Things to Do around Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Canyon is a prominent geological feature in Arizona, situated between the red rock formations of Sedona and the pine forests near Flagstaff. This region is characterized by its deep canyon walls, carved by the spring-fed Oak Creek, which creates a lush riparian environment contrasting with the surrounding arid landscape. The diverse terrain, ranging from shaded creek-side paths to challenging canyon ascents, makes Oak Creek Canyon a notable destination for several sports like hiking, jogging, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more.
Things to Do in Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek Canyon offers more than 20 routes across several sports like hiking, jogging, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more. Hikers can explore a variety of trails, from leisurely walks along the creek to more strenuous climbs, with options detailed in guides such as Hiking around Oak Creek Canyon and Easy hikes around Oak Creek Canyon. Mountain biking routes provide diverse terrain, including technical sections and scenic red rock views, as highlighted in MTB Trails around Oak Creek Canyon. For cyclists, the scenic Highway 89A offers dramatic vistas and challenging switchbacks, making it ideal for road and touring cycling. More than 31,000 visitors have shared their experiences in Oak Creek Canyon, resulting in an average rating of 4.77 out of 5 stars for the available routes.
71
Routes
4.5
(136)
Average rating
1920
People visited
4.8
(62)
458
hikers
8.62km
02:34
250m
250m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.
4.3
(3)
39
hikers
15.5km
05:17
760m
770m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.
4.9
(36)
445
hikers
10.8km
03:08
280m
280m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.
27
hikers
5.32km
01:27
50m
120m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.
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33
riders
24.4km
01:25
190m
320m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
5.0
(1)
9
riders
20.5km
01:22
310m
310m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
3.0
(1)
6
riders
18.9km
01:17
320m
320m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
79.6km
06:19
640m
640m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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5.0
(3)
94
riders
13.1km
01:20
290m
290m
Hard mountain bike ride. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
8
riders
10.5km
00:59
190m
190m
Hard mountain bike ride. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
10
riders
8.02km
00:47
150m
150m
Hard mountain bike ride. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
7
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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31
runners
8.13km
01:06
230m
230m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly runnable paths. Some sure-footedness required.
7
runners
4.84km
00:38
110m
110m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly runnable paths. Some sure-footedness required.
6
runners
4.76km
00:37
100m
100m
Moderate run. Mostly runnable paths. Some sure-footedness required.
1
runners
8.46km
01:04
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly runnable paths. Some sure-footedness required.
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23
riders
28.5km
01:28
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
1
riders
17.4km
00:58
260m
260m
Easy road ride. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(1)
21
riders
39.3km
01:54
530m
530m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
14
riders
43.8km
02:05
590m
590m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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Top attractions in the region
Most popular attractions in Oak Creek Canyon
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Oak Creek Canyon?
Oak Creek Canyon offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and touring cycling. The region features 27 routes across these sports, with more than 31,000 visitors having shared their experiences.
What are the most popular hiking trails in Oak Creek Canyon?
The West Fork Trail is a popular choice, extending 14 miles (22.5 km) into a pristine area of the canyon. Many other hiking options are available, with details found in guides like Hiking around Oak Creek Canyon.
Are there easy hiking trails in Oak Creek Canyon?
Yes, Oak Creek Canyon offers easy hikes suitable for various skill levels. A dedicated guide, Easy hikes around Oak Creek Canyon, provides information on less strenuous options.
What mountain biking opportunities are available in Oak Creek Canyon?
Oak Creek Canyon and the surrounding Sedona area offer diverse mountain biking experiences, including technical trails with rock features. Information on routes can be found in the MTB Trails around Oak Creek Canyon guide.
Can I go road cycling or touring cycling in Oak Creek Canyon?
Yes, the scenic Highway 89A, which winds through the canyon, is a highly regarded route for road and touring cyclists. This 15-mile (24 km) stretch offers dramatic vistas and challenging switchbacks. Guides like Cycling around Oak Creek Canyon provide route details.
What natural features define Oak Creek Canyon?
Oak Creek Canyon is characterized by its towering red sandstone cliffs and formations, such as the Coconino Sandstone. The spring-fed Oak Creek is central to the canyon, supporting a lush riparian habitat with diverse flora like ponderosa pines and sycamores.
What is Slide Rock State Park?
Slide Rock State Park is a well-known park within Oak Creek Canyon featuring a natural 80-foot (24 m) sandstone waterslide formed by the creek. The park also encompasses a historic apple orchard.
Are there komoot guides available for Oak Creek Canyon?
Yes, komoot offers several guides for Oak Creek Canyon, including Hiking around Oak Creek Canyon, MTB Trails around Oak Creek Canyon, and Cycling around Oak Creek Canyon.
How popular is Oak Creek Canyon on komoot?
Oak Creek Canyon is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 31,000 visitors having recorded tours. The available routes have an average rating of 4.77 out of 5 stars from over 2,300 ratings.
What is the official website or contact for Oak Creek Canyon?
Much of Oak Creek Canyon is overseen by the Coconino National Forest. Their official website is fs.usda.gov/coconino. The Red Rock Ranger Visitor Center can be reached at +1-928-203-2900.
Are there any viewpoints in Oak Creek Canyon?
Yes, the scenic drive along Highway 89A offers dramatic vistas and photo opportunities from various overlooks, such as the Oak Creek Vista. The canyon itself is noted for its red rock formations and lush riparian areas.
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