Each cave can be accessed by visitors to Sedona via hiking trails varying in length between 0.5 5 miles roundtrip. The elevation gain of the Sedona Keyhole Cave is 520 feet. The good news about a southwest facing cave is you can visit anytime between mid morning and late afternoon for the best light. You will need either a Red Rock Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) to access this list of places in Sedona. After the climb, you will land on a ledge, from where you will be in the cave. Share. From the 4WD parking area, a trail dips into a V shaped valley and comes up on the other side. 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. 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. Keyhole Cave is the biggest and most adventurous cave you can hike to in Sedona. 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. Its highly likely you already have an annual National Parks pass, which is also known as America the Beautiful or the Interagency Pass. Another big thing to note in this area: I also read on Alltrails that people lost their GPS connection or it went crazy. Head over to our Arizona travel guides to explore the best of Grand Canyon, Sedona and beyond. Fay Canyon Arch is a gigantic sandstone formation eroded into a towering red rock cliff in the shape of an arch. Was This Post Helpful? A 2WD trailhead can be accessed via AZ-89A, Forest Road 525 for 3 miles and Forest Road 525C for 10 miles. Raven Caves is west facing overlooking Oak Creek, so visit later in the day for the best photos as light pours in. It is pretty easy to get off trail so we recommend using AllTrails. 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. 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. The shape of its entrance resembles an old fashioned keyhole. Many hikers talk about finding a very obvious wash and following the curving dry river bed as it snakes north toward Keyhole Cave. 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. I hope you find the cave and enjoy your adventure. Top ways to experience Teacup Trail and nearby attractions. It is best to avoid hiking during or after flash floods season. However, they are also the busiest times of year, which also means the most expensive. Renting a Jeep in Sedona offers a multitude of benefits and one of those is cutting the hike to Hideout Cave down from 3 miles to just 1 mile. Take this wash and follow that up to the right until reaching the base of the cave, and this part is easy, and you cannot get lost at all. 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. 2-star hotels from $105, 3 stars from $170 and 4 stars+ from $237. 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. Lets take a quick look at a comparison of what you can expect hiking either the wash or a direct route to reach Sedonas Keyhole Cave. However, to be honest you should be fine with this particular hike. Please take great care not to disturb rock formations or wildlife in any area you hike. There are a few different ways to get here. Why Hike To The Sedona Soldier Pass Cave? Although you can take your dog on the hike while keeping it on a leash at all times, it is best not to hike with your pets due to the difficulty in accessing the cave, including the steep climbing and slippery floors, along with the rough vegetation on the forest floor. Karabou Adventure + Travel is a participant of 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. 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. How do I get to Keyhole? Thank you for sharing it will come in handy when we hike this in 2 wks. This is the major road in and out of Sedona from Flagstaff and Grand Canyon South Rim. Lets take a closer look at each of the 7 caves you can explore in Sedona. The cave is unique for having a single lone tree with green leaves standing beyond the chamber in an exposed area. 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. We wouldnt recommend taking dogs to any of the caves as they are unsafe and often require climbing. Do You Need A Parking Pass To Hike 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. The final 10% was not clear as there are at least 3 inlets near the top and in sight of the cave. From there you will walk through a wash and climb a steep unmarked bank trail to reach the cave area. You will begin from the parking lot and start the hike at Teacup Trail. You have three options to get into the cave and going up to the right is definitely the only way you should go. 1. Looking for hiking inspiration? Lets take a look at some of the most asked questions about visiting caves in Sedona, Arizona. But do not count on others being able to help you climb into Keyhole Cave. Keyhole Cave was one of our favorite caves in Sedona. Stay at Greentree Inn Sedona from $186/night, Andante Inn of Sedona from $153/night, Sedona Village Lodge from $105/night and more. A great recommendation is the bring a good rope to help everyone up and especially down. It is always quieter because parking spaces are limited for the Long Canyon Trail. After