Some Sedona hikes give you one big view at the end. Soldier Pass is different. In about two miles you walk past a giant sinkhole, a chain of little red rock pools, and then, if you’re up for a short scramble, a hidden cave with a window that frames the whole valley.
That variety is why the Soldier Pass Trail in Sedona is one of the busiest hikes in town. It’s also why first-timers get confused. The parking rules changed when the Sedona Shuttle started, the cave isn’t signed, and the Seven Sacred Pools are often dry.
This guide clears all of that up in plain English. You’ll get the distance, how hard it is, how to get there on shuttle days and non-shuttle days, how to find the cave, and what each stop really looks like.
Quick answer
- Distance: about 4.5 miles round trip to the top of the pass, or roughly 2.5–3 miles if you turn around after the cave.
- Elevation gain: about 850 feet.
- Time: 2–3.5 hours, depending on how long you spend at the cave.
- Difficulty: easy to moderate on the main trail. The cave needs a short hand-and-foot scramble.
- Highlights: Devil’s Kitchen sinkhole, Seven Sacred Pools, Soldier Pass Cave, views from the pass.
- Parking: the small trailhead lot is closed to cars whenever the free Sedona Shuttle is running (Thursday to Sunday most weeks). Ride the shuttle on those days.
- Gate hours: the trailhead lot is closed every day from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Best time: spring and fall, early in the morning.
Soldier Pass Trail at a Glance
| Official name | Soldier Pass Trail #66, Coconino National Forest |
| Location | West Sedona, Arizona |
| Trail type | Out and back (loop options with Brins Mesa) |
| Distance | About 4.5 miles round trip |
| Elevation gain | About 850 feet |
| Time | 2–3.5 hours |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate (cave scramble is harder) |
| Shade | Some, but mostly sunny |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash (not a good idea at the cave) |
| Best seasons | March–May and September–November |
Distances on this trail vary a lot between apps because people start from different points and add the cave or a loop. Treat the numbers above as a solid planning guide, not an exact measurement.
Where Is Soldier Pass Trail?
The trail sits on the north side of West Sedona, tucked into the red rock hills above a quiet neighborhood. The official trailhead is at the end of Soldier Pass Road, off Canyon Shadows Drive. It’s about 10 minutes from Uptown Sedona.
The trail climbs north through red sandstone and juniper toward Brins Mesa and the Red Rock–Secret Mountain Wilderness.
Soldier Pass Parking and the Sedona Shuttle (Read This First)
This is the part that trips most people up, so here’s the simple version.
On shuttle days: ride the free shuttle
- The Sedona Shuttle runs Thursday through Sunday for most of the year, and every day during busy stretches such as spring break.
- While the shuttle is running, the Soldier Pass trailhead lot is closed to private cars. You’ll find a closed gate if you drive there.
- Park at the Posse Grounds Park and Ride (20 Carruth Drive in West Sedona) and take the shuttle to the trailhead.
- The shuttle and the park-and-ride parking are both free. You don’t need a Red Rock Pass for them.
- Prefer to walk? A shared-use path runs from Posse Grounds to the trailhead. It adds roughly a mile each way.
On non-shuttle days: tiny lot, strict hours
- The trailhead lot is small and fills fast, often before 8:30 a.m.
- The gate is closed from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. every day, so no sunrise starts from this lot.
- Parking along Soldier Pass Road and nearby neighborhood streets is not allowed. People do get ticketed and towed here.
- Bring a Red Rock Pass or an America the Beautiful pass if you park at the trailhead lot. Check the signs, because rules can change.
Other ways in
You can also reach the Seven Sacred Pools from the Jordan Trailhead in Uptown Sedona by following the Cibola Pass and Jordan trails. It’s longer, but it’s a handy backup when the Soldier Pass lot isn’t an option.
Shuttle schedules change from season to season, so check the current Sedona Shuttle timetable before you go.
How Hard Is the Soldier Pass Trail?
The main trail is easy to moderate. Most of the climbing is gentle, with a few rocky steps and some loose sand. Anyone who walks regularly should be fine.
