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Sedona, AZ

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Boynton Canyon Trail

4.6 (99 reviews)

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Robert L.

Beautiful start to a wonderful day of hiking with my best friend and partner. We started this one because it's known to be the heart of all the Vortex energy Hikes. We did knock out all the vortex hikes. This is a relatively easy hike, they have a bathroom and also parking. Again spots fill fast so grab what you see first. Make sure you get your hiking pass before hand. The views from the top are amazing and they had markers along the way so you did not get lost. In all try this hike out it's pretty amazing

Marcie L.

Started this hike a little later than planned (around 10AM), but it still turned out to be such a great experience. If you're heading to the Subway Cave, I highly recommend downloading AllTrails beforehand. Once you're on the trail, it's not very clear where to turn off. We saw a few people along the way, but no one nearby when it actually mattered... which led to a little confusion. I only went off track for a few minutes, but my friends ended up going about a mile too far before turning back The hike is about 5 miles round trip. You'll spend roughly 2 miles on the Boynton Canyon Trail before reaching the turnoff for the Subway Cave. Overall, it's a pretty easy and enjoyable hike - mostly flat and shaded through beautiful forest scenery. The final stretch up to the Subway Cave involves some rock scrambling, but it's manageable. Once you're there, you've got a couple options: you can climb up to the left for an incredible view or head to the right and climb up a different way for another great vantage point. I saw some people (even toddlers!) navigating around the rocks, but personally that part felt a little nerve-racking for me. Parking fills up quickly so plan ahead. That said, there's plenty of street parking nearby off the street, and they run shuttles on weekends, which helps a lot. Definitely bring water. It can get hot, especially later in the day. Even though this is a popular hike, I didn't have to wait at all for photos. People were hanging out and soaking in the views, but it never felt crowded or rushed. Total time for me was about 2.5 to 3 hours, including time spent relaxing and exploring at the cave. Overall, such a beautiful and rewarding hike. Just don't miss that turn!

Helen H.

I got here around 7:15am and the main parking lot was already full. There was still plenty of parking on the side of the road though. I did the shorter Boynton Vista Trail that led to a vortex. You are also rewarded with a nice view. It was an easy hike with a little climbing of rock steps in the end. If I was to return to Sedona, I will have to attempt the Subway Cave next time!

Scott S.

Boynton Canyon Trail is one of the true jewels of the greater Sedona region. Not only does it take you to one of the essential vortexs of the area, but throughout its entire span you see beautiful, topography, great rock formations, plant, and wild life. It's truly an inspiring trail to walk upon. Located just outside of central Sedona, this trail is fairly easy to get to. It does have a main parking lot set up for you to park your car. But, it's important to note that this parking lot fills up quickly. In this case, your best bet is to park down the side of the road, just a bit away from the trailhead, There, you can oftentimes find parking. Keep in mind, however, this is a popular trail, so sometimes you may have to park as far as a mile away to even get to it on weekends and during the summer holidays. This is not a hard trail to hike upon, for those of you who don't like intense strenuous activities. Yes, there is some up and down, and it does transverse fora long range. But, if you take your time, you should have no trouble, enjoying the beauty that you will take in while walking on this trail. Overall, this is one of my favorite hiking spots in Sedona. Rain or shine, it is always a beautiful place to take in the scenery, breathe some very clean air, get your exercise on, and take in all of the great and vital energy that Sedona has to offer.

Kendoll C.

Boyton Canyon was one of the more unique Arizona Trails we experienced, as it offered a variety of different terrains to explore- Starting off with an easy flat path dessert walk, leading to an inclined path with gorgeous backdrop views of rock formations & mountain peaks- I kept wondering if the path was going to lead up a mountain with some bouldering, but it merely wove around- it transcended through villa homes & resorts, giving less private nature beauty, but still scenic Eventually, the signage died out & we lost our directional awareness, but this worked to our advantage as we stumbled upon other hikers, we followed them to what we thought was Boyton Canyon continued, but was actually the Subway Cave- The cave was an amazing side trip. The scramble up the 'subway' was quite a thrilling challenge- then tiptoeing around the rock edges to the historic rock formation cave walls, offered the most tranquil views of natural beauty- After exploring the cave & nearby rock edges, we finished along Boyton Canyon- which changed into an eerie haunted forest vibe with deep wilderness, thick trees- the temperature dropped about 10degrees entering this portion and the air thinned out- But the end of Boyton was anticlimactic-nothing, I think compared to some photos we saw online they shorted the end of the trail recently for reforestation conservation Overall a great hike- highly recommend

Darcy D.

My boyfriend and I hiked this trail to the "secret" cave in June. The first 2 miles of the hike were very hot with little shade, but great views of the rocks. It wasn't very difficult aside from the heat of the sun. The hike got more interesting when we turned off for the cave. Once you start climbing up those big, beautiful rocks, the view is stellar! We had a great time. I'm an avid hiker. My boyfriend is a beginner. We were both able to complete the hike to the cave and back (about 5 miles) with little issue. He needed a break after we climbed up to the viewpoint, but aside from that he was a-ok!

