The Subway Cave is one of the most popular hikes in Sedona, Arizona – and for good reason.
This cave is seriously cool and one of my favorite spots in Sedona!
Located in West Sedona within the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, the Subway Cave was once considered a “secret cave” because it was difficult to find.
But that’s no longer the case.
These days, it’s well-known, and as long as you have a general idea of where it is (and ideally, an offline map downloaded on your phone), you won’t have any trouble locating it.
Because of its popularity, the parking area fills up quickly, and you should expect to share the cave with other visitors.
It’s one of Sedona’s most “Instagrammable” spots, so don’t be surprised if there’s a line of people waiting for their turn to snap a photo inside the cave.
My husband and I visited the Subway Cave for the first time in January 2025.
We arrived right at sunrise, and guess what?
No parking issues, no crowds – we had the cave to ourselves!
Well, almost. Two other hikers were there, but once they left, we enjoyed 20 peaceful minutes alone before more people started arriving.
When the crowds picked up, we bounced. ✌️
Despite its popularity, I highly recommend visiting the Subway Cave – it’s an incredible rock formation with breathtaking views of Boynton Canyon.
Before you go, please respect this sacred place and follow Leave No Trace principles:
✔ Pack out all trash
✔ Stay on the most-used social trail to avoid trampling sensitive vegetation
✔ Never carve into the rocks
✔ Do NOT touch or disturb the ancient ruins or petroglyphs near the cave
✔ Have patience and kindness towards others
It’s crucial to help protect these outdoor spaces so future visitors can enjoy them too.
Remember: “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.” 👣
Now that we’re on the same page, let’s get into how to find the Subway Cave in Sedona!
Tip: While this guide focuses on getting to the cave, I also recommend hiking the full Boynton Canyon Trail and checking out the Boynton Canyon Vortex along the Vista Trail for an even more rewarding experience.
Boynton Canyon Trail to Subway Cave: Overview
Subway Cave Trail Stats
Length: 5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 550 feet
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Hiking Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
Route Type: Out-and-back
Pet-friendly? Boynton Canyon Trail is pet-friendly (must be on leash), but it’s not recommended to bring them to the cave or near the ruins
Hike Features: Subway Cave, ancient Sinagua ruins, petroglyphs
The trail stats above are if you plan to only hike to the Subway Cave and back to the trailhead.
It seems like most people hike this trail for the sole purpose of seeing the Subway Cave.
Boynton Canyon Trail Stats (more routes)
🥾 Just in case you want to explore more than just the cave, here are the hiking stats for more fun routes along the Boynton Canyon Trail:
1. Boynton Canyon Trail (without cave and vortex):
- Length: 6.2 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 800 feet
- Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
2. Boynton Canyon Trail and Subway Cave:
- Length: 7.1 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet of elevation gain
- Hiking Time: 3.5 to 4.5 hours
3. Boynton Canyon Trail + Subway Cave and Boynton Canyon Vortex:
- Length: 7.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet of elevation gain
- Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours
Is a Red Rock Pass Required?
If you’re parking at the Boynton Canyon Trailhead off Boynton Canyon Road, you’ll need a Red Rock Pass – unless you have an America the Beautiful Pass, which is also accepted.
You can purchase a Red Rock Pass online in advance or at the self-pay kiosk at the trailhead.
🎟️ The Red Rock Pass costs:
- $5 for a day
- $15 for a week
- $20 for an annual pass
Learn more about the Red Rock Pass Program HERE.
Subway Cave Parking and Trail Map
Boynton Canyon Trailhead
The Boynton Canyon Trailhead, the main parking area for Subway Cave, is located off Boynton Canyon Road, near its intersection with Boynton Pass Road.
This parking lot isn’t very big – there are about 25 parking spots and a restroom.
With the trail’s popularity, it fills up fast!
To secure a spot, aim to arrive before 7 AM, especially during peak season.
If the main lot is full, additional parking is available along Boynton Pass Road, just west of the Boynton Pass Road/Boynton Canyon Road junction.
Be sure to park completely off the road!
Some people say a Red Rock Pass is required for roadside parking, while others claim it’s not.
If you park along Boynton Pass Road, check if other vehicles have a pass displayed on their dashboard to be sure.
Fay Canyon Trailhead
If you don’t mind adding more mileage to your hike, you can park at the Fay Canyon Trailhead and easily walk to the Boynton Canyon Trailhead.