The two things that make it harder are the sun and the cave. There isn’t much shade, so it can feel tough on a warm afternoon. And reaching the cave means a short, steep climb on slickrock where you’ll use your hands.
Is it good for kids and beginners?
Yes, up to the Seven Sacred Pools. That part is short and fun for kids. The cave is a different story. Older kids who are steady on rock usually manage it with help, but small children shouldn’t be on the ledge.
Soldier Pass Trail Step by Step
1. Trailhead to Devil’s Kitchen (about 0.2 miles)
Leave the lot, cross the wash, and follow the signs. Within a few minutes you’ll reach Devil’s Kitchen, the biggest sinkhole in the Sedona area. It formed when the ground collapsed into an underground cavern, and part of it collapsed again as recently as 1989.
It’s huge and the edges are crumbly. Stay back from the rim, especially with kids or dogs.
You’ll also notice a dirt road here. Jeep tours use this route, so watch for vehicles on the first part of the hike.
2. Devil’s Kitchen to the Seven Sacred Pools (about 0.5 miles)
The trail climbs gently over red rock and through juniper to the Seven Sacred Pools. These are small, stair-stepped pools carved into the sandstone along the wash.
Here’s the honest truth: they only hold water after rain or snowmelt. In a dry spell you may find just a puddle or two. They’re still pretty, but don’t expect a waterfall.
Please don’t climb in, swim, wash your hands or let your dog drink from them. Wildlife depends on this water, and sunscreen and soap pollute it.
3. Seven Sacred Pools to the cave turnoff (about 0.6–0.9 miles)
Past the pools, the trail goes up through trees and around red rock walls. You’ll enter the wilderness area here. Look up to your right and you’ll start to see openings high in the cliff.
The cave is on an unsigned side path that branches right off the main trail. It’s easy to miss. Most hikers find it by watching for a clear footpath heading toward the cliff after the wilderness sign, or by using an offline map that shows Soldier Pass Cave.
4. The climb to Soldier Pass Cave
The side path climbs steeply toward the cliff base. Near the top you’ll need to scramble up a smooth, tilted slab of rock, using your hands for balance. It’s short, but it’s the crux of the whole hike.
Inside, the cave opens into a big room with a large “window” in the rock, plus smaller openings that frame the red cliffs and the valley. It’s one of the most photographed spots in Sedona.
A few tips that make the cave safer and more fun:
- Wear shoes with sticky rubber soles. Smooth soles slip on this rock.
- Coming down is harder than going up. Face the rock and go slowly.
- Don’t climb onto the high ledges for photos. People get hurt here every year.
- Go early. By late morning there’s often a line to get in.
5. On to Soldier Pass and Brins Mesa
Back on the main trail, you can keep climbing to the pass itself. The crowds thin out a lot past the cave, and the views open up across Sedona’s red rock country. The trail meets the Brins Mesa Trail, where most people turn around.
Soldier Pass Loop Options
If you want a longer day, link Soldier Pass with Brins Mesa:
- Soldier Pass + Brins Mesa loop: go up Soldier Pass, cross Brins Mesa, and come back down through Mormon Canyon toward the Jordan Trailhead. You’ll need to get back to your car, so this works best if you started from the Jordan side or plan a shuttle.
- From Jordan Trailhead: Cibola Pass and Jordan trails connect to the Seven Sacred Pools, which makes a nice loop without using the Soldier Pass lot at all.
Download an offline map before trying either loop. There are a lot of junctions.
How Long Does It Take?
| Plan | Distance (round trip) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Devil’s Kitchen and the pools only | About 1.5 miles | 45–60 minutes |
| Pools and cave | About 2.5–3 miles | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| Full trail to the pass | About 4.5 miles | 2.5–3.5 hours |
| Soldier Pass + Brins Mesa loop | About 5–6 miles | 3–4 hours |
Add extra time if you’re using the shuttle, or about 40 minutes if you walk the path from Posse Grounds.
Best Time to Hike Soldier Pass
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March–May | Pleasant temperatures, best chance of water in the pools after winter storms, very busy |
| June–August | Hot (often 90°F+); start very early. Monsoon storms from July bring lightning |
| September–November | Great hiking weather, softer light for photos |
| December–February | Cool and quieter; shady rock can be icy after snow |
Best time of day: first thing in the morning. You beat the heat, the cave line and the parking rush.
