CRESCENT MOON RANCH
You can find one of the most iconic views in Sedona (if not the entire Southwest) at Crescent Moon Ranch. If you’re in town for a short period of time, head here for that Instagram-worthy photo opp at Red Rock Crossing. Enjoy the iconic view of Cathedral Rock and the babbling waters of Oak Creek. It’s quite the site that makes us pause every time we lay eyes on it. You’ll be in good company too. You might see plein air painters, and you’ll for sure see others taking photos. It can get crowded here. If you time your visit so it’s early in the morning on the weekends or during a weekday, you might get lucky and have the place all to yourself. If you’d like to stay overnight here, you can rent a rustic, historic ranch house. But no matter how long you stay, Crescent Moon Ranch is a place you won’t be forgetting any time soon.
300 Red Rock Crossing Road, 928-203-7500, fs.usda.gov
SUNSET PARK
Tucked away on Sunset Drive in West Sedona, Sunset Park is one of our favorite hidden gems. This family-friendly 7.46-acre community park comes complete with a splash pad open May to September and two shaded playgrounds – one for toddlers and another for older kids. Throw a football or Frisbee on a large grassy field. Practice your jump shot on the basketball court. Call the Parks and Recreation Office (the number is listed below) ahead of time to reserve the pickleball court. Leashed dogs are allowed. Even if you don’t play tennis, you’ll want to check out one of our favorite views from the court. You’ll see Coffee Pot Rock and Thunder Mountain – one of the most recognizable formations in town.
655 Sunset Drive, 928-282-7098, sedona.gov
SLIDE ROCK STATE PARK
Slide Rock State Park gets its name from the natural 20-foot, 2.5 to 4 foot wide waterslide located at the bottom of Oak Creek Canyon. Going down this slide is a must-have Sedona experience. It’s an especially nice way to cool off during the hot summer months. You’ll be surrounded by two iconic Sedona sites: Oak Creek and red rock formations. Many visitors will stay all day to swim, cliff jump, picnic and take multiple trips down the slide. “It’s fun in the sun down in the creek water and surrounded by the beauty of the natural red rock,” says Hank Vincent, the park manager of Slide Rock State Park. Hank tells us that visitors cannot bring glass containers, pets, amplified music, smoke or grill in the swim area. The park is busiest from Memorial Day to Labor Day and open year-round. If you don’t want to swim or are visiting during the cooler months, enjoy the red rock formations all around you. Slide Rock is home to three hiking trails that are 0.3 miles or less so you can admire the gorgeous views. Although the swimming area gets most of the attention, other activities include trout fishing, plein air painting and bird watching. Slide Rock is a 43-acre historic apple farm. You’ll walk by historic cabins, circa 1930s, on your way from the parking lot to the swimming area.
6871 AZ-89A, 928-282-3034, azstateparks.com
POSSE GROUNDS PARK
West Sedona’s 78-acre Posse Grounds Park is Sedona’s outdoor playground with a stunning red rock background that will make you want to stay for hours. Sedona’s first park is one of its best. For starters, the sheer volume of activities offered is impressive. Posse Grounds Park features two softball fields, two tennis courts, a basketball court, a dog park, a skate park, a fitness trail with four different activity stations, a volleyball court and a multi-use grass field. You can picnic at 10 different covered ramadas. This park also has played host to numerous events through the years and is home to two different performance venues. But we’d encourage you to, if nothing else, just enjoy the views.
525 Posse Ground Road, 928-282-7098, sedonaaz.gov
RED ROCK STATE PARK
West Sedona’s Red Rock State Park is a 286-acre nature preserve that shows off Sedona’s signature attraction: the gorgeous red rocks. Look out to the horizon to spot iconic Cathedral Rock and the Seven Sisters. Besides just being a beautiful place, Red Rock State Park also has an educational focus. The Miller Visitor Center features exhibits and a park store. At the visitor center, guests can learn more about the natural environment and wildlife they’re about to experience. Red Rock State Park is also a riparian habitat and preserve. Oak Creek runs through this park. If you want to explore the park on foot, one hiking highlight includes the House of Apache Fires Loop Trail. Expect a panorama view and a chance to see the ruins of the House of Apache Fire. The home was built by Jack and Helen Fyre in the 1940s. Jack was the president of TWA Airlines. If you choose to hike one of the five miles of interconnected trails, look forward to an easy, quiet experience.
“We generally have less traffic as far as people walking places with the trails compared to the other places that do allow swimming. It’s more of an opportunity to, even though you’re near the town of Sedona, you’re not getting all those people. It’s more of a nature experience. You’re more likely to see deer here,” says Heidi Erickson, park manager of Red Rock State Park.
Speaking of nature, Red Rock State Park is also a great spot for bird watching. The park even has a hummingbird patio. You might spot Anna’s hummingbird. During the winter months, your hike may even be more musical with all the migratory birds who have headed up north chirping away. Heidi tells us she can never go a single day in the winter time without seeing a white-crown sparrow. Springtime is also ideal for seeing hummingbirds. Pets and swimming are not allowed at Red Rock State Park. The park has a handful of picnic areas that can be reserved. Typically, the
park hosts many different events and programs.
4050 Red Rock Loop Road, 928-282-6907, azstateparks.com
