This route gets easier higher up on the climb. 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. Lets hike to the secret Keyhole Cave in Sedona Arizona! Keyhole Cave is in Sedona Arizona, specifically 1.1 miles north from Sugar Loaf trailhead. Was This Post Helpful? I apologize my directions couldnt get you all the way. Actually getting into the cave requires some rock climbing skills and is not for those who are afraid of heights. 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. 1. You can buy a Red Rock Pass at this specific recreation.gov site in advance. . All of which take a drastic upturn in difficulty from an otherwise straightforward hike. It is pretty easy to get off trail so we recommend using AllTrails. 1.2K Likes, TikTok video from Desert Sistas (@desert.sistas): " Keyhole Cave via Sugarloaf Trail This hike is located in Sedona, Arizona and is ranked moderate. Once you are at the entrance, you can see how gigantic Keyhole Cave is and mystic. We hiked to Hideout Cave and arrived inside by 11.30am. Youll need to watch your footing on the scree and for cacti along the narrow trail. Heading north, you must make your own way to Keyhole Cave. to the left. The views from inside the Keyhole Cave Sedona are spectacular, and rewarding after the climb. 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. Thank you for your review, Jacob! Avoid going too early in the morning or early evening as the light will be away and the hike may be extra dangerous with little sunlight. Hiking Sugarloaf Mountain via Teacup Trail. The cave is accessed via significant off-trail hiking, which means forging a path through rugged desert wilderness. 3 rappels to make it down ending in a epic one right over the Keyhole Cave. Ruins If you are interested in learning about the history around northern Arizona, you should visit all of the 5 ancient ruins near Sedona. Many paths criss-cross over undulating hills and through rough vegetation. Heres the Sugar Loaf Trailhead parking lot Google Maps location to use for beginning your hike to Keyhole Cave. 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. If you visit Sedona in Spring or Fall when it is at peak tourist season, you simply have to be out early at trailheads or youll have problems getting parked. Once downloaded, you can load it into your own trusty device for ease of mind! Use the eroded rocks to place your hands and feet in gaps. 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. This is one of the 4 main Sedona vortex sites. The Sedona Keyhole Cave hike is 2.5 miles round-trip, out and back with getting into the cave being the most challenging and dangerous part of all. Generally considered an easy route. Fortunately, a shuttle bus system has been implemented in Sedona which helps hikers get to the most popular trailheads year round. It has an unobstructed views stretching miles over desert vegetation with nothing to block sunlight. You can go up the middle of the Right side but also can go up against the right wall where there are a few more hand and foot holds, albeit tricky in its own right. Move around Keyhole Cave to the far right side. You will make it without issue as long as you keep heading north and keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of the cave opening. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from . But they come with a higher price tag and more crowds. 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. Keyhole Cave is the biggest and most adventurous cave you can hike to in Sedona. The elevation gain of the Sedona Keyhole Cave is 520 feet. Yes! Winter and Summer offer quieter periods in Sedona. 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. Getting down is harder than getting up as there is no support to rely on unless you have the ropes. The hike to Keyhole Cave is moderately difficult mostly become of the scramble and climb required to get into the cave. If you enter it into Google Maps it will take you right to it. 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. The hike is flat and easy until you reach an undefined turn onto a spur trail leading to Subway Cave. The Sedona Keyhole Cave hike is 2.5 miles round-trip, out and back with getting into the cave being the most challenging and dangerous part of all. Do not graffiti or move the rocks around and respect the land. 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. 