According to Google Maps, if you take the Cockscomb Trail and Aerie Trail to the main trailhead, it will be a 1.2-mile walk one-way.
If you walk along the Boynton Pass Road to reach the main trailhead, it will be 0.7-miles one-way.
Note: The Fay Canyon Trailhead does not require a Red Rock Pass.
Subway Cave Sedona Map
Best Time to Hike the Boynton Canyon Trail to Subway Cave
The best times to hike the Boynton Canyon Trail to the Subway Cave are typically in the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November).
During these months, the weather is usually perfect for hiking and other outdoor activities.
✨ READ THIS: Best Hikes in Sedona, Arizona
This is also peak season for Sedona so expect the Subway Cave to be swarmed with lots of people – hiking early or later in the day will help avoid crowds.
Seasonal Considerations
🍂 Fall (September – November): This is a popular time to visit Sedona due to ideal weather conditions making it perfect for outdoor adventures.
❄️ Winter (December – February): This season is probably my favorite time to explore Sedona because the crowd-level is at its lowest.
We hiked to Boynton Canyon Trail right before sunrise in January 2025 and had an incredible and peaceful time exploring the Subway Cave and Native American ruins.
If you want to avoid crowds at the Subway Cave visit during the winter, on a weekday, and start your hike before sunrise.
🌷 Spring (March – May): This season offers pleasant temperatures and beautiful desert blooms, but trails will be busy as it’s a popular time to visit Sedona.
☀️ Summer (June – August): Visiting Sedona in the summer is not recommended due to extreme heat.
Many of the trails are exposed, and when combined with a challenging hike it can quickly lead to dehydration and heat-related illness.
Parts of the Boynton Canyon Trail and the side trail to Subway Cave are shaded, providing some relief from the sun – especially in the summer.
However, it can still get extremely hot, so it’s important to take extra precautions.
Follow these tips to stay safe in the summer:
- Start early in the morning or later in the day to avoid peak heat
- Bring plenty of water – more than you think you’ll need
- Wear sun-protective clothing like a hat, sunglasses, and lightweight clothing and apply sunscreen
Best Time to Avoid Crowds
This hike is extremely popular, so timing your visit is key to avoiding crowds and getting the best experience.
For the best chance at solitude, start your hike before sunrise.
Even during offseason, I recommend starting your hike before 7:30 AM.
If it’s peak season, start this hike before 7 AM.
🚫 To truly avoid major crowds and parking stress, don’t visit the Subway Cave on weekends, holidays, or peak season months.
I know that’s not doable for everyone, so if you have no choice but to hike this trail during one of the busy days or months, simply begin your hike as early as possible.
Best Time for Photos
If you’re hoping to capture the perfect shot, you will have to be at the cave at the right time and wait for the sun to illuminate the cave.
The best lighting occurs right after sunrise when the cave glows a stunning bright orange – this effect lasts for a few hours.
Since the cave faces east, it gets darker as the day goes on.
✨ READ THIS: Best Sunrise Hikes in Sedona with Epic Views
How to Get to the Subway Cave: Trail Directions
Boynton Canyon Trail
From the Boynton Canyon Trailhead, begin your hike along the Boynton Canyon Trail.
The trail starts as a wide, sandy path that’s easy to walk on.
In just 0.1 miles, you’ll reach a junction – take a left to stay on the Boynton Canyon Trail.
At 0.3 miles, you’ll see a turnoff for the Boynton Vista Trail – this leads to a vortex site.
You can take this short detour now or save it for the return trip.
For now, continue straight along the main trail.
For the first stretch, the trail follows the perimeter of the Enchantment Resort.
Once you pass the resort, the views open up, revealing stunning canyon scenery.
Don’t just focus on reaching the Subway Cave for the perfect picture – enjoy the journey
Alligator Juniper Tree (trail junction)
At the 2-mile mark, you’ll reach the turnoff for the Subway Cave.
But how do you know where exactly to turn off if there is no official trail sign for the cave?
Thankfully, there is a distinctive landmark – a massive Alligator Juniper Tree on the left side of the trail.
The tree stands out from the rest because of its alligator-skin-looking bark (see picture below), and it’s a really big tree!
Directly across from the tree, on the right side of the trail, is the unmarked social trail leading to the Subway Cave.
When we visited, someone had arranged an arrow made of rocks pointing towards the direction of the social trail – this was a helpful confirmation that we were going the right way.
Tip: Download the AllTrails offline maps for the Boynton Canyon Trail – you can see the turnoff for the Subway Cave on their map (see picture below).
