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Devil's Kitchen: Sedona's Collapsed Wonder

Explore Devil's Kitchen sinkhole on the Soldier Pass Trail, a unique geological wonder in Sedona, Arizona.

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Devil's Kitchen is a large sinkhole near Sedona, Arizona, easily accessed via the Soldier Pass Trail. Its formation began long ago, with notable collapses in the 1880s and 1989 creating the dramatic cavern seen today.

A brief summary to Devil's Kitchen

Local tips

  • Arrive early, especially during peak season, as parking at the Soldier Pass Trailhead is limited.
  • Combine your visit to Devil's Kitchen with a hike to the nearby Seven Sacred Pools and Soldier Pass Cave for a longer adventure.
  • Bring water and wear sturdy hiking shoes, as the trail can be rocky in places.
  • Check the Sedona Shuttle schedule, as it may be required to access the trailhead on certain days.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From the intersection of Arizona 89A and 179 in Sedona, head west on Arizona 89A for 1.25 miles, then turn right onto Soldiers Pass Road. Drive 1.4 miles and turn right onto Shadow Rock Drive. Follow Shadow Rock Drive for 0.25 miles and turn left onto Forest Road 9904. Follow FR 9904 for 0.25 miles to the parking area. Note that the parking lot is small and fills quickly. Parking is free. A Red Rock Pass, America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, Golden Age or Golden Access is required to park in the Jordan Trailhead lot.

  • Shuttle

    During shuttle operating hours (Thursday - Sunday, and daily during spring break), parking at the Soldier Pass Trailhead is closed. Take the free Sedona Shuttle from the Posse Grounds Park and Ride (20 Carruth Drive) to the Soldier Pass Trailhead. The shuttle typically runs from around 7:15 AM to 4:30 PM. Check the Sedona Shuttle website for the current schedule.

  • Walking

    Alternatively, if parking is full at Soldier Pass Trailhead, park at the Jim Thompson Trailhead (also known as Brins Mesa Trailhead). From the Jim Thompson Trailhead, take the Cibola Pass Trail to the Jordan Trail, which leads to the Soldier Pass Trail. The total distance to the Soldier Pass Trail is about 1 mile. A Red Rock Pass is required to park at the Jim Thompson Trailhead; daily passes are $5, weekly passes are $15.

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Discover more about Devil's Kitchen

Devil's Kitchen, a captivating sinkhole in Sedona, Arizona, offers a glimpse into the region's geological history. Located a short distance from the Soldier Pass Trailhead, this impressive natural landmark is easily accessible and makes for a fascinating visit. The sinkhole's origins trace back centuries, with the first signs of sinking occurring long before Western settlement. A major collapse in the early 1880s dramatically expanded the hole, filling the air with dust that residents reported seeing all day. Another significant collapse in 1989 further widened the opening, increasing its size by about a third. Today, Devil's Kitchen stands as a striking example of geological processes at work. The sinkhole's walls reveal different stages of collapse, with the southern side showing older, rounded rock edges and a patina of manganese oxide, indicating long exposure. In contrast, the northern side features more recent, angular rock faces, freshly broken off. While climbing into the sinkhole is not recommended, visitors can safely view it from various angles and appreciate the unique landscape. The site is also home to agave plants and prickly pear cactus. The sinkhole was formed by subsidence into caverns of paleokarst composed of Redwall Limestone of the Pennsylvanian subperiod. The upper walls of the sinkhole are made of sandstone from the Schnebly Hill Formation, while the lower areas consist of shaly siltstone of the Hermit Formation.

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