Boynton Canyon Trail and Subway Cave: Sedona Arizona
Boynton Canyon and the Subway Cave was one of my favorite hikes in Sedona Arizona — not only does this hike take you back into the canyon, you have the option to see two surprises on this trail (a vortex and a cave!), by taking two different spur trails along the way. In this post, I’ll tell you how to visit the subway cave as well as the famous vortex site along the Boyton Canyon trail.
You’ve probably seen photos online of the Subway Cave and I’m here to tell you that it’s even better in person. And if you’re willing to do a little off-trail hiking as well as some scrambling, you can see it for yourself. Let’s dig in!

Parking at the Boynton Canyon Trailhead
Parking at the Boynton Canyon trailhead can be a chaotic mess if you don’t get here first thing in the morning – and I’m talking “you need to be here at sunrise, no later” kind of early. I did this hike in mid-December and arrived at sunrise. There was plenty of parking but it was filling up very quickly. By the time I finished my hike around 10am, the parking lot was full and people were parking along Boynton Canyon Road. There are vault toilets at the trailhead parking lot.


Trailhead location:
Boynton Canyon Trail – Quick Facts
Type: Out and Back
Trail surface: Mostly dirt, but becomes rocky out to the Subway cave.
Elevation Gain: About 800 feet but it didn’t feel like much of anything.
Round Trip Distance:
This is going to depend on what, if any, spur trails you end up doing:
Entire Boyton Canyon Trail without any detours: 6.3 miles
Entire Boyton Canyon Trail with the Subway Cave: 7.1 miles
Entire Boyton Canyon Trail with Subway Cave + Vortex: 7.5 miles
Boyton Canyon Trail just to the Subway Cave and Back: 5.6 miles
Boyton Canyon Trail just to the Subway Cave + Vortex: 6.6 miles. THIS IS WHAT I DID AND WHAT I RECOMMEND.
PRO TIP: I don’t think it’s worth it to go all the way to the end of Boyton Canyon.

Hiking Boyton Canyon
At about 0.2 miles in, you’ll come across this sign for the Red Rock Wilderness area. You will be going off to the left. The trail itself is very flat – in fact, I did a little bit of trail running when I was doing this hike. It’s very easy. The trail passes by the famous Enchantment Resort, an extremely expensive place to stay (but hey, if you stay here, you’ll have easy access to this trail without worrying about parking!).

The Enchantment Resort is quite large; so big that you’ll be hiking alongside of it for a long time so it takes away the ‘I’m one with nature’ vibes that most of us go hiking for. I definitively didn’t care for this aspect of the hike.


PRO TIP: I always, ALWAYS use AllTrails Pro when I’m hiking. AllTrails has the route marked on its map to the Subway cave which really helps when finding out where the turn off is.
How to Find the Boynton Canyon Vortex
Boynton Canyon is home to a well-known vortex site located near the beginning of the trail, accessible via the Boynton Vista Trail. Many visitors to Sedona are drawn to these vortex locations because they’re believed to promote spiritual growth.
To reach the vortex site, start at the Boynton Canyon trailhead and head straight toward the sign marked “Vista” and follow the trail.

This spur trail is roughly about 1/2 mile and eventually come to a flat area with an interesting rock formation. This is where the Boynton Canyon vortex is located. There is no sign or anything. Many hikers report feeling an energy pull while in the area, with some claiming that the higher they climb on the rock formation, the more intense the energy becomes.

As for me, I didn’t feel anything. Not gonna lie, I’m not into woo-woo / crystals / new age hippy-dippy bullshit.
I did this hike on the way back, as I wanted to get out to the Subway Cave before the crowds rolled in. Also, if you visit in the morning hours, the viewpoint up at the vortex is all in the shade due to the angle of the sun. Just keep that in mind if you’re into photography.
The spur “Vista” trail to the vortex does get steep – it will take you about 30 minutes to go up to the vista and back.
Turn off to the Subway Cave
Back to the main Boynton Canyon trail. The turn off to the Subway Cave is at Mile Marker 2 on this hike — so if you’re using All Trails, keep it up on your find to mind the distance. There is no actual SIGN, but there is a large tree that you can use as a waypoint.

