Oak Creek Canyon

A scenic drive through beautiful Oak Creek Canyon is well worth the effort whether or not you actually need to travel north from Sedona. Grand Canyon day trips from Sedona pass through the gorge, as do small-group tours of the Sedona area (along with visits to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Airport Mesa) and multi-day itineraries through Arizona.

• Oak Creek Canyon is a must-see for outdoor enthusiasts, adventure travelers, and photographers.

• Plan ahead: The drive is lovely but there aren’t many places to pull off and enjoy the scenery.

• Be sure to bring along sun protection and plenty of drinking water, as it’s easy to get dehydrated in the arid climate.

• Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces if you plan to get out of the car and explore.

Arizona State Route 89A runs through Oak Creek Canyon from Sedona to just outside Flagstaff. Driving allows for the chance to stop at your leisure to take in the natural beauty, while a guided day tour around Sedona or to the Grand Canyon eliminates the hassle of having to rent a car.

Oak Creek Canyon is stunning year-round, so deciding when to visit is largely a matter of preference. Hikers come to enjoy the desert wildflowers from March to May, while summer brings temperatures warm enough for swimming at Slide Rock State Park or Grasshopper Point. The canyon is particularly impressive in autumn when the oaks amid the evergreen forest display their fall foliage.

This area of Sedona has hiking trails for just about every ability level. The most popular route is the 6-mile (10-kilometer) round trip along the West Fork of Oak Creek, where the canyon walls rise up more than 200 feet on either side at points.

The scenery keeps visitors returning to Oak Creek Canyon near Flagstaff, Arizona. Switchbacks take you into the canyon, which is around 12 miles (19 kilometers) long. Hikers love the trails, and fishermen are drawn to the creek’s brown or rainbow trout, largemouth bass, catfish, and more.

Yes, it is possible to find black bears in Oak Creek Canyon, so keep that in mind. However, you’ll find a whole host of wildlife here, so don’t just fixate on the bears. Keep your eyes peeled for whitetail deer, javelina, coyote, birds, reptiles, and smaller critters on the trails.

You can rent a car from Sedona and drive along Arizona State Route 89A, and then you can take your time stopping off at scenic spots along the way. Alternatively, book a tour with a driver so that you can spend more time checking out the scenery than navigating the roads.

There’s a trail for all abilities in Oak Creek Canyon. There’s a short in and out route that lasts around 30 minutes, to much longer ones that take multiple hours to complete. Some trails are more accessible than others, so do a little research to see which hike is best for your group.

Group or private tours run to Oak Creek Canyon, often combining the canyon with other Sedona highlights, like Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and even the Grand Canyon. Tours run from Flagstaff and Sedona, making logistics easy for you. Guided tours are nice, so you don’t need to drive yourself.

Yes, Oak Creek Canyon is worth it. The scenery is unlike most you’ll encounter in the world, and its proximity to other natural spots makes it a perfect destination for a multi-adventure day out. Ensure your cameras are charged for gorgeous light, rock formations, and more.