Boynton Canyon Trail and The Subway Cave: A Sedona Hike Review
Sedona, Arizona is a magical place full of red rocks, energy vortexes, crystals, and good vibes. It is known as the center of different energies of nature and is sacred for this reason. There is an endless amount of outdoor adventures for EVERYONE.
If you’re new to the area or you’re from out of state, it can be overwhelming to know WHAT to do on your trip to Sedona. You have to understand that you’ll never be able to do everything on one trip, and that’s OKAY. That’s why Sedona is so cool. I’ve lived here for 9 years and go to Sedona 4 times a year and still find new things to do. Boynton Canyon Trail is an awesome hike to add to your to-do list.
Why Should I Hike Boynton Canyon Trail?
This hike is perfect if you’re looking for an EASY TO MODERATE hike with CAVE VIEWS. Caves are SO popular these days in Sedona, and the Subway Cave on Boynton Canyon Trail is BEAUTIFUL. It’s a different hike in the sense that it doesn’t lead to a mountaintop, it leads to a cave. I will note, you need some experience hiking and some route-finding skills to find the cave. If you are up for the challenge and can be safe doing so, Boynton Canyon Trail won’t let you down.
BOYNTON CANYON TRAIL IS A CAN’T-MISS HIKE IN SEDONA.
TAKE THE SEDONA CARES PLEDGE
BEFORE HIKING- it’s important to remember how lucky we are to be able to recreate on this public land. Sedona created a pledge of important LEAVE NO TRACE principles that we all need to follow. Pledge yourself HERE.
- The rocks are red and the silence is golden. I vow to respect the natural quiet of Sedona’s open spaces and neighborhoods.
- I will be mindful of Sedona’s arid environment by minimizing my water and energy use and I will be extremely careful with fire.
- I’ll make my own memories, but not my own trails.
- I won’t risk life or limb (human or sapling) for more likes. I won’t get killed for a killer photo.
- When playing outside, I’ll be ready for rapid changes in weather and random episodes of magic.
- Leave No Trace and pack out trash – that includes TP and pup poo!
- I will discover art in Sedona’s galleries rather than making my own. Carving on trees or rocks, stacking stones, or defacing the environment diminishes nature’s art.
- If I can’t find a parking spot, I will not invent my own. I will go with the traffic flow, using my turn signal often and my car horn seldom.
- I’ll be caring and considerate wherever I go, because that’s the Sedona way.
Where is Boynton Canyon Trail?
PRO TIP
Hike at Sunrise or Sunset for easier parking!
NEED SOMEWHERE TO CAMP??
I’ve created a FORTY PAGE GUIDE outlining all the best free and paid campsites in Northern Arizona, including Sedona.
It can be hard to spend hours researching campsites, trying to figure out were they’re located, what they look like, the price, and the amenities. With my guide, those days are over! I give you everything you need to know, with links to my Google Maps AND it’s in a PDF so you can access it any time!
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO HIKE BOYNTON CANYON TRAIL
Boynton Canyon in Winter
Boynton Canyon in Summer
BEST HIKES IN SEDONA: BOYNTON CANYON TRAIL
Boynton Canyon Trail is a great hike for those with a bit of hiking experience under their belts that are looking for an adventure. I DO NOT recommend this hike for young kids or older adults with joint or mobility issues. Let’s get into the fun stuff!
HIKE STATS (TO SUBWAY CAVE)
NOTE: most of the trails in Sedona require a Red Rock Pass. They offer Day, Monthly, or Yearly passes depending on your stay. It’s only a few dollars per day and you don’t have to buy a new pass if you do multiple hikes in one day. If you often visit National Parks and National Forests, invest in the $80 yearly America the Beautiful Pass, which gets you into National Forest Fee Areas like this.
HIKING BOYNTON CANYON TRAIL
Let’s get started hiking Boynton Canyon Trail. Hopefully, you’ll find a parking spot in the main lot, if not you may have to walk a little extra. There is a well-defined sign a the beginning of the trail as well as a bathroom. Please note, the trail below doesn’t lead to the trail, which is why my stats are slightly different and why you need trail finding skills to do this hike.
At the 0.2-mile mark, you will see a trail sign and a fork in the path. At this point, you’ll go left. The beginning of this hike is pretty smooth and flat. Soon you’ll be able to see The Enchantment Resort on your left- it is super close to the trail (not ideal for me).
From this point, you’ll continue on straight until the 2 mile mark. My least favorite part of this hike is just being close to the resort, otherwise it is beautiful. There is some shaded areas which is nice. To get to the cave, you won’t go to the end of the Boynton Canyon Trail, you have to explore a little bit.
NERVOUS ABOUT GETTING LOST?
That’s good- that means you are cautious. Here’s two things you can do to be extra prepared.
1. GET ALL TRAILS PRO (download the trail map ahead of time so you can anavigate even when service is low and it will tell you when you go off route)
2. BUY GARMIN INREACH (a navigation tool where you can back track if you get lost. You can also call or text for help when there’s no service).
3. Bring an old fashioned paper map + compass
REMEMBER: saferty is first. if you aren’t prepared, don’t go.
Okay! Once you get to the 2.0 mile mark on the Boynton Canyon Trail, you will turn right to find the cave. Besides using a tracking device to know you’re at the 2.0 mile mark, you can look for this large alligator tree with arms that literally point to the trail (unintentionally). I love the 3D map of the trail to the cave below.
IMPORTANT NOTE!
This is a SIDE TRAIL, but it is well marked on AllTrails and the path is defined- you will not be bushwacking. Do not make new trails.
There are ruins at the end of this trail. DO NOT TOUCH THEM. Be respectful of nature. Please, enjoy the cave- SAFELY and RESPONSIBLY. But do not touch, lean on, or destroy ANY natural landmarks.
Once you turn right towards the cave, you’ll have a higher incline and more rocks to climb over. You’ll hike about 0.8 miles to the cave and 700 ft elevation gain. You’ll have beautiful canyon views on both sides. To get to the cave itself, you’ll notice this view below. It isn’t easy to hop up there, but you can do it! My dog is an experienced climber, so she was OK, but keep this in mind.
Like hiking to caves? Check out Keyhole Cave in Sedona too!
Boynton Canyon in Summer
Boynton Canyon in Winter
You can actually keep walking around the cave to the right to find more canyon views. There are ruins in this direction as well- please LEAVE NO TRACE and keep them the way you found them. I suggest not going near them at all! I love this photo of cacti covered in snow from my hike on Boynton Canyon Trail in winter.
FUN FACT
We refer to the winterized version of Sedona as “SNOWDONA“
It doesn’t happen often and if it does, it doesn’t last long. But boy is the snow on red rock beautiful.
SEE MY INSTAGRAM REEL for more Boynton Canyon Snowdona Views
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed learning more about Boynton Canyon Trail and how to find the Subway Cave in Sedona. Please, always remember that safety is first. If you don’t have experience, don’t go without someone who does. No photo is worth your life. If you love Sedona as much as I do, make sure to read these posts as well:
How to Find the Keyhole Cave in Sedona
Jeep Tours in Sedona- Are They Worth It?
Best Free Camping Near Sedona- End of the World
