West Fork of Oak Creek: The Best Summer Hike in Sedona
West Fork is the trail our guests ask about when they want to escape the heat. A 6.4-mile out-and-back along a creek bottom shaded by sycamores and ponderosa pine, with thirteen creek crossings and red-rock canyon walls 1,500 feet above, it is the antithesis of an exposed slickrock hike — and in July and August it is the only Sedona trail we send guests to without hesitation.
Trail overview
The West Fork Trail (Forest Trail #108) follows the West Fork of Oak Creek upstream from the historic Mayhew Lodge ruins, crossing the creek thirteen times in 3.2 miles. Total elevation gain is modest — about 250 feet, spread across the whole length. The official trail ends at the thirteenth crossing where the canyon narrows into a wadeable slot; experienced canyoneers continue another nine miles upstream, but that requires swimming and route-finding and is not the day-hike most visitors come for.
What to expect
This is the most popular trail in the Coconino National Forest and for good reason: cool shade, soft tread, the sound of running water, and red canyon walls reflected in the creek. The thirteen crossings are the defining feature — most are easy rock-hops in normal flow, but spring snowmelt and monsoon storms can raise the water knee-high; check conditions before you go. The Mayhew Lodge ruins at the trailhead are worth a slow walk — the lodge burned in 1980 and the rock chimney and foundations remain. The first crossing comes within a quarter mile; the trail then follows the north bank under massive sycamores and ponderosa pine, with the creek to your right and the south canyon wall climbing 1,500 feet on your left.
Fall colour in West Fork is one of the great seasonal experiences in Arizona — peak is typically late October through mid-November, when the sycamores turn gold and the bigtooth maples turn red. The trail is mobbed on autumn weekends; arrive at the trailhead by 7:30 AM or plan for a long shuttle queue.
Permits + parking
The trailhead is at Call of the Canyon Recreation Area, ten miles north of Sedona on SR-89A in Oak Creek Canyon. The day-use fee is $12 per vehicle (cash or card at the entrance booth; Red Rock Pass is NOT accepted at Call of the Canyon — separate fee). The lot fills by 9 AM in fall and by 8 AM on summer weekends; overflow shuttles run from a lower lot on busy days. No reservations.
Best time to go
Three sweet spots. Summer (June-August) — when every other Sedona trail is too hot, West Fork is comfortable; start by 8 AM. Fall (late October through mid-November) — peak colour, mob crowds, arrive at sunrise. Late spring (April-May) — warm air, cool water, full creek flow, wildflowers in the meadows. Avoid late winter if there has been recent snow — the trail can be muddy and the crossings cold.
Difficulty + safety
Easy by elevation gain, moderate by distance. The thirteen creek crossings are the main complication. Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet; in summer, sport sandals or quick-drying trail runners work well. After heavy rain or rapid snowmelt, the crossings can be unsafe — the Forest Service closes the trail in flood conditions; check the Call of the Canyon page before you drive. Bring 1.5-2 litres of water per person; the creek water is NOT safe to drink without filtration.
Dogs are allowed on-leash and this is a popular dog hike — most dogs love the creek crossings — but the crowded fall weekends make it stressful for reactive animals. Skip it on autumn Saturdays if your dog does not love crowds.
Stay nearby
Call of the Canyon is a 15-minute drive from our West Sedona rentals and 20 minutes from the Village of Oak Creek properties. Guests doing West Fork in summer typically start at first light, finish by 11 AM, and are back at the property pool by lunchtime. See our Sedona vacation rentals for properties close to the canyon, and check Visit Sedona\'s West Fork guide for current trail status and fall-colour reports.
