Delightful Hike to Subway Cave and Fay Canyon: How to Enjoy Day 2 in Sedona

Are you looking for those famous Instagram shots of the Subway Cave in Sedona? Here you will learn how to hike to Subway Cave to do just that. Complete this hike along with the Boynton Canyon Trail.

Let’s be real here, this is a somewhat overused trail at this point, and some of the area has been destroyed. The area is sacred, so please treat this hike and cave with respect and be sure to leave no trace.

Finally, enjoy a nice and easy hike through the sandy Fay Canyon. For more information on our trip to Arizona, check out our full itinerary here.

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Before You Venture Out

• Fees to hike within some areas in Sedona are enforced. A Red Rocks pass is required for hiking in the area. Additionally, you can use your Interagency Pass (America the Beautiful Pass) as well. Check the website for additional information.
• Arrive in the offseason if you can – Sedona is a very popular destination for spring break travel.
• If you travel here during the peak season like us, it will be busy. You can expect:
  • Large numbers of visitors at popular locations (Devils’ Bridge, Birthing Cave, Subway Cave)
  • Increased traffic in and around downtown Sedona.
  • Limited parking at trails and downtown Sedona.
    • On Day 1, we arrived at the Mescal Trailhead parking area around 7 am and were able to find a spot.
    • On Day 2, we arrived at the Boynton Canyon parking area around 7:30 am, and it was full.
      • If you can’t find a parking spot, parking is allowed along the roads around the trailheads, but please follow all no-parking signs. You wouldn’t want to get a ticket or towed, would you?

Map

Use the map above to help plan your hikes to Subway Cave and Fay Canyon in Sedona.

Hike to Subway Cave using the Boynton Canyon Trail

Thanks to social media, this is one of the most popular destinations for those visiting Sedona. If you are also looking to hike to Subway Cave, use the following information to help you reach this amazing and unique cave.

Remember, please treat this area with respect. Do not move rocks and do not litter. Take pictures and leave only footprints.

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Boynton Canyon Trail & Subway – moderate – 6+ miles, out and back, 500+ ft gain

First, start your hike at the Boynton Canyon Trail near the Enchantment Resort. Get there as early as you can to guarantee parking. Getting there early will also allow you to have some solitude on this very busy trail.

If the small parking lot is full, park along Boynton Pass Road. There is a pit toilet here in the parking area. Follow all parking signs! Make sure you are also displaying the appropriate pass when hiking in this area.

The first part of this trail is very rocky and follows along the Enchantment Resort for a little over 1 mile. If you’d like to check out the Subway Cave, you will reach the spur trail at about 2 miles in.

There are no signs that mark this trail, but be on the lookout for a very large tree on your left just at the junction. That being said, there are quite a few large trees on the trail. Your best bet is to use a GPS mapping system or ask other hikers on the trail.

You’ll also see many people in this area coming and going to the Subway Cave, so that should give you a hint as to where this spur trail is located. Next, hike to Subway Cave using this trail.

It is very narrow in some places. Many offshoots along this trail may be confusing. Do your best to follow the main trail. Finally, you will reach Subway Cave! Treat the area with respect.

Subway Cave

Once you reach the cave, climb a very steep, smooth rocky surface up into the cave. There may be folks coming down the rocks as well. We won’t lie, this part is doable, but may be scary to some who have a fear of heights.

It’s not a technical rock climb, but you will likely need to use all 4s. Once you scramble up the rocks, the views of the cave looking out into Sedona’s red rocks are amazing! Take some time to enjoy yourself here if you can – there might be lots of other people there with you, so be patient.

Finally, head back down the smooth rocky surface the way you came up.

There is an alternate way you can get into the subway cave as well. When you get to the spot to climb up the steep rocks, instead, go to the left and climb up and around. This will eventually lead you to the spot in the picture below, across from where Kathy is standing on the other side.

Then, when you reach the bottom, head to your right to explore more of this special archaeological spot. Scramble up the rocky area here to reach another part of the cave ruins. Be very considerate of this area.

Do not move rocks, write on walls, or deface the caves in any way. Now your hike to Subway Cave is complete! Head back the way to came until you reach the main Boynton Canyon Trail.

If you’d like to continue on the Boynton Canyon Trail, head to your right at the junction and continue the hike for about 1 mile. The trail ends at the back of the canyon, where you’ll be surrounded by tall cliffs on 3 sides.

