One Of Arizona's Best Canyon Hikes Is Easily Accessible And Full Of Red Rock Beauty

If you love the outdoors, you may already realize that Sedona, Arizona is a hiker's paradise. It has trails for every kind of outdoor adventurer, from mostly flat walks to challenging climbs and everything in between. On the more leisurely side, one not-to-miss trek that's only an 8-mile drive from the center of town is the Boynton Canyon Trail. 

This dazzlingly beautiful 5-mile out-and-back hike winds through a forest along the bottom of a gorgeous box canyon, with red cliffs and rock formations rising up in every direction. The greenery provides shade on hot sunny days, and some of the trees turn bright gold in the fall, adding yet another dimension to the canyon's already fiery color palette. The scenery here is so stunning that some say it rivals the Grand Canyon. "Beautiful hike! Constantly surrounded by red rock cliffs, and multiple destinations all within a single and relatively easy hike! We visited the Grand Canyon later the same day, and honestly, this hike was way more beautiful. Can't make this up!" said Tripadvisor reviewer Croyboss.

The first part of the Boynton Canyon Trail passes the luxurious Enchantment Resort, which was designed to (and mostly does) blend in to the red rock surroundings. But if the sight of this sprawling development perturbs you, keep going. After about a mile, you'll leave the modern world in the dust behind you and enter the pristine wilderness. Savor the silence, the sweet scent of pine, and the red rock views that seem to go on for days as you travel along the latter section of the sandy trail. 

Another great thing about this hike is its interesting side trails, one of which leads to an amazing hidden rock cave known as the Subway Cave (some also refer to it as the Boynton Cave). The unmarked trail to the cave veers right from the main trail at the 2-mile point, near a large alligator tree. There are also ruins from an ancient Native American civilization near this side trail, so take care not to disturb any walls or artifacts that you encounter while exploring. In addition, those drawn to Sedona's famous energy vortexes — geological sites where metaphysical energy is believed to be abundant — should know that one of the most powerful of the area's vortexes is located in Boynton Canyon. 

You'll need a Red Rocks Pass to park at the Boynton Canyon Trailhead, which is located northwest of Sedona near the intersection of Boynton Canyon Road and Boynton Pass Road. The pass can be purchased online or at the trailhead; physical passes should be displayed on your vehicle's windshield. One drawback of this trail is that, due to its accessibility, it can get crowded, especially on weekends. So get to the trailhead as early in the morning as possible, as the parking lot (as well as the overflow parking along the road) can fill up quickly. 

You can hike this trail any time of year, but be prepared for the elements with the right gear and supplies. It's always important to bring adequate water with you when hiking in Arizona, but in summer, be extra vigilant and carry around 1 liter of water per person for each hour you expect to be hiking. Similarly, don't underestimate the chill of winter or the fury of a rainstorm in the desert — bring thermal and waterproof layers when cold temperatures and/or precipitation are possibilities. Furry friends are welcome to accompany you on this trail, but they must remain on a leash the whole time.