Red Rock Country - Scenic Drives

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Red Rock District
Coconino National Forest
P. O. Box 20429
Sedona, AZ 86341-0429

8375 State Route 179, Sedona, Arizona
(Just south of the Village of Oak Creek)

Administrative Offices:
(928) 282-4119 or
(928) 203-7500

Visitor Information
(928) 203-2900

Forest Supervisor's Office
1824 S. Thompson St.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

(928) 527-3600

Scenic Drives

The splendor of Red Rock Country is obvious, even through the windshield of a quickly moving car. Many routes are "must-see" drives, including Highway 89A into Oak Creek Canyon from Flagstaff, Highway 89A to Sedona from Cottonwood, and Highway 179 to Sedona from I-17. Entering Sedona from the east, via the Schnebly Hill Road, is an exciting experience; spectacular views along 11 miles of narrow, twisting, bumpy road, built in 1904. All routes feature scenery unequaled anywhere else in the country.

SCENIC DRIVES	LENGTH	ROAD CONDITION	HIGHLIGHTS
Red Rocks and Sycamore Canyon Loop	25 miles	FR 152C is paved to Boynton Canyon and the Red Rock Loop is paved except for the last mile or so. The rest of the route is unpaved and can become muddy and slippery when wet.	Sightseeing, red rocks, picnicking (primitive), hiking, biking and wildlife watching
Oak Creek Canyon	88 miles	All roads are paved and plowed, but can be slippery after a winter storm	Sightseeing, camping/picnicking, swimming/wading, fishing, hiking and wildlife watching
Oak Creek Vista		Paved all directions	Beautiful views of Oak Creek Canyon
Desert Canyon Scenic Drive	25 miles	FR 618 is graveled and suitable for passenger cars, however it can become soft and slippery when wet. State Road 260 is paved.	Sightseeing, history (ruins and ranches), camping/picnicking, swimming/wading, fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife watching
Red Rock Scenic Byway	7.5 miles	The Scenic Byway is part of SR 179 and only 7.5 miles --- short in length but long on spectacular sights and things to do!	The Byway begins shortly after you exit #298 off Interstate 17, winding through Coconino National Forest (with several scenic pullouts) as well as through the extraordinary, prehistoric Red Rocks with nearby parking and all levels of hiking and biking trails. The Byway also winds through the charming Village of Oak Creek (the historic name on some maps is "Big Park") and home to Sedona's only public golf courses and two of its most famous and beautiful Vortexes -- Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock!

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