Oak Creek Canyon
Much of the canyon's recreation is closed
Two separate orders are affecting Oak Creek Canyon right now. The Pocket Fire closure order (through September 30) closes West Fork, Wilson Mountain, A.B. Young, Casner Canyon, North Wilson and others, plus the Call of the Canyon Picnic Site. A separate Oak Creek flood closure has affected creekside sites including Bootlegger, Banjo Bill, Halfway, Manzanita, Encinoso and Grasshopper Point, and the swim area at Slide Rock.
The drive itself and the Oak Creek Vista overlook are open. Check current status before planning anything else here.
Oak Creek Canyon is the other Sedona — a narrow, forested canyon carrying SR 89A north toward Flagstaff, with a live creek, sycamores and maples, swimming holes and cabins. After the open red-rock desert of town, it feels like a different state.
The drive climbs roughly 14–16 miles from Sedona to Oak Creek Vista at the rim, via a set of tight switchbacks cut into the cliff face.
It's also Sedona's fall colour destination — and right now, much of its recreation is closed under two separate orders. See above.
The facts
- What it is
- Scenic canyon / national forest corridor
- Where it is
- SR 89A north from Uptown Sedona toward Flagstaff
- Good for
- The drive, Oak Creek Vista, fall colour, shade in summer
- Status
- Drive and Vista open; much recreation closed
Getting there
The drive and the switchbacks
The canyon begins essentially at the northern edge of Uptown and runs north. For most of its length SR 89A is a two-lane road beside the creek, under a canopy — shaded, cool, and a genuine relief in July.
About 14 miles up, the road leaves the canyon floor and climbs the headwall in a series of tight hairpins, gaining well over a thousand feet in a short distance. It's a spectacular piece of road engineering and a slow, careful drive, particularly in an RV or in winter.
At the top is Oak Creek Vista — restrooms, a long-running Native American vendor market, and a view back down the whole canyon. It's free, it's open, and it's the single best-value stop in the area.
Beyond the rim you're in ponderosa pine at around 7,000 feet, and Flagstaff is about 15 minutes further. The full Sedona-to-Flagstaff drive is roughly 29 miles and takes about 50 minutes without stops — allow much longer, because you will stop.
What's normally here
West Fork Trail — the canyon's signature hike and one of the most-loved trails in Arizona. Flat, shaded, thirteen creek crossings. Closed. Note that it's a concessionaire fee site where the Red Rock Pass doesn't work.
Slide Rock State Park — the natural water slide, on a historic apple orchard. Park open; swim area closed. Separate Arizona State Parks fee.
Creekside picnic and swim sites — Grasshopper Point, Banjo Bill, Bootlegger, Halfway, Encinoso. Affected by the flood closure; Banjo Bill has a separate long-term safety closure running to January 2027.
Campgrounds — Manzanita, Cave Spring, Pine Flat. Several are closed; status has been inconsistent between Forest Service pages, so call before booking.
Midgley Bridge — a roadside overlook just north of Uptown, and the trailhead for Wilson Mountain and the north end of Huckaby, both currently closed.
The honest summary: right now the canyon is a drive, not a destination. That will change when the orders lift, and in a normal October it's the best place in the region.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oak Creek Canyon open?
The SR 89A drive and the Oak Creek Vista overlook are open. Much of the canyon's recreation — West Fork, several creekside picnic sites, some campgrounds, and Slide Rock's swim area — is closed under a fire closure order and a separate flood closure.
How long is the Oak Creek Canyon drive?
Roughly 14–16 miles from Sedona to Oak Creek Vista at the rim, and about 29 miles and 50 minutes in total from Sedona to Flagstaff without stops.
Is Oak Creek Canyon the same as the Village of Oak Creek?
No. The canyon is north of Sedona on SR 89A. The Village of Oak Creek is about 6–7 miles south on SR 179. They're on opposite sides of town and are frequently confused when booking.
When is fall colour in Oak Creek Canyon?
Typically mid-October into early or mid-November, with bigtooth maples turning red and cottonwoods and sycamores going gold. Colour moves from the rim down to the creek over several weeks.
Is the canyon cooler than Sedona?
Noticeably — it's shaded and higher, and the rim at Oak Creek Vista is around 2,000 feet above town. Driving up the canyon is the standard local escape from July heat.
Facts on this page last verified July 28, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.