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Published on June 27, 2024. Last Updated on September 30, 2026.
Are you a nature enthusiast looking for your next hiking adventure? Look no further than Birthing Cave in Sedona, Arizona. This hidden gem is a sight to behold. In this blog post, we will delve into everything you need to know about hiking Birthing Cave – from where to park to what to bring along for the journey. Get ready for your outdoor adventure with our 5 Simple Tips for hiking to the beautiful Birthing Cave in Sedona, Arizona.
We love hiking. Before our quick trip to Sedona, Buddy and I sat down to choose which of the many hikes in Sedona we would explore on our short trip. After mutually agreeing that Devil’s Bridge was a must, we were going to choose between Subway Cave and Birthing Cave for the second hike of the day – a sunset hike.
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Our #1 hiking must have! A comfortable and practical hiking backpack.
The Details: Hiking the Birthing Cave
Birthing Cave is one of a handful of caves in the Sedona area. And you can visit the Birthing Cave by hiking Long Canyon Trail and turn left when the trail splits. The trial is a 1.9 mile hike out and back round trip and is considered moderate.
Our hike to the Birthing Cave
Buddy and I hiked to the Birthing Cave during a mother and son summer trip to Sedona. We visited Sedona in late June in an effort to beat the intense summer heat of Southern Arizona where we live. However, it is also hot in Northern Arizona and Sedona in the summer months. As lifelong desert dwellers, we are aware of the summer heat and the precautions that need t o be taken for hiking in the deserts during the summer months.
A sunset hike
To avoid the heat of a summer day, we hiked to the Birthing Cave as a sunset hike. We set off on our hike at 6:00pm on a Monday in late June. We arrived at the Birthing Cave at 6:25pm. It surprised us that it only took us 25 minutes to go from the parking lot to the cave. We spent about 15-20 minutes exploring and enjoying the cave before hiking out. All in all we did the round trip hike in an hour and fifteen minutes, finishing our hike at 7:14pm.
Although this can be a very popular and busy hike, we had the cave all to ourselves! We saw a group of hikers leaving the cave as we were arriving and then passed another group of hikers on their way to the cave as we were leaving. But other than that, we were alone in nature. It was nice to enjoy the scenery without lots of other tourists nearby.
If you are visiting Sedona in the summer months, we highly recommend doing the Birthing Cave hike as a sunset hike. But this isn’t for the usual reasons. Hikers will not see a spectacular sunset (like you can on Desert View Trail at Organ Pipe National Monument in AZ) or a sky full of stars at the end of this hike (like you can on a guided sunset hike in Saguaro National Park East in AZ).
Rather, this trail is great for a summer sunset hike because it is mostly in the shade around sunset. There are mountains to the west of the cave that block the sun as it begins its descent towards the horizon. Meaning that you are shade for most of the hike, which is nice on a hot summer day.
5 Simple Tips for Hiking to the Beautiful Birthing Cave in Sedona
1. Where to park
To begin your hike at Birthing Cave, start by parking at the Long Canyon Trail head.
The Long Canyon trailhead parking is just a patch of dirt off the side of Long Canyon Road. It is easy to miss if there are not a lot of cars in the area. There is a long rectangular utility box on the east side of the road in the parking area, which can be used as a landmark to find the parking.
Because there were not a lot of other hikers in the area during our hike, I almost missed the Long Canyon trailhead parking! And this was after I did a lot of research to figure out exactly where to park and how to get to the Birthing Cave. I think that if we went during a busier time, the trailhead parking would have been easier to find because we would have seen more cars parked in the area.
Pro Tip: A red rock pass is not required to park at the Long Canyon Trail head. But, it is worth getting a pass if you plan on doing some of the popular hikes in the Sedona area.
2. Download offline maps
Offline maps are important to have when you set off on your hike to the Birthing Cave. This is for two reasons. First, the trail is not clearly marked. And second, there are a lot of little trails in the area, so it is easy to deviate from the main trail and get turned around.
By downloading offline maps like offline google maps or Alltrials beforehand, you will be able to keep track of your location if you get turned around. Plus, with offline maps, you won’t have to worry about draining your data or experiencing a spotty signal. So make sure to save your offline map before heading out to the Birthing Cave.
When we hiked to the Birthing Cave, we did not see a sign or trail markers that told us when to leave the Long Canyon Trail to head towards the Birthing Cave. Rather, we relied on my downloaded map to make sure we were on the right trail. Buddy and I also memorized landmarks (a lovely large tree near where the trail split) to help navigate our return.
And while it seemed like there was only one trail when going towards the Birthing Cave, on the way out, we found a lot of other paths in the area. Our downloaded maps and memorized landmarks helped us navigate our way back to the Long Canyon Trail.
Also, I want to share that even though I downloaded an offline map, my phone had GPS signal throughout the hike.
