The Subway Cave in Boynton Canyon gets 400 attempts a day during peak season. Roughly 250 of those hikers find it. The other 150 walk the main trail, look up at the canyon walls, and walk back—never realizing the cave they came for was 200 vertical feet above them behind an unmarked spur that branches off at a nondescript pile of rocks near mile 0.3.
Sedona’s caves aren’t really caves. They’re alcoves, overhangs, and solution cavities eroded into the Supai sandstone and Coconino limestone—shallow formations open to the sky on at least one side. None require spelunking gear. None go deep underground. But they do require something most guides fail to provide: directions that actually work. The spur trails to Sedona’s cave formations are unsigned, unmaintained, and deliberately obscured by land managers who balance access with preservation. Finding them requires GPS coordinates, specific visual landmarks, and the patience to navigate use paths that disappear on slickrock.
This guide provides the wayfinding details for every accessible cave formation in the Sedona district—with the difficulty reality, the preservation ethics, and the honest assessment of what you’ll find when you get there.
Navigating Sedona’s Secret Geological Formations
Energy Site Locations and Archaeological Etiquette
Several Sedona cave formations contain evidence of ancestral habitation—soot-blackened ceilings, grinding holes in the rock floor, and in some cases, remnant wall structures. These are archaeological sites protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. The rules are absolute and federally enforced:
- Do not touch, move, or remove any artifacts. A grinding hole in the rock floor is not a souvenir—it’s a protected archaeological resource.
- Do not stack rocks, leave offerings, or create cairns inside cave formations. These alter the site and are not part of the cultural tradition associated with the site.
- Do not burn sage, candles, or incense inside caves. The soot alters the rock surface and obscures historical soot patterns that archaeologists use for dating.
- Photograph freely. Touch nothing.
The Birthing Cave in particular has suffered from visitors leaving crystals, candles, prayer flags, and other objects. Forest Service staff remove these regularly. The intention may be respectful; the impact is degradation of an irreplaceable site.
Navigating Unmarked Trails in the Coconino National Forest
Cave access trails are “social trails”—user-created paths that don’t appear on official Forest Service maps. They exist because thousands of hikers have walked the same route, wearing a visible path into the landscape. Social trails have no signs, no blazes, and no maintenance. They branch, braid, and dead-end. Navigation depends on:
GPS coordinates: Each cave section below includes a GPS waypoint for the spur junction where you leave the main trail. Load these into your phone before the hike—not at the trailhead where signal may be weak.
Visual landmarks: A specific rock formation, a distinctive tree, a wash crossing. These are described in detail for each cave.
Boot patina: On slickrock, the social trail appears as a darkened, polished strip where hundreds of boots have worn the rock surface smooth. In low-angle light (morning, late afternoon), boot patina is obvious. In flat midday light, it’s nearly invisible. Time your cave hikes for morning light if possible.
The “look up” rule: Cave formations are above the main trail—sometimes far above. The spur trails climb steeply from the canyon floor to alcoves 100–300 feet higher. If you’re walking flat and looking for a cave, you’re on the wrong trail. The approach always goes up.
Top Sedona Cave Hikes (Detailed Guides)
The Subway Cave (Boynton Canyon): The Famous Ridge Walk
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main trail | Boynton Canyon Trail (2.5 mi one-way) |
| Spur to cave | ~0.3 mi from main trail, steep Class 2 |
| Spur junction | ~0.3 mi from Boynton Canyon trailhead |
| Total RT to cave | ~1.2 mi RT |
| Gain to cave | ~250 ft from canyon floor |
| Time | 1–1.5 hrs RT (including cave exploration) |
| Parking | Boynton Canyon TH, 40 spaces. Fills by 8:30 AM peak. |
Finding the junction (GPS: approx. 34.9062°N, 111.8502°W):
Walk the main Boynton Canyon trail 0.3 miles from the trailhead. On your left (south), look for a rock cairn stack at the base of a steep, reddish hillside. The main trail continues flat into the canyon. The cave spur goes left and immediately uphill.
Visual landmark: The junction is approximately 50 yards past the point where the main trail crosses from open terrain into the first tree-shaded section. If you’ve reached the signed “Boynton Vista” spur (the climb to the knoll overlook), you’ve gone too far by about 200 yards.
