Oak Creek Canyon: Sedona’s Natural Wonder
Just north of Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel, lies Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, a lush river gorge and scenic counterpoint to the city’s red rock landscape.
Oak Creek Canyon is approximately 12 miles long and one to two miles across, with sheer canyon walls that rise anywhere from 800 to 2000 feet. The creek supports a riparian zone that’s rich with plant life including Arizona sycamore, willow, cottonwood and maple trees. The constantly flowing stream originates from a series of underground springs in the Mogollon Rim area at the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. After percolating through layers of stone, the clear cold water cuts a path through the narrow canyon, creating waterfalls and plunge pools on its way to the Verde River.
Looking down into the canyon from above, a green ribbon of evergreen and deciduous trees snakes through scarlet and cream-colored sandstone cliffs. The beauty of the canyon changes with the seasons. Autumn is a blaze of crimson and gold leaves reflected in the water; winter dusts the canyon rim in snow, with icicles hanging from the cliffs over frozen portions of the stream. Spring brings wildflowers and rushing snowmelt, while summer offers shaded walking trails and swimming in refreshingly cool water.
No matter which season you choose, Ambiente is the perfect place to unwind in luxurious comfort without leaving the landscape behind. Each guest atrium keeps nature in view with floor-to-ceiling windows framing vistas of the Coconino Forest and red rocks. Relax in the warmth of deep soaking tubs, or visit Velvet Spa for a therapeutic treatment. Hikers will appreciate the Adventurist Ritual, a soothing foot soak followed by reflexology for the legs and feet.
Celebrate the day’s adventure with drinks and dinner at Restaurant Forty1. The seasonal menu highlights local and organic ingredients from the Verde Valley. Cap off the perfect day with stargazing from your private rooftop deck. Catch a shooting star, spot the Milky Way, or watch a full moon rise before slipping into fine organic linens for a deeply restorative sleep.
It’s easy to get to Oak Creek Canyon from Ambiente. Just turn left and drive about nine miles along winding 89A. Depending on how you want to explore this natural wonder, there are various places to pull off or park. The key to finding a spot is to arrive early in the morning.
Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive
The 15-mile stretch of 89A from Sedona to Flagstaff offers spectacular views of Oak Creek Canyon. This is a National Scenic Byway and one of America’s most beautiful drives. Oak trees provide a dense, shaded canopy over much of the road in spring and summer, with brilliant color in the fall. The road is known for its sinuous curves and hairpin turns as you head farther north towards the Mogollon Rim. After the switchbacks, park at the Oak Creek Vista scenic overlook and take in the breathtaking vista of towering rock formations and Ponderosa pines in Oak Creek Canyon before heading back.
Hike the Canyon Floor
After you’ve seen the view from above, hike down to the canyon floor and look up at the sheer walls. Oak Creek Canyon Sedona AZ, is laced with hiking trails, suitable for varying levels of fitness. The most popular and accessible is the West Fork Trail (6.6 miles round trip) which winds between the canyon’s narrow sandstone walls. You’ll criss-cross the creek on stones or logs multiple times. Autumn attracts the most people who come to see the fall color.
Slide Rock State Park offers easy nature trails and scenic walks through historic orchards. For more of a workout, the Cookstove Trail presents a short but steep, rocky climb, beginning just across from Harding Spring. The AB Young Trail is a strenuous, 5-mile round-trip hike that ascends 2000 feet over two miles with 33 switchbacks, definitely for the experienced hiker. The trail begins at the Bootlegger Picnic area with steps leading down to the creek where you’ll cross and ascend on the opposite side, ending at the East Pocket Fire Lookout with a spectacular view.
Swimming, Sliding and Picnics
Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon is frequently listed as one of America’s top 10 watering holes. This section along Oak Creek is dedicated to swimming, wading, and sliding. The star of the park is the eighty-foot-long slippery chute of polished sandstone that shoots revelers downstream. In summer, this natural water park is a prime attraction in the canyon. Grippy water shoes are recommended for traction on the slippery rocks. The 43-acre park is located on the site of an historic apple farm.
Other options for swimming include Grasshopper Point which has a shaded, deep swimming hole; rock ledges for jumping off; and flat red rocks for lounging in the sun. Red Rock Crossing has beaches, shallow swimming areas, and a perfect view of Cathedral Rock.
Designated picnic areas throughout the canyon offer choices for dining al fresco. Grasshopper Point, Encinoso, Bootlegger, Banjo Bill, and Call of the Canyon all have picnic tables, restrooms, and shady creek access. At Slide Rock State Park, you can picnic and pick apples in season. Pack a lunch of ready-made items from a grocery in town (avoid alcohol and glass containers) and savor the seasonal splendor of the canyon.
Fly-Fishing in a Forested Oasis
Fly fishing is an art form, especially well-suited to trout. In Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Arizona, you can cast your luck for catching wild brown trout and the native Gila trout in the cooler depths of the upper 12 miles of the creek. In the spring and summer, the creek is stocked with Rainbow Trout for recreational angling. Prime casting spots are Grasshopper Point, Call of the Canyon, and the shallow, fast-moving water near Midgley Bridge.
A valid Arizona fishing license is required for anyone 10 and older, and can be easily purchased online or in town. Make sure you know the regulations around trout. Some areas are for catch-and-release only, which helps the fish population thrive; other areas have a daily limit of six trout.
Imagine a morning of quiet casting under rustling cottonwoods as the canyon walls catch the morning light. Take a hike or swim and feel reinvigorated by the cold water. The energy of nature is all around you in Oak Creek Canyon: trees, running water, and stone. Open your mind and absorb the healing effects of this wild canyon. Afterwards, continue the vibe at Ambiente where nature is always at your doorstep, from the moment you awake and drink in the inspiring view, to the evening’s last wish under the brightest star.