Scramble up the chute to Subway cave
Charles C.

Plan according if you plan to do the full hike to the end of the canyon or just to Subway. Figure total 7+ miles to do both the canyon end and the cave. Subway is a right hand turn off with NO sign just a big Juniper Tree. You should see a well worn track to the right on your way out. A god healthy climb to the subway cave. If you want the easy way up avoid the chute straight up and take the more steep trail to the left.

Verde Hohokam Cliff dwelling built around 1200 A.D.
Jay T.

Amazing beauty and historical significance with many undocumented sites to discover on your own, it all depends on how much time you have... Make sure to respect and be careful around all ruins so they can be enjoyed in the future by others.

Joel J.

Pretty excellent trail -if you're into hiking to energy vortexes. The views are amazing and it's a surprisingly short height. Highly recommended

Start of the trail view
Nicole R.

I hiked Boynton canyon trail to the subway cave and the views were incredible! There's no sign for turn to the cave but there's a large rock arrow. The chute to get up the cave is a bit spooky but there's also a trail to the left you can take instead. The parking lot is small and requires a red rock pass or America the beautiful pass but there's some roadside parking for free.

Trail Map
Travis T.

Boynton Canyon is one of Sedona's most popular hiking areas. Social Media sites like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram have really drawn a lot of attention to this canyon because of the trail to the popular Subway Cave (or Boynton Cave). Boynton Canyon is also the location of one of the four major Sedona vortexes. The Boynton Canyon trail is a moderate hike that is around 7 miles. Plan on parking on the side of Boynton Pass road as the parking lot is small and fills up quickly. I do not think the free Sedona shuttle makes a stop here. But the Boynton Canyon trail is a nice hike that passes by the Enchantment Resort and offers magnificent views of Sedona's red rocks. The trail to the Subway cave branches off of Boynton Canyon Trail. There is no sign marking the trail to the cave, but there is a makeshift marker. I just followed the crowds of people heading that way when I went. The trail to the cave is about half a mile. Once you arrive at the cave, you must climb up a narrow slit in between some sandstone walls. It is a bit difficult and there was a long line going up when I did it. Once inside, there are two ledges side-by-side with beautiful views of Boynton Canyon in the background that makes for great photos. There is usually a line on both ledges for photographs on busy days. I once saw a girl take a selfie with a large foot long Subway sandwich that she had hauled up to the cave (lol - what these IG influencers do to promote themselves). Once you are done, you can head back the way you came or check out some ruins on the right-hand side. You have to walk around a bend on the right ledge in the Subway cave to get to them. There is more space to move around and less people near the ruins. We ended up hanging out and eating our lunch at the ruins. The views of the canyon are so beautiful to take in. Overall, this is fun scenic hike. The Subway Cave itself makes for fun photos. Just be prepared to deal with a lot of tourists.

Restroom and kiosk to pay for parking.
Tony H.

We hiked here to check out the popular Subway Cave here in the canyon. There isn't too many spots in the lot next to the trail head, but luckily Boynton Canyon Rd had some space on the side of the road to park which was only about 200 feet away from the Lot. The hike is 4.5 to 5 miles out and back. Once you're about a mile and a half in the trail there is a decent amount of tree coverage but I'd still recommend hiking with a hat and even a lightly layered hoodie to keep you covered from the sun. If you plan on going up to the Subway Cave make sure you have hiking shoes with good grip because it's a challenging climb, but not impossible as I saw two kids around the ages of 8-10 make it up there. Before heading out to the trial we watched a few YouTube videos for some pointers on getting around the trail. Once you're about half a mile from Subway Cave there are more random trails than there are signs that let you know where you're going.

MaDonna W.

This was one of my all-time favorites.. we were in search of the four techs in this area. It was not a hard climb at all. We just followed what we thought sounded like a person playing the flute ... we followed the music, however when we got to the top, where at the Vortx was registered, the music is stopped... We stayed a little bit longer here at this site because it was very spiritual and just so pleasant ... it wasn't as windy as some of the other places, but it was gorgeous. And there was really not a lot of people. We were traveling up there around 1 o'clock in the afternoon on a Saturday. We really liked this one we recommend it ... take lots of water and sunscreen

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“It starts of pretty simply, once you turn off to the Subway cave, it then becomes bit more complex and arduous.”

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Airport Mesa

Airport Mesa

4.4(146 reviews)
6.1 mi

Most places give you a sunset. Airport Mesa apparently felt that was underachieving…read more Sharon and I headed up there in the evening to catch the famous Sedona sunset, which on its own would have been worth the trip. The sky started doing that Sedona thing -- layers of orange, pink, and gold spreading across the horizon while the red rocks glowed like they had their own internal lighting system. Just when we thought the show had hit peak beauty, we turned around. And there it was. One of the most majestic moonrises I've ever seen slowly lifting over the horizon like it had been perfectly scheduled to steal the second act. The sunset painting the sky one direction... and the moon rising bright enough in the other that I briefly wondered if I should've brought sunglasses. It felt like Sedona decided to give us the best of both celestial worlds. Sunset in front of us. Moonrise behind us. Nature's version of surround sound. The overlook itself is easy to access and well worth the stop. People gathered quietly, cameras out, everyone sharing that universal look that says, "Are you seeing this too?" Moments like that remind you why places like this are special. Beauty that stops you mid-sentence. The kind that makes everyone pause, breathe, and just take it in. Pro tip: arrive a little before sunset and stay a little after. You never know when the universe might decide to put on an encore. Five stars, no question.