The approach: The spur climbs steeply on loose red dirt for the first 100 yards, then transitions to slickrock with boot patina marking the route. The path traverses left (south) along the base of a cliff band, then scrambles up through a break in the rock to a narrow ridge. The ridge walk (50–75 yards) leads to the cave entrance—a wide, shallow alcove in the cliff face.
What you’ll find: A sandstone alcove roughly 30 feet deep, 60 feet wide, and 15 feet tall at the opening. The back wall curves overhead, creating the “subway tunnel” shape that gives the cave its name. The floor is sandy. The view from the opening looks north across Boynton Canyon with the Enchantment Resort visible below. Light enters the cave in the morning; by afternoon, the interior is in full shade.
The difficulty truth: The approach involves Class 2 scrambling on steep slickrock. It’s not technical (no hand-over-hand climbing), but it’s steep enough that a fall would send you sliding 20–30 feet on abrasive rock. Hiking boots with good tread are essential. Sandals and smooth-soled shoes slip on the approach. Not recommended for children under 8 or adults uncomfortable with steep, exposed scrambling.
Soldier Pass Cave: Steep Climbs and the Hidden Chamber
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main trail | Soldier Pass Trail (2.4 mi one-way) |
| Spur to cave | ~0.15 mi from main trail, steep Class 2 |
| Spur junction | ~1.3 mi from Soldier Pass trailhead |
| Total RT to cave | ~2.9 mi RT |
| Gain to cave | ~150 ft from trail junction |
| Time | 2–2.5 hrs RT |
| Parking | Soldier Pass TH, 12 spaces. Fills by 7:00 AM peak. |
Finding the junction (GPS: approx. 34.8800°N, 111.7892°W):
Hike the Soldier Pass Trail past Devils Kitchen sinkhole (0.2 mi) and Seven Sacred Pools (0.6 mi). Continue to approximately mile 1.3. On your right (east), look for a use path ascending steeply toward a large red rock cliff face. Multiple cairns mark the base of the climb.
Visual landmark: The junction is in a relatively flat, open area where the main trail bends left (north) toward Brins Mesa. The cliff face above is distinctive—a horizontal band of darker red rock with a lighter band above it. The cave opening is visible from the trail if you know where to look: a dark horizontal slot approximately 150 feet above the trail.
The approach: Steep scramble on loose rock and sandy soil. The path switchbacks twice, then traverses right along the cliff base to a final scramble up through a notch. The cave entrance is a low, wide opening that you can walk into upright in the center but requires ducking at the edges.
What you’ll find: The most enclosed cave in the Sedona district. The main chamber is approximately 40 feet deep and 25 feet wide with a ceiling height of 8–12 feet. Unlike the open alcoves at other sites, Soldier Pass Cave feels genuinely cave-like—dim, cool, and enclosed on three sides. A secondary chamber extends to the right (east) through a narrower passage. The acoustics amplify whispers. The temperature inside is 10–15°F cooler than the exterior.
The difficulty truth: The approach scramble is short (0.15 miles) but steep. The rock is loose in places. Hands touch rock on the steepest section. This is manageable for most adults but challenging for small children—carry kids under 6 on your back or skip this cave in favor of Birthing Cave.
For the full trail guide: Soldier Pass Trail
Birthing Cave: Short Distance, High Impact, Family Accessible
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main trail | Boynton Canyon Trail or Long Canyon Trail access |
| Spur to cave | ~0.2 mi from Long Canyon trailhead |
| Total RT | ~0.6 mi RT (from Long Canyon approach) |
| Gain | ~100 ft |
| Time | 30–45 min RT |
| Parking | Long Canyon TH pulloff, ~10 spaces. Moderate demand. |
Finding the junction (GPS: approx. 34.9003°N, 111.8478°W):
The shortest approach uses the Long Canyon trailhead (not Boynton Canyon). From the trailhead, walk north on the Long Canyon Trail for approximately 0.2 miles. On your left (west), a well-worn use path branches uphill toward a distinctive rock overhang visible from the trail.
Visual landmark: The cave overhang is visible from the main trail—a large, arched opening in the cliff face roughly 100 feet above the trail floor. The use path to it is one of the most established social trails in Sedona, with clear boot patina and informal cairns.
The approach: A moderate climb on a well-worn path. One short section (15 feet) requires hands on rock for balance—low Class 2. The rest is steep dirt trail.
