The Boynton Canyon Trail and Subway Cave in Sedona Arizona ~ Adventures in Southern California

Boynton Canyon Trail in Sedona Arizona

If you're visiting Sedona, Arizona, one of the best hikes in the area is Boynton Canyon Trail. It's located about 10–15 minutes outside downtown Sedona and roughly an hour from Flagstaff. The hike is approximately 6–7 miles round trip, depending on where you turn around, and takes about 3–4 hours to complete. It's considered a moderate hike, although most of the trail isn't particularly difficult. The scenery is fantastic, with massive red sandstone cliffs, beautiful desert landscapes, and some pretty incredible views of the surrounding mountains.

Getting to the trailhead is easy. Boynton Canyon Road is paved all the way to the parking lot, so you won't need a truck or SUV. Any regular car can make the drive. There's a decent amount of parking at the trailhead, along with additional roadside parking nearby, although it can fill up quickly on weekends. You'll generally need a Red Rock Pass or an accepted federal recreation pass to park. You can park a bit further down to avoid paying for parking, but that may have changed. The trail is also close to the Thunder Mountain trail system, so there are several other hiking options in the area if you want to explore more of Sedona.

There are also a couple of interesting caves in this area worth checking out. The most famous is Subway Cave, which is accessible from an unmarked side trail off Boynton Canyon Trail. It's an impressive rock formation that looks a little like a subway tunnel carved into the sandstone. This was our turn around point. Getting up into the cave requires some scrambling over steep rock, so it's not something everyone will want to attempt. Another popular destination nearby is Birthing Cave, a large cave with a spectacular view of the surrounding red rocks. Birthing Cave is actually off the neighboring Long Canyon Trail, rather than the main Boynton Canyon Trail, but it's close enough to visit while exploring the area. Both caves involve some steep, rocky sections, so be careful, especially near the exposed ledges.

Boynton Canyon is dog-friendly, which is another reason I recommend it. Dogs are allowed on the main trail as long as they're kept on a leash. Most of the hike is manageable for active dogs, although I wouldn't recommend taking them up the more difficult rock scrambles into the caves. The trail itself can be a little crumbly in spots, with loose rocks, uneven surfaces, and some narrow sections. I wouldn't recommend it for really small kids, people who have trouble walking on uneven ground, or older hikers with mobility issues. It's definitely not stroller-friendly. With that said, if you're reasonably active and have decent hiking shoes, most of the main trail shouldn't give you too much trouble.

One thing to keep in mind is the weather. Sedona can get really hot during the summer, and the exposed first half of this trail doesn't provide much protection from the sun. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat. This is a great winter hike. Sedona generally has fairly mild winter weather compared to Flagstaff, and daytime temperatures can be perfect for hiking. You'll still want to check the forecast because it occasionally snows, and shaded sections can get icy. Spring and fall are also excellent times to visit, although you'll probably encounter more hikers.

After finishing the hike, I recommend stopping at The Hudson restaurant in Sedona. It's a little pricey, but the food and drinks are excellent, and they have a fantastic outdoor deck overlooking Sedona's red rock scenery. It's a great place to relax with a drink and something to eat after spending a few hours hiking. If you're making a full day out of your visit, another place worth checking out is nearby Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon. It's one of the most popular attractions around Sedona, with beautiful canyon scenery, natural rock waterslides, and swimming areas. The water can be freezing during the winter, but it's still a beautiful place to walk around and take photos.