Oak Creek Canyon
West Fork and several creekside sites remain closed
The July 31 Oak Creek Temporary Area Closure keeps West Fork Trail, part of the West Fork and Oak Creek drainages, and the Banjo Bill, Bootlegger, Call of the Canyon, Encinoso, Grasshopper Point, Halfway and Manzanita recreation sites closed through September 30 unless rescinded earlier. Wilson Mountain, Huckaby and other sites named only in the superseded broad order are open again.
The drive itself and the Oak Creek Vista overlook are open. Slide Rock's swim area has a separate state-park closure, extended through October 1; check the park directly before driving up.
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. The drive, Vista, Wilson Mountain and Huckaby are open. West Fork and several creekside recreation sites remain closed under the July 31 Oak Creek order.
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; West Fork and creekside sites 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 under the current Oak Creek order. 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 through October 1. Separate Arizona State Parks fee.
Creekside picnic and swim sites — Grasshopper Point, Banjo Bill, Bootlegger, Halfway and Encinoso are named in the current flood-risk closure.
Campgrounds — Manzanita is named in the current closure; check Cave Spring and Pine Flat directly before booking.
Midgley Bridge — a roadside overlook just north of Uptown, and the trailhead for Wilson Mountain and the north end of Huckaby, both open again under the current orders.
The honest summary: the drive and several trails are open, but creekside recreation remains limited during monsoon season.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oak Creek Canyon open?
The SR 89A drive and Oak Creek Vista are open. West Fork, several creekside recreation sites and Manzanita Campground remain closed under the Oak Creek flood-risk order; Wilson Mountain and Huckaby are open again.
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 August 3, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.