we show. It is a very narrow cave, almost like an arch formation that can be climbed with a hidden upper chamber. From there you will walk through a wash and climb a steep unmarked bank trail to reach the cave area. You need to stick along the larger wash. Hola! Read our popular guide to the 50 best hikes in the USA next! It is best to get down on the right side, the same way you went up. 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. This cave has a grand entrance that can be spotted miles away but is still tucked back off the beaten path so not many people visit it. Since the hike begins within a neighborhood dont forget to be quiet and considerate of the residents that live there. Heading north, you must make your own way to Keyhole 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. 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