The Oak Creek Trail Just Might Be The Most Beautiful Hike In All Of Arizona

Finding a beautiful spot in Arizona isn’t tough; in most cases, all you need to do is look in any direction to see beauty. As for the most beautiful hike in Arizona? We could give a laundry list of those but today we’re going to focus on just one that never fails to impress. That place is...

The West Fork of Oak Creek trail #108! This iconic trail shows off some of the highlights of our state: canyons, red rocks, lush riparian areas, and even a little bit of history.

Located just a few miles north of Sedona right off of Highway 89A, West Fork extends 3.3 miles into Sedona’s red rock country. The hike starts at the Call of the Canyon trail and crossing a quaint wooden bridge with a view of what’s to come.

Canyon walls eventually tower overhead with natural striped patterns and tunnel-like formations line the stream. A collection of pine, aspen, and other trees swaying with the breeze and, at times, all you can hear are the birds above. Sounds ideal, right?

As you wind through the canyon, you’ll get to see all the stunning sights mentioned above plus the ruins of Mayhew Lodge, a cabin that came to be a resting area for hunters, fishers, and even a few celebrities. It operated from 1925 to 1968 and evidently housed guests like Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, and President Herbert Hoover. The lodge was listed as a National Historic Place in 1975 but was destroyed in a fire just five years later.

In fact, if you want to preview more sights and experiences of the West Fork trail, check out the video below. In just a little more than two minutes, it shows the stunning views you’ll find of the trail, especially as we head into the fall season.

For more information about hiking the West Fork of Oak Creek #108, visit the Coconino National Forest website for driving directions, a trail map, and other helpful information.

If the cooler temperatures have given you a hunger for more hiking, be sure to check out some of the fantastic trails listed in 10 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In Arizona.