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. Looking for a adventurous way to explore Sedona's Keyhole Cave? Want to visit Subway Cave? No matter which season you visit, try to avoid weekends, holidays and the 10am-1pm rush. Luckily I missed the cactus and landed safely. Another 1 mile heading north will lead you into a wash and eventually to a very obvious fork split in the trail. Keyhole Cave is a southwest facing cave located in Coconino National Forest to the north of downtown Sedona. If you dont have either, buy a 1 day or 7 day pass at the ticket machine or online at recreation.gov. During these seasons you have more chance getting parked up without issue. Yes Keyhole Cave is a dog friendly hike in Sedona. You can of course follow misc small trails North going at the cave and at some point you will get to it. Most moderately experienced hikers should be fine, but we would not recommend beginner hikers attempt the hike to Subway Cave. Recommended. Another big thing to note in this area: I also read on Alltrails that people lost their GPS connection or it went crazy. Accessing the cave does not require any climbing or use of hands, but there is a steep bank to climb on the final approach. Now this is again where I have to warn you about the dangers: I do not recommend climbing in this part of the hike. As an alternate, Is it possible to Uber to and from the trailhead? The cave is accessed via significant off-trail hiking, which means forging a path through rugged desert wilderness. This is exactly what happened to me too. Not only will you have to forge your own path through wilderness, but you must also climb into Keyhole Cave using hands, feet and core strength. Uber has service in Flagstaff but not in Sedona. 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. How to get around Sedona is small but youll need a car to access the best hikes to the north and south of town. If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The good news is you will only be on Teacup Trail for 0.4 miles until you reach a trail crossroads with Thunder Mountain Trail. Spring and Fall represent the two best seasons for visiting Sedona in general when hiking conditions are most comfortable. Keyhole Cave is a southwest facing cave located in Coconino National Forest to the north of downtown 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. The hike to Keyhole Cave is not physically tough, but you will need good navigation and pathfinding skills. Use Jim Thompson and hike Cibola Trail or park at Posse Grounds Park & Ride for the Sedona shuttle. It is definitely worth visiting Keyhole Cave, the biggest cave you can hike to in Sedona on your itinerary. 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. Entering Keyhole Cave isnt easy. Thanks for sharing the map! Pin It For Your Hike! Want to visit Keyhole Cave? I especially appreciate this trail because it is not for everyone and takes a level of commitment to truly the unlock the majesty of this trail. Sedona is a beautiful place to visit and we have to keep it that way for our kids to enjoy in years to come. Read our complete guide to hiking Long Canyon Trail into Birthing Cave for in depth details and directions for how to access the cave. 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. You will have problems finding your way back in the dark. , Hi Mara! Alternatively, you can try parking at Andante Trailhead nearby, which is also a small parking lot. 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! The good news about a southwest facing cave is you can visit anytime between mid morning and late afternoon for the best light. Hi! Kachina Cave is the best kept secret of all so called hidden caves in Sedona. WHAT IS THE ELEVATION GAIN OF THE KEYHOLE CAVE IN SEDONA? Perfect! It is a very narrow cave, almost like an arch formation that can be climbed with a hidden upper chamber. All other caves are located in the most popular hiking areas of Sedona and remain busy year round. You will only walk on this trail for a handful of steps before you come to a wash and you will follow that up to the right. After a while, the wash narrows a bit, but you keep moving alongside it navigating through the branches. You are going to hike directly straight ahead beyond the wooden sign heading for the red rock formation on the horizon. 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. 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. 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. This angle looking straight ahead is exactly where you started the hike to Keyhole 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. There are small natural foot placements in the sandstone rocks you use the entire way up the right side. In Sedona, there are at least 7 caves you can hike to and explore. A short climb with a ledge walk to access the cave is moderately difficult but comparatively straight forward. This popular hiking trail heads about three miles into a deep box canyon and includes ancient Sinaguan Indian ruins along the way. The majority of it comes at the end when you hike up from the wash up the hill to the face of the cave. If you only plan to hike to caves in Sedona and no other trails, you will need to display a pass for the following caves: 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. Print/PDF map. Stay at Greentree Inn Sedona from $186/night, Andante Inn of Sedona from $153/night, Sedona Village Lodge from $105/night and more. Canyon trail into Birthing Cave for in depth details and directions for how to access Cave! Sedona, there are at least 7 caves you can visit anytime between morning. At least 7 caves you can load it into your own way to Keyhole Cave crazy. 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