Nestled In Sedona Is Arizona's Scenic Trail With Canyon Views, Red Cliffs, And Wildlife

Boynton Canyon is one of those places that typifies the natural beauty and spiritual appeal of the Sedona, Arizona, region. It has towering red walls and rock features that are perfectly juxtaposed against pine and oak forest, and it's also home to one of the area's most famous energy vortexes. Explore this impressive box canyon and take in its colorful beauty via the 6-mile, out-and-back Boynton Canyon Trail.

The trailhead for the Boynton Canyon Trail is about 5 miles northwest of downtown Sedona in the Coconino National Forest. It starts just outside the Enchantment Resort property. After you pass by the resort, you'll be headed into the canyon, inside the forest's Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness Area. The views are incredible throughout the trail. It starts with broad vistas of red rock formations and buttes and the surrounding forest. As you hike deeper into Boynton Canyon, the vertical walls start to narrow and the trail gets a bit more rugged and steep, particularly near the turn-around point at the end of the canyon. Luckily, you'll also get more shade from the towering ponderosa pine trees as the walls close in.

Boynton Canyon is sacred to the people of the Yavapai-Apache Nation. In their cultural tradition, this was a safe home for the First Woman. In honor of that sacred tradition, treat the land with respect. Make sure to follow Leave No Trace principles, including packing out what you pack in and leaving things as you found them.

When hiking Sedona's Boynton Canyon, keep an eye out for wildlife. You might see white-tailed and mule deer, and it's also habitat for predators like mountain lions and black bears — though you're less likely to see them. Javelinas, also known as collared peccaries, may also be found in the canyon. Keep an eye out for little lizards sunning themselves on the rocks. Birders should bring along binoculars, as you might be able to spot nests along the red rock cliffs and caves of the canyon. Frequently spotted birds in the canyon include western bluebirds, mountain chickadees, ruby-crowned kinglets, and white-throated swifts. You may also hear the trilling call of the male canyon wren. 

The Boynton Canyon Trail is a popular one, given how easy it is to access. One person on Google reviews called it "The best trail in Sedona...period. Sweeping views, differing terrain, great energy at the vortex." Exploring the hiking trails is one of the top things to do in Sedona, and with Boynton Canyon's popularity, the parking lot will fill up quickly, so get there early if you can. You'll need a Red Rocks Pass or an America the Beautiful pass to gain access to the lot. There are pit toilets at the trailhead, but no water. It can get very hot here during summer, so make sure that you have enough water with you for a multi-hour hike. The trail is open year-round. In winter, you might find snow on some of the trail, so make sure to bring layers.

There's a side hike off the Boynton Canyon Trail just before the resorts that takes you to one of Sedona's legendary vortexes: the Vista Trail. It's about 1.2 miles roundtrip from the Boynton Canyon trailhead, taking you to an 80-foot-tall spire called Kachina Woman, where there is thought to be a concentration of energy. Whether you believe in the energy of the place or not, there's no denying that it — like the rest of Boynton Canyon — is quite the sight.

There are a few caves and Native American ruins off of the main Boynton Canyon Trail that have become popular sites, thanks in large part to social media. However, these off-trail sites can involve scrambling and are not officially sanctioned nor are they maintained. Visitors can inadvertently end up causing damage to sensitive cultural sites as well as the surrounding vegetation and soil. Stick to the official trail that has been created to support foot traffic. You'll still find plenty of natural beauty to marvel at.

If you want to be close to the trailhead and stay in Boynton Canyon during your Sedona trip, you have some luxury options. The Enchantment Resort is set amidst the canyon's glowing red rocks, and the neighboring Mii Amo is one of Sedona's best spa resorts. For another popular and pretty hike in Sedona, Margs Draw Trail has red rock and panoramic desert views. It's on the other side of Sedona from Boynton Canyon and about a 20-minute drive away.