Boynton Canyon Trail

Beautiful trail. Bring plenty of water! Turn off to Subway Cave is ~2miles in. See my review for the Subway Cave for detailed instructions. Come early, y’all. Parking fills up quickly. It’s $5 (as of 2025) to park for the day. Trail is easy to moderate. Views are fabulous. Bring 2-4L of water!

Gorgeous place and a great hike! Taking off a star because of way too many people around, which unfortunately, inevitably means at least some inconsiderate people. That also means that it would be hard for anyone seeking solitude to fully enjoy this hike. But then again, anyone considering this hike should already know it is a very popular hike which draws a lot of people. All of that aside, it really is a hike that shouldn't be missed!

The trail is a beautiful scenic view of the Red Rocks. The trail is mostly flat with some steady incline and declines. Take a detour to Subway Cave off the main path for one of the best views.

Somewhat of a nature walk, off the Enchantment, into the canyon. Lots of bugs in June and if you are the first to head toward the subway cave, you'll also be the first to clear the spiderwebs created the night prior. All is worth it, and the influencers may thank you. Epic views with magical properties await.

I hiked this trail today March 22 with a friend, the weather was perfect for hiking. We got there around 8:30am, but there were a lot of cars parked near the trail entrance. We started walking on the trail around 8:45am, and one way it took just over 90 minutes. The last 10 minutes were more difficult, otherwise this is a flat and easy trail most of the time. Along the way you can see the sun moving on the mountains, the landscape can be quite stunning. There isn’t much amenity to speak of, only one toilet at parking so that’s an issue, especially today given it’s a Saturday and the middle of spring break. We started going back around 10:40am, and many people arrived for a late start of hiking. In terms of difficulty, for me with a slender body I would rank it as easy to moderate. There are many viewpoints to visit in the area, but we just focused on the trail. Worth returning for repeat visits.

My wife and I took this trail so we could get to the subway cave. The Boynton trail is well marked and has lot of two coverage so is its cool. We went in the middle of June at 6 am so the temperature was around 67° when we started. On the way back the temperature got up to 90°. Lots of trees on the Boynton trail, but making it to the subway cave there isn’t any trail sign. There is a little arrow on the ground exactly 2 miles from the parking lot. Once your on the trail it’s pretty well marked, and is 2.5 miles from the parking lot, except for when you get to the cave, you can go around to get to the cave, which is really not a cave or you can go up a steep rise, which is faster. I would recommend a good pair of hiking shoes since there are parts of the rock that you will be walking in an angle. 5 miles round-trip. Bring water

We took about 4.5 hours to hike the entirety of Boynton Canyon Trail and also the Subway Station (which we missed the turn for the first time because it was unmarked). There was some rock scrambling, but mostly lots of walking in red sand trails through brush and alongside the rock face. There was a lot of shade from the hiking among the trees, which was a life saver.

Nice hike, great views of valley, walk in the woods and on the overlooking trails. About 3-4 hr if you want to see everything

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

It's a bit of distance but not difficult to reach the end. Luckily we were the last of the day hikers and enjoyed the end of trail and entire canyon all alone. Not sure such a small end of trail point would be as enjoyable if crowded.

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!

How lucky are we that live in the valley to have Sedona just a short car ride way. Sedona is beautiful and known worldwide for its red rocks, and Sedona has many hiking trails to explore and that's my goal this year to explore more trails. On this trip I knew I wanted to check out the Subway Cave, its within the Boynton Canyon Trail, Boynton Canyon Trail is one of the most scenic of the box canyons, it's also one of the four Sedona vortexes, It wraps around the Enchanted Resort. The trailway leading to the subway cave is apx 2ish miles in, there is no clear marker, some people do set up stones to point an arrow in the direction to turn but as we were coming up on that a group of hikers destroyed it. I don't know why people feel the need to ruin things lol anyways, If you miss the turn off for the subway cave, which can be done, know if you are still on Boynton Canyon trail and your in the middle of lots of pine trees you have gone too far. As you can guess we went to far, we almost finished Boynton Canyon Trail, which wasn't even bad, it's a beautiful Zen hike how you can be mad. We turned around and saw where we missed the turn for the hike and made our way up. Now to get to see the Subway Cave you do have to climb up some rocks and some parts are steep, but don't let that discourage you. The views of this hike 10000 out of 10! Glad to have made it out on this trail! Total mileage when done over 9 miles but like I said we missed our turn for the subway trial the 1st time by.

