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Oak Creek Canyon: Highway 89A, Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona
Photo: Nhartmannphotos · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

Drives Arizona Sedona, Prescott and Flagstaff

Oak Creek Canyon: Highway 89A

89A · Sedona → Flagstaff

Sweeping22 mi35 min4,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 7,000 ftOne way
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The drive

Highway 89A follows Oak Creek north from Sedona between red and cream canyon walls. It passes Slide Rock State Park, where the creek runs over a natural rock chute, and then climbs a tight run of switchbacks up the Mogollon Rim to Oak Creek Vista. Above that you drive through pines toward Flagstaff.

The drive ends on 89A at Forest Highlands, about two miles short of I-17. It's mostly gentle with one twisty stretch, the switchbacks. It's just as good downhill from Flagstaff.

Along the way

  1. Sedona (Uptown)
  2. Slide Rock State Park
  3. Oak Creek Vista
  4. Flagstaff (Forest Highlands)
Elevation
4,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 7,000 ft
SedonaFlagstaff
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
SedonaFlagstaff
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Traffic is often heavy near Sedona and Slide Rock, especially summer and weekends.
  • The Pocket Fire closed 89A before, and parts of the canyon are burned, with flood risk after rain.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Arizona 511 (ADOT).

Questions about this drive

How long does Oak Creek Canyon take to drive?

Highway 89A from Sedona to Forest Highlands near Flagstaff is 22.1 miles and takes about 35 minutes.

Is Oak Creek Canyon open?

Usually, but wildfire, flooding and roadwork can close Highway 89A, as the Pocket Fire did. Check Arizona 511 for current closures.

Is there a fee at Slide Rock State Park?

Yes. Slide Rock charges a per-vehicle entry fee, and entry is by vehicle only with no reservations.

Are the Oak Creek Canyon switchbacks hard to drive?

They are tight but not extreme. The twisty stretch is short, and the road is rated Sweeping overall.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Oak Creek Canyon: Highway 89A, from Sedona to Flagstaff