Although many people think that Sedona’s Subway Cave is hard to find, you’ll have no problem finding this Sedona hidden gem with this step-by-step guide. Here’s how to get to Subway Cave in Sedona, Arizona.
Subway Cave Hike Quick Facts
Before you embark on your hike, here are a few facts about the Subway Cave hike that you need to know.
- Length: 5.9 miles out-and-back
- Time: 4-5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 600 ft
- Trail: Boyton Canyon Trail spur trail
- Shade: Yes, mostly shaded in the morning
- Kid-friendly: No, high schoolers and older only
- Dogs: Not recommended
- Deaths: None to date
Here are my Apple Watch activity stats from the Subway Cave hike. We did spend quite a bit of time at the cave taking photos and taking in the view — probably around 30 minutes, for reference.
Subway Cave Map
Unfortunately, there is no designated AllTrails map for Subway Cave. Instead, Subway Cave is only shown as a spur trail off of the Boyton Canyon Trail AllTrails map. So, when you’re looking for a trail map to Subway Cave, use the Boyton Canyon Trail map, but follow the spur trail about 5 miles from the Boyton Canyon Trail trailhead. I’ve covered the spur trail map to Subway Cave above in blue. The AllTrails Boyton Canyon Trail is highlighted underneath in green.
How To Get To Subway Cave In Sedona AZ
1. Park at Boynton Canyon Trail parking lot.
You’ll park in the lot on Boynton Canyon Road for Subway Cave. To park here, you will need to purchase a Red Rock Pass, which costs $5 for a day pass, $15 for a weekly pass or $20 for an annual pass. You can pay by credit card at the trailhead fee machine. Or, an America The Beautiful pass will cover parking here. Be sure to have your parking pass visible inside your car before you head to the trailhead. If you have an America The Beautiful pass, you will not need to purchase a Red Rock Pass.
To get to the parking lot, follow signs to Boynton Canyon Trail. There are roughly 30 parking spots in this Boyton Canyon Road parking lot, as well as a toilet. If you start your hike early, before 7:00 a.m., you shouldn’t have a problem finding a parking spot in the lot. However, if the lot is full, there is street parking available along Boyton Canyon Road.
2. Follow signs to Boynton Canyon.
As mentioned, the Subway Cave hike starts on the Boyton Canyon Trail. After you park, follow the signs to Boynton Canyon. At the beginning of the trail, you will see a Coconino National Forest entrance sign labeled Red Rock Secret Wilderness. The first couple miles of the trail is well-maintained and easy to follow. Roughly 15 minutes into your hike, you’ll pass Sedona’s Enchantment Resort on your left. The resort property is long, so you will be hiking alongside it for a while.
3. Around mile 2, turn right at the alligator tree.
Roughly two miles from the trailhead, you will need to turn right onto the Subway Cave spur trail. Subway Cave hikers often miss the spur trail because, as the term “spur trail” suggests, it diverts off the main trail. So, if you aren’t paying attention, you could easily pass the turn and mindlessly continue down the main trail.
The turn is popularly marked by the famous alligator juniper tree, a large tree with bark that looks like alligator skin with long branches hanging over the trail. If you pay attention the AllTrails directions, you won’t miss the turn.
4. After 0.2 miles, turn right before the river bed.
About 0.2 miles on the Subway Cave spur trail, you will come across a small river bed. Do not cross the river bed. Instead, take a sharp right turn up a hill. There is another trail across the river bed, but this trail does not lead to Subway Cave. Again, following the AllTrails directions will ensure you stay on the correct trail.
5. Continue 0.2 miles to the base of Subway Cave.
This trail will take you right to the base of Subway Cave. You will know you’re in the right place when you see the Sinagua cliff dwellings on the side of the cliff, as well as what looks like a slot canyon from below. That slot canyon is actually Subway Cave.
Note: this last section of the hike is also where you will have the majority of the hike’s elevation gain. Until this point, Boyton Canyon Trail and the spur trail are relatively flat. You will have to hike uphill for at least 5-10 minutes to get to the base of Subway Cave.
Like I said, the base of the Subway Case looks like a slot canyon, not a cave. You’ll see the cave once you climb up. We heard a few hikers at the base of the cave say, “No, that can’t be the cave,” simply because it doesn’t look like a cave from below. They were surprised and thankful when we yelled down to them that they were in the correct spot.
5. Climb up the Subway Cave entrance.
The last 50 feet of the hike, you will have to climb up steep, slippery rock. This is definitely the most challenging part of the hike, but doable for most physically fit individuals. You will need hiking boots with good traction for this portion of the hike. We saw a few hikers slip their way up in tennis shoes, but I would personally suggest hiking boots.
We found it easiest to start climbing on the right-hand side of the rocks, and then, about half-way up, step over to the left side. I felt best using both my hands and feet to bear crawl my way up. My hands helped keep me balanced and provided extra traction to prevent me from slipping.
Alternatively, if this climb is too intimidating for you, you can veer to the left of the cave and climb up under the cliff dwellings. There is a ledge around the cliff that will lead you to the cave. I opted out of this way because the ledge is thin (and slippery) around the corner to Subway Cave, with a scary 40-foot drop off. But, many hikers say that this way up is easier than the steep climb.
6. Turn around for the Subway Cave view.
Once you make the steep climb, you’re back will be toward the iconic Subway Cave view. Turn around, and you’ll see it. The view is beautiful, but the cave can be busy if you don’t start your hike early. We started the hike around 6:00 a.m., and we had the cave completely to ourselves for about 15 minutes.
When walking out to the right side of the cave, watch your footing and be careful not to slip. The ledge does not look very slanted. However, once you’re walking on it, you will feel the slant. I crabbed walked my way across the slant, again, using my hands for extra balance and traction.
7. Visit the neighboring Sinagua cliff dwellings.
Furthermore, around the corner from the right side of the cave, you get to witness ancient Sinagua cliff dwelling ruins. The corner is sketchy though, next to that 40-foot drop-off, so be careful. Most of the hikers we saw risked the corner and said that the ledge looked scarier than it actually was. We, on the other hand, did not feel comfortable attempting the ledge.
If you don’t feel comfortable crossing the ledge, don’t risk it. You can still see the cliff dwellings at a safe distance from the left side of the cave.
8. Reverse these steps back to the trailhead.
After you’ve taken in the legendary Subway Cave views, trace your steps back to the trailhead and parking lot. As previously mentioned, the Subway Cave hike is an out-and-back trail, not a loop trail. So, all you have to do is head back the way you came to get back to the parking lot.
If you opt to climb down from the cave via the steep rock like we did, I recommend crab walking down on all fours. This way, you will have a steady balance and extra traction from your hands. Start by climbing down on the left side. Then, half-way down, switch to the right side. Getting down is much easier than getting up. Although, you may find yourself sliding down on your bum at one point or another.
And there you have it! Now you know exactly how to get to Subway Cave in Sedona, Arizona. Have any questions? Ask in the reply section below.
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