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.

The trail is easily the best trail in Sedona! It's a canyon trail with abundant trees so the temperature tends to be cooler. It's a very clear path so you won't get lost easily. It's a long walk but it's filled with numerous views and the end is spectacular. When you get to the canyon climb, you have the opportunity to scramble up a rather steep rock but it's totally worth it. Plus, there are some ruins located around the side if you are brave enough to walk over there. I'd recommend going early in the morning for a good parking spots and the best temperatures.

Take the way up to the left once you get to the canyon it's so much easier! The views are absolutely spectacular. You do need to take snacks and enough water.

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.

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

Once we found the Subway Cave it was all worth the trip! What an amazing and beautiful sight to see! We actually missed the unmarked turn to the cave and did the whole entire hike! Man, what a mistake to make right? LOL! I'm very proud of us for making it but it would have been much shorter had we known where we were actually suppose to go! They say the Subway Cave is one of the many vortexes to find in Sedona! Doing the whole hike kept us out double the time but I'm glad we didn't give up. What's funny is that we asked every single person we passed if we were close and what we were looking for and they didn't mention it was unmarked until we were on the way back! What a hike! Haha! So worth it but next time we will know exactly where to turn off!

great little trail easy to moderate skill necessary and soft powdery uneven trail floor. There were rocks as big as your head that you have to walk on top of for a short period of the trail, as well as climbing/lunging some fairly large stairs. You have to be able to lift your leg at least a foot and a half. I would not say this trail is handicap accessible or for anyone with any walking disabilities as the trails do become curved/narrowed at some times. But OVERALL, it's pretty great in the scenery and rotation of forms of walking/climbing it puts your body through. It was everything we were looking for as beginners. I'd say a mile and a half to where we are pictured at top of mountain. You can go further if your more experienced then us obviously! But I suggest some real hiking/climbing gear. Happy hiking!!

Absolute must do hike when in Sedona, this is my number 1 pick! So, I had see the photos for this trail and it was in my top 2 must hiked for Sedona this short trip. Word of advice, AllTrails map helps for Boyton Trail but there is no map for Subway Cave, I used a blog I found online to find this. Fortunately, there was many people on the route which helped as well :) Boyton loop is a very calm scenic trail, and it's hard to imagine this being in AZ. There was streams of water and the vortex was cool. I did not feel anything major, just peaceful. I'd recommend packing plenty of water and maybe a light lunch to enjoy at the top. The Subway cave can be accessed about 2 mi into the trail (so, you did this before completing the loop). We totaled 9 miles - AllTrails said 6 0_0 The cave was absolutely worth it but does require some scrambling (small climbing). The views are incredible, I absolutely recommend! *Tip: Add Subway Cave, you will not regret it

One of the best hikes I have ever done. I have been to the end and there is a huge pile of rocks, there is a little scrambling, but not too bad. Well marked trail. Parking is limited. There is a fee machine. Dogs were in the trail. There are some narrow spots bring a mask. It can be slippery after it rains wear proper footwear. There are ruins please don't disturb them and a subway rock formation that can be dangerous. Use caution and common sense it's not worth falling to get that selfie. If you are hiking along ask someone to take your photo bring sanitizer to clean phone, be safe.

