Great birding in all seasons. In summer, breeding warblers are the highlight - one of the most common species is Painted Redstart. Magnificent Hummingbirds very occasionally visit the hummingbird feeders. Migration can turn up any number of migrant songbirds, but be on the lookout for warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers in particular. Winter is the best time to find American Dippers and Winter Wrens, although both species have bred nearby. Sparrows, woodpeckers, and montane birds such as Red-breasted Nuthatch and Golden-crowned Kinglet are the other winter highlights. To access, be on the lookout for a small sign on the highway. Immediately turn into the parking lot on the right, and explore from here.

A section of Birding the Flagstaff Area on the website, South from Flagstaff, gives detailed tips for birding in Cave Springs CG and Oak Creek Canyon.

Cave Springs in scenic Oak Creek Canyon is one of the forest’s most popular campgrounds. The scenery is unmatched, the stream is stocked with trout, and if they aren’t biting you can always go swimming, hiking, or birdwatching. Add to that the fact that Slide Rock State Park (listed in Life Magazine as one of the nation’s ten best swimming holes) and the thriving resort town of Sedona are only a short drive away and you can see why this area is so popular.

Campsites are located in a shady stand of ponderosa pines in the upper reaches of the canyon. Many of the campsites are located right on the banks of Oak Creek. None are very far from it. There are several hiking trails in the vicinity. Some lead up the canyon slopes to offer good views of the surrounding scenery. The creek is bordered by paths that lead along its picturesque course offering great bird watching and good fishing.

Get your camera ready for this one, and don’t forget your swimsuit, hiking shoes, and fishing pole. Just south of Flagstaff, AZ-89A descends a breathtaking series of switchbacks into a scenic, smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon. Known for colorful rocks and unique formations, Oak Creek Canyon is famous the world around for its spectacular scenery.

Before you drive into the canyon you’ll want to stop at Oak Creek Canyon Vista. Here you can get a bird’s eye view of what awaits you down the road and, at the same time, shop for Native American jewelry and other craft items from the local Native American artists who set up displays along the pathways.

Once you’ve snaked your way down the switchbacks, US-89A winds a lazy course down the length of Oak Creek Canyon. It’s actually possible to enjoy the scenery here without leaving your car, but most people choose to get to know these crimson cliffs and crystal pools on a more personal basis. For that purpose, there are plenty of overlooks, picnic areas, swimming holes, and hiking trails all along the drive. At Midgely Bridge, there’s a vista point with an especially unforgettable backdrop where you’ll want to stop and use that wide-angle lens.

As you leave Oak Creek Canyon and continue past Sedona through Red Rock Country, an observer with a sharp eye will recognize familiar shapes among the natural sculptures that form the horizon. Keep an eye out for Steam Boat Rock, Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, and more.

You can continue down this scenic route to I-17 and then back to Flagstaff, or you may want to turn around and do it all over again. Another way to complete the loop is to return to I-17 via Schnebly Hill Road rather than AZ-179. The vistas along this rocky but rewarding forest backroad are as good, if not better than any along the rest of the drive.

Attractions: Picnicking, Waterplay, Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Watching, Photography

Road Condition: All roads are paved and plowed but can become slippery after a winter storm.

Driving Time: 2.5 hours or all day.