you get on the Thunder Mountain Trail, you have two ways to reach the base of the Keyhole Cave in Sedona. You can click or touch the map to activate, then move around the map to locate each cave. If you want to find one of the stunning cave views in Sedona then you must hike the Keyhole Cave in Sedona. Keep following the curving dry river bed for about 0.75 miles as it snakes north toward Keyhole Cave. Unless you strike it lucky with timing of a drop off, you probably won't be able to take one. Park at Boynton Canyon Trailhead and walk for around 1.3 miles until you reach a left turn onto a spur trail. We recommend only climbing up inside the cave if you are a seasoned hiker, athletic and have ropes and do not mind heights. Other hikers simply head due north using multiple paths which all twist and intertwine like a maze. 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. You can find a small parking lot at the Sugarloaf trailhead located in a residential area on Buena Vista Drive, from where you begin your hike. Sedona is a beautiful place to visit and we have to keep it that way for our kids to enjoy in years to come. During these seasons you have more chance getting parked up without issue. 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. Getting into the Sedona Keyhole cave is difficult. If roadside parking is full, park at Mescal Trailhead and walk the connecting trail to join Birthing Cave trail. We personally think the cave is easier to photograph when there is no light inside between mid to late morning. All other caves are located in the most popular hiking areas of Sedona and remain busy year round. You can still get parked during the day but you might have to sit in a line or park a long way away from the trail you want to hike. As you approach the trail intersection of Teacup and Thunder Mountain you will see a wooden sign showing Teacup right and Thunder Mountain left. With that said, we imagine the cave would look even better later in the day close to sunset when the light softens and has passed beyond directly entering Keyhole Cave. Read our complete guide to hiking Soldier Pass Trail into Soldier Pass Cave for in depth details and directions for how to access the cave. Arrive early to the lot in peak season for the best chance of snagging a coveted parking spot at Sugar Loaf Trailhead. Sugarloaf Mountain looms tall to your right side as you walk through desert vegetation and junipers. Be very careful and only more skilled hikers should try to get up into it. The climb up is very steep and slippery. Youll need to watch your footing on the scree and for cacti along the narrow trail. The shuttle works particularly well for accessing Soldier Pass Cave which is renowned as one of the worst places to get parked in Sedona. Generally considered an easy route. 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. It has an unobstructed views stretching miles over desert vegetation with nothing to block sunlight. Youll have to duck to move around the cave network but you can shoot some interesting photos here. Actually getting into the cave requires some rock climbing skills and is not for those who are afraid of heights. 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! Keyhole Cave is in Sedona Arizona, specifically 1.1 miles north from Sugar Loaf trailhead. It looks quite far away but it wont take you long to get back. 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. From there is where it gets harder. But they come with a higher price tag and more crowds. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. We took the right approach both on the way up and down. 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. 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. I tried following these trails last year during my first attempt to find Keyhole Cave and was unsuccessful. Posted on Last updated: December 18, 2022. Instead, go direct and keep following lightly beaten paths where possible. Follow small white painted lines on rocks for directions. Sedona's Keyhole Cave is located right in the heart of Sedona. Personally we went for the right side both up and down, but we know others have taken the left route instead. On this path, you will notice many smaller washes branching off the main one. Print/PDF map. America the Beautiful national parks pass, Soldier Pass Trail into Soldier Pass Cave, best sunrise and sunset photography locations in Sedona, best things to do on and off the Las Vegas strip, best things to do in Valley of Fire State Park, Subway Cave is one of the most photogenic landmarks in Sedona, Four other popular hikes nearby with connecting trails, Have to figure out the right place to turn onto spur trail, Most will miss it in favor of Subway Cave, Much quieter than other caves and hikes in Sedona, Very quick and easy to access Birthing Cave, Stunning views from the very back of the cave, Devils Kitchen and Seven Sacred Pools are fantastic additions to the hike, The new shuttle should significantly improve parking issues, Very popular trail means