Boynton Canyon Trail

Boynton Canyon is the hike for anyone who wants Sedona's red rock scenery with a sense of journey and quiet. The trail starts about two miles west of Sedona off Boynton Canyon Road, reached via Dry Creek Road, right beside the entrance to Enchantment Resort, and it runs about three miles into the canyon for a six-mile out-and-back with roughly 931 feet of gain from a trailhead at 4,525 feet. The Forest Service rates it moderately challenging overall, mostly because of length: the first section skirts the resort's grounds on a rolling path, and then the trail drops back to the canyon floor, where it becomes pleasant and easy walking through juniper, pinyon, manzanita and, deeper in, a cooler forest of oak, pine and cypress. The walls rise higher and closer as you go, layered in red and buff sandstone, until the canyon ends in a box beneath sheer cliffs; the last stretch climbs a little to a viewpoint where most hikers turn around. The canyon lies within the 43,950-acre Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, so there are no bikes, and the atmosphere grows wilder with every mile. Boynton Canyon also has a long reputation as one of Sedona's spiritual energy vortex sites. Many visitors take the short Boynton Vista spur near the start of the trail, which climbs to a saddle beside the slender red spire known as Kachina Woman; it is a popular place to sit, meditate and look out over the canyon mouth. Parking requires a Red Rock Pass or an America the Beautiful pass, and the lot is small and fills early.

Why it stands out. Sedona's most famous trails, such as Cathedral Rock and Devil's Bridge, are short, crowded and focused on one big moment. Boynton Canyon is the opposite: a longer, gentler walk where the reward builds gradually and the crowds thin after the first mile. The vortex spur concentrates visitors near the trailhead, so if you continue into the canyon you will often find long stretches of solitude, birdsong and the rustle of oak leaves. The canyon has been sacred to the Yavapai and others for a very long time, and you may spot small Sinagua ruins tucked into alcoves along the walls; look from the trail and do not enter or touch them, as they are protected by law and fragile.

Hiking it well. Start early, both to get parking and to hike in the shade; the canyon's east-facing walls catch the morning light beautifully. If the lot is full, do not park along the road where signed against it, and consider another trail rather than circling. Take the Boynton Vista spur either on the way in or on the way back; it adds a short climb and the best open view of the canyon mouth. Carry plenty of water even though the canyon floor feels shady, wear grippy shoes for the rocky climb at the end, and allow three to four hours for the full hike with stops. In late October and November the deciduous trees deep in the canyon can add autumn color, and in winter shaded sections may hold ice or snow. The trail is not along Oak Creek and does not cross a major stream, but stay out of washes during heavy rain.

Fitting it into your trip. Boynton Canyon sits in the same corner of Red Rock Country as Fay Canyon, which is just down the road, and Doe Mountain and Bear Mountain, so it is easy to combine with a shorter afternoon walk. Guests at Enchantment Resort can start straight from the property, and the resort's restaurants make a fine post-hike lunch or sunset stop for anyone with a reservation. For a wellness-themed day, pair the Boynton Vista spur with a visit to the Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park in West Sedona, and end with sunset at Airport Mesa. For hikers building up to Sedona's harder routes, it is also a good warm-up day.