A Winter Wonderland: Snow Blankets Sedona’s Stunning Red Rocks

One of my most memorable experiences since moving to Arizona was seeing Sedona’s towering red rock formations topped with a fresh layer of snow. While these million plus year old rocks are an incredible sight to behold year-round, the views right after a winter storm really are striking. Since relocating to nearby Flagstaff, I have been hiking a lot of magnificent trails, but nothing beats the tranquil peace of driving down Oak Creek Canyon this time of year. Most tourists are completely gone so the area takes on a drastically different low-key vibe.

Because the snow melts fast in this high desert region, you really need to time your visit perfectly in order to enjoy the unusually mesmerizing winter landscapes. Fortunately, I lived just a half hour away in neighboring Flagstaff (a true winter wonderland), so I was able to capture some pics right after the storm.

How often does it snow here?

While the town occasionally sees snow, it never stays around long due to the intense winter sunshine. Temps can get really cold at night (often reaching the 30’s), however, it typically warms up to the 50-60 range by day. Conditions are usually perfect for hiking and this is when I love to hit the trails with no insane tourist traffic taking away from the natural scenery.

This year (2016), Sedona received a rare Christmas Eve snowstorm that brought in 3-4 inches of snow! To see this amazing red rock desert blanketed with snow on Christmas morning truly was a spectacular sight for locals and any lucky tourists visiting the area. A White Christmas here is extremely rare, so consider yourself lucky if you happened to catch a glimpse of this rare desert treat.

I was able to capture a few amazing winter photos on December 26th, although a day earlier would have been ideal. Although the snow was starting to disappear, I was still able to capture a few remains of the beautiful storm that took the area by surprise.

Here are a few of the places where I took some amazing photos.

A wintry drive down Oak Creek Canyon

A drive along picturesque Oak Creek Canyon is a must anytime of the year, however, after a winter storm the setting is even more enchanting. If you start out on this drive from Flagstaff, you will get to witness a drastic change in scenery. The drive begins through snowy ponderosa pines at high altitude (7000 ft), and eventually switches over to the more mesmerizing & unusual sight of snow dusting the red rocks near the end of the drive when the elevation drops near 4000 feet. I’ve never seen anything more incredible.

Along the way, we passed gorgeous creeks surrounded by snow, drove through canopies of snowy trees, and eventually were surrounded by the towering snowy red rock formations. It was an amazing experience.

I recommend stopping for breakfast or lunch at Indian Gardens, located around Mile marker 378. This place is so amazing and I stop here on any drive. For breakfast, the burritos, muffins, and Grains and Green bowl is awesome. Their coffee is amazing as are their specialty espresso drinks. Everything I have tried has been wonderful. They also bake fresh pastries and bread daily. During the cold months, I recommend a bowl of hearty soup. Unfortunately, it will be much too cold in winter to sit on their gorgeous patio, but the food alone warrants a visit.

Tip – fill up your water bottle with the best natural spring water (near Mile marker 387).

A snowy adventure along the West Fork Trail

The West Fork trail is one of the region’s most scenic trails and this is no secret. It is the most popular trail in the Coconino National Forest and visitors flood the trail & congest the roads each summer and fall. This is no surprise as the plentiful shade and fun creek crossings make it a prime summer destination. Fall draws a lot of leaf peepers as the trail is lined with colorful foliage (resembling a New England style trail).

Winter offers a drastically different setting with barely any crowds. It felt strange to explore without any tourists: I am used to seeing lines of tourists walking down the highway. It was awesome seeing the gorgeous red rocks and creeks in a totally different setting. It’s a magical winter wonderland type feeling that you will not experience anywhere else in the area.

The contrast between the red rocks and white snow is unbelievable. Be aware that the first creek is often much too high to cross, and you will need to turn around at this point (save the full hike for the spring). Regardless of much of the hike being off limits, the short trek is nevertheless worth it for the awesome photo opps and quiet experience.

Check out a few pictures from my winter walk!

The snowy red rock formations was truly one of the coolest sights I have come across and I have seen some beautiful places in the US!

The creek is so peaceful during the winter season. While hikers flood this trail in the summer and fall months, it is so desolate this time of year. Take this time to appreciate the natural beauty sans the crowds! Just come dressed in appropriate winter attire and know that portions of the trail may be closed.

Midgley Bridge

Midgley Bridge is one of the last stops on Oak Creek Drive before you enter Sedona. It’s a starting point for several popular trails (the Huckaby and Jim Thompson), so cars quickly fill the small parking lot even during the off season.

If you can find a spot, this is an amazing place to take some winter photography. I am not surprised that tourists love this overlook.

The real reason this stop is so popular is due to the gorgeous red rock vistas, which are amongst the best on the drive. If you walk down a bit on either the Jim Thompson or Huckaby trail, you will be able to capture the rare sight of a prickly pear cactus buried in snow! As someone who hikes frequently in Phoenix, I thought this was pretty cool.

To capture the beauty this time of year, a simple winter walk will do. That being said, I recommend a full hike during the more desirable fall and spring months.

Check out a few snowy views from these incredible trails!

It’s not too often you come across a cactus covered with snow! I was fortunate enough to capture these pictures before the last of the snow melted! I’ve always loved prickly pears the most, so this was a cool experience.

A snowman in the desert! What an unusual sight that I just had to capture a quick photo. I love how they used the fallen tree branches for the face – looks pretty good!

A wintry red rock wonderland in Uptown

Oak Creek Canyon drive eventually leads you into the Uptown area. This cute touristy section of town is home to a bunch of shops selling cute cacti & Southwestern themed novelties, touristy Mexican & American restaurants, & a magnificent overlook area featuring stunning panoramas of the red rocks.

It is one of the rarest places to see snow as there is not much shade, and thus, the snow really begins to melt the second the sun comes out. Regardless of whether or not it sticks, it’s a fun place for first time visitors to shop, dine, & enjoy more of the fabulous scenery.

Here’s one picture I was able to capture of some lingering snow dusting the rocks. What a view!

Flagstaff: The snowiest place in Arizona

While Sedona is quite a sight after a snowstorm, neighboring Flagstaff (just a quick 30 min drive away) sees much heavier snowfall each winter & also offers much more in the way of winter recreation.  The city ranks amongst the snowiest in the US with over 100 inches per year.

Opportunities for winter recreation are basically endless and I have had a great time cross country skiing and snowshoeing throughout the city. A few winter play areas I recommend adding to your bucket list include: Snowbowl, the Flagstaff Nordic Center, & Fort Tuthill.

Additionally, you can sled at many local parks or ice skate at the Jay Lively indoor rink. And for more budget friendly winter recreation, take a walk or get your snowshoes out and explore the various forest and park trails. I recommend: Veit Springs, Buffalo Park, Ft. Tuthill, Kachina Trail, and Aspen Nature Loop.