At this tree, take a right. You’ll see a small, sandy path. This trail is unofficial, but it is worn-down so it’s not like you’re going to be bushwacking your way to the cave. Just stay on the path – it does become much more rocky as you get closer to the cave. You will be hiking 0.8 miles from this point to the cave.
Chances are, you’ll see others on this path too. If you’re scared about getting lost, don’t be. Just follow the crowd.
I thought it was really difficult to climb up the crevice into the cave. The red rock was very, very slick and I had a tough time hoisting myself up into the cave. I did this hike solo so I had no one to help me! If you’re on the taller side, you might have an easier time with it, but I’m 5’3″ and it was pretty tough.

Again, I want to emphasize that climbing up here was NOT easy. It looks easier to do in photos than it does in real life! Once you’re up into the cave, turn around because that’s your money shot! It’s an absolutely amazing view.


There is a back way into the cave that’s a lot easier. Unfortunately, I did not know about this nor did I see anyone else doing this when I was there. If I go out to the cave again, I’ll be climbing into the cave this way, and I will update the post.
Despite arriving early, I was not the only one at the cave. There were a few groups of other hikers here, but everyone was extremely respectful and everyone took turns getting the photos they wanted.
There are indigenous ruins near this cave if you walk around it, but I didn’t know about them until later. If you do venture out to see them, please be respectful and follow Leave No Trace principles, as always.
I spent about 30 minutes at the cave, taking photos, relaxing and enjoying the view.

Back on the Boynton Canyon Trail
After you’ve had your fill at the Subway Cave, you’ll have to climb down that crevice, which again, I had trouble doing — but it was a little easier climbing down than climbing up, as I could scooch on my butt. To get back on the Boyton Canyon Trail, just go back the same way you came. Once you arrive back at the main trail, you can either continue on to the end of the Boyton Canyton trail, which is about another mile (one way) or you can do what I did and make your way back to the parking lot. If you skipped the vortex vista on your way out here, you can take that spur trail on the way back. That’s what I did.
Best Time to Hike Boynton Canyon and The Subway Cave
Best Season: The ideal time to hike both Boynton Canyon and Subway Cave is during Sedona’s cooler months. Spring and fall offer comfortable temperatures for hiking. Summer in Sedona can be miserable, with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, so it’s best to hike early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the midday heat. I hiked this in December and had excellent weather – it was chilly in the morning (temps around 40 degrees, so I was bundled up, wearing mittens and a winter hat), but by the time I finished my hike, all the gear was off and I was hiking in leggings and a lightweight longsleeve workout top.
Weather: Always check the weather forecast before heading out. Sedona’s weather can be unpredictable, especially during monsoon season (July to September), when severe thunderstorms can roll in. Make sure to hike with enough water, sunscreen, and appropriate footwear, and avoid hiking during stormy weather. Sedona is at an elevation where they do get snow in the winter, so, again check the forecast before heading out!
Tips for Hiking Boynton Canyon and Subway Cave
- Always bring plenty of water: The dry desert air can dehydrate you quickly, so make sure to bring enough water for the entire hike. A good rule of thumb is to drink at least half a liter per hour of moderate hiking.
- Wear good hiking shoes: While the Boynton Canyon trail is fairly flat and easy, the spur trail to the Subway Cave involves uneven terrain, loose rocks, and some very slippery surfaces – especially when climbing up into the cave. Proper hiking boots or trail running shoes are essential for traction!
- Use a trail app: While the Boynton Canyon Trail is well-marked, finding Subway Cave requires some off-trail navigation. Using a map or a trail app like AllTrails will help you stay on track.
- Be mindful of the environment: Always practice Leave no trace to ensure these beautiful spots remain accessible for future generations.
- Safety first: Always let someone know your planned route and expected return time. Carry a fully charged phone, a first aid kit, and a headlamp or flashlight.

