Boynton Canyon TrailHike into the Heart of One of the Most Beautiful Sedona Canyons Go to Boynton Canyon Trail sections: Why You Should Hike the Boynton Canyon TrailJust about everywhere we’ve hiked in Sedona has gorgeous scenery. Even a simple stroll up the street has views fit for a Sierra Club calendar!So, you can pretty much pick any of Sedona’s hiking trails and not go wrong. It's hard to pick which one is the best but we'll go out on a limb to say that one of our favorite Sedona day hikes is the Boynton Canyon Trail. This 5-mile roundtrip trail doesn’t have the sweeping, panoramic views of eastern Sedona hikes.
Instead, Boynton Canyon offers a moderate hike that immerses us in the peaceful beauty of one of Sedona’s loveliest box canyons. There’s just something special about the Boynton area. You can feel it as you drive down out of town to the canyon. And, we aren’t the only ones to notice it. Boynton Canyon is considered sacred by the region’s Native American tribes. The Yavapai-Apache believe Boynton Canyon is the birthplace of their people. More recently, followers of New Age philosophies have touted the canyon as a powerful energy center known as a vortex. A vortex is a place where a subtle but powerful energy emanates from deep within the earth, imparting a sense of well being and healing in those attuned to it. No matter one’s personal belief, it’s almost impossible not to be affected by this canyon’s special beauty. Boynton Canyon’s red, orange and cream colored walls soar skyward, almost a thousand feet above the canyon floor. Fragrant groves of pine, juniper and oak crowd the slopes and shade the boulder-strewn wash that meanders along the canyon bottom. After rainstorms, ephemeral waterfalls cascade off the craggy buttes.
During the summer monsoon thunderstorm season, large cotton candy clouds float over the canyon, casting long, dramatic shadows down the cliffs. Blue-black glossy ravens soar overhead, their deep throaty croaks echoing off the rock walls. Ancient alligator juniper trees – named for their square-patterned bark that resembles an alligator’s back – cast a dappled shade over the trail. Hidden high up among the cliffs, the ancient ruins of the Sinagua people still stand, fortress-like, in the natural rock hollows. Because Boynton Canyon is one of the most accessible hikes in Sedona - and due to its reputation as a vortex site - the trail has become very popular. To avoid the crowds and a filled-up parking lot, we recommend starting your hike early in the morning on weekends or hiking on a weekday. Hiking the Boynton Canyon TrailThe Boynton Canyon Trail starts at the same trailhead as the Deadman’s Pass Trail, which heads east.
Be sure to look for the Boynton Canyon sign, whose trail heads north. Roughly 50 yards from the Boynton Canyon trailhead, we came to the trail register and the trail’s junction with the Vista Trail. Vista is a ¼-mile hike to a scenic overlook below Boynton Canyon’s most recognizable rock spire known as Kachina Woman. If you choose not to make the Vista Trail detour, continue to head straight along the Boynton Canyon Trail. Initially, the trail winds over and around a dry wash until it hits the edge of the canyon’s east wall. The trail then begins to gently ascend along the cliffside, skirting the edge of Enchantment Resort. From up here, we could look down onto the property which occupies 70 acres at the mouth of the canyon. The resort is in view for several minutes along the Boynton Canyon Trail.
After passing the resort, the trail drops back down to the sandy canyon bottom, where it follows a normally dry creek bed. Dense stands of smooth, mahogany-barked manzanita shrubs edge the trail. Here and there, we could see the massive red sandstone buttes rising above us. Boynton Canyon Trail then cuts to the left, entering a side canyon. A thick forest of trees makes the canyon cool and shady here, though the dense vegetation often hides the views.
Large moss- and lichen-flecked boulders litter the canyon floor - the remnants of long-ago flash floods. The Boynton Canyon Trail then climbs gradually and leaves the deep cover of the forest behind. The last 50 yards are the toughest as the trail ascends to a slick rock area. You might need to use your hands to help scramble to the top. Finally, at the canyon’s end, there are broad views of its sheer-walled amphitheater. If it’s not too hot, this is a good place to sit and enjoy the views and have lunch. Even though the footing is relatively secure here, be careful while wandering around this broad slab of sandstone. Head back out the trail the same way. Boynton Canyon Nature NotesBoynton Canyon lies in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness – 43,950 acres of spectacular red rock buttes, deep-carved canyons, imposing cliffs, dry washes and broad swathes of high desert and forests.
Boynton Canyon has a mix of habitat types. Much of the area is classic high desert of pinyon pine, manzanita, agave, yucca and prickly pear cactus. Deep in the cooler areas of the canyon are large swathes of ponderosa pine, oak, Douglas fir and Arizona cypress. Some of the alligator junipers in Boynton Canyon are 2,000 years old. In good rainfall years, colorful wildflowers bloom and paint the canyon in color. Common species include purple-flowered lupine, red-flowered paintbrush and the tall, yellow spikes of desert prince’s plume. Boynton Canyon also has abundant wildlife. Patient and quiet observers may see:
Fast Facts: Boynton Canyon Trail Sedona
Location: West Sedona. 7 miles west of the "Y" – the junction of Highways 89A and 179 in central Sedona. What to See: Secluded box canyon with red rock cliffs and spires; Sinagua cliff dwellings; abundant wildlife; wildflowers in spring and summer after rains. Distance: 2.5 miles one way. Hiking Time Estimate: 3 hours roundtrip. Difficulty: Moderate, though a few sections might be considered strenuous. Elevation Change: 500 feet. Season: All year but be prepared for snow in winter and hot temperatures and monsoon thunderstorms in summer. Use: Heavy. The Boynton Canyon Trail is very popular. The trailhead parking lot can fill up quickly on weekends. If possible, avoid the trail on weekends and hike during the week. Or, start your hike early in the morning. Closest Town: Sedona Directions: From Highway 89A in west Sedona, turn north on Dry Creek Road and drive 2.9 miles to Boynton Pass Road, turn left and drive 1.6 miles to trailhead parking. Management: Red Rock District of the Coconino National Forest. Phone: (928) 282-4119 Visitor Facilities: Pit toilets only. There is no water at this trailhead. Be sure to bring plenty of your own. Horseback Riding: Yes. Pets Allowed: Yes. Access Fee: You must purchase a Red Rock Pass for parking on all national forest lands in the red rock country of the Coconino National Forest. Pass costs are: You can purchase a Red Rock Pass at all Sedona Gateway Visitors Centers, ranger stations and at most red rock country trailheads (credit card or cash machines). USGS maps: Wilson Mountain; Loy Butte. Restrictions:
Note on Trail Safety:
Safety Note: Trail conditions are constantly changing. Before starting out on your hike, check with the public land agency that manages the area for current conditions or closures. Trail conditions can vary with season, weather and maintenance status. This information was accurate at the time of our visit. All contact information, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the park, agency or facility before making reservations and/or travel plans. Return to Sedona Arizona Vacation Destination Guide page from Boynton Canyon Trail
Legal Disclaimer: Each person has their own limits and capabilities. We cannot anticipate every hazard or possibly know your abilities and limitations. When you follow any of the hikes we mention, you assume responsibility for your own safety. It is your responsibility to be aware of traffic, road and trail conditions, weather, terrain, wildlife, your abilities and those of any companions as well as other factors. Arizona-Vacation-Planner.com accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
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