The most beautiful trail I have hiked thus far in life, and I hike a lot. The trail is popular and has many sub-trails. If you are trying to do the Subway Cave, which I recommend to all, follow the All Trails Map careful ly, as it is easy to get lost. While there are many parking spots, Boynton is popular, and most are gone by 8AM, so arrive early. Parking is $5 in cash or free if you have the Sedona Parking Pass ($40 for a year and is valid for all trails). The trail is a mix of shade and sun with mostly dirt but some rock terrain as well. Overall, do yourself a favor and hike this lovely trail :)

The Boynton Canyon Trail is a challenging hike with narrow paths and beautiful scenery. There are clearly marked trail markers along the way to guide you along the several miles of rocky trails amidst the unique red rock geological formations. After I started walking I experienced some of Sedona's famous vortex energy when my phone's music app unexpectedly turned on and started playing music. I was surprised because my phone indicated I had no internet connection and it was in my zipped pouch. Coincidentally this also happened the day before at Bell Rock. Midway on my hike, I encountered two deers who seemed serenely comfortable with my presence and continued eating their meal while I was taking their pictures. There are beautiful views and the world famous Enchanted Resort is clearly visible. Using my Fitbit, I easily got into "fat burn" mode and was sweating the whole way while navigating the inclines and rocky terrain. My parking pass cost $5 and there were plenty of spots available.

Hiked on 5/8 & other trails during a Phoenix & Sedona trip & posted a vlog! Search "Nikko Gandia Travels Sedona" on YouTub3. The subway cave can be reached via trail split. Recommend making the cave your endpoint, unless you want the mileage, views at the end of the actual trail are not as spectacular as the cave. Get the 7 day Red Rock Parking Pass at the machine if you're doing a multi-day Sedona trip, most trails require it.

Great trail while visiting sedona. Went with family and friends and it was a pretty decent hike, not too challenging even with kids. Got to see one of those famous "vortex" that you hear about. Its a nice view, didnt get any special nature vibes, but i wasnt looking for it :) I do recommend a good pair of hiking shoes for this one since there are a lot of rocks on the trail. Parking is limited, but you can park by the road about 5 min walk away from main trailhead.

Amazing 5 star hike. There is a not so secret spot called the subway cave that is definitely worth it to hike to. Bring plenty of water and a snack. The subway cave is about like 3 miles into the hike . . You go off the trail a bit. There were plenty of other hikers so we were able to navigate pretty easily. You can also see ruins at the cave. It was breathtaking.

It is pretty long trail if you start from the parking lot to the subway cave as the end point. We stayed at Enchanment resort so we get direct access to the trail. I hiked to the Boynton Vista trail/Boynton Pass Vortex the first day and the Subway cave the second day. 1. From Enchantment resort to Boynton vista trail/Boyton Pass Vortex: about 2 mile round trip. From parking to Boyton vista, it is about 1 1/2 mild RT. It is easy to moderate. The most part is not shaded. From the trail to go up hill to the vista/ vortex, it is a bit rocky uphill but is doable. At the top, you have a good view. The man plays flute at the top of the rock everyday. It is quite nice and relaxing. This vortex is supposed to be one of the strongest one in Sedona, with both feminine and masculine energy. Some claim they can feel the vibration of the rocks and energy flowing... did I feel it? Nope, just my legs shaking from wind and elevation! For this part of the trail, it is good for all ages. 17 oz water bottle (1/2L) is good per person. 2. Subway cave trail: From Enchantment resort, it is about 3 + mile RT. From parking, it is about 5 mile RT. This part is moderate to difficult. It is mostly shaded. The first half of the trail is easy strolling with many wildflowers, very pretty. After the red dirt trail, the trail splits, keep right. There is mark on the ground at the big tree to mark the last 1/2 and more rocky uphill part. Keep on right side, pass the ravine, hike uphill along some big windy trees, turn sharp right against the rock wall, continuing up. This part is tricky and easy to get lost. The good thing is many hikers around... so I just ask other hikers and following them. I did download Altrail app map and still got lost! At the caves, you can climb up on the left side to some big caves and ruins. Some people get to the subway cave from there. However, it is very narrow cliff... and I'm no spiderman! On the right side, you have to climb up the slippery straight up cliff to get to subway cave. It is pretty amazing view from both sides. This part is not good for young children and older folks. If you are hiking alone, try to hike during peak hours so you can get some hikers help spotting you to climb up and down. I would recommend good tracking shoes and at least 1L water per person. Overall, it is a nice trail but it is not one of my favorite ones (not comparing to Zion or Napali coast or Lanikai pillbox).