Best time for water in the pools: a day or two after decent rain or in early spring after snowmelt.
What to Bring
- Water: at least 1.5–2 liters per person, more in summer.
- Shoes with grip: trail runners or hiking shoes with sticky soles, especially for the cave.
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Offline map: the cave path isn’t signed.
- Small backpack: keep your hands free for the scramble.
- Pass or shuttle plan: Red Rock Pass if you park at the lot on a non-shuttle day.
Photography Tips
- Devil’s Kitchen: shoot from the trail edge with a wide angle to show the size of the hole. Include a person (safely back from the edge) for scale.
- Seven Sacred Pools: get low to catch reflections of the red rock when there’s water.
- The cave window: expose for the bright view outside, then lift the shadows later. A silhouette in the window is the classic shot.
- Light: morning light hits the cliffs nicely and the cave is less crowded.
Safety and Trail Etiquette
- Stay well back from the edge of Devil’s Kitchen.
- Don’t climb above the cave openings.
- Watch for Jeep tours on the first stretch.
- Leave the pools untouched.
- Don’t stack rocks or carve anything. Pack out all trash.
- Head down if you see storm clouds building in summer.
Soldier Pass vs. Other Sedona Hikes
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soldier Pass | About 4.5 mi | Easy–moderate | Sinkhole, pools and a cave in one hike |
| Bell Rock | 1–4 mi | Easy (climb is harder) | Easy access and iconic views |
| Cathedral Rock | About 1 mi | Strenuous | Short, steep scramble |
| Devils Bridge | Varies by parking | Moderate | Famous sandstone arch |
| Boynton Canyon | 6 mi | Moderate | Shady canyon and vortex |
Suggested Half-Day Plan
- Park at Posse Grounds around 8 a.m. and catch an early shuttle (or arrive at the trailhead lot right at 8 a.m. on a non-shuttle day).
- Stop at Devil’s Kitchen and the Seven Sacred Pools.
- Do the cave before the crowds build.
- Continue to the pass if you have energy, then head back.
- Grab lunch in West Sedona and spend the afternoon at an easier spot like Bell Rock.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Soldier Pass Trail?
About 4.5 miles round trip to the pass. If you only go to the cave and back, it’s closer to 2.5–3 miles.
How hard is Soldier Pass?
The main trail is easy to moderate. The side trip to the cave includes a short, steep scramble on slickrock.
Can you drive to the Soldier Pass trailhead?
Only when the Sedona Shuttle isn’t running, and only between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. On shuttle days, park at Posse Grounds and ride the free shuttle.
Where is Soldier Pass Cave?
On an unsigned side path to the right of the main trail, a bit past the Seven Sacred Pools and the wilderness boundary. Use an offline map to find it.
Do the Seven Sacred Pools always have water?
No. They fill after rain or snowmelt and can be nearly dry in long dry spells.
Can you swim in the Seven Sacred Pools?
No. They’re tiny and fragile, and wildlife relies on the water. Look, don’t touch.
Do you need a Red Rock Pass?
Not if you use the shuttle. If you park at the trailhead lot on a non-shuttle day, bring a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass.
Are dogs allowed on Soldier Pass Trail?
Yes, on a leash. The cave scramble isn’t dog-friendly, so plan to skip it with a pup.
Is Soldier Pass worth it?
Yes. Few Sedona hikes pack this much into such a short distance.
Final Thoughts
Soldier Pass gives you a little bit of everything Sedona does well: wild geology, quiet red rock, and one unforgettable cave. The hike itself is the easy part. The tricky part is getting there, so check the shuttle days, start early and save energy for that last scramble.
More hikes nearby: Bell Rock Trail, Boynton Canyon, Cathedral Rock and Devils Bridge. For a desert hike closer to Phoenix, see Camelback Mountain Echo Canyon.
Trail and parking details come from the Coconino National Forest and the City of Sedona. Rules and shuttle schedules change, so check both before your visit.