Then, hike back 3 miles to the parking area. Alternatively, after finishing your hike to Subway Cave, head to the left at the junction of the Boynton Canyon Trail to return the way you came to the parking area.

Boynton Vista Trail

As you near the end of the Boyton Canyon Trail, you will reach another optional spur trail, the Boynton Vista Trail. This is a quick but fairly steep 0.2-mile trail up to an excellent vista point. This is a great place to have lunch and rest before you continue on your next hike to Fay Canyon!

Need a Break from Hiking?

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Fay Canyon – easy – 2.6 miles, out and back

For your last hike in Sedona, visit Fay Canyon and take a leisurely stroll through the canyon to an excellent viewpoint at the end. First, start at the parking area across from the trailhead on Boynton Pass Road.

This trail is located just southwest of the Boynton Canyon Parking area. You can also keep your car parked and walk on the road to this trail. It’s a 1-mile walk between parking areas. There is a pit toilet in this parking area.

Fay Canyon is a great trail for those who want to see some Sedona scenery with little effort! The trail is mostly flat until the end, where you can climb up the rocks to have a birds-eye view of the canyon.

About 0.6 miles in, there is an option to take a spur trail to an arch high up along the canyon walls. This is optional and requires some effort to get to.

After this point, the trail meanders through the canyon in shady forested sections before it ends at a large tree. Past the large tree, you can climb up the rocks for a great view! Lastly, once your time here is complete, head back the way you came to the parking area.

Optional – Aerie Trail

If you are like us and left your car parked near the Boynton Canyon Trail, you can use this optional trail as an alternative to the road to get back to your car. This is a heavy mountain bike trail, so be careful and yield to all bikes.

From the parking area of Fay Canyon, take the Cockscomb Trail a quarter of a mile to the junction where it meets the Aerie Trail. This trail will lead you back to Boynton Pass Road near the stop sign.

At about 0.70 miles, you’ll reach the road where you can turn left (if parked on the road), or cross the road to return a bit farther to the Boynton Canyon parking area.

Weather and General Safety along Trails in Sedona

• Cell phone coverage is fairly good here. Connectivity with our carrier was spotty in some areas.
• Carry plenty of snacks and water. It’s recommended to carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. During our time on the trails, we did not encounter any locations to fill up on water.
• Pack PB&J and other snacks to eat around lunchtime on the trails. Snack time is the best time!
• Always carry a first aid kit.
• Make a plan to tell at least one person where you plan to be on each day in case something happens.
• Reduce your risk by preparing and having the proper gear for all hikes you plan to complete. This means good shoes and proper hiking attire. No flip-flops!
• Be aware of heat-related illnesses – this is the desert after all!
• Always check the weather forecast before heading out.

Animal Safety in Sedona

• Sedona is home to many animals, including deer, javelina, coyote, mountain lions, black bears (rare!), rattlesnakes, lizards, and more.
  • Review the steps to take if you encounter a black bear or mountain lion along the trail. That being said, unless you are hiking way off the beaten path, you likely won’t encounter one.

Where to Stay in Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is a picture-perfect destination with plenty of options for nightly accommodations. Check out some of the best places to stay in Sedona below.

• Amara Resort and Spa – uptown location with spectacular views of the Sedona red rocks & a pool. Golf cart shuttles take guests to uptown shops after hiking. Spend an evening around the fire pits or enjoy a signature cocktail at the on-site restaurant.
• Adobe Grand Villas – enjoy breakfast prepared fresh daily in a grand villa – the best of the best in Sedona. This is for those who really want to splurge while enjoying the famous red rocks.
• The Wilde Resort and Spa – pool and rooftop patio with views of Thunder Mountain. 8 treatment rooms are available where you can indulge in Thai massages and therapeutic aromatherapy.
• Courtyard by Marriott Sedona – stay at a serene location in West Sedona with on-site parking, hot-tubs, and not as big a price tag as some of the other locations in Sedona!
• If you are looking for other options in Sedona, check out the many hotels right here on Expedia.

Final Thoughts

Our second day hiking in Sedona was awesome! More awesome than the first? Maybe so! We are glad that we hiked to Subway Cave, even though this sensitive area is overrun with tourists at this point.

Finishing up our day with an easy hike through Fay Canyon was a great end to the day. Finally, the views along the Aerie trail that we used to return to our car were spectacular!

At this point, it was time for us to head back to Phoenix for the night before flying out the next morning. Before your flight, we recommend staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale Old Town. This is a great location to explore Scottsdale during the evening.