This is fairly short trail, located in Boynton Canyon. Compared to the other hikes in Sedona, this area has much more vegetation, trees, spiky plants, and cactus. I would highly recommend going to the Vortex mountains, with male and female energy vortexes. Short overall hiking, but challenging if you want to climb to the tops of these formations.

It was supposed to be a 30 minutes hike . but we took a wrong trail and total was a 3 hours hike . we had to go to "Vista" at the sign to go to a vortex . But we enjoyed the hiking anyway .

Honestly, all the trails in Sedona are fantastic! If you are looking for a long easy hike with shade and forest, this would be the hike for you. My friend and I specifically chose to hike on a weekday (Thursday to be exact) to avoid the crowds. It so happened the few days we were in Sedona it was well into the 90's in temperature. We got to the trailhead, which to keep in mind you pay a parking fee. The lot was full but we managed to find spots to park around the corner. Trail signage was very clear, lots of shade so the heat was not bad, though bring water and a snack, it is about 7-8 miles round trip. Beautiful views. It's a great hike!

The leaves were turning when we did this in early November, and that helped make this a 5 star hike. Some beautiful scenery that at points reminded me of Yosemite (no other hike in Sedona had the style of views that this one had). It ends in a huge rock formation that a local told me is the largest energy vortex in Sedona... I don't know anything about energy vortexes, but I can tell you that the view at the end of the trail was beautiful and tranquil. A great place to just hang out and soak in all the surrounding natural beauty. The entire trail was shaded on the way up, which the dogs loved. However, given the angle of the sun on the way back there was plenty of sun on the last 25% of the route. Dog Owners beware: We twice experienced wild Javelinas on this trail, which sent our dogs into a frenzy. We didn't experience any problems because they were on leash, but an off leash dog might have charged them, and then all hell would have broken loose.

Great trail. About 5-6 mile round trip. I went in August and there was no water in the stream. Luckily there were shades and canopy so it wasn't as bad. Took us about 4 hours hiking, with an 8 years old. Most of the trail was flat but rocky. View at end of trail was decent but I know there are better views out there. The great point is that we saw plenty of wild life: rattle snake, lizards, butterflies, deer. That was pretty cool. Oh and do not use the directions on yelp. Takes you to the parking lot for devil's bridge. Just go to Map and look up Boyton canyon trail head.

To say the views from the cave or the top of hike aren't beautiful is an understatement. We spent most of our Saturday here exploring and enjoying nature. While some parts of the trail were crowded we took our time, waited out the crowds and enjoyed a wonderful place. We will definitely be back.

The hike along Boynton Canyon Trail was easy to moderate. The hike to the cave was moderate to hard. Parking is good for the first 20 vehicles (approximately). There is a fee. There is a restroom... Unisex loo. It does stink. we didn't find a hand sanitiser. There are plenty of toilet paper during the first half of the day. Must bring more than enough water, electrolytes, and energy bar or snack. SUGGESTIONS:. 1- bring your own wipes or tp 2- bring your own hand sanitiser. 3- arrive before 0800 for parking spot and less crowded along the trail 4- trail to the cave, not recommended for children under 12 5- leash the pups at all times 6- be mindful of other hikers... The trail narrows down. Please share the trail responsibly. .

Did the subway and LOVED it! Trail is a bit confusing, follow it from the parking lot past the Enchantment Resort about 2 ish miles and there will be a large sandy opening area with a log off to the right, which you will step over to proceed to the subway. After that the trail is fairly easy to follow through brush, and you will need to climb up to the subway, it's a bit steep.

If you go here, please do not touch the ruin. Do not lean against it. Do not take rocks from it. Do not lean on top of it. Do not put your hands, feet, or any part of your body on it at all. Do not lean your bag against it. In the span of one year this ruin that has been here HUNDREDS of years undisturbed has suffered recognizable damage because of this trail blowing up on social media. Also, pack out what you packed in and leave no trace.

If you're on this trail because you plan to go to the Subway Cave, make sure that your shoes have excellent grips. These days people who want to take tons of pictures in various poses for their social media. The cave draws crowds and you might find yourself waiting a long time for your turn to take the photos like what you've seen online. Enjoy!

