Quick Guide to West Fork Trail

West Fork Trail is one of the most unique hikes near Sedona, following Oak Creek through a lush, shaded canyon surrounded by towering red rock walls. The maintained trail extends about 3 miles into the canyon, making the typical hike roughly 6–7 miles round trip. Along the way, you’ll cross the creek multiple times, walk beneath maples and other deciduous trees, and get some of the best fall color views in Arizona.

Trail: West Fork of Oak Creek Trail #108
Location: Oak Creek Canyon, north of Sedona
Trailhead: Call of the Canyon Day Use Area
Distance: UP TO 6–7 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Trail type: Out and back
Elevation gain: Minimal; roughly 500–600 feet depending on tracking
Creek crossings: 13+ along the typical maintained route
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Parking: Paid parking at Call of the Canyon Day Use Area
Best time to hike: Spring through fall
Best for fall colors: Typically late October into early November
Shade: Plenty — much more than most Sedona hikes
Time needed: Plan for roughly 3–4 hours, especially if you stop frequently for photos.

One thing that makes West Fork different from most Sedona trails is that you don’t have to complete the entire hike to enjoy it. You can turn around whenever you’d like, making this a great option if you only have a couple of hours. If you hike to the end of the maintained trail, you’ll reach a narrow section of the canyon where continuing requires hiking directly through the water.

Where is the West Fork Trail in Sedona?

West Fork Trail is located in Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona. I like to separate Sedona into regions, separated by the “Y” that the highways create, as seen in the map below. Sedona itself is about 2 hours north of Phoenix, AZ. Highway 179 leads you into the “Y” from the east side, and highway 89A leads you to the “Y” from the west side. I call these areas East Sedona and West Sedona, then they combine into highway 89A north up Oak Creek Canyon all the way to Flagstaff, AZ. I call this “North Sedona” or “Oak Creek Canyon.” West Fork Trail is in Oak Creek Canyon, so North of the “Downtown Sedona” area. The road up to West Fork is stunning, and only takes maybe 15 minutes from Downtown Sedona (it will be on your left side). Click the map for directions to West Fork Trail Sedona.

West Fork Trail does have its own managed parking lot. You may or may not have heard of “Red Rock Passes” in Sedona. It is a parking pass that applies to many of the Sedona Trailheads, but NOT this trail. In general, having the $80 a year Annual National Parks Pass is best (works to cover Red Rock Pass and gets you 50% off Sedona National Forest campgrounds), but you may separately to hike West Fork Trail ($12 a car). The parking lot is open 7-dusk from April 1- October 31 and 8-dusk the res tof the year. They do have picnic tables and toilets. You can always view up to date details HERE.

OKAY, let’s get into the details of the hike itself. The purpose of my hike reviews are to give you tips from someone who has completed these trails, along with showing you the most iconic or scenic or photogenic spots on the hikes, and how to stay safe!

West Fork Trail is about 6.5–7 miles round trip with approximately 564 feet of elevation gain, making it a relatively easy hike for its length compared to many Sedona trails with steeper climbs. I would consider West Fork easy to moderate, with most of the challenge coming from the distance and creek crossings rather than elevation gain. Plan on spending around 2–3 hours hiking the trail if you take your time, enjoy the creek and stop for photos along the way. West Fork Trail is also dog-friendly, as long as dogs are kept on a leash, making it one of my favorite options for a scenic hike with your pup in Sedona.

First Half Mile of the Trail

Once you find the West Fork Oak Creek Trailhead and start your hike, you’ll soon be under tree cover and cross an adorable bridge. That spits you out into a beautiful field of foliage with canyons on both sides- this is a beautiful spot to take photos in all seasons. Go on further and you’ll make it to a trail fork where you stay RIGHT. You’ll see some cool old historic structures. Then at 1/2 mile you’ll hit the first creek crossing. Right beyond that is one of the coolest photo spots- you just find any little side trail to your right and take a photo where the creek is nestled up against the rock walls. If you’re looking for a short family-friendly hike in Sedona, this would be a great spot to stop and turn around.

Creek Crossings

One of the most memorable parts of hiking West Fork Trail is crossing the creek 13 times along the maintained portion of the trail.

In normal conditions, many of the crossings are fairly straightforward. You’ll typically find rocks or other places to step across, although conditions vary throughout the year and you should be prepared for your shoes to get wet.

Take your time here, especially on wet rocks, which can be slippery. Water levels can also change after rain, during snowmelt, and following monsoon storms, so the crossings may look very different depending on when you visit.

