Oak Creek Canyon
4.8(299)google
5.0(9)yelp
Road Trip
Overview
Oak Creek Canyon is a river gorge located in northern Arizona between the cities of Flagstaff and Sedona. The canyon is often described as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon because of its scenic beauty. State Route 89A enters the canyon on its north end via a series of hairpin turns before traversing the bottom of the canyon for about 13 miles (21 km) until the highway enters the town of Sedona.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeAutumn (October to November) is an absolute visual feast, when the entire canyon is completely filled with golden cottonwoods and deep-red foliage, forming a strong color contrast with the red rock; in high summer it's an unparalleled cooling retreat
Getting ThereAZ-89A connecting Flagstaff and Sedona. Driving is the only and most perfect way to experience this sight. The mountain road is extremely winding and narrow with very sharp turns, so stay highly focused while driving
Travel Tips
- This is a magnificent 12-mile-long river valley, consistently recognized as one of America's top scenic byways, flanked by layered red-sandstone cliffs and lush primeval forest
- The canyon interior has a unique microclimate much lower in temperature than Arizona's surface, with a great many campsites, creekside picnic areas, hiking trails, and natural stream fishing spots beloved by locals dotted along the way
- Don't miss the 'Oak Creek Canyon Vista' at the canyon's northernmost end; standing on the suspended boardwalk there, you can perfectly overlook how the entire scenic road winds down into the canyon depths in a thrilling series of continuous hairpin turns
Reviews
Positive
- A paradise better than the desert of Arizona! Driving in from the dry red-rock mountain town, you switch in a second to a green, shaded, babbling-stream forest canyon. Stopping and going along the way, sitting down at any creekside picnic bench is very pleasant
- A superb self-drive experience; the mountain road is a real driving pleasure, the north-end overlook has an extremely stunning view, and you can buy very authentic handmade turquoise necklaces and crafts at the Native American market at the summit
Heads up
- Because it's the only core scenic road connecting two major tourist cities, on weekends or in the autumn foliage season the whole narrow canyon road jams up into a giant parking lot, greatly delaying your itinerary