What you’ll find: A massive arched overhang roughly 80 feet wide, 50 feet deep, and 30 feet tall. It’s the largest single cave formation accessible by trail in the Sedona district. The floor is sandy and relatively flat—children can walk and play inside safely. The opening frames a panoramic view of the canyon below and the red rock ridgeline across the valley. The name “Birthing Cave” reflects a local tradition (not an archaeologically confirmed use)—the concave shape of the alcove is said to create a protective, womb-like energy.
The preservation reality: Birthing Cave is the most visited cave formation in Sedona and the most impacted. Visitors leave crystals, candles, prayer flags, and stacked rocks. Forest Service crews clean the site regularly. The rule is simple: take photos, leave nothing, take nothing.
Why this is the family cave: Shortest approach, easiest climb, largest interior, safest floor. Kids ages 5+ can make the climb with assistance on the one steep section. The cave interior is large enough for kids to explore without exposure risk. This is the cave for families who want the experience without the scramble difficulty of Subway or Soldier Pass.
Keyhole Cave: The Photographer’s Hidden Window
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Social trail from Boynton Canyon or Dry Creek area |
| Spur distance | ~0.5 mi from nearest established trail |
| Total RT | ~2.0 mi RT |
| Gain | ~200 ft |
| Time | 1.5–2 hrs RT |
| Parking | Dry Creek Road area or Boynton Canyon TH |
The wayfinding challenge: Keyhole Cave (also called “Keyhole Arch” or “Window Cave”) is the most difficult cave formation to find in the Sedona district. The social trail is faint, braided, and crosses open slickrock where boot patina is the only route marker. GPS is essential. The approach involves Class 2 scrambling on steep slickrock.
What you’ll find: A narrow, eye-shaped opening in a rock wall that frames a distant view of red rock formations—the “keyhole” that gives the cave its name. The opening is roughly 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Photographers shoot through the keyhole to frame Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, or other distant formations depending on the specific opening. The interior space is small—room for 2–3 people.
The honest assessment: Keyhole Cave is a photography destination, not a hiking destination. The cave itself is a small window in a rock wall. The payoff is the framed view through the opening, not the cave experience. If you’re a photographer, the composition is unique and worth the route-finding effort. If you’re a family looking for a cave experience, Birthing Cave delivers far more satisfaction for far less navigational difficulty.
GPS and detailed approach directions: Due to the fragile social trail and the preservation concerns around increasing foot traffic, we recommend using the AllTrails or Gaia GPS community waypoints for Keyhole Cave rather than publishing step-by-step directions. Download the offline map before your hike. The cave is findable with GPS assistance; the social trail is followable but not describable in text without encouraging off-trail wandering.
Lesser-Known Cave and Arch Formations
Robber’s Roost: Quiet Backcountry Access
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Social trail from FR 525 area |
| Total RT | ~0.4 mi RT |
| Gain | ~100 ft |
| Time | 20–30 min RT |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate |
The pitch: Robber’s Roost is a small cliff dwelling ruin—not a natural cave but an ancestral structure built into a shallow alcove. It’s the least-visited “cave” destination in the Sedona area because it’s accessed from a Forest Road rather than a signed trailhead. The social trail is short (0.2 miles) but unsigned. The ruin itself is small—a partially intact stone wall structure within a sandstone overhang.
Archaeological rules apply strictly here. This is a cultural site, not a recreational one. Do not enter the structure. Do not touch the walls. Photograph from a respectful distance. The site has survived centuries; your 3-minute visit shouldn’t leave a trace.
Shaman’s Cave (Palatki Area): Remote Cultural Experience
Shaman’s Cave is accessible near the Palatki Heritage Site—a separate area from the main Sedona trail system that requires advance reservations through the Coconino National Forest. This is a pictograph site with cave-like overhangs displaying ancient rock art. It’s not a hike-to-a-cave experience in the same category as Subway or Soldier Pass—it’s a guided cultural visit to an archaeological site.
Reservation required. Book through recreation.gov. Free with Red Rock Pass. Limited to 15 visitors per time slot. The experience is educational rather than adventurous—a ranger or volunteer guide explains the pictographs and the cultural context.
For hikers wanting a cave adventure: prioritize Subway Cave, Soldier Pass Cave, or Birthing Cave. For cultural enrichment: Palatki is extraordinary but requires separate planning.
