The Subway Cave Hike in Sedona: Everything You Need to Know
This was my third time visiting Sedona, but only for a few nights. That’s the amazing thing about Sedona. There’s so much to do here, but you can still have a blast, no matter the length. After our three-hour drive from Tucson, we were looking for a relatively easy hike but wanted something unique. That’s when we decided to do the Subway Cave hike.
At first, it seemed difficult to find this exact trail on Alltrails. The trail you’ll take is Boynton Canyon Trail and the cave trail veers off it 2.7 miles in.
Everyone here is going to Subway Cave and because it’s so popular, it’ll be hard to get lost. Download an offline map like Mapsme, and you’ll be able to find your way.
What is the Subway Cave Hike in Sedona?
If you can imagine what a subway station underground in New York City might look like, it’s this. Except the end of this hike is 20x more stunning than a New York City subway will ever be.
The hike here isn’t strenuous and is one of Sedona’s most unique landscape features. It’s growing in popularity on a daily basis, so you better get here fast!
Where is the Subway Cave Hike?
The parking lot and trailhead are located off Boyton Pass Road in the Northwestern part of Sedona. It’s in the complete opposite direction of the Sedona Windows Hike if you’ve done that before. If you haven’t, I highly recommend it!
Arizona is one of the most beautiful states, and hikes like this one in Sedona are among its top attractions.
How to Get to the Subway Cave in Sedona
Head to Boynton Canyon Trail
When driving to the beginning of the Subway Cave Hike in Sedona, you should head to the Boynton Canyon Trailhead.
This trail also connects with Aerie & Deadman’s Pass trail. You can download the map for offline use on either Alltrails or Mapsme.
Where to Park
Parking can be tricky in Sedona. If you don’t show up early in the morning (especially for the popular hikes), you’ll likely never get a spot in the parking lot.
With that being said, I suggest arriving early in the morning unless you want to park further from the trailhead.
Cost + Overflow
We arrived at this hike around noon because we drove first from Tucson. So naturally, there weren’t any parking spots left.
If this is the case for you, too, many people will be parked along the side of Boynton Pass Road.
The cost to park at the trailheads is $5 per day or $15 per week. This can be purchased at the trailhead.
You can take the Sedona Shuttle to popular trails like Cathedral, Mescal, and others. Unfortunately, it doesn’t go far enough to the Boynton Pass Road.
Things to Know
What to Bring
As you can see, Arizona and Sedona have many unique landscapes and terrains. You don’t need anything special for 99% of this hike.
Hiking boots would be ideal when getting closer to the Subway Cave, as you’ll want that extra grip when maneuvering around this section of rock.
Here is everything I’d recommend bringing for your trip to Sedona:
Best Time to Hike
Sedona is beautiful year-round, but springtime, from the end of February to the end of April, is the best time to hike and has the best weather.
This is also an ideal time because the shuttle runs during these dates. Another great time is during the fall months.
Is the Subway Cave Hike Difficult?
I thought the Subway Cave Hike was easy to moderate at most. There are some slight incline sections, but the hardest part is when you arrive at the caves themselves.
The steep section to the actual subway can be avoided by heading to the left instead and going up and around. Be careful if you’re afraid of heights; this route might not suit you.
Subway Cave and Boynton Canyon Trail Hike Details
Red Rock Pass
The Red Rock Pass is the ticketing system used to park at many of the trailheads in Sedona. You’ll need to purchase a pass, either online or in person, to park at/near the Boynton Canyon trailhead and hike to Subway Cave in Sedona.
The prices are as follows:
- Daily Red Rock Pass = $5
- Weekly Red Rock Pass = $15
- Annual Red Rock Pass = $20
If you’re interested in hiking Devil’s Bridge or Cathedral Rock, you’ll need a Red Rock Pass to park near the trailhead.
Is it Safe to Hike Early in the Morning?
My favorite time to hike is early in the morning. If you’re looking to hike for sunrise, you must ensure you have a headlamp.
The trail is easy to follow, and you shouldn’t have any issues.
Is this Part of the Sedona Vortexes?
This Subway Cave Trail is part of the Sedona Vortex. What are the Sedona Vortexes? Four located in Sedona are said to contain energy that heals.
To find this vortex along this trail is simple. If you’re following an offline map, you’ll want to head towards the subway but take a right at the Vista trailhead.
This is shortly after starting the trail and won’t add much to your hike.
Other Hikes in Arizona You’ll Enjoy
- Horseshoe Bend
- Holbert Trail to Dobbins Lookout
- Wasson Peak
- Piestewa Peak
- Tom’s Thumb
- Sunrise Peak
- Pinnacle Peak
- Camelback Mountain
Best Places to Stay in Sedona
- Sky Ranch Lodge: One of the most reviewed accommodations in the area, Sky Ranch Lodge is a fantastic location with plenty of amenities.
- Sky Rock Sedona: A great deal for the area. Sky Rock has some of the best views and a good price per night.
- Hilton Vacation Club: Priced as one of the cheapest places to stay in Sedona, Hilton Vacation Club won’t disappoint.
My Experience
We started our adventure to Sedona by driving from our house in Tucson, which took about three to four hours. This meant we would arrive at the trailhead around 11 am or noon unless we left before sunrise (which didn’t happen).
The hike to this cave isn’t too long; if you’re experienced, you can do it quickly.
Parking
Since we were arriving late, we knew that the parking lot would most likely be full and it was. But we still had to check it out, just in case!
We didn’t have any luck, so we found a spot along Boynton Pass Road. The walk isn’t bad, so parking along the street is fine.
Starting the Boynton Canyon Trail
It’s definitely a popular trail but nowhere near the popularity of some other hikes in Sedona. This meant we saw a few people on the trail, but oftentimes, we’d be by ourselves.
That was until we reached the cave. The trail here is mostly flat, with short bursts of elevation gain.
We saw many different fitness levels take on this hike and didn’t see anyone struggling.
Hiking Past Enchantment Resort
A part I didn’t like a whole lot and was glad it ended early was hiking past the Enchantment Resort. It’s a cool area and I’m sure it’s an amazing experience staying there but I want to feel like I’m in the middle of nowhere when I’m hiking.
This resort will be on your left while hiking and won’t last for too long before getting deeper into the park.
Subway Cave Trail Past Alligator Juniper Tree
After 2.5 miles, you’ll be right at the part where you hook a right onto a different trail that leads to the caves. People say to look out for an Alligator Juniper Tree.
I remember seeing but if you have a map downloaded, you’ll be able to know where to take the right. Otherwise, there are always people to follow.
The area where you turn is a large opening and you’ll notice a different trail cutting through. I’ll add some photos of what it looks like below.
Arriving at the Secret Cave in Sedona
After around an hour or so, we arrived at the cave! We originally took the straight and narrow incline passageway up to where you’ll see the many photos taken.
It was difficult, and if you don’t think you can do it, I suggest going left. You’ll see a small hill to climb.
This area blew me away (as does most of Sedona) and I fell in love. We took plenty of photos and afterward sat down to take it all in (and, of course, snack).
Final Thoughts
This hike was something else. I’d do it again if I went back because it’s so easy yet beautiful. Many people were getting scared of certain parts for good reasons. These red rocks can be slippery, but it’s fine if you bring the proper shoes! Bring a few snacks and enjoy this hike while visiting Sedona!
