Red Rock Crossing Sedona | A Vortex Site + Sunset Spot + Swimming Hole
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Red Rock Crossing is a popular spot to catch a sunset in Sedona and also one of Sedona’s seven vortex sites. If you’ve ever seen reflection shots of Cathedral Rock at sunset, it’s most likely from Red Rock Crossing.
Contrary to what it’s famed for, we felt like there’s a lot of overhyping around the Red Rock Crossing Sedona Sunset. And honestly, if you visit like we did after a heavy rain, you’re not going to get the reflection shots you’ve seen all around.
Visiting both the Red Rock Crossing Vortex and Red Rock Crossing for a sunset in Sedona are only good if there hasn’t been a lot of wet weather recently! Check out our complete list of 31 sunset spots in Sedona and the 7 vortex sites in Sedona to find alternatives to Red Rock Crossing Sedona if there’s been a lot of recent rain.
The Red Rock Crossing Sunset + Vortex Site
While the sunset spot and vortex site are actually in two different areas, the parking and hiking is basically the same, so we’ll cover both in this post.
There’s a lot of confusion around Red Rock Crossing because there are multiple different ways to get to Red Rock Crossing, but with the easiest approach being an $11 parking fee, it’s not the best one.
The parking and the fact that “Red Rock Crossing” is a big area can lead to a bit of frustration, so let’s cover some FAQs.
Red Rock Crossing FAQs
What is the Red Rock Crossing Sedona Sunset?
The Red Rock Crossing Sedona Sunset is a famous reflection shot at sunset of Cathedral Rock. If you’ve seen a reflection shot of Cathedral Rock at sunset, it’s very likely it came from Red Rock Crossing.
Where is Red Rock Crossing?
Red Rock Crossing is a large, flat rocky area off of Red Rock Canyon Road where Oak Creek flows through. The area itself is just outside of Crescent Moon Park, a park with a steep $11 entrance fee.
Why do people photograph sunset at Red Rock Crossing?
Sunset is extremely popular at Red Rock Crossing because of the chance to capture a glowing reflection of Cathedral Rock. However, all the stars have to align to get a perfect shot. The creek can’t be too full, and the water can’t be too fast, otherwise, your shot is a complete wash.
Check out our favorite Sedona sunset reflection shot after a heavy rain here.
Where is the Red Rock Crossing Vortex?
Just up the creek from the famed sunset location, you’ll find where the Red Rock Crossing Vortex is pinned on Google. Like all vortex sites in Sedona, the vortex isn’t actually an exact pinpointed location. Instead, it’s a feeling in a general area, and the strength and feeling of the vortex are up to the person visiting.
Check out all of Sedona’s vortex sites here.
Where is the Red Rock Crossing Sedona Sunset Spot?
The exact coordinates to the famous Red Rock Crossing Sedona sunset are 34.825424, -111.808126. However, you can really just walk up and down Oak Creek until you find a spot that you fancy most for your take on the Red Rock Crossing sunset.
Parking And Getting to Red Rock Crossing Sedona Sunset + Vortex Sites
There are three different places you can park for access to Red Rock Crossing – Crescent Moon Ranch, Secret Slick Rock Trailhead, and Baldwin Trailhead.
Red Rock Crossing Via Crescent Moon Ranch
Parking | $11 at Crescent Moon Ranch | 34.8265568, -111.8083602
Hike | very short walk from Crescent Moon Picnic Site
Crescent Moon Ranch offers the shortest walk to Red Rock Crossing. However, that comes at a steep price. Entrance to Crescent Moon Ranch is $11, and with individual fees for entering the park by foot, there’s no way around that cost.
I would say that parking at Crescent Moon Park is only worth it if you plan on making a day out of your time there. There’s a nice swimming area, picnic tables, and nice easy walking trails in and around Crescent Moon Ranch.
Getting to Red Rock Crossing Sedona Sunset from Crescent Moon Park
From the parking lot, walk directly toward the creek. At the creek, hang a right, and follow the trail along the water. You’ll soon come to a big open sandy area, the famous Red Rock Crossing sunset location.
Getting to Red Rock Crossing Vortex from Crescent Moon Park
From the parking lot, walk toward the water and slightly left. You’ll pass by a big open field with an old building and some historic markers. Along the fence, towards the trees, there’s an opening.
Take this opening, technically leaving Crescent Moon Park, and follow the trails through the woods. You’ll weave in and out of the woods and the creek, even passing over some slick rock.
Continue on the trail until the trail turns to river rock. Finding a safe place to cross the creek, you’ll be right where the Red Rock Crossing Vortex is.
READ MORE | Seven Vortex Hikes in Sedona
Want An Easier Hike? | A Short Walk to the Kachina Woman Vortex in Boynton Canyon
Red Rock Crossing Via Secret Slick Rock Trailhead
Parking | Secret Slick Rock Trailhead | 34.8300784, -111.7994043
Hike | short hike along road, then through the woods a bit along Oak Creek
This is our preferred method for accessing Red Rock Crossing for both sunset and the vortex site! The parking lot here is really small though, so be sure to get here plenty early to secure a parking spot!
Getting to Red Rock Crossing Sedona Sunset from Secret Slick Rock
Parking at the Secret Slick Rock Trailhead, follow the road (there was a chain across the road when we were there) down to the bottom where it turns into a trail.
