Boynton Canyon & The Subway Cave
MLB Spring Training game at Diablo Stadium in Phoenix
You know when you’re scrolling Instagram, and you see yet another “must-do” hike splashed across a million filtered photos with captions like “life-changing” or “bucket list-worthy”? Yeah, I’ve been there too. That’s exactly what I thought the Subway Cave in Sedona would be—another overhyped destination that looks amazing online but ends up being a letdown. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. So very wrong.
After spending too many hours at MLB Spring Training (and loving it), I was itching for something different—without overpriced hot dogs or stadium seats. Enter Sedona. The red rocks had been calling my name for a while, and this time, I wouldn’t ignore them.
Snow in Sedona
At an ungodly hour before sunrise, I hopped in the car with my aunt Jeni—who is basically a hiking machine in human form—and we hit the road out of Phoenix. "Ready to look at some rocks?" she joked as we cruised down the empty highway, the desert stretching out endlessly before us. The sun started clawing its way over the horizon, and that mix of excitement and mild dread crept in. You know, the feeling you get when you’re about to exert yourself for hours. But Sedona’s epic red rock formations make it all worth it.
By the time we pulled into Boynton Canyon around 7:00 am, we were pretty much the only people there—if you’ve ever been to Sedona, you know that’s like winning the lottery. The air had a crisp winter bite, but a hoodie and brisk movement took care of that. With a mix of excitement and coffee-fueled energy, we started the trek.
BOYNTON CANYON + THE SUBWAY CAVE
Distance: 7.1 miles
Total Ascent: 1,100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Length of Time: 4 to 6 hours
The Hike That Keeps You Guessing
Boynton Canyon starts easy. You’re strolling past the fancy Enchantment Resort (try not to think too hard about how much people pay to stay there while you’re hiking for free), and the trail is wide, flat, and straightforward. But just when you’re thinking, “Wow, this is nice,” Sedona throws you a curveball. Out of nowhere, six hot air balloons drifted into view, floating like surreal bubbles over the massive red cliffs. I know it sounds cliché, but something about hot air balloons against a desert backdrop hits different. It’s like nature saying, “Oh, you think you’ve seen it all? Watch this.”
Hot air balloons floating over the Enchantment Resort in Sedona
Lost on the trail
A couple of miles in, we reached a key marker: a gnarly-looking tree that signaled where to leave the main trail and head off in search of the Subway Cave. It's nothing fancy, just an arrow scratched in the dirt with “cave” next to it. You could easily miss it, especially if your brain is still half-asleep. Thankfully, we had done some pre-trip research and knew where to veer off.
Now, this is where the trail gets interesting. The path fades into nothing, GPS becomes your best friend, and you realize how much you’ve taken cell service for granted. But hey, getting a little lost is part of the fun, right? After a few minor wrong turns (pro tip: download maps ahead of time), we found ourselves at the base of the Subway Cave, staring up at the steep climb ahead.
The Cave: Hype-Worthy or Nah?
Cave entrance - the steep way
So, here’s the thing about hiking up to the Subway Cave: it looks more challenging than it is, but make no mistake—it’s still a workout. You could take the easier, longer route to the left, but we chose the direct, steeper path because sometimes, you have to do it for the plot. And when we finally made it to the top? Yeah, the hype was real. The views were insane, even more jaw-dropping than all the Instagram posts had made them out to be.
What stood out wasn’t just the landscape, though. It was the vibe. There’s something special about reaching a place like this with other hikers, all just soaking in the beauty together. People were helping each other up the last bit of the climb, offering tips on how to get the best photos, and generally being decent humans—which, let’s face it, is a rarity these days.
The iconic view
Sinagua ruins seen from the cave
Once we’d had our fill of the view, we took a short detour to check out the nearby ruins. These ancient structures, built by the Sinagua people over a thousand years ago, stopped me in my tracks. I mean, imagine—people lived here, built homes, and thrived long before we were snapping selfies and posting them online. It was humbling. It reminded me that no matter how cool or epic we think we are, we’re just a blip in the grand timeline of this earth. Nature doesn’t care about our Instagram stories.
Pro Tips for Not Screwing Up Your Hike
Get there early: If you show up after 7 am, forget about getting a parking spot. Set that alarm—it’s worth it.
Respect the land: It’s 2024; you know the drill. Pack it in, pack it out. Don’t mess with archaeological sites. Seriously, Leave No Trace.
Wear proper shoes: The trail gets slippery, especially on the way up to the cave. Decent hiking shoes = less chance of falling.
Water is your friend: Bring at least two liters, even if it’s not hot. Dehydration is no joke, and trust me, nobody’s coming to save you if you pass out halfway through.
Plan for photos: The Subway Cave and the rest of the trail are natural photo studios. Bring a camera or your phone, and don’t rush.
Final Thoughts: Worth it? Absolutely
Sedona’s Boynton Canyon and the Subway Cave didn’t just meet my expectations—they blew them out of the water. This wasn’t just a pretty hike; it was a reminder of why we go on these adventures in the first place. It’s not about checking off a box on some adventure list or flexing for the ’gram (though, let’s be honest, the pics are fire). It’s about reconnecting with something bigger than yourself, something ancient and enduring—like a thousand-year-old rock formation that will still be here long after we’re gone.
When I returned, the buzz of life started creeping back in—the emails, the to-do lists, the endless distractions. But that sense of awe I felt standing in that cave? That’s what I held onto. That reminder that we’re all just passing through, that these moments in nature have a way of cutting through the noise and reminding you of what matters. And maybe that’s the true gift of these hikes. Not the views (although, seriously, they’re incredible) but the space they create in your mind to reconnect—with nature, history, and, maybe most importantly, yourself.
