Red rock walls and forest in Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Canyon

Oak Creek Canyon

Oak Creek Canyon lies between Flagstaff and Sedona, with SR-89A winding down its floor past red rock walls and the creek. Oak Creek Vista sits at the top and Slide Rock on the way down. West Fork is closed this winter.

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The drive
Checked November 7, 2026SR-89A scenic driveSlide Rock from $20

Oak Creek Canyon · Photo: Postdlf / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Credits

The drive

SR-89A from the rim to Sedona

State Route 89A winding through Oak Creek Canyon
SR-89A in Oak Creek Canyon.SR 89A, Oak Creek Canyon · Photo: 7263255 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

From Flagstaff, SR-89A runs south across the plateau to Oak Creek Vista, the Forest Service viewpoint on the canyon rim at the northern entrance. From there the road switchbacks down into the canyon and follows the creek to Sedona.

In winter the top of the canyon can be icy. The two ADOT cameras in Oak Creek Canyon show the road; for closures, check az511.gov or dial 511.

Oak Creek cameras Sedona from Flagstaff

Slide Rock State Park

The natural slide in Oak Creek

A historic homestead and apple farm on the creek, with a smooth rock slide and swimming in the warm months. There are no reservations, and you may not queue on the highway when the lot is full, so arrive early on summer weekends.

What it is
A 43-acre historic apple farm on Oak Creek, with the natural rock slide in the creek it's named for
Hours
January 31 to November 20: 8 am–6 pm, last entry and swimming until 5 pm. November 21 to January 30: 9 am–5 pm, last entry 4 pm
Holidays
Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve 9 am–2 pm; closed Christmas Day
Entry per vehicle (1–4 people)
$30 May to September, $20 October to April; $5 per extra person; under 6 free
Payment
Visa or Mastercard preferred; exact change for cash
Reservations
None. Don't line up on the highway before opening or when the lot is full
Pets
Never in the creek area, and not in the park at all from May 1 to September 30
Closed until February 28, 2027

West Fork and Call of the Canyon

The West Fork trail and the Call of the Canyon site are closed. After rain, the Pocket Fire burn area sends down rockfall and flood debris, and flooding badly damaged the site. Entering the closed area or being on the trail isn't allowed.

When it reopens, Call of the Canyon has its own fee, $15 per car with up to 5 people, and doesn't take the Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful. Vehicles over 24 feet, RVs and trailers can't use the lot.

Passes

Which pass covers what

Forest Service sites in the canyon take the Red Rock Pass. State parks and Call of the Canyon charge their own fees.

Red Rock Pass
$5 a day, $15 a week, $20 a year, for designated Forest Service fee sites
Not covered
State parks such as Slide Rock, national parks, and Call of the Canyon
Guided tour

A guided day in Sedona

Picked up at your Flagstaff hotel, down Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona's red rocks and back.

Sedona Red Rock Explorer from Flagstaff
Photo: Angels Gate Tours via Viator

Angels Gate Tours

4.6 (23 reviews on Viator)

Sedona Red Rock Explorer from Flagstaff

6.5 hours

A local guide picks you up at your Flagstaff hotel, drives the hairpins of Oak Creek Canyon and shows you Sedona's red rocks, with water on board.

You're back in Flagstaff by the evening, and nobody has to find parking at the trailheads.

  • Local guide
  • Hotel pickup in Flagstaff
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

From $141.71 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
Good to know
  • Groups of up to 14
  • Children 8 and under need a car seat or booster (Arizona law)
  • Send your hotel details at least 72 hours before the tour
Where to stay

Stay in Flagstaff, drive down the canyon

SR-89A heads south from Flagstaff to Oak Creek Vista, so the Woodlands Village hotels on the south side of town are the quickest start.

  1. SpringHill Suites by Marriott FlagstaffPhoto: Expedia

    1 / 7

    Photos: ExpediaCheck prices on Expedia

    Suites for familiesWoodlands Village and I-17 8.8/10 on Expedia

    SpringHill Suites by Marriott Flagstaff

    Parking $10 a dayPets: up to 2 pets, up to 100 lb eachBreakfast included

    In Woodlands Village on the south side of town, with free breakfast and an indoor pool for when you're back from the canyon.

    • Good for Families who need the sofa bed in every suite
    • Good for Big dogs up to 100 lb
    • Skip if You need a crib or rollaway

    Check prices on Expedia Photos, rules and fees

  • Hilton Garden Inn - FlagstaffWoodlands Village and I-17 9.2/10 on Expedia · 1,002 reviewsFree parkingPets: dogs and cats, up to 2, set rooms onlyBreakfast extraCheck prices
  • Hampton Inn & Suites FlagstaffWoodlands Village and I-17 9.0/10 on Expedia · 1,001 reviewsFree parkingNo petsBreakfast includedCheck prices
  • Home2 Suites By Hilton FlagstaffWoodlands Village and I-17 9.4/10 on Expedia · 445 reviewsParking $7 a dayPets: dogs and cats, up to 2, up to 100 lb eachBreakfast includedCheck prices

Quick answers

How far is Oak Creek Canyon from Flagstaff?

The canyon starts just south of Flagstaff: SR-89A drops into it at Oak Creek Vista on the way to Sedona, about 30 miles in all.

How far is Oak Creek Canyon from Sedona?

It runs right up to Sedona's northern edge; Uptown Sedona sits at the bottom of the canyon road.

Is Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona?

Mostly not. The canyon lies between Flagstaff and Sedona in the Coconino National Forest, and SR-89A follows it into Sedona.

Is Slide Rock open in winter?

Yes, with shorter hours from November 21 to January 30: 9 am to 5 pm, last entry at 4 pm. Entry is $20 per vehicle from October to April.

Is West Fork open?

No. West Fork is closed until February 28, 2027, unless the order is lifted sooner.