it is always busy, The cave is a little tricky to climb into, Theres not a lot of room inside the cave if it is busy, One of the most impressive caves in Sedona, One of the quietest caves you can visit in Sedona, Accessing the cave can be a little tricky, Not much room to maneuver at the formation, Very deep dark shadows in morning after Subway Cave. Park at Long Canyon Trailhead among the trees or on the roadside. Lets find and explore the best secret caves in Sedona, Arizona! Are you planning to hike more trails in the area? I will reiterate do not try this unless you are athletic or a good hiker. Accessing the cave does not require any climbing or use of hands, but there is a steep bank to climb on the final approach. If youre looking for an escape from the crowds at Cathedral Rock Trail and Devils Bridge Trail, head out responsibly into the Sedona wilderness and climb into Keyhole Cave. Youll be traversing in a wash so be aware of the possibility of flash floods. 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. 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. Take rope if one person in your group is a stronger hiker and have them help the others with rope support. The trail to the Keyhole Cave starts at the Teacup Trailhead. You could even use our images during your hike to keep track of where you are along the adventure to Keyhole Cave. Three awesome reasons a hike to Keyhole Cave should be an essential part of every adventurous wishlist of best hikes in Sedona. Which cave or caves should you visit if you only have a one day Sedona itinerary? Soldier Pass Cave is a uniquely shaped cave in Sedona. 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. Difficulty: Moderate. 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. They are all located close to one another. I found people dont stay here for very long since the trails are short so it is a fast turnaround! A 4WD trailhead is located an additional 1 mile up Forest Road 9530 which saves 2 miles of hiking total. 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. Early morning the cave will be dark and you wont get those vibrant orange colors. At just 2.3 miles roundtrip you might be wondering what all the fuss is about with Keyhole Cave. A short climb with a ledge walk to access the cave is moderately difficult but comparatively straight forward. Fay Canyon How to hike Fay Canyon Trail to an optional adventure ascent and steep climb to Fay Canyon Arch. Back to the easy to find wash route, as you follow the wash there are some smaller washes that break off from the main wash but just stick to the larger wash along the way. All of which take a drastic upturn in difficulty from an otherwise straightforward hike. As long as you see it and make your way towards it in the north, you will arrive at the base of Keyhole Cave. The hike to Keyhole Cave is not physically tough, but you will need good navigation and pathfinding skills. 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. Getting to this Sedona cave isnt for beginner hikers or those afraid of the challenge to climb 10+ feet of slick rock. Park at Boynton Canyon Trailhead and walk 2 miles until you reach a big, burnt, black and gray tree trunk. Finding caves in Sedona is one of the most fun things to do in Arizona, just make sure to tread carefully and respectfully. You never want to be in a wash with chance of rain, just incase of flash floods. The majority of it comes at the end when you hike up from the wash up the hill to the face of the cave. This was the right time to get on an actual trail because we were close enough to the base and we could see it, so we knew the trail led directly to it. 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. Yes Keyhole Cave is a dog friendly hike in Sedona. Those with 2WD cars must park 1 mile from a second parking area suitable for 4WD vehicles. However, having a jeep will get you closer to both Hideout Cave and Soldier Pass Cave, cutting out hiking time and distance. The hike to Keyhole Cave begins at Sugarloaf Trailhead which is tucked back in a Sedona Neighborhood. Keyhole Cave is located in the rocky ridge running from Coffee Pot Rock toward Thunder. Want more Arizona content? 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. If you enter it into Google Maps it will take you right to it. I will check it out. West Fork Trail has its own dedicated parking lot around 10 miles north of Sedona on AZ-89A. It is the biggest cave featuring a huge chamber and enormous opening which frames the Sedona landscape outside. You will begin your hike in Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness before passing into Coconino National Forest. After you turn left to take the Thunder Mountain trail, there will be a wash on your right side. 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. Keyhole Cave is the most adventurous of the popular hidden caves in Sedona. The hike itself is moderate but getting into the cave itself definitely takes it to difficult+. 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