Three landmarks in 1.3 miles. That’s the pitch for Soldier Pass Trail, and for once, the pitch undersells it. You start at a sinkhole the size of a football field, walk ten minutes to a chain of tiered rock pools carved into red sandstone, then push uphill for another half-mile to a cave big enough to hold forty people—a cave that has no sign, no marked trail junction, and that roughly half the hikers on any given morning walk right past. The trail packs more geological variety per mile than anything else in the Sedona ranger district. The problem isn’t the trail. It’s getting to the trailhead.
Soldier Pass Trail sits in West Sedona, managed by the Coconino National Forest under the USFS Sedona Ranger District. Access is limited—the trailhead parking lot holds only 12 vehicles and requires either a reservation or shuttle access depending on the season. A Red Rock Pass is required. This isn’t a show-up-and-hike situation. If you don’t sort the access logistics before you leave your hotel, you’ll spend your morning circling a residential street wondering why a parking lot the size of a tennis court is the gateway to one of Sedona’s most popular hikes.
This guide walks the trail chronologically by landmark, gives you the exact wayfinding details for the cave spur that every other guide gets vague about, and breaks down the access rules that changed in recent years.
Why Soldier Pass is a Sedona Must-Do
Concentrated Geological Features in the Coconino National Forest
Most Sedona hikes offer one thing: a summit view, a canyon walk, a creek crossing. Soldier Pass stacks three distinct geological features into a single short hike, each one visually different from the last. Devils Kitchen is a collapse sinkhole—raw, dramatic, slightly unnerving when you stand at the rim and realize the ground just… opened up. Seven Sacred Pools are water-sculpted tinajas (natural rock basins) tiered into a slickrock drainage, each one holding rainwater for days or weeks after a storm. And the cave is a massive sandstone alcove eroded into a cliff face, deep enough to block the wind and wide enough to seat a small audience.
What makes this combination unusual isn’t just the variety—it’s the density. All three features sit within a 1.3-mile walk from the trailhead, connected by a single trail with about 350 feet of total elevation gain. You can see everything, take photos at each stop, and be back at your car in under two hours. No other trail in the Coconino National Forest packs this much geological range into this little distance.
The trade-off is access. Soldier Pass Trail’s popularity far exceeds its parking capacity, which is why the Forest Service implemented access restrictions. More on that below—but understand going in that this trail’s greatest strength (density of features) is also the source of its biggest logistical headache (everyone wants to hike it, and only 12 cars fit).
Trail Logistics: The 3-in-1 Route Breakdown
Think of Soldier Pass as three short hikes stitched together. Each stop has its own character, its own photo opportunity, and its own “here’s what to know” notes. The mileage markers below start from the Soldier Pass trailhead parking lot.
Stop 1: Devils Kitchen Sinkhole (0.2 Miles)
Two minutes from the trailhead, the trail passes the rim of Devils Kitchen—a collapse sinkhole roughly 100 feet across and 40–50 feet deep. The sinkhole formed when an underground cavity in the Supai sandstone layer gave way, probably accelerated by seasonal water infiltration. The last major collapse event happened in 1989, when a section of the rim wall dropped into the pit overnight. The debris pile at the bottom is still raw and blocky, which gives the sinkhole a recent, active feeling that’s absent from most Sedona geological features.
What to do here: Walk to the signed viewpoint on the east rim. There’s a short fence line, but the viewing area is open. The sinkhole is most dramatic in morning light when the east wall is illuminated and the west wall sits in deep shadow—the contrast makes the depth easier to read in photos. Budget 5–10 minutes.
Safety note: The rim is unfenced on several sides. Sandstone edges crumble. Stay behind the sign and don’t approach the rim for selfies from non-designated spots. The drop is real and the surface underfoot is loose.
What competitors miss: Most guides mention Devils Kitchen as a quick stop but don’t note that it’s actively monitored by the Forest Service for further collapse activity. The fence line has been repositioned at least twice as the rim has receded. This isn’t ancient history—the ground here is still moving, slowly.
Stop 2: Seven Sacred Pools (0.6 Miles)
About 10–15 minutes past Devils Kitchen, the trail crosses a slickrock drainage and arrives at Seven Sacred Pools—a series of natural rock basins (tinajas) carved into Schnebly Hill sandstone by centuries of water flow. The pools tier downhill like a natural staircase, each basin catching water that overflows into the next.
