Most visitors drive Oak Creek Canyon by accident, en route between Sedona and Flagstaff on State Route 89A, and walk away thinking it was the best part of their trip. They're not wrong. The 14 miles between West Sedona and the Oak Creek Vista at the top of the switchbacks is, mile-for-mile, the most cinematic drive in Arizona.
This guide goes north-to-south (Flagstaff to Sedona), which is the better direction: you start with the dramatic switchback descent into the canyon and end with the red rocks of Sedona spread out below you.
Start at Oak Creek Vista
From Flagstaff, take I-17 South to Exit 337 and pick up US 89A South. The first major stop, just before the highway drops into the canyon, is Oak Creek Vista — a developed overlook at 6,400 feet where you can see the entire canyon laid out below. It's free, there's a Navajo and Hopi craft market, and the view is genuinely jaw-dropping.
The switchbacks
From Oak Creek Vista, the road drops nearly 2,000 vertical feet in a series of tight switchbacks. Drive it slowly — in part because it deserves to be driven slowly, in part because Arizona drivers behind you will be in less of a hurry than you think. Once you're in the canyon proper, the road runs alongside Oak Creek itself, cottonwoods overhead, red and white sandstone walls rising 1,000+ feet on either side.
Slide Rock State Park
Roughly halfway down the canyon is Slide Rock State Park — a natural water park where Oak Creek runs over smooth sandstone, forming a 30-foot natural waterslide and a series of pools you can swim in. It's the single most popular stop on the drive and on a summer weekend the parking lot fills by 9 AM. Arrive early or skip it. Day-use fee applies (about $20 per vehicle in summer).
The under-the-radar stops
Pumphouse Wash, West Fork Trailhead, Encinoso Picnic Area, and Banjo Bill are all roadside pullouts with creek access, far less crowded than Slide Rock. The West Fork of Oak Creek Trail (about 7 miles north of Sedona) is one of the great Arizona day hikes — a 6.5-mile round trip following a creek through a side canyon with crossings, fall color in October, and walls that close in to slot-canyon scale.
- Oak Creek Vista (top of the canyon, free)
- West Fork of Oak Creek Trail (6.5 mi, must-do in October)
- Slide Rock State Park (early morning only)
- Encinoso Picnic Area (quiet swimming holes)
- Indian Gardens Café (lunch on a creekside porch)
When to drive it
Mid-October through early November for fall color — the cottonwoods, maples, and oaks turn the canyon into a yellow-and-orange tunnel. Spring (March to May) is mild and uncrowded. Summer is hot at the south end and packed at Slide Rock. Winter occasionally brings snow and chain-up restrictions on the switchbacks; check Arizona DOT conditions before driving in January or February.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Oak Creek Canyon scenic drive?
14 miles between Sedona and the Oak Creek Vista, with a typical driving time of 30 to 45 minutes without stops.
Is Oak Creek Canyon worth driving?
Yes — it's widely considered the most scenic stretch of road in Arizona.
When is the best time to drive Oak Creek Canyon?
Mid-October to early November for fall color, or spring (March to May) for comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds.
