Robbers' Roost (Shaman's Cave)

View from the Cave at Robbers' Roost

This spot isn't far from our home in Sedona. It isn't a long or difficult hike and the view and cave are spectacular...so it is a favorite. 

The trail-head is at the end of a rather bumpy, long road so a high clearance vehicle is definitely required. 




The spot is popular with tourists and locals alike, so you will probably have to share the view with others. The trail-head takes you down into a small valley and then up a hill that winds around to the left side of the monument. 

View of the Valley Below the Cave at Robbers' Roost

When you get to the back side of the monument, you will have to cross the apron of the red rock. 

This crossing may be a bit daunting for those with poor balance or those who are afraid of heights. 



Stick with it and just take your time. When you get to the cave, you will be glad you were persistent!

Inside the Cave

The front and inner 'walls' of the cave have been re-built with red rock to recreate the 'rooms' and the protective ledge at the front of the cave. 

Natural Window

The most impressive feature of the cave is not man-made. There is a natural window on one side of the cave. This window looks out into the valley beyond and allows one to see anyone who might approach the cave through the valley (hence the name, 'Robbers' Roost').

Before it was used by settlers, thieves and others, the cave was used by tribal Shamans for ceremony and healing. 

View of the Red Rocks from Inside the Cave

You can easily climb out the 'window' and stand on the far apron of the red rock formation to view the valleys below and beyond. 

Take the time to drive out to this remote location and make the hike around the monument to visit this natural cave. 

View of the Valley from the Natural Window

It is worth the trip and it will definitely be one of your favorite Sedona locations.

Medicine Caves

Approaching Medicine Caves

Medicine Caves is an area that is little known among Sedona visitors. It isn't in the hiking books and it is somewhat remote. 



It is nestled in a valley that is bounded on one side by Casner Mountain and on the other by the ridge that leads to Robbers Roost (Shaman's Cave). The valley is dotted with smaller outcroppings of red rock, each of which has cave-like areas at its base.

Medicine Caves (foreground) Robbers  Roost (background)

The largest of these outcroppings has two levels of caves (which are actually indentations in the rock; some with trees growing directly in front of the crack. 






If you are among the many who visit Sedona for its spiritual and metaphysical energy, you'll find plenty of small 'shelves' and pockets in which to charge your crystals, fetishes, totems or sacred artifacts. 

A View of One of the Caves

The top level of the central red rock outcropping affords some great views of the little valley in which it resides, and the valleys and land beyond. The trunk of the juniper tree growing on the apron at the front of this rock displays the classic 'energetic twist' often observed in Sedona where a particular spot is flowing with earth energy. 

Charging Stones in the Healing Caves

There is a history of tribal healing in this valley, with each of the red rock outcroppings and each of the 'caves' in the main rock visited in a specific sequence and/or for a specific ailment or dysfunction. 

Take your time and sit at each of the openings in the rock on both the lower and the upper level of the main outcropping and, hopefully, you will have your own healing experience. 


We did not have the time to visit the other red rock cave outcroppings but we look forward to a return visit.

Navajo Tapestry in Main Energetic Rift of Central Medicine Cave