Pool reality by season:
| Season | Water Level | What You’ll See |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Often full from rain/snowmelt | Deep, reflective pools with red rock mirrored on the surface |
| Spring (Mar–May) | Gradually declining | Upper pools may dry; lower pools still hold water |
| Summer pre-monsoon (Jun–early Jul) | Usually dry | Empty rock basins. Still worth seeing for the sculpted shapes. |
| Summer monsoon (mid-Jul–Sep) | Refilling after storms | Pools fill quickly; can be flowing if you catch it right |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | Variable | Depends on recent rain; often partially full |
The name “Seven Sacred Pools” is evocative but approximate—the actual number of distinct basins varies depending on water level and how you count them. Some are shallow depressions that only hold a few inches; others are knee-deep bowls. The pools are not sacred in any formally recognized cultural sense, but the name has stuck.
What to do here: Walk the slickrock drainage and look into each pool. In wet season, the reflections of the red canyon walls in the still water are the best naturally occurring mirrors in the Sedona area. Bring a wide-angle lens if you’re into photography. Budget 10–15 minutes.
Do not: Swim, wade, or put your feet in the pools. These are fragile biological ecosystems. Algae, invertebrates, and amphibians (including canyon tree frogs) depend on these water sources. The sandstone is also extremely slippery when wet—a slip near the pools means a slide down tilted slickrock with nothing to grab.
Stop 3: The Unmarked Soldier Pass Cave Spur (1.3 Miles)
This is the part every hiker asks about and every guide gets vague about. The Soldier Pass Cave is a large sandstone alcove—roughly 60 feet wide, 30 feet deep, and 15–20 feet tall at the opening—eroded into a cliff face above the main trail. It’s not on the official trail map. There’s no sign at the junction. The spur trail is unmarked. And approximately half the hikers who intend to visit the cave walk right past the turnoff because they don’t know what to look for.
See the Unmarked Cave Turnoff Before You Walk Past It
Follow the whole route first-person — the sinkhole rim, the Seven Sacred Pools, the exact bend where the unsigned cave spur splits off, and the loose scramble up to the alcove mouth.
Preview the POV Trail Video →Exact wayfinding to the cave spur:
After passing Seven Sacred Pools, continue uphill on the main Soldier Pass Trail. The trail steepens and enters a section of mixed juniper and manzanita. At approximately 1.3 miles from the trailhead, the main trail curves left (west) and continues climbing toward the ridge above. The cave spur branches right (north) at this curve. Here are the landmarks to watch for:
- The curve: The main trail makes a noticeable left bend. If you’ve been walking roughly north, the trail now swings west.
- The use trail: At the outside of this curve, a well-worn but unsigned use trail goes straight (continuing north/slightly right) while the main trail bends left. The use trail is narrower and has loose red dirt.
- The cliff face: Look uphill to the north. You should see a large sandstone cliff face with a dark horizontal shadow near its base. That shadow is the cave opening.
- The scramble: The spur trail climbs about 60–80 feet in 0.1 miles to reach the cave mouth. The last 30 feet involve a short, steep scramble on loose rock and slickrock—hands-on-rock recommended, nothing technical, but not flat walking.
If you reach a point where the main trail starts descending on the other side of the ridge, you’ve gone too far. Turn around and look for the spur on your right (it’ll be on your left heading back down).
Inside the cave:
The cave is a single large alcove—no tunnels, no passages, no “going deeper.” The opening faces south, which means it catches morning and midday light beautifully. The back wall stays in shadow. The sandstone ceiling shows honeycomb weathering (tafoni erosion), which looks like the rock was sculpted with thousands of tiny scoops. The floor is packed sand and rock. On any given morning, you’ll find 5–20 people inside—sitting, taking photos, eating snacks. The cave has become one of the most Instagram-photographed spots in Sedona, which means weekend mornings can involve a polite photo queue.
Viator Experience (contextual): Don’t want to risk missing the cave spur? A guided Sedona hiking tour that includes Soldier Pass guarantees you’ll hit all three POIs with a guide who knows the exact turnoff. (Viator widget: guided Sedona hiking tour Soldier Pass)
Trail Conditions and Difficulty
Soldier Pass Sedona Difficulty and Trail Length
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Round-trip distance (to cave and back) | ~2.6 miles |
| Round-trip distance (full trail to ridge) | ~4.2 miles |
| Elevation gain (to cave) | ~350 feet |
| Elevation gain (full trail) | ~650 feet |
| Trail surface | Packed dirt, slickrock, loose rock on cave spur |
| Difficulty rating | Moderate |
| Average hiking time (to cave and back) | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| Shade coverage | 30–50% depending on season |
Most hikers treat the cave as the turnaround point, making this a 2.6-mile round-trip moderate hike. The trail is well-maintained for the first mile—packed red dirt, gentle grade, a few slickrock sections that are grippy when dry. After Seven Sacred Pools, the grade steepens and the surface gets rockier. The cave spur itself is the most physically demanding section: short but steep, with loose footing.
