Boynton Canyon – Subway Cave and Beyond

During a recent work trip to Arizona, I carved out a few extra days before flying back to the frozen Canadian prairie. This time, Sedona was calling.

The draw? Hiking. And at the top of my list was the Subway Cave, a trail that had been teasing me for months with jaw-dropping photos online.

I didn’t know what to expect from Sedona. Turns out – it’s more than I imagined, in the best and worst ways.

The Good

The hiking is unreal. Towering red walls, wide-open vistas, and trails that range from casual strolls to leg-burning climbs. For raw scenery, it’s a solid 5 stars.

The Not-So-Good

But here’s the rub: Sedona is packed. Parking near trailheads is a battle, and the trails themselves are buzzing with people. Add in the noise, the tour groups, the shops pushing crystals and “energy” trinkets on every corner, and the magic gets diluted fast. What could be a transcendent 5-star experience slips down closer to 3.

The Experience

I lucked out with a decent campsite for three nights and stretched my budget by using hotel points for my final night – maximizing time outdoors without breaking the bank.

The Subway Cave trail was easy enough to follow at first, though finding the actual turnoff is trickier than the internet makes it sound. Honestly, I heard the cave before I saw it—crowds of people echoing out of its sandstone walls. It’s beautiful, yes, but far from serene.

After exploring the Subway Cave, I rejoined the Boynton Canyon main artery and pushed deeper into the trail. This was the reward. The crowds thinned, the noise dropped, and I finally found that stillness I’d been chasing. I ended up at another shallow cave with a wide chimney before climbing a slope to the top of a low peak.

And that – right there – was the highlight. The farther I got from the chaos, the closer I felt to why I came in the first place.

Enjoy the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMdT_FSE888