3. Be careful in the cave
The rocks in the Birthing Cave are SLIPPERY! Make sure that you wear shoes with a lot of grip, especially for the last scramble into the cave. And if you are going to try to get up towards the back of the Birthing Cave to see the iconic view, be very very careful. It can be dangerous climbing up to the back of the cave.
During our visit to the Birthing Cave, we carefully wiggled as close as we could to the back of the cave to see the view that gave the cave its name. With his young limber joints, Buddy was more agile and able to inch further along the back of the cave wall than me. He is the one that took the photo from as close to the back of the cave as he could safely get. Proceed with caution because it can be dangerous if you are trying to get a photo from that vantage point.
Pro Tip: Do not deface the rocks!
4. What to bring
When hiking to the Birthing Cave, make sure that you come prepared for high desert hiking. Below are some suggestions for what to bring.
The most important thing to bring are hiking shoes with good grip. These are the hiking shoes that I wore, and these are the shoes that Buddy wore on the hike. We definitely do not recommend flip flops for this (or any) hike!
Lots of water and a refillable water bottle. Especially if you are hiking in the warmer months.
Sunscreen, a hat, lip balm, a light jacket with UPF, and moisture wicking clothing (most of my stuff is from Stitch Fix).
A simple first aid kit, a whistle that also has a compass and thermometer, a pocketknife, some tissue because you never know!
A hiking back pack filled with electrolytes and snacks. We did pack snacks, but we did not eat them. Instead, we cooked dinner at our hotel afterwards.
And we only brought our phones, but photographers might want to bring a wide angle lens to capture the entire cave opening from the back of the cave.
Pro Tip: Remember to leave no trace by packing out all trash and respecting nature during your outdoor adventure.
We saw a pair of underwear (??) on the trail. It was not a pleasant sight to say the least. So please practice leave no trace!
5. When to visit
The best time to hike in Sedona is the Spring and the Fall when temperatures are mild during the day. Winter might be a good time, depending on the weather. In the Southwest, winter weather can be unpredictable. Sometimes there is a lot of snow and other times temperatures are mild. Summer in Sedona can be hot and in the late summer, there is a chance of thunderstorms and flash flooding. Both the heat and the monsoons can make a summer hike challenging and potentially dangerous.
Regarding time of day, early morning or late afternoon hikes are ideal for avoiding crowds and enjoying cooler weather in the desert.
Admittedly, visiting in late June, Buddy and I did not hike to the Birthing Cave at the best time of the year. To make up for that, we opted for a sunset hike when the sun was low in the sky behind the mountains west of the cave so we could hike in the shade. When we set off on our hike, it was very warm with temperatures in the low 90s. Luckily, the temperature drops quickly in the desert and in general it is noticeably cooler in the shade. Buddy and I were not too hot for too long during this hike.
A Teenager’s Perspective
When you enter the cave, make sure to not fall. The rocks are Super Slippery. But the hike is worth it, as the views were astonishing.
I recommend this hike for teenagers who like hiking and scrambling rocks. It is a great hike.
The hike has some nice views once you get to the cave. I am glad we did this hike.
Birthing Cave Fast FAQs
1. Why is it called the Birthing Cave?
Because it looks like female anatomy – a birthing canal!
There are other stories and theories out there. But given that we cannot confirm if these stories are indeed true, and out of respect for the cultures that are referenced in those stories, we decided not to share them here.
2. Is the Birthing Cave worth it?
In our opinion yes! The cave itself and the views are sights to behold. Plus, it is a very easy hike.
3. Can you walk from Birthing Cave to Devil’s Bridge?
Technically yes, but it will be a long hike! And given that you have to hike to the Birthing Cave first to begin this journey, walking from the Birthing Cave to Devil’s Bridge does not make sense to us.
But as this is a FAQ, here is the information: From the Birthing Cave itself, it is about a 2 hour 5 mile hike (one way) to Devil’s Bridge via Deadman’s Pass Trail to Mescal Trail to Devil’s Bridge Trail.
Final Thoughts on the Birthing Cave
In conclusion, hiking Birthing Cave in Sedona is an experience not to be missed. This easy and short hike offers something for everyone seeking connection with nature and history alike. So pack your bags, lace up those hiking boots, and embark on an unforgettable journey to one of Sedona’s sites – Birthing Cave awaits!
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Are you planning a trip to Sedona? Have you hiked to the Birthing Cave? If so, let us know in the comments below!
Do you have questions about family travel or traveling with teens? Feel free to reach out! We are happy to chat and share our experiences and look forward to connecting with you.
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If you enjoyed reading this, check out these blog posts!
- 3 Simple Tips for Hiking Beautiful Devil’s Bridge in Sedona
- One Day in Sedona: The Ultimate Guide
- 15 Best Hikes Near Tucson: The Ultimate Guide
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Hello! We are Yvonne & Buddy and we create family travel blogs based on firsthand knowledge and experiences of a destination. Our goal is to inspire teens, parents, and families to share time together engaging in new experiences whether the destination is near or far from home. Come join us on our travels!
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