The full trail continues past the cave spur to a ridgeline with views across the West Sedona mesa and toward Brins Mesa. This upper section adds about 1.6 miles round-trip and 300 feet of additional elevation. Fewer than 20% of hikers continue past the cave, which means the upper trail is quiet even on busy days.
Footwear note: Trail runners are fine for the main trail. The cave spur’s loose rock and the slickrock around Seven Sacred Pools both benefit from hiking boots with ankle support. Sandals are a recipe for a turned ankle on the cave scramble.
Climbing into the Cave: Is it Safe?
The cave itself is a walk-in alcove—no climbing required to enter once you’ve reached the mouth. The short scramble to reach the mouth is the only physical challenge: about 30 feet of steep, loose terrain that most reasonably fit hikers can manage with careful footing. Kids ages 8+ typically handle it fine with a hand up from an adult. Dogs on leash can make it but may need encouragement on the steepest section.
Risk factors inside the cave:
The ceiling is stable sandstone—no loose rock overhead in the main alcove. The floor is uneven. The biggest actual risk is tripping on rocks while looking up at the tafoni ceiling (it happens constantly). The cave is open-air—no concerns about air quality, gas, or getting lost. There’s only one way in and one way out.
The thing competitors won’t tell you: The cave is not a secret. It’s on AllTrails, every Sedona hiking Facebook group, and every Instagram geotag within a 5-mile radius. On spring and fall weekends, there can be 15–20 people inside at peak hours (10 AM–1 PM). If you want the cave to yourself for photos, arrive before 8:30 AM or after 3 PM. Midday cave visits are social experiences, not solo meditations.
Viator Experience (contextual): Prefer to explore Sedona’s geology with expert context? A Sedona geology and nature hike covers the science behind features like sinkholes, tinajas, and tafoni erosion. (Viator widget: Sedona geology nature hike)
Critical Trailhead Access Rules
This is the section that determines whether your Soldier Pass morning actually happens. The trailhead’s 12-vehicle parking lot is the smallest of any popular trail in the Sedona ranger district, and the Forest Service has implemented access controls that most Sedona trail guides either get wrong or explain poorly.
Shuttle Requirements vs. Soldier Pass Permit Required
The Soldier Pass trailhead access rules have evolved over the past few years. Here’s the current system:
The parking lot: 12 spaces. That’s it. The lot sits at the end of Soldier Pass Road in a residential neighborhood. There is no overflow parking. Street parking on Soldier Pass Road is prohibited and actively enforced—residents call towing services, and the Yavapai County Sheriff’s office responds. Do not park on the street. You will be towed or ticketed.
Current access options:
| Option | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Trailhead parking (limited) | 12 spaces, first-come first-served. Red Rock Pass required. | Very early arrivals (before 7:30 AM in peak season) |
| Sedona Shuttle | Free shuttle service from satellite parking areas to the trailhead. Seasonal—check current schedule. | Most hikers. Eliminates parking stress entirely. |
| Guided tour | Some outfitters have trailhead access arrangements. | Hikers who want a guide and guaranteed access. |
The shuttle reality: When the Sedona Shuttle is operating (typically spring through fall), it’s by far the easiest way to access Soldier Pass. The shuttle runs from designated park-and-ride lots to the trailhead on a regular schedule. The ride takes 5–10 minutes. No reservation needed—just show up at the park-and-ride. Check the current shuttle schedule at the Sedona Chamber of Commerce website or the Forest Service’s Sedona Ranger District page, as routes and times change seasonally.
When the shuttle isn’t running: In winter months and during schedule gaps, the 12-space lot is your only option. Arrive before 7:30 AM on any day you expect decent weather. By 8:30 AM on a clear winter Saturday, even those 12 spaces are taken.
The mistake that ruins mornings: Driving to the trailhead without checking shuttle status or lot availability. You arrive, find the lot full, find the streets posted no-parking, and have no backup plan. The solution is simple: check shuttle status the night before. If the shuttle is running, use it. If it’s not, set an early alarm or choose a different trail.
