A quick snapshot overlooking the canyon from an off-trail site.
A Gem in Sedona’s Secret Mountain Wilderness
As with many of the hikes in Sedona, the Boynton Canyon hike is very accessible (there’s even a resort next to the trail!), so this is a great hike if you want to take a day and immediately start to see some great scenery.
The hike itself is not very strenuous, but the area can be awe inspiring nonetheless. All along the canyon, there are Native American ruins built into the cliff faces. Even though time has come and gone, there are plenty of well-preserved ruins that you can see from the trail.
While you’re on the trail, you’re likely to find yourself in mostly flat areas. The trail goes from tall trees to juniper bushes, and then back to tall trees as you approach the end of the canyon. Some of the areas are very sandy, and you will cross several dry creek beds over the 3 and a half mile hike in.
As you approach the end of Boynton Canyon, the trail begins a steep incline until the end. Once you have reached the end, however, you will find yourself on a flat cliff face where you can sit and reflect, looking over the canyon itself.
For me, it was one of those moments that I wanted to capture with a camera, but no matter how many pictures I took, none of them did the scene justice. It’s definitely worth a trip just to check out the serenity of the area, overlooking the canyon. Also of note: as I mentioned earlier, this hike is fairly easy to get to, but early in the morning the trail seems to be less busy. If you want to truly take some time alone to reflect, make it a point to get there early.
Recommended Gear
This is going to be an easy hike, so you won’t need much more than the essentials:
- Water
- Boots
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- First Aid Kit
- Trekking Poles (if desired)
Hike Info:
2.5 miles one way
2 – 2.5 hour hike
Starting Elevation: 4521
End Elevation: 5256
More information can be found on the Forest Service website.