Personally, I think the creek crossings are part of what makes West Fork so fun. They break up an otherwise easy walk and give you constantly changing views of Oak Creek and the surrounding canyon.

for warm-weather hiking where you want to get your feet wet to keep cool: where THESE shoes

for cool-weather hiking where you want to climb across crossings without getting wet: where THESE shoes

My Favorite Photo Spot on West Fork Trail

The most beautiful spot on this trail in my opinion (dare I say one of the most instagrammable spots in Sedona), weas at 2.2 miles. You come out of the trail on top of this giant rock ledge overlooking the creek. It’s such a beautiful vantage point. If I went again, I’d probably turn around here. It is all beautiful, but after going to the “end,” I feel like this is a great turn around point.

End of Maintained Trail

The photo below represents the “end of the trail.” The canyon continues to get more and more narrow and the creek gets deeper. It was a good spot to sit and enjoy a snack. In the summer, people do like to continue on in this trail ande hike into the Red Rock- Secret Mountain Wilderness. Some liken it to the “Narrows” of Sedona, like the “Narrows” in Zion. I would like to try this some day, but I hiked when it was cold, haha.

You can go backpacking in Oak Creek Canyon. ONLY PAST the “end of the trail” mentioned. You will see a sign saying “camping is permitted.” I have not done this, so I will refer to another blogger’s post HERE if you want to know more.

If you’re visiting Sedona specifically for fall colors, West Fork Trail is one of the best hikes you can choose. Because the trail follows Oak Creek through a shaded canyon, you’ll find far more deciduous trees here than on the typical red-rock trails around Sedona. In fall, the canyon fills with shades of yellow, orange and red, which look especially beautiful against the creek and towering canyon walls. The Coconino National Forest even describes West Fork in autumn as a canyon filled with red and gold foliage reflected in the pools along the creek.

When Do Fall Colors Peak on West Fork Trail?

Fall colors on West Fork Trail generally peak from mid-to-late October into early November, although the exact timing varies from year to year depending on temperatures and weather. The Sedona tourism office similarly puts peak color in Oak Creek Canyon from mid-October into November.

In my experience, late October is the time I would target if seeing fall foliage is a priority. You’ll find colorful maples mixed with yellow sycamores and other changing trees throughout the canyon.

I also recommend checking recent photos and trail reports before your hike. Fall colors can change quickly, so looking at photos posted within the previous few days is one of the easiest ways to see how the leaves are progressing before making the drive.

What Is West Fork Like in the Fall?

The best part about hiking West Fork in fall is that the color continues throughout the hike rather than being limited to one viewpoint. You’ll walk beneath colorful trees, cross Oak Creek and see fallen leaves scattered along the water while the canyon walls rise above you.

The farther you hike into the canyon, the more immersive it feels. There are beautiful photo opportunities along the creek throughout the trail, so give yourself extra time if you’re visiting during peak foliage.

Just keep in mind that fall is also an extremely popular time to hike West Fork. Weekends around peak color can be especially busy, and parking at Call of the Canyon can fill early. If possible, I recommend visiting on a weekday and arriving early in the morning.

If you’re planning an entire fall trip around the area, West Fork also pairs perfectly with a drive through Oak Creek Canyon on Highway 89A, where you’ll see even more fall color between Sedona and Flagstaff.

How long is West Fork Trail in Sedona?

The typical West Fork Trail hike is approximately 6.5–7 miles round trip if you hike to the end of the maintained trail and back. Since it’s an out-and-back trail, you can easily shorten the hike by turning around earlier.

Is West Fork Trail hard?

West Fork Trail is generally considered easy to moderate. There is only about 564 feet of elevation gain, so there aren’t any major climbs. The distance, uneven terrain and repeated creek crossings are what make the hike more challenging.

How many creek crossings are on West Fork Trail?

There are 13 creek crossings along the maintained portion of West Fork Trail. Water levels vary throughout the year, so some crossings may be easier than others depending on recent weather.

Do you get wet hiking West Fork Trail?

You may! Depending on the water level, you can often use rocks to make your way across Oak Creek, but you should still wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Creek conditions can change significantly after rain or snowmelt.

Do you need a permit to hike West Fork Trail?

You don’t need a hiking permit for the standard West Fork Trail day hike, but there is a day-use fee to park at the Call of the Canyon recreation area. I recommend checking current fees and conditions before your visit.

Is West Fork Trail dog friendly?

Yes! West Fork Trail is dog friendly, but dogs need to remain on a leash. Keep in mind that you’ll be navigating multiple creek crossings, so make sure your dog is comfortable around water and uneven terrain.

When is the best time to see fall colors on West Fork Trail?

Mid-to-late October into early November is generally the best window for fall colors on West Fork Trail, although peak foliage varies each year. If I were planning a trip specifically for fall colors, I would aim for late October and check recent trail photos before visiting.

How early should you arrive at West Fork Trail?

I recommend arriving early in the morning, especially during fall and on weekends. West Fork is one of the most popular hikes in Oak Creek Canyon, and parking at Call of the Canyon can fill quickly during busy periods.