Oak Creek Canyon
No trip to Sedona would be complete without a drive along Route 89A through
stunning Oak Creek Canyon, consistently named as one of the Top 10 scenic drives
in the Southwestern United States. A drive through Oak Creek Canyon is relaxing,
and offers several areas for one to park the car and picnic, hike or even fish.
As you exit Uptown Sedona and cross the bridge the red rock vistas are amazing,
but soon the canyon narrows and the road begins to snake along Oak Creek under
a canopy of trees. A very popular stop along the route is Slide Rock State Park,
featuring a natural water chute allowing swimmers to slide along the rocks for
a third of a mile, a great way to cool off during the summer heat!
Continuing north, this well-maintained road experiences a series of switchbacks
as the elevation rises dramatically. In the winter you may see snow clinging
to the sides of the canyon walls, and just after a heavy rain waterfalls can
appear in certain areas, along with amazing rainbows. In autumn the leaves begin
to change color, adding to the already spectacular scenery. Once you reach the
top of the rim you can park at Oak Creek Canyon Vista, stretch your legs, and
look out at the majestic canyon you have just navigated. At this point you can
continue north through the Ponderosa pines toward Flagstaff & the Grand
Canyon, or simply turn around and do the drive all over again, back to enchanting
Sedona.