What a beautiful morning for a nice 3 mile hike. A glorious day and my 66th. God is good. The trail…read moreis a bit rocky so wear some good hiking shoes or trail runners. The views are fantastic and parking at Airport Mesa is only $3 and they have vendors and a food truck for those looking for Indian jewelry and crafts or a quick bite. The parking lot host also sells bottled water for those in need. Great hike and trail options. The parking at the trailhead is limited so drive up to the airport lot. Highly recommended

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Airport Mesa - On top of airport mesa

On top of airport mesa

Airport Mesa
Airport Mesa

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Broken Arrow Trail

Broken Arrow Trail

4.8(62 reviews)
7.7 mi

Another trip up and back on the famous Broken Arrow Trail. This is my 4th time running this trail…read moreand it never disappoints. It's a short trail but a really fun trail. We saw a stock Tacoma and a stick Jeep getting dirty today. Nit recommend but they made it. I was in a Raptor today with 37" tires and I think we bottomed out two or three times. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is stock make sure you have a short wheel base and absolutely must have 4 wheel drive.

Overall a delightful hike-…read more We arrived early, so parking was easy (they had about 14 set spots)- however when leaving we noticed the lot was beyond packed & people were circling for spots (bit of advice) As we walked along the bumpy trails there was an element of rock climbing & inclined spots Also note- watch out for the Pink Jeep Tours; professional intense driving (they look like a great time) but their roads intersect with the trail a fair amount & they drive up certain viewpoint walks- The trail started off well marked, then hit a viewpoint area, and signage dropped off-while we thought we were scrambling up Chicken Point, we discovered we were just scrambling for fun & were able to view the real Chicken Point from the top of our mountain Then we wanted to take Hog Wash trail back-but couldn't find the loop connect at the end of Broken Arrow I still rate the trail very high because our random scrambles were quite challenging & entertaining- it's a great area to explore based on your capability- and offers many varying side paths

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Broken Arrow Trail - Ford Raptor made it with no problems

Ford Raptor made it with no problems

Broken Arrow Trail
Broken Arrow Trail - Ford Raptor made it with no problems

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Ford Raptor made it with no problems

Red Rock State Park

Red Rock State Park

4.4(182 reviews)
7.6 mi

Red Rock State park was the passport to our Sedona adventure. I didn't realize there was such an…read moreextensive trail system. On my list now is to figure out how to stitch all these trails together and come back and do a mega hike. Please come and create your own adventure.

We took the whole family out to Red Rock State Park, and it ended up being one of the most balanced…read moredays we've had out here. Not overwhelming, not chaotic, just... right. If you've spent time around Sedona, you know how quickly things can feel crowded and overrun. This place is the opposite. It feels more intentional, more preserved. You're still surrounded by those iconic red rock formations, but here they're framed by open meadows, clusters of trees, and the steady presence of Oak Creek winding through the park. We set out as a group, a mix of adults and kids, and found trails that worked for everyone. That's the beauty of this place. You don't have to be chasing a summit to enjoy it. The trails are well-marked, manageable, and still interesting enough to keep you engaged. You're moving through changing terrain the whole time. One minute you're walking through sunlit grass, the next you're tucked into shade near the water, then you turn a corner and the red rock rises up again like it's been waiting for you. The creek pulls you in. There's something about moving water in the desert that makes you slow down without realizing it. We stopped more than once just to sit for a minute, let the kids explore a bit, listen to the sound of it moving over rock. No rush, no pressure to keep pushing forward. Wildlife shows up if you're paying attention. Birds moving through the trees, the occasional lizard darting across the trail, subtle signs that this isn't just a scenic backdrop, it's a living system doing its thing. What stood out most was the pace. This isn't a place that demands anything from you. It lets you take it in at your own speed. Some of us pushed a little farther down the trail, others hung back and soaked it in. Nobody felt like they were missing out. It's also one of those rare parks that feels curated without feeling artificial. You can tell it's cared for. Trails are maintained, signage is clear, and there's a quiet respect for the environment that seems to carry over to the people visiting. By the time we looped back, nobody was checking the time. That's usually a sign you picked the right place. If Sedona at its busiest feels like a spectacle, this feels like a conversation. Same landscape, different tone. And sometimes that's exactly what you want.

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Red Rock State Park
Red Rock State Park - Nightshade

Nightshade

Red Rock State Park - Snoopi

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Boynton Canyon Trail - hiking - Updated October 2026

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