Venue · Sedona, Arizona
Red Rock State Park: events and weekly regulars in Sedona, AZ
Closed for now: Arizona State Parks says Oak Creek flooding damaged the park’s drives, parking lots and trails, and it hasn’t posted a reopening date. Red Rock State Park is a 286-acre nature preserve and environmental education center at 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd in Sedona, Arizona. Sedona has no shortage of places to take the photo, and this one sends a volunteer naturalist along to tell you what you are looking at.
Map and directions (opens in a new tab) · Website of Red Rock State Park (opens in a new tab)
Where is Red Rock State Park?
Off Red Rock Loop Road, along Oak Creek. Talking yourself into one more loop is easy: five miles of connecting trails wind through manzanita and juniper to the creek.
What usually happens at Red Rock State Park?
- The naturalist leaves at 10 AM. Every day, a volunteer sets out to cover geology, wildlife, archaeology and plant life. Park entry includes it, first come, first served.
- Birders get Wednesdays and Saturdays. Bird walks leave the viewing deck above the Miller Visitor Center at 8 AM, or 9 AM in December. Beginners are welcome, and no bird has ever asked to see a life list.
- Some days dig deeper, and some nights look up. Monthly geology and archaeology hikes take a reservation, and you book the sky by registering for star parties with the Astronomers of Verde Valley.
A little history
This park began with a hike. Gov. Bruce Babbitt was out with friends in the fall of 1980, came away concerned for Oak Creek and public access to it, and that concern led to the park, dedicated on October 19, 1991. It has stuck to environmental education and passive recreation ever since, passive recreation being the official term for walking slowly and looking at things.
Insider tip
Pack binoculars, and leave the dog and the swimsuit at home: no pets, no swimming, and Oak Creek is strictly for looking at. Wildlife here runs from javelinas to bobcats, and none of it takes requests. Saturday is the day to do both walks: birds first, naturalist at 10.
The basics
- Address: 4050 Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
- Phone: 928-282-6907
- Hours: Closed by flooding as of Nov 4, 2026. Usual hours: 8 AM to 5 PM daily, last entry 4:30 PM; Visitor Center 9 AM to 4:30 PM, per Arizona State Parks
- Website: azstateparks.com/red-rock
- Updated: Nov 4, 2026
Bird walks start at 8 AM, and our free weekly email gives you time to decide whether you are that kind of person: Send me Thursday's picks.
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