Oak Creek Canyon

Conveniently situated alongside Highway 89A, Oak Creek Canyon is a breathtaking natural attraction that draws visitors from across the country. Hemmed in by Arizona’s distinctive red rocks, the canyon contains the gushing water of Oak Creek, along with several smaller streams. Oak Creek Canyon lies north of Sedona and south of Flagstaff, in Coconino County.

 

The community hub, now occupied by Indian Gardens has been in constant use since a general store first opened here in 1947. Indian Gardens is now an artisanal cafe and market, serving delicious sandwiches, salads, soups, and assorted platters and cheese boards. This relaxing spot is also known for its excellent coffee and tea, along with an extensive breakfast menu.

 

Life here is far quieter than in the nearby bustling streets main streets of Sedona. Oak Creek Canyon is a nature- lover’s paradise with waterfalls, hiking trails, and 49 fishing creeks. This pristine natural environment is also a protected wilderness area, with the canyon’s forests containing a wealth of wildlife.

 

Oak Creek’s West Fork Trail has consistently been rated among the best hiking trails in the entire United States. The trail is a roughly 7-mile round trip, with the possibility of continuing for a further 11 miles upstream through more challenging terrain. Trees and steep canyon walls provide shade, while the trails’ 13 water crossings are considered easy, making this a relaxing trail to hike for all skill levels.

 

Slide Rock State Park, named by Fordor’s Travel as one of the top 10 State Parks in the United States, is not to be missed. The highlight of an area rich in natural beauty, there are several hiking trails winding through the park’s incredible landscape. USA Today picked Slide Rock as the country’s fifth-best swimming hole, and it’s the perfect place to go on a hot Arizona day, as the park contains a number of natural swimming pools, along with the smooth rock slide that gives the park its name. Not to be missed on a visit to Slide Rock State Park is the working 43-acre apple farm, which contains one of the region’s oldest surviving homesteads.

 

Sedona’s history as a prefered filming site for Hollywood Westerns extends to Slide Rock State Park, which was a filming location for classic movies starring legends such as John Wayne, Rock Hudson, James Stewart, and Charles Bronson.

 

Visitors to this beautiful area have some excellent accomodation options. Briar Patch Inn has 19 secluded cabins and cottages on the banks of Oak Creek, placing guests right in the heart of this gorgeous natural setting. Among the rustic cabins of Canyon Lodge, you can find an outstanding restaurant which is open to non-guests. Formerly known as Garlands Lodge, Canyon Lodge provides some of the finest food in the Sedona area. Diners enjoy a leisurely four-course meal over two hours, sampling wonderful rustic fare prepared with fresh high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients.

 

Lavish ranch homes and grand estates lie in the shade of sycamore and ash trees in this luscious area, along with empty lots allowing for the construction of your very own custom-built dream home. Opulent compounds contain a wealth of luxurious flourishes, including outdoor spas, home gyms, and patios overlooking the beautiful waters of Oak Creek and the stunning surrounding red rocks.