Oak Creek

Just two hours from Phoenix, Sedona and Oak Creek together offer on of the most scenic fishing destinations in the nation. The short trip along I-17 provides great sightseeing and passes through some of Arizona's most historic regions.

The combination of breathtaking scenery, mild climate and relatively remote location has seen Sedona evolve into Arizona's premier art colony.

To reach Oak Creek, head north from downtown Sedona and follow Alternate Route 89 toward Flagstaff. After you've driven through most of the "urban" areas of town, you'll see Grasshopper Point, a wonderful picnic area worth at least a brief stop. Oak Creek widens here, and a rope is conveniently strung across the water from a huge cottonwood tree. It's a great way to cool off, although these waters can be extremely cold at times.

A few miles up the road, Slide Rock is known for enormous red rock formations and a long natural slide carved by Oak Creek over a period of thousands of years. It's on the west died of the road and comes up rather unexpectedly. you have to pay a daily user fee since it's a state park.

The fishing starts just above Slide Rock, although sometimes someone pulls something surprising out of the creek below. Don't expect a lot of huge fish, but you can anticipate a few stockers (since the Game and Fish Department stocks trout regularly during the summer). On July 21, 1991, a 5-pound brown trout was caught in Upper Oak Creek by an angler who used 4-pound test line and single kernel of corn. -G.J Sagi, from the essential travel handbook Fishing Arizona

Phone Numbers for more information::

Game and Fish Phone: (602) 789-3701

Restrictions/Season of Use:

Oak Creek is open all year

Road Conditions:

Paved

Land Ownership:

Coconino National Forest

Ranger Station/District:

Red Rock Ranger District at (928) 282-4119 or the Payson Ranger District at (928) 474-7900.

Entrance Fees/Permits:

There is no fee for Oak Creek but there is at Slide Rock

Elevation:

5000 feet

Average Depth:

The average depth for Oak Creek is 3 plus feet.

Bag Limit:

As Posted and Catch-and-Release only in marked upper reach segment. Limit for all other segments:6 trout

Boats to Rent:

No

Camping:

Early Spring through mid-Fall (or first snowfall). Manzanita Campground is open yearround.

Barrier free Access:

No

Trailer Spaces:

No

Electricity:

No

Launching Area:

No

Water Skiing:

No

Cleaning Stations:

No

Marinas:

No marinas at Oak Creek

Drive south from Flagstaff on Hwy. 89A. 14 miles down the road it drops nearly a thousand feet down a series of switchbacks to the canyon floor and continues for 13 more miles beside cool, clear Oak Creek. There is an nice printable map of Oak Creek Here on the Coconino site.