Trail Logistics and Safety
Hikes with Caves: Difficulty and Time Comparison
| Cave | Total RT | Gain | Scramble? | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birthing Cave | 0.6 mi | 100 ft | Low Class 2 (one section) | Easy-moderate | Families, first cave experience |
| Subway Cave | 1.2 mi | 250 ft | Class 2 sustained | Moderate-hard | Photographers, adventurers |
| Soldier Pass Cave | 2.9 mi | 150 ft (spur) | Class 2 (short, steep) | Moderate | Hikers wanting the most “cave-like” cave |
| Keyhole Cave | 2.0 mi | 200 ft | Class 2 on slickrock | Hard (route-finding) | Photographers specifically |
| Robber’s Roost | 0.4 mi | 100 ft | Minimal | Easy | Cultural interest, solitude |
The decision shortcut: First cave experience → Birthing Cave. Most dramatic cave interior → Soldier Pass. Best cave-with-a-view → Subway Cave. Photography through a window → Keyhole. Cultural site → Robber’s Roost or Palatki.
Red Rock Pass Required and USFS Sedona Ranger District Rules
Red Rock Pass required at all trailheads. $5 daily / $15 weekly / $20 annual. America the Beautiful ($80) covers everything.
Cave-specific rules:
- No fires or candles inside caves. Rock surfaces are irreversibly damaged by soot.
- No removal of rock, sand, or formations. Federal penalties apply.
- No climbing on or modifying cave walls. Chalk, paint, and carvings are vandalism.
- Pack out all trash including food wrappers, water bottles, and any “offerings.”
- Dogs are not permitted inside cave formations (Forest Service guidance).
Viator Experience (contextual): A guided Sedona cave hike takes the route-finding guesswork out of finding Subway Cave or Soldier Pass Cave—and adds the geological and cultural context that makes the experience richer. (Viator widget: Sedona cave hike tour)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Subway Cave hike dangerous?
The hike itself is short (1.2 miles round-trip) but the approach involves Class 2 scrambling on steep slickrock with exposure. A fall on the approach wouldn’t be life-threatening but could produce a painful slide on abrasive sandstone. The cave interior is safe—flat sandy floor, solid overhead rock, no deep drops. The danger is the approach, not the cave. Wear hiking boots with good tread (not sandals, not smooth-soled shoes), and don’t attempt the spur in wet conditions when the slickrock becomes extremely slippery. Children under 8 should do Birthing Cave instead.
Where is the easiest cave to hike to in Sedona?
Birthing Cave via the Long Canyon approach. It’s 0.6 miles round-trip with roughly 100 feet of elevation gain and one short section requiring hands for balance. The cave interior is the largest in the district—80 feet wide, 50 feet deep—with a flat sandy floor safe for children. It’s also the most accessible by car: the Long Canyon trailhead is a small pulloff on Long Canyon Road, 10 minutes from West Sedona. Total trip time from lodging: under 60 minutes.
Segment Advice:
- Families with kids 5–12: Birthing Cave. The only cave with a short approach, easy terrain, and a large interior where kids can explore safely. The approach’s one steep section is short enough to assist children through it.
- Photographers: Subway Cave for the interior framing shot. Keyhole Cave for the window composition. Both require GPS and route-finding—download offline maps before the hike.
- Adventure hikers: Soldier Pass Cave. The most enclosed, most “cave-like” experience. Combine with the three-POI Soldier Pass loop (Devils Kitchen + Seven Sacred Pools + cave) for a half-day.
- Couples seeking solitude: Robber’s Roost. You’ll likely be alone. The cultural resonance of the cliff dwelling adds depth beyond the physical experience.
- First-time Sedona visitors: Subway Cave. It’s the most famous, the most frequently photographed, and the one your friends will ask about. The route-finding is manageable with GPS and the visual landmarks in this guide.
Cost breakdown:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Red Rock Pass (daily) | $5/vehicle |
| Palatki reservation (if visiting) | Free with Red Rock Pass |
| Per person (2 in car) | $2.50 |
Let a Local Guide Lead Your Hike from $59
Expert-led hiking tours handle trail logistics, parking, and route-finding — you just enjoy the views.
Fall dates are filling fast — popular times sell out 2+ weeks ahead.
