I’m always in search of good hikes nearby as I road trip around the USA and Canada. Fortunately, there are a lot of great hiking trails near Tucson. Although I love the desert, I can’t handle hiking in hot weather.
So, a mountain hike to a cave is a pretty cool hike to do in Arizona.
The Wave Cave is a prefect day trip from Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Tucson. Located in the Tonto National Forest, the Wave Cave Trail is a moderate hike in the Superstition Mountains.
The hike starts out easy but there is a steep incline closer to the summit at the cave.
It’s one of those hikes that could make your quads feel the burn a day or two after you hike it. I know mine did! Totally worth it though, this hike is a wonderful escape to the beauty of the Superstition Mountain range.
Why are they called Superstition Mountains?
The mountain range got it’s name from Spanish conquistadors who ignored the warnings from Apache Native Americans. To the Apaches, the highest peak was sacred, home of the Thunder God.
The Spanish, with their love of gold, ventured into the mountain range to try and take what they could find. Apparently, a few of them went missing or were found dead during their search for the precious metal.
The conquistadors kept trying to find the gold. And they kept turning up dead.
Finally, they left the area, naming it Monte Superstition.
Legend has it that a huge goldmine (Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine) is located somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. Treasure hunters have yet to locate the alleged riches, but some modern day fortune hunters have died trying.
What is the Wave Cave?
Well, I thought the wave cave would look something like “The Wave” trail in Utah. LOL! NO! Not even close! BUT it is a great hike, nonetheless. Once you wrap your mind around the idea that the wave isn’t going to be a spectacular sight.
Don’t get me wrong, the wave is neat to see. But it would be a cool hike whether or not a “wave” existed within the cave.
The “wave” is a wave shaped chunk of rock at the front of the cave. It’s cool to see. And you can do your best surfer pose in front of the wave.
The views from the cave are glorious. And the cave offers some much welcome shade after a (usually) sunny and hot Arizona hike.
Bring water and snacks to enjoy a picnic lunch in the cave with incredible views.
Views from the cave are amazing, pictures do not do it justice
Getting to Superstition Mountains
The beautiful thing about Superstition Mountains is that you can easily do a day trip from Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Tucson to hike there. I drove from Tucson and it’s a lovely drive.
And there are a lot of trails within the mountain range, part of the Tonto National Forest, the 5th largest national forest in the United States. If you have more time you could go camping at Superstition Mountains and do a bunch of hikes.
Tonto National Forest is the largest national forest within Arizona.
The parking for Wave Cave Trail is at Carney Springs Trailhead. If the lot is full you can park at the nearby lot before you get to Carney Springs Trailhead or use the overflow parking at Lost Goldmine Trailhead which is .7 miles further down the road.
Here are the directions to the Wave Cave hike:
From Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe
1 hour driving time
- Take Hwy 60 East (Superstition Freeway) for 32.5 miles (52 km)
- Turn left onto E Peralta Road and continue for 5.5 miles (9 km) This is a dirt road and some places get huge puddles after heavy rains.
- Turn left when the road forks and you’ll see a sign “Peralta Trail 1.5 miles”
- Continue for a half mile (.8 km) to the parking lot
The Superstition Mountains make a gorgeous view from this campsite
From Tucson
2 hours driving time
- Take Oracle Road – Hwy AZ-77 North for 20 miles (32 km)
- Turn left on AZ-79 North and continue for 58 miles (93 km)
- Turn left onto Hwy US-60 West and continue for 8 miles (13 km)
- Turn left onto E Peralta Road and continue for 5.5 miles (9 km) This is a dirt road and some places get huge puddles after heavy rains.
- Turn left when the road forks and you’ll see a sign “Peralta Trail 1.5 miles”
- Continue for a half mile (.8 km) to the parking lot
Desert and mountains make for beautiful scenery
You may notice the sign near the parking lot stating “State Trust Land No Trespassing Permit Required” but I didn’t know anything about a permit.
AllTrails app doesn’t mention anything about a fee.
I’m not sure why the permit required sign is at the trailhead – no one I spoke with paid a fee
And no one that I spoke with along the trail paid a fee or knew anything about a permit for this hike.
I did look up the permit info and it’s $15 per year and includes up to 14 days of camping! That’s a bargain for camping. No facilities, but still a great deal.
There’s a small parking lot near the trailhead to Wave Cave
Do I Need a 4WD or High Clearance Vehicle?
No you don’t need a 4WD but a high clearance vehicle would be nice. Although I did see a Toyota Camry at the trailhead parking lot so it’s up to you to judge based on recent rainfall.
But I didn’t take my Toyota Yaris through to the parking lot because of a big water puddle along the way. I didn’t know how deep it was and I didn’t want to get stuck in the muck.
A few SUVs were parked along the road, so I figured if they didn’t want to chance it neither would I, with my little Yaris.
You can also park at the Goldmine Trailhead parking lot and walk to Wave Cave Trailhead from there.
Higher clearance vehicle is better for navigating the big puddles when it rains
Hike Description
Distance: 3.2 miles (5 km) round trip
Type of hike: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 870 ft (265 m)
Time: Allow 2 – 3 hours
The hike starts out level but it gets more difficult closer to the cave
The trail starts out level and easy for the first mile or so, then it gets rocky and the more difficult portion of the hike begins.
At the last half mile or so it is a steep climb. If you bring young kids be aware you may have to carry them at this point.
Dogs (on leash) are allowed on the Wave Cave trail, but towards the summit of the hike it’s too steep for some dogs to make it.
If your furbaby is a climber (or part mountain goat) they will do fine.
Getting away from the city completely is usually my preference when I go hiking. I don’t want to hear cars or any sounds from urban life. The Tonto National Forest is a great place to escape to nature.
I don’t know all of the Phoenix hiking trails but if you want to escape the city then the Superstition Mountains are the place to go.
Even while walking from my parking spot to the trailhead I was struck by the beautiful views.
Do your best surfer pose under the wave
Other Things to Do in Arizona
Little Horse Trail Best of the Red Rocks in Sedona Arizona
What You Need to Know Before Visiting Horseshoe Bend in Page Arizona
Hiking in Tucson Arizona Best Hiking Trails for Solo Travelers
Things to do in Tucson Arizona – Best Tourist Attractions
Fun Things to Do on a Day Trip to Winslow Arizona
Grand Canyon North Rim Day Trip
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Mindi
Saturday 29th of October 2022
Did you see any wildlife on the hike? I’m afraid of seeing tarantulas…
SoloTripsAndTips
Saturday 29th of October 2022
Hi Mindi, No, I didn't see any tarantulas or wildlife during the hike. How about going with a hiking buddy or a group of friends to help you feel more at ease while hiking the trail? Cheers, Susan
Loa Lankhaar
Saturday 12th of March 2022
My family for years owned the tins ranch in the superstitions. Till my uncle went bankrupt and it went back to the forest service." Hoolie Bacon" the giving trail was named after my grandfather. There is a trail named after Grant Bacon my great grandfather. Even though they were brothers. There is a family cemetery in the superstitions where they are buried
Susan Moore
Saturday 12th of March 2022
Loa Lankhaar, Thank you for taking the time to comment. It's lovely to get a little bit of history about the superstitions. I looked up Hoolie Bacon trail and found it's trail #111 in the Superstitions. I have a friend traveling around the Superstitions this week, she may get out that way since she does have a 4x4. I'm looking forward to getting back to Arizona later this year, I miss it! Cheers, Susan