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One of the most picturesque and great spot in the world for swimming and fishing may be this crystal-clear canyon stream. Oak Creek meanders through Oak Creek Canyon, a slender ravine carved out of the same strata of rock that form the Grand Canyon along a fault line.
However, compared to its more well-known relative, this tiny cousin of the most prestigious chasm in the world is far more approachable. Straight down the center of it is a road.
There are lots of views and picnic spots, hiking routes, and creekside walks to enable you to get up close and personal with these red cliffs and crystal pools in the summer months and winter months.
Visit the Oak Creek Visitor Center at Indian Gardens when it reopens for the season, or spend the entire year at the Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center next to the Village of Oak Creek in Oak Creek Canyon.
Does Oak Creek Open Year-round?
'Oak Creek Canyon is a ravine formed into the edge of the Colorado Plateau's Mogollon Rim by the banks of Oak Creek Fault. Tectonic processes shifting the terrain to either side of the fault, combined with later erosion by Oak Creek, have resulted in a beautiful canyon where the geologic history of the area is on display.
The Canyon is about 12 miles long. Oak Creek (Frank l. Pendley, Pendley Homestead) runs all year at the bottom of the Canyon, giving water to plants and animals.
You can also fish and swim there with knowledgeable Grand Canyon guides. Oak Creek goes through Sedona, Arizona, and joins the Verde River southeast of Cottonwood, Arizona.
Oak Creek Canyon Camping is a ravine carved into the edge of the Colorado Plateau's Mogollon Rim by the Oak Creek Fault. Tectonic processes shifting the terrain to either side of the fault, combined with later erosion by Oak Creek, have resulted in a beautiful canyon where the area's geologic history is on display.
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5 Best Oak Creek Campgrounds and RV Parks in Arizona
Every free camping spot has bathrooms, picnic tables, picnic areas, grills, tent sites, and fire rings. You can get firewood from the folks running the historic Apple farm campground. But you can only camp in tents or small vehicles. Big RVs and trailers aren't allowed. Most places have drinking water, except Bootlegger. And if you're at Cave Springs, lucky you, they have showers!
1. Cave Springs Campground
Cave Springs is in a pretty place called Oak Creek Canyon, one of the coolest campgrounds in Coconino National Forest, Oak Creek Mobilodge. It's snuggled with those famous red rock cliffs in a forested canyon near Sedona, Arizona.
The view is amazing; there's a stream with trout, and you can enjoy tasty backcountry cuisine, swim, hike, and bird-watch nearby.
The place is like a nature wonderland, with many trees and a cool creek called Oak Creek. You can camp right by the creek, and the water is super clear and chilly on hot summer days.
If you're into adventures, there are hiking trails, some going up the steep canyon walls and slopes for awesome views.
The creek has paths along it, perfect for great bird watching and fishing. Cave Springs is a big campground with 84 campsites, including one just for tents. Every site has tables, fire rings, and grills. They've got coin-operated showers, drinking water, and bathrooms too. Larger rvs, trailers, and motor homes up to 36 feet can stay there.
If you want to check out the town, Sedona is close by, known for its red rocks and fun shopping. And not far away, there's Slide Rock State Park, a top-notch swimming spot. Plus, you've got the huge Coconino National Forest, offering all kinds of awesome views and outdoor stuff to do.
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2. Manzanita Campground
This camping spot by the scenic Oak Creek Canyon is like having a fishing spot in your backyard with shady stand of ponderosa pines, and there's more to it!
Imagine beautiful views, clear water for swimming, pretty hiking paths, restroom facilities, and lots of cool animals to watch (basically, all the good stuff you'd expect in Oak Creek Canyon).
These spots are super popular because of all that. Now, here's the not-so-good part: it's a tiny campground, so tiny that you can't bring trailers or RVs. And to get a spot, you need to not just be early but also pretty lucky.
Manzanita Campground looks all natural with Arizona ash and box elder trees, gravel spots by the stream, and big rocks in the creek. They even put trout in the creek for fishing! Colorful birds make the trees lively, and it's easy to get there—it's just a short distance from US 89A, and the pull-through spots are paved.
3. Pine Flat Campground
Pine Flat Campground in Oak Creek Canyon is a super popular spot in the forest and has a collection of Arizona travel websites and southwest media communications. The place is beautiful, with awesome views and a stream full of trout for fishing.
If the fish aren't biting, you can go swimming, hiking, or watching birds. Slide Rock Park, is one of the best swimming holes in the nation, and the town of Sedona are close by. No wonder so many people love this place!
The campsites have colorful songbirds and spectacular scenery and are in a shady area with tall ponderosa pines in the upper part of the canyon. Lots of them are right by Oak Creek international brand name hotels, and none are too far from it.
Around the campground, there are hiking trails. Some take you up the canyon slopes for cool views. Paths along the creek are perfect for bird-watching and fishing. It's a great place to enjoy nature!
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4. Sedona Campgrounds
A heaven for campers. Wander up Oak Creek Canyon, a short drive north of Sedona, and you'll find incredible adventure playgrounds. Beautiful, dense woodlands. Oak Creek is shimmering in downtown Sedona.
All framed by the sheer walls of the canyon. Vistas of scenery in every way, and the adventure of a lifetime, mountain biking, excellent wildlife, and historic cabins. Hike, swim, fish, explore, and leap into pools of crystal-clear water.
Family-friendly and easily accessible for those who enjoy outdoor activities. A heaven for campers. Wander up Oak Creek Canyon, a short drive north of Sedona, and you'll find incredible adventure playgrounds.
Beautiful, dense woodlands. Oak Creek is shimmering. All framed by the sheer walls of the canyon. Vistas of scenery in every way. Hike, swim, fish, explore, and leap into pools of crystal-clear water. Family-friendly and easily accessible for those who enjoy outdoor activities.
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5. Bootlegger Picnic Area
This picnic spot by the creek is fantastic! You get a fishing spot and more – like amazing views, clear water for swimming, pretty hiking paths, and lots of wildlife to see (basically, all the good stuff you find in Oak Creek Canyon). No wonder everyone wants to come here!
The place looks nice, with Northern Arizona ash and box elder trees, gravel beaches, and big rocks in the stream. They keep putting trout in the creek, so it's a good fishing spot. And colorful birds make the trees even more beautiful.
If you head to the south end, you'll find the A.B. Young Trail. Just go down the steps to the creek, cross it, and look for an old metal sign showing where the trail starts.