Subway Cave Trail (social trail)
The side trail to the Subway Cave becomes narrow and rockier with a steady incline.
Only 0.4 miles to go!
Since this route is heavily trafficked, the trail is easy to follow.
However, some people have created multiple social trails branching off of the “main” social trail.
Try to stick to the most-used path to help prevent unnecessary trail erosion.
Subway Cave
You made it!
Almost.
You’ve reached the base of the Subway Cave.
Now for the trickiest part – getting inside.
The first thing you will see as you approach the base of the cave is a steep, slanted sandstone slot (try saying that 5 times fast lol).
This is the cave’s entrance and the most direct way to get inside.
It’s a bit challenging to go this way because the sandstone rocks are slippery making it difficult to find good footing, especially if you are not wearing shoes with good traction.
My husband and I were able to climb up the middle without any issues.
If you decide to tackle this route as well, I recommend starting off on the left side then switching over to the right side half-way up.
But do what feels most comfortable for you!
The other (easier) option is to go around the left side of the cave.
Here you will see ancient Native American ruins, but we will get to those later.
To reach the inside of the cave from this route, follow a narrow ledge around the cave’s outer edge.
The ledge is about 5 feet wide, which can be intimidating for those with an extreme fear of heights, but I didn’t think it was too scary.
Just stay close to the rock wall and take your time.
Once inside, take time to explore and soak in the views!
You can walk along either side of the cave for stunning photos but be cautious near the edges.
At the end of your visit, you can descend the same way you came up or go the other route.
We personally climbed up the middle and descended around the left side (from inside the cave it will be to the right).
Choose the route that feels safest and most comfortable for you.
Ancient Ruins and Petroglyphs
If you appreciate Native American history, take a short detour to see the ancient Sinagua ruins and petroglyphs near the Subway Cave.
The ruins are located to the left side of the cave (looking from the outside).
These ruins are a remarkable glimpse into the past, offering a look at the early inhabitants of this region.
Native American ruins, petroglyphs, and artifacts are irreplaceable and hold deep cultural and historical significance for their modern-day descendants.
Please do your part to protect these sites:
✔ Do not touch, climb on, or disturb the ruins or petroglyphs
✔ Never remove artifacts – leave everything as you found it
✔ Follow Leave No Trace principles to keep this sacred place pristine
Tampering with or damaging these sites is not only disrespectful but also illegal, carrying potential criminal penalties.
Let’s ensure they remain preserved for future generations.
Once you’ve finished taking photos and exploring, retrace your steps back down the social trail to reconnect with the main Boynton Canyon Trail.
Finish the Boynton Canyon Trail (or head back)
Once you’re back on the Boynton Canyon Trail, turn right to continue the hike.
The trail gradually climbs deeper into the canyon for about 1 mile.
The final 0.5 miles is the steepest.
The trail ends at a stunning viewpoint of the canyon.
If your main goal was to only see the Subway Cave, you can simply retrace your steps back down the main trail to return to the parking area.
Boynton Vista Trail (vortex site)
On your way back, if you have time, take a short detour along the Boynton Vista Trail to visit the Boynton Canyon Vortex.
This side quest will add 0.4 miles to your total hike.
It leads to a unique rock formation known as the Kachine Woman – a sacred figure of the Hopi people.
Once you’ve soaked in the vortex’s energy and enjoyed the views, retrace your steps back to the parking area.
Congrats, you did it! 🥳
✨ Find more incredible caves in Sedona:
Essential Hiking Tips and What to Bring
1. Start Early: Parking at Boynton Canyon Trailhead fills up quickly!
Arriving before 7:30 AM (or earlier in peak season) gives you the best chance of securing a spot and avoiding crowds.
2. Red Rock Pass Required: This pass is required for parking at the Boynton Canyon Trailhead, or you can use an America the Beautiful Pass.
You can purchase one online or at the trailhead kiosk.
3. Have a Backup Plan: As I mentioned earlier, this is a very popular hike, and both the main parking lot and roadside parking can fill up quickly.
If parking areas are full, consider choosing another hike or returning later – don’t park illegally or in areas where parking isn’t allowed.
My husband and I always have a backup plan when hiking in busy areas.
If a trail is too overcrowded, we simply skip it and opt for another adventure nearby if there is something else to do.
Having a backup plan or two can help ease the stress if things don’t go as originally planned.