Alternative if you can’t access Soldier Pass: The Brins Mesa Trail shares a connecting trail with Soldier Pass and has a larger parking lot at the Jordan Road trailhead. You won’t see Devils Kitchen or Seven Sacred Pools, but you’ll get the mesa-top views that the upper Soldier Pass trail delivers, with a fraction of the access hassle.
USFS Sedona Ranger District and Red Rock Pass Required
A Red Rock Pass is required if you park at the Soldier Pass trailhead lot. Standard rates:
| Pass | Cost |
|---|---|
| Daily Red Rock Pass | $5 |
| Weekly Red Rock Pass | $15 |
| Annual Red Rock Pass | $20 |
| America the Beautiful Pass | $80 (covers all federal lands) |
If you’re arriving via the Sedona Shuttle, you’ll still need a Red Rock Pass displayed at your park-and-ride vehicle (if the park-and-ride lot requires one—some don’t; check signage). No separate day-use fee at Soldier Pass—your standard Red Rock Pass works here, unlike the day-use fee sites near Oak Creek Canyon.
Rangers patrol the Soldier Pass lot and the residential streets around it. Enforcement is frequent and citations run $75–$150 for missing passes. Street-parking citations from the county are separate and additional.
For the full pass breakdown: Do You Really Need a Red Rock Pass?
Viator Experience (contextual): Skip the parking lottery entirely. A Sedona small-group hiking tour with transportation handles trailhead access so you can focus on the trail. (Viator widget: Sedona small-group hiking tour)
Segment Advice:
- Families with kids (ages 6+): Soldier Pass is one of the best family hikes in Sedona. The three-stop structure gives kids built-in goals (“next stop: the pools… next stop: the cave”). The total distance to the cave and back is only 2.6 miles. The cave scramble is manageable for most school-age kids with a helping hand. Bring headlamps—kids love exploring the back of the alcove even though it’s visible from the entrance.
- Couples: Go early, cave to yourselves. An 8 AM start means you’ll likely have the cave alone for 10–15 minutes before the next group arrives. The sinkhole and pools are quick stops; the cave is where you’ll linger.
- Solo hikers: Safe, popular, well-traveled. The upper trail past the cave is the quiet solo option—most people turn around at the cave, so the ridge above is often empty.
- Budget travelers: $5 pass + free shuttle = the cheapest geological tour in Sedona. Three landmarks for less than a cup of coffee.
Cost breakdown:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Red Rock Pass (daily) | $5/vehicle |
| Shuttle | Free |
| Gas to park-and-ride (from Uptown, ~4 miles RT) | ~$1–$2 |
| Total per person (2 in car) | ~$3–$3.50 |
Itinerary integration: Soldier Pass is a short hike—most groups finish in under 2.5 hours including all three stops. That makes it a perfect first-morning activity. Start by 8 AM, finish by 10:30, then head to Uptown Sedona for an early lunch. Afternoon options: pair with a sunset hike at Airport Mesa or a scenic drive through Red Rock Scenic Byway. For multi-day planning, see our Sedona itinerary guides.
Viator Experience (contextual): Want to see more of Sedona’s hidden geology? A Sedona off-road adventure covers backcountry formations you can’t reach on foot. (Viator widget: Sedona off-road adventure tour)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does the full Soldier Pass trail take?
Most hikers visit the three main landmarks (Devils Kitchen, Seven Sacred Pools, and the cave) and return, covering about 2.6 miles round-trip in 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on pace and time spent at each stop. The full trail continues past the cave spur to a ridgeline, extending the round-trip to approximately 4.2 miles and 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Budget the longer estimates if you plan to spend time photographing the cave interior or sitting at the pools. The trail is short enough that the time variable is almost entirely about how long you linger, not how fast you walk.
Can you swim in the Seven Sacred Pools?
No. Swimming, wading, and soaking in the Seven Sacred Pools is prohibited by the Forest Service. The pools are fragile biological habitats that support amphibians, invertebrates, and seasonal algae communities. Human contact introduces sunscreen, soap residue, and body oils that damage these ecosystems. The slickrock surrounding the pools is also dangerously slick when wet—several injuries have occurred from hikers slipping on the tilted sandstone near the pools. Enjoy them visually, photograph the reflections, but keep your feet dry and on the trail.
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.