Boynton Canyon Trail FAQs
Do I need a park pass?
Yes! You will need either a Red Rock pass or an America the Beautiful Pass to park in the Boyton Canyon trailhead parking lot. You can purchase a Red Rock pass in the lot.
Is there a shuttle bus for Boynton Canyon?
No – unfortunately, the Sedona shuttle does not service this trailhead, even though this is an extremely popular hike.
When is the best time to photograph the Subway Cave?
Depending on what type of effect you want in your photos might determine when you want to hike out here. The subway cave faces east, so if you hike during the early morning hours, the sunlight will light up the inside of the cave. After the sun passes over the cave, you’ll still get nice photos, but it won’t lit up from the inside, so you might need to do some photo editing. The photos on this post were taken around 8:30am in December.
How long will hiking Boyton Canyon take?
This hike won’t take all day – it’s flat and you can go quickly. I was finished with it by 10 am (so about 3 hours) and had time for two more epic Sedona hikes on this day. After this hike, I did Devils Bridge and in the late afternoon, did Cathedral Rock. I went pretty hard with the hiking on this day, but if you’re up for it, you can knock them all out in one day if you have enough energy! (And I did this in mid-December when sunset is at about 5pm or so).
Boynton Canyon Trail and the Subway Cave – Final Thoughts
While I wasn’t all that impressed with the Boynton Canyon section of the trail (especially because most of it passes along a neighborhood of luxury homes and a big resort), the Subway Cave just blew me away. I absolutely loved it and it was 100% worth it — and yes, I would absolutely hike this again. I don’t think it’s worth it to go all the way to the end of Boynton Canyon; just going to the Subway Cave and back is enough. Also, if you’re looking for a workout, this hike isn’t it. I might’ve hiked 6.6 miles but it felt like a simple walk in the woods. Despite not being much of a leg burner, it’s definitely one of the top hikes in Sedona — you don’t want to miss this!



More About Sedona, Arizona
SEDONA ARIZONA ITINERARY: I created a 3-day itinerary, focused mostly on hiking in Sedona, if you’re looking to figure out what you can do with a long weekend in Sedona.
BEST HIKES IN SEDONA: These are some of the other hikes in Sedona that I’ve written about: Little Horse Trail to Chicken Point, Doe Mountain, Fay Canyon, Devil’s Bridge Trail, and Cathedral Rock.
WHERE TO STAY IN SEDONA: I’ve stayed at (and written about) these hotels in Sedona. Arabella Hotel – Sedona, Arizona, and Desert Quail Inn Hotel.
NEARBY THINGS TO DO IN SEDONA: Looking for a day trip from Sedona? Here are some places I’ve written about that are close enough for a day trip from Sedona: Tuzigoot National Monument, Travel Guide: Montezuma Castle National Monument + Montezuma Well
View all of my Sedona posts here!
More About Arizona
WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO SEE IN ARIZONA: Check out all of the posts on Arizona on this blog here.
ARIZONA ITINERARIES:
3 Days in Sedona Arizona: Focus on Hiking
3-Day Tucson Arizona Itinerary
US NATIONAL PARK UNITS IN ARIZONA: Did you know Arizona has 22 National Park Service units? I wrote about them all here. Some of my favorite NPS sites in Arizona are Organ Pipe National Monument, Tuzigoot National Monument, and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument – Flagstaff, Arizona.
OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH ARIZONA: Looking for something else? Here are some lesser-known sites in Arizona that you might want to check out: Abandoned Lisa Frank Warehouse, Fairbank Ghost Town, Agua Caliente Regional Park, and The Abandoned Buckhorn Baths.
ROUTE 66: The famous Route 66 runs through part of Northern Arizona. If you’re thinking of doing a Route 66 road trip, check out my Route 66 tips.