Oak Creek Canyon (Sedona): How to Get There, Parking & Highway 89A Route

Oak Creek Canyon Arizona — casual tourist smartphone photo of red cliffs, pines, and the creek from a Highway 89A overlook — Oak Creek Vista sits on the north rim before the switchbacks — the classic first stop when driving down from Flagstaff.

Oak Creek Canyon sits in Arizona between Sedona and Flagstaff. From Sedona, drive north on scenic State Route 89A. From Flagstaff, take I-17 south to Exit 337, which puts you directly onto 89A. For longer stops at popular trailheads you need a Red Rock Pass. The cities are about 28 miles apart, and roughly 15 of those miles run along the canyon floor through pine forest and red rock walls. To keep the day efficient, use the AlpacaBag route planner or start from a ready frame: 3 days in Sedona for couples, Sedona road-trip itinerary, or Sedona with kids.

Book flights to Phoenix or Flagstaff, a hotel in Sedona or Flagstaff, and travel insurance for the USA. Coverage drops in the canyon — an eSIM with offline maps helps on 89A. For water days at Slide Rock, reserve guided hikes and outdoor activities in Sedona ahead of weekends.

Highway 89A: what the drive is like

SR 89A is a National Scenic Byway — a winding two-lane road with sharp curves, dense vegetation, and big elevation changes. From Flagstaff you start on a flat pine plateau, then drop into the canyon through steep switchbacks. In winter, heavy snow and bad weather can close the canyon for stretches. The road is open for traffic when conditions allow, but Forest Service parking and day-use areas typically operate about 9:00–16:00.

Pair the canyon with other Western US road days: a California Yosemite–Tahoe loop, one day in Sequoia National Park, or alpine lakes around Mammoth Lakes. Check season timing in our best time to travel guide and run through the road-trip car checklist before you leave Flagstaff.

Parking and Red Rock Pass prices

Pulling onto the shoulder for quick photos (up to about 15 minutes) is allowed without a pass. Longer parking inside Coconino National Forest requires a Red Rock Pass displayed on the dashboard — otherwise you risk a ticket. Buy passes at lot kiosks (cards only), Sedona gas stations, or online at recreation.gov.

Pass type	Price (2025)	Valid for	Coverage
Daily Pass	$5	1 day	Basic parking and trails in Coconino National Forest
Weekly Pass	$15	7 consecutive days	All open parking areas in Oak Creek Canyon
Annual Pass	$20	1 year	Access to all Red Rock Country parking areas

Note: Arizona state parks such as Slide Rock are not covered by the Red Rock Pass and charge their own entry fees. Budget the canyon day with our travel budget calculator.

Best viewpoints and stops

Add these Oak Creek Canyon stops to your itinerary:

Oak Creek Vista. The main overlook on the north rim before the switchbacks — the best place to see the full canyon from above.

Slide Rock State Park. A popular park on a historic apple farm. The highlight is a natural ~80-foot (24 m) water slide carved into smooth sandstone. Entry is paid: about $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 7–13 (confirm current rates on site).

Fishing pools. Upstream from busy swimming spots the creek forms quieter pools where rainbow trout, brook trout, and largemouth bass are allowed (valid Arizona fishing license required).

Building a multi-stop Southwest trip? See how to plan several cities in one vacation and quieter Western alternatives in our unconventional destinations guide.

Build a Sedona + Oak Creek day

Enter Sedona, Flagstaff, and “scenic drive” — AlpacaBag sequences viewpoint stops, Slide Rock, and West Fork with drive times on 89A.

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West Fork hike: gear and rules

The West Fork of Oak Creek Trail is one of the canyon's most beautiful — and demanding — routes. It starts at the Call of the Canyon recreation area. The classic marked section runs about 3 miles; after that the official trail ends and you continue in the creek bed.

Footwear. Bring closed water shoes with grip or trail runners — underwater moss makes rocks extremely slippery. Open sandals leave you exposed to brush and poison ivy on the banks.

Gear. Trekking poles matter for balance on river crossings. Pack phones and dry clothes in dry bags inside your backpack.

Start time. Call of the Canyon parking fills fast on weekends. Arrive before 7:00 a.m. or wait for mid-afternoon (14:30–15:00). Campfires are strictly prohibited on the route.

After Arizona, cool off at Lake Tahoe beaches or add a coastal day at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.