Birthing Cave Guide
Sedona, Arizona's red rocks are full of caves for hikers to explore, and none is easier to reach or more spectacular than the Birthing Cave. Close to town and only two miles roundtrip, it's a must see for any visitor to this popular desert city.
When to Visit
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While not quite as popular as some of the other cave hikes in Sedona, the Birthing Cave still sees a decent amount of traffic--visit in the morning or around sunset if you'd like the place to yourself. While milder than Phoenix to the south, Sedona can still see some pretty hot temperatures in the summer, so if you're trying to avoid those, visit in the spring, fall, or winter.
The Birthing Cave at sunset.
How to Get There
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The Birthing Cave is reached via the Long Canyon trail, found along Long Canyon Road, about ten minutes from downtown Sedona. No Red Rock or Annual Pass is required, and there's parking areas on either side of the road near the trailhead--spots do fill quickly though.
The Birthing Cave
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Time: 1.5 - 2 hours.
Distance: 2 miles.
An out-and-back hike, you'll want to start your trek to the Birthing Cave from the Long Canyon trail, found along Long Canyon Road about ten minutes from downtown Sedona. Park in the dirt parking areas on either side of the road and start the hike. There's only about 290 feet of elevation gain on this one, and most of that comes at the end--so you're in for a reasonably flat experience.
Long Canyon parking (above) and trail start (below).
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Follow the trail for .6 miles until you reach two signs, the further one designated a closed area, and the closer one directing you to the left--follow this sign to the left, and after a couple more minutes of hiking you'll reach a log that is blocking the trail. You have two options here: jump over the log and follow the regular trail towards the cave, or go around the log to the left, where you'll find a wash. The wash will eventually link back up with the main trail towards the cave.
Trail re-direct (above) & the log blocking the trail (below).
Sedona Birthing Cave Guide
See this amazing Sedona cave for yourself and plan your own trip with my complete video guide to the Birthing Cave!
Continue on and the cliffs where the cave is located should start to come into view--it's not far now. Follow the trail until you're close to the cliffs, and look for this formation (pictured below): this is the Birthing Cave. Look for a right turn in the trail the closer you get to the cave, and then begin the ascent--it can be steep, so be careful of your footing.
Cliffs coming into view (above) & the Birthing Cave from the ground (below).
...and that's it! The trail ends within the cave itself. Take in the views, and snap some photos--I recommend using the wide option on your phone's camera, or bringing an ultra-wide lens for a regular camera--at least 16mm, if not even a little wider. This is considered a sacred site too, so be sure to show proper respect by keeping your voice down, and following the leave-no-trace principles.
