Nearly midway between Flagstaff and Sedona, Oak Creek Vista is a great spot to stretch your legs while taking in beautiful views of the surrounding canyonlands or doing a bit of shopping at the on-site marketplace. Plenty of sightseeing tours departing from Sedona include a stop at the viewpoint, as do some self-guided app-based driving tours.
Oak Creek Vista is a must-visit for photographers wanting to take photos of the canyon.
Bring cash if you plan to shop. While many art vendors accept cards, some do not.
Inclement weather may close Route 89A down in winter. Check for road closures before you head out.
On-site facilities include drinking water and vault toilets.
If you’re not visiting Oak Creek Vista as part of a tour, you’ll need a car. The stop is located right on AZ 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona. It's about a half-hour drive from the center of Sedona, while getting to downtown Flagstaff takes around 25 minutes, without traffic.
The vista and the surrounding area is best visited in spring or fall, when the weather is pleasant but generally not too hot. Oak Creek Vista and the Native American marketplace are open year-round, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. A seasonal information booth operated by the Arizona National History Association is open during the day on weekdays, weather permitting, between April and November.
About a 20-minute drive south of Oak Creek Vista, just before Sedona, Slide Rock State Park is an excellent place to cool off in summer. Here you’ll find picnic areas, hiking trails, and lots of red rock formations, but the big draw for many is the park’s small swimming area, located right inside Oak Creek Canyon.