Our first hike in Sedona and we're so glad we did it! Boynton Canyon Trail is rather tucked away in the hills and it winds on and on for a couple miles along the base of a line of mountains. Then you arrive in the canyon and feel like you're in a whole new world! The air is colder, the trees are more deciduous, and the path covered in leaves. From there, you walk at a more leisurely pace through the canyon until hiking almost straight up to a lookout point and the trail's end. We packed walking poles just in case and didn't need them for the majority of the trail, but made all of the difference there at the end! You end up on a broad plateau and get to look straight back down the path. Seriously, check this trail out!

A beautiful trail to hike, and well worth the time. We had to pay $5 for parking and really enjoyed the walk. Lots of trees and the signage was good. An excellent respite.

A longer, more scenic hike through one of Sedona's most energy filled areas. We did both the longer, multi-terrain hike which didn't have an official ending as another trail picked right up on the other side of the rock filled area. We also did the shorter hike to the Vortex area with incredible views. I personally didn't feel what other claim they do as a higher energy area, but as will any hike where you can just zone out and enjoy your surroundings, I definitely felt rejuvenated. Where was the flute guy people are talking about? There were very few people on either trail when we went. The long trail is suitable for all age levels/abilities and about half the trail in shady. The shorter hike has a more significant elevation climb, especially at the end was fully in the sun. This spot is a must if in the area.

$5 parking fee, I got here a quarter to 3PM on Saturday, parking lot was pretty much full. The hike goes by a bunch of resorts in the beginning which isn't that great but the views there in my opinion were the best. Afterward, it goes into the trees, gets a bit cold due to the shade, and then just goes on for a bit without any views. I went about 2 miles in before turning back around. Lots of people on the trail although many are wearing masks which is good.

This is just an amazing hike, and this review is coming from a couple in their late 60's! Off Boynton Pass Rd., just outside Sedona, this hike is rated moderate, and is just over 6miles round trip. The cool thing is that you can go as far as you want (which is what we did) and as the terrain get's too steep or rough for you - turn around and head back. We hiked in about 2-1/2 miles and turned around, making for a 5 mile hike. SO beautiful. Bring plenty of water, as you'll want to stay hydrated. DO NOT be afraid to hike this trail. Again, go as far as you want, then simply turn around. (Well marked too!)

Super great place to walk, just go early if you go to the subway cave, make sure you download the map off AllTrails to help you. I enjoyed the main trail, subway cave and vista point.

I haven't reviewed the little town of Sedona, AZ yet. While Sedona wasn't my favorite, all of the landscape around the town was. That brings me to Boynton Canyon Trail. I should start by telling you that Sedona is supposed to be a spiritual place. There are these things called vortexes(high dense earth energy or something). When that became news, people started flocking to Sedona. There are trails around Sedona where these pockets of energy exist. Some of these spots are considered masculine energy and others are considered feminine energy. Whether these things do anything or not, I just had to go to one! Since I can't halfway do things, I had to go to the one where there are two(masculine and feminine). Enter Boynton Canyon Trail. I'll start with the trail. This was by far one of my favorite trails while in Arizona. It wasn't difficult at all. It was beautiful! I've been in a lot of forests, next to a lot of bodies of water, and at the tops of a hundred mountains. This place is like none of that. You're in the desert so there's plenty of sand. This trail also had more green than you'd think. Pair that with the rocks and mountains... it was breathtaking. The only downside to the trail is that it runs along a residential/hotel area(Look the other way. It's prettier). That hotel area can be loud for certain parts of the trail which is unfortunate. With that said, this trail is worth every second of your time if you visit Sedona. On to the vortex. The trail to the vortex is a side trail that's around 0.3 miles. The thing with these vortexes is that people claim they have healing properties and a number of other things. I was curious because in 2016 I hurt one of my ankles. It hasn't been the same since. Over the last 1 1/2 years, I've reinjured it and even had trouble with it when hiking long distances or running. Kathy has called me crazy and you might call me crazy too. That's ok because that's the way I like it. Being crazy allows you to take chances and get into certain situations that other people wouldn't dream of because of their snootiness. I THINK THIS VORTEX HELPED MY ANKLE! Either it was at the end of its healing period or the energies at this vortex helped it right along. It has felt better ever since! Side note: Before I get to the flute guy, I have to say one other thing. While the vortex can heal joints, bones, and whatever else if you believe, it can't heal heartburn and acid reflux. On the way down, I looked at Kathy and told her, "Well, this place might be magical but it can't do what the almighty Tums can do." The last thing to mention is the flute guy. There is a guy that hangs out at this place playing his flute. He expects nothing from you. He's there to spread joy and happiness. If you catch him there, he'll give you a heart-shaped rock. We thought we weren't going to see him because he wasn't there when we arrived. On the way out, he came and handed us rocks. I'm going to keep this rock. I love it! I'm not sure where he gets them but it's the same kind of sandy rock material in the area. A guy playing the flute goes with the territory perfectly. Almost two months later and this place has stuck with me. Go here if you're in Sedona.