4. Download Offline Maps: Download the AllTrails map for the Boynton Canyon Trail in advance to help track your location.
As shown above, the trail map will show where you need to turn off for the Subway Cave.
It’s also a good idea to study a map beforehand and familiarize yourself with the cave’s exact location and key landmarks.
This way, you won’t have to rely solely on offline maps – just in case something happens to your phone.
5. Look for the Alligator Juniper Tree: The most important landmark you want to keep an eye out for is a big Alligator Juniper Tree which marks the turnoff for the Subway Cave.
This tree will be located around the 2-mile mark on the left side of the Boynton Canyon Trail with the side trail being to the right.
6. Stick to the Most-used Social Trail: The side trail to the cave is well-defined due to heavy foot traffic, but other social trails exist nearby which can cause some confusion.
Try your best to follow the most-used path to minimize damage and avoid unnecessary erosion.
7. Wear Grippy Shoes: One way to enter the Subway Cave requires scrambling up slick rocks – shoes with good traction will be beneficial on this section.
8. Respect the Ruins: Look, but don’t touch the ancient Sinagua ruins and petroglyphs near the cave. These are sacred and protected sites!
9. Summer Safety Tips:
- Take frequent breaks in shaded areas.
- Be sure to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Eat high-carb and salty snacks to help keep your energy levels up and replenish electrolytes.
- Wear lightweight, breathable clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
- Try to hike during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late afternoon.
10. Keep Sedona Pristine for Future Generations: Take the Sedona Cares Pledge and follow Leave No Trace principles.
Pack the 10 Essentials:
- Navigation – A map, compass, or GPS device to help you stay on course and find your way in unfamiliar terrain.
- Water – Sufficient water to stay hydrated, along with a filtration system or purification tablets if you plan to refill from natural sources.
- Food – Energy-rich snacks or meals to keep your energy levels up during the hike.
- First-Aid Kit – A basic first-aid kit with items like bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, and any personal medications you may need.
- Sun Protection – Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.
- Insulation – Extra layers of clothing (such as a jacket or fleece) to stay warm in changing weather conditions.
- Rain Gear and Emergency Shelter – A rain jacket or poncho and an emergency bivy sack or space blanket for shelter in case of sudden weather changes.
- Fire – A lighter, matches, or fire starter to help you build a fire for warmth or signaling in case of emergency.
- Multi-tool or Knife – A versatile tool or knife to handle any tasks, from preparing food to making repairs.
- Headlamp/Flashlight – A reliable light source with extra batteries, in case you end up hiking in the dark or need it for emergency situations.
Discover More Great Hikes in Sedona
Devil’s Bridge – Tackle this short yet exciting hike to the largest natural sandstone arch in Sedona! The panoramic views from the top will leave you speechless. And don’t forget to walk across the bridge… if you dare!
Cathedral Rock – This is a short but steep hike to one of the most magical spots in Sedona. Also, it’s an incredible spot to watch the sunset!
Fay Canyon Arch – The Fay Canyon Trail is a true gem in Sedona, perfect for those seeking a short, scenic hike. The true highlight is the Fay Canyon Arch, a natural arch-shaped rock formation hidden along a side trail.
Wilson Mountain – If you’re up for a challenging climb with unmatched scenery and fewer crowds, tackle this hike to the tallest peak in Sedona!
Bear Mountain – This is Sedona’s toughest hike, with nearly 2,000 feet of steep elevation gain in just 2.3 miles. The trail offers breathtaking views throughout, showcasing Sedona’s iconic red rock formations and the distant San Francisco Peaks.
Doe Mountain – This is a short, scenic hike to stunning views that are even more spectacular at sunrise – plus there’s a chance to see hot air balloons!
Conclusion
Hiking to Subway Cave in Sedona is an adventure that combines stunning red rock scenery, a bit of scrambling, and a touch of history with the ancient Sinagua ruins.
I’ll admit, the trail’s popularity can be a bit of a turnoff (I usually avoid heavily crowded hikes), but this spot is absolutely worth it.
If you arrive at sunrise, you’ll beat the crowds and catch the cave glowing in the morning light – perfect for photos!
I also highly recommend hiking the rest of the Boynton Canyon Trail and checking out the Boynton Canyon Vortex for even more incredible views and energy.
There’s so much to explore on this trail – don’t just stop at the cave!
If this guide inspires you to hike the Boynton Canyon Trail and find the Subway Cave, I’d love to hear about your adventure.
Leave a comment and share your experience!
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