Oak Creek canyon, sedona
Free flowing Oak Creek in Oak Creek Canyon.
Nestled amidst the awe-inspiring red rock formations of Sedona, Arizona, lies a high desert gem that has captivated the hearts of visitors for centuries - Oak Creek Canyon. With its breathtaking scenery, rich history, and an abundance of recreational activities, this magnificent and easily accessible canyon offers a memorable experience for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. At the heart of it all is the free flowing and crystal-clear Oak Creek, the lifeblood of the canyon, which serves as the centerpiece and main attraction for many visitors including myself. Despite the fact that the creek can get a little abused and overcrowded at times because of its popularity, as an avid fly-fisher and photographer, Oak Creek will always have a special place in my memories. Please see images and video clips below that I have captured over the years.
A Brief History:
The history of Oak Creek Canyon stretches back thousands of years, with evidence of human habitation dating as far back as 10,000 years. Native American tribes, including the Sinagua and Yavapai-Apache, once called this canyon home, leaving behind a rich cultural legacy. In the 1870s, the first Anglo-American settlers began to arrive and establish a presence in the canyon. These early settlers were primarily ranchers and farmers attracted to the fertile land and the abundance of water provided by Oak Creek. Today you can see still remnants of fruit orchards that were developed along the creek.
Exploring The Canyon and Creek:
A narrow 2 lane highway, 89a, is the only way in an out of Oak Creek canyon and it can be very busy at times. Along its approximately 15 mile journey through the bottom of the canyon there are several campgrounds, trailheads, and designated picnic areas. The picnic areas and designated pullouts are probably your best and safest option to easily access the creek on a day visit. Parking lots at designated trailheads like the famous West Fork trail at the Call Of the Canyon day use area can fill up very quickly particularly on weekends and during high tourist seasons like Spring and fall. The campgrounds are often full with limited parking and not really a good option to explore and access the creek unless you are actaully camped there in my opinion.
Of course, the well-known and crazy popular Slide Rock state park located in the heart of the canyon is always an option. But personally, I would rather stick in a needle in my eye than visit that park for too many reasons to detail here. But in general, its just way too busy.
Photography Tips:
The best advice I can give visitors whose goal is to capture stunning images in Oak Creek canyon is to try to plan your visits early and by the seasons. Fall is my favorite time shoot in Sedona and any red rock country in the Southwest for that matter. And as a self-contained riparian environment, Oak Creek canyon is well known for its brilliant fall colors along the creek bottom curtesy of Maples, Sycamores, Cottonwoods, and Gamble Oak trees.
The winter season is my second favorite season these days to visit Oak Creek Canyon as its not as busy with tourists in town. Im always watching the winter weather in the Sedona area as I Iove capturing snow scenes in this beautiful red rock canyon. When there is a high probability of snow I try to get into the canyon before sunrise so I can get in position safely at some of my favorite spots and pullouts.
How To Avoid Crowds:
To avoid the crowds and find some solitude I would advise getting on one of the creek side trails like the popular West Fork trail as early as possible and on a weekday. Weekends in Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon have just become too busy in my opinion. Grasshopper Point, a fee based recreation area just North of Midgely Bridge also offer good creek access.
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Steep canyon walls in Oak Creek Canyon.
Short time-lapse video
Fall colors on highway 89a in Oak Creek canyon near Indian Gardens.
Some calming scenes along Oak Creek in the Canyon.
Fall colors line beautiful and spring fed Oak Creek across highway from Indian Gardens.
A Secret swimming hole hidden deep somewhere in Oak Creek Canyon.
Fall colors along Oak Creek in the middle canyon section.
Reflection on Oak Creek
Because of its higher elevations and canyon micro climate, Oak Creek canyon is generally a good location in Sedona to find snow in the winter months.
Short video clip of snow falling in Oak Creek canyon winter 2024.
Panoramic view of Oak Creek canyon.
Ray doing some Spring fly-fishing on Oak Creek in the Canyon. Please contact me if you have any questions of special requests for Oak Creek canyon related content.