10.20 This was our second hike of the day, at the trail head around 1pm. Noticed less people compared to devil's bridge trail. First mile, trail was next to Enchantment Resort. So you'll hear all sorts of noise, people cars, AC, etc. you're so close the trail is just outside the fence. Around mile 2 is where you start getting shades and cooler temp. As you get into the canyon the trees get bigger and color changes. The last 1/2 mile before getting to the end of the trail gets strenuous. There's an elevation gain of 800+ ft. the last 200 feet. I was def huffin and puffin. The view on top was magnificent. We rested for about 10 minutes then started our descent. Made it back to the parking lot around 3:30. This trail was not busy at all, we probably saw no more than 20 hikers. At the top, there was only 4 when got in. We didn't have to fight for a spot to sit on and enjoy the views. Trail was marked first half mile. Real narrow and single track in some areas and def a combination of flat sandy and very rocky trails. 12 hiking miles total today, had to stop and wrap my toes a few times after blisters started popping up.

There are countless hikes you can do in Sedona. I recommend downloading the All Trails app on your phone, where you can peruse what hike works best for you. Sedona can get broiling hot in the summer, especially in July when we visited. So we could either wake up at the crack of dawn (umm, pass!) or find a hike that is mostly shaded. I think you can guess which option we chose? We've done a lot of hiking through Sedona. But Boynton Canyon Trail, 6.1 miles out and back, ranks at the top of our list. It's easy to get to, just a short drive from downtown Sedona, and is shaded most of the way. Score! In total, it took us about 2.5 hours to complete. The trail even has a parking lot at the very start. There are limited spots, but we had no issue finding one during the afternoon we visited. From the parking lot, it's just a short walk to the hike's trailhead. You'll know you've reached the right spot when you find the trail marker. Boynton Canyon is one of Sedona's more popular trails, since it has developed a reputation for some strong spiritual energy from the nearby vortex. Whether you believe in all this or not, you'll find some incredible beauty along these trails with its towering buttes, red cliffs and desert flowers. We felt great on this hike, so who knows, maybe it was the vortex energy? Okay, and maybe the 3 cups of coffee that morning helped too!

Loved this trail! It's more of a walk than a hike the majority of the time but a lot of it is under the shade of trees, beside a creek, and beneath beautiful rock formations. Parking is $5. The first 20 minutes of the trail you walk very close to a resort and if you're like me you may wonder when the heck it will go away and when can I enjoy the serenity of nature. It's difficult to know the actual length of the trail round trip. All Trails and other websites have it listed at different lengths. More than 5 miles but less than 6 roundtrip should have it covered. ;) Once you get past the resort you'll find a good amount of shade the rest of the hike until you get to the end which is literally the end of the canyon. The mountains on the left and the right converge and if you want to go further, you better be one heck of a rock climber. The final 10 minutes of the hike is the only strenuous part but it's shaded, and once that 10 minutes is up the trees are all of a sudden below you and you emerge onto a giant rock to relax on with an awesome view of the canyon walls. It's a real trip if you haven't experienced it before. Inevitably someone up there will tell you (three different groups told us), to keep going around the rock to the right for an even more epic view. I believed all of them but if you're one of those poor souls afflicted with a fear of heights as I am, you may settle for the view in front of you. It really is a gorgeous hike!

I really liked this trail a lot. My husband and I got here around 9-10 am. We had a camelback full of water and a few snacks. Overall, it was a great trail with great views. It was not hard until maybe the end. You must make it to the top where there is a sign that says end of the trail. Be careful of the cactus near the sign. I had run into it and had some needles in my arms that required tweezers to take them out. Boo!

This is a 6 mile round trail that is very popular with tourists. The parking lot is tiny but you can park on the street a little way down across the stop sign. You do need a "red rock pass" to use the lot but not if you park on the street. I found all the talk of a "red rock pass" to be very confusing but really there is a meter in the parking lot that you can use to pay $5 & it's valid at all state parks I believe for that day. I guess Sedona is having a bit of a cold spell because they tell us this kind of weather is unusual. We headed out on this trail today & 3/4 of the way up we had to turn around as it was all snowy & icy. Although it was beautiful to see the red rocks with the snow all 4 of us slipped several times & were afraid we would get injured on the trail. Only a few brave people we saw continued to the top. As others have said, it's a relatively easy hike. It's rocky so you need to watch where you are stepping. Also busy at times so you are stepping to the side to let others pass. But the views are gorgeous & our whole family enjoyed it. As we were exiting the park we were given a rock heart by a very sweet gentleman telling us the energy of the earth was going with us. It was such a kind gesture & we will treasure those precious heart rocks!

While planning to spend a day in Sedona, the fella and I really wanted to find a place to hike while the family shopped and whatnot. We weren't sure which of the many trails to choose, but after talking with a guide at one of the jeep tour places and hearing about the vortexes, we found that there was a vortex to visit at Boynton Canyon. Decision made! It is a bit outside of town, but is simple enough to get to. Which is good because it is a dead zone, cell service-wise. There is a large parking lot available and a not-the-worst-I-have-ever-seen toilet. The trail is very easy to follow and not terribly difficult. There is some climbing, but it is more like stairs than treacherous-ness. The trail is obviously sandy (it IS the desert...) but some parts are more loose, like a beach. That was the worst bit for me. There is just no way to keep it our of your shoes. This is absolutely one of the prettiest hikes I have ever taken. The scenery is just jaw-droppingly spectacular. Especially on a sunny day with just a few clouds....I mean...wow. There are no words for it. I kept stopping in my tracks just to say, out loud, how gorgeous it was around us. The trail is an out and back and about 5.5-6 miles roundtrip. If you want to stop at the vortex, it is a side trail near-ish to the trailhead, and about half a mile there and back from the canyon trail. A vortex is a new-age-y type energy convergence that occurs naturally. So they say.... I didn't feel anything different when we were up there, but it continued to be gorgeous. The rock formations are lovely and you can climb around on them. I am glad we got up there before the flute guy (read other reviews...he is there a LOT) showed up. We got to spend some time up there in the quiet, but also, after the guy gave us each our heart shaped rocks (filled with love and energy and magic) and climbed to the top and started his little ritual and playing...I begrudgingly admit that it was kind of peaceful and enchanting. The only negative of the area is that it goes along the property line of a hotel/resort area. Which I am sure is wonderful for the people staying there, to be surrounded by such beauty. But it pops up out of the trees every now and then, and there is quite a bit of noise that comes from the maintenance work. That said, once you get a little deeper in to the canyon, the noise just fades away. It is a wonderful hike in gorgeous surroundings, that is a difficulty level that many could tackle. I want to go back immediately and hike there again!

Great hike, something for people of all skill levels and beautiful views. We didn't hike the entire thing but really felt like we got a great taste of hiking in Sedona.

There aren't any signs that show how to get to the vortex but overall absolutely beautiful view and experience

This is a pretty easy hiking trail so far. Hiked in sandals and have on a dress lol. Pretty much a stroll at this hike. Make sure to wear shades and apply ton of sunblock!!! Follow the sound of the flute & from what I heard the flute guy is there every day from 10-2pm? We hiked on July 4th and he was done around noon.