The trail follows the edge of a fence before dipping down across a small bridge and then into the Red Rock Crossing Area. In this area, you’ll find multiple trails weaving along the water and through the forest.
Follow the trail down the creek all the way to Crescent Moon Ranch. At this point, the trail crosses into a field with some historic buildings, before dipping back down by some benches and along Oak Creek again.
The trail along Oak Creek will lead to a big open sandy area, this is the famous Red Rock Crossing Sedona Sunset location.
Alternatively, if you want to create your own Sedona sunset photo, stop anywhere you fancy along the way!
Getting to Red Rock Crossing Vortex from Secret Slick Rock
From the Secret Slick Rock parking lot, the Red Rock Crossing Vortex is a pretty short hike down a small hill. Leaving the parking lot, continue down the road (closed to vehicles) until the gravel trail splits to the left.
Follow the fence line down to where you cross over some water, and then continue right weaving on and off of Oak Creek through some trees.
Once the trail turns to river rock and opens up a bit with views of the red rocks across the water, you’ve found where the Red Rock Crossing Vortex is.
If it’s safe, cross the creek to get to the pinned location of the Red Rock Crossing Vortex. However, keep in mind, that the creek can be deep and swift, so do so at your own risk.
Like all vortexes in Sedona, the pin-pointed vortex site is really just the general area where the vortex is found. Feeling the power of the vortex is a personal experience, and it’s up to you to feel the vortex when you get into the general area or not.
READ MORE | 7 Vortex Hikes in Sedona
Red Rock Crossing Via Baldwin Trailhead
Parking | Baldwin Trailhead | 34.8217562, -111.8083015
Hike | Yes, with creek crossing
The third and final option for accessing Red Rock Crossing is from the Baldwin Trailhead. With this trailhead being on the Oak Creek Village side of Sedona, we only recommend this approach if you’re staying in that area of town. Otherwise, it’s like a 30-minute drive from the west side of Sedona.
Getting to Red Rock Crossing Sedona Sunset from Baldwin Trailhead
From Baldwin Trailhead, walk down Verde Valley School Road until it ends. There’s a small wash-like area to the right, take that just for a couple of steps until you hit Red Rock Crossing Trail.
Take a left on the Red Rock Crossing Trail (away from Cathedral Rock) until you get to Oak Creek. Once you get to Oak Creek, you have to cross the water to get to the famous sunset location.
Keep in mind, since you have to actually forge the creek here, this is only an option when the water is low — so skip this sunset location after heavy rain.
Crossing the creek at 34.825338, -111.808944, swing a right on the trail. You’ll soon be right at a big sandy area, the famed Red Rock Crossing Sedona Sunset location.
Getting to Red Rock Crossing Vortex from Baldwin Trailhead
From the Baldwin Trailhead, take the Baldwin Trail across the road and to the left. Follow this trail until it splits with Templeton Trail.
Take the left on Templeton Trail (toward the creek) and walk until the trail is right along Oak Creek. Here you’ll find the Red Rock Crossing Vortex site.
From the Baldwin Trailhead to the Red Rock Crossing Vortex is only .7 miles. If you start to hike up some switchbacks, you’ve gone too far and you’ll end up at Cathedral Rock!
Our Experience with Red Rock Crossing
We had a lovely day exploring the entire Red Rock Crossing Area. The photos we took weren’t the iconic reflection shots because the water was too high and too fast. However, it was still a fun day of easy hiking in Sedona.
When we visited, we parked at Secret Slick Rock Trailhead, and hiked along Secret Slick Rock with Georgie, our cat, before continuing down past Crescent Moon Park.
After checking out the forging spot for those visiting Red Rock Crossing from Baldwin Trailhead, we realized the water was high and swift, and crossing there would be impossible.
We continued on the trail up Oak Creek until reaching the famous Red Rock Crossing Sedona sunset location. After a couple of pictures and Georgie playing in the sand, we continued up the creek to the vortex location.
Passing by loads of people who were more interested in Georgie Girl hiking than she was in them, we knew she was ready to get back to the van and away from people. Continuing up past the vortex and up the creek, we completed an entire loop right back to the van in perfect time to catch the sunset from our favorite sunset in Sedona location – Secret Slick Rock.
Our Thoughts on Red Rock Crossing
Honestly, we weren’t that impressed with the photography opportunities in the Red Rock Crossing area. Maybe it was because the creek was super high and dirty from all the runoff that it didn’t inspire us to shoot much.
However, with the extra time that we took making the entire loop hiking along the creek, we realized how lovely of a hike it is around the Red Rock Crossing area. And shoot, in the heat of the summer, this would be the perfect place to escape the blazing sun and cool off in the creek!
Sunset from Red Rock Crossing didn’t make our top five sunset locations in Sedona, however, we included it in our 31 Sedona sunset spots. See for yourself what you’ll fancy most!
More on Sedona
Our Top 5 Sunsets in Sedona | walk up to these epic sunset locations all either no hike or very short hikes
The Best Sunset Hikes in Sedona | a little different from the top sunset spots, because these all require a hike
All the Hikes on Airport Mesa | easy hiking with great views
An EPIC One Day in Sedona Itinerary | a complete itinerary with not so common places to visit
7 Sunrise in Sedona Locations | hikes and short walks to awesome sunrise views
Recommended Gear for Photography in Sedona
This is our complete photography gear guide, and most of these things came in super handy when shooting in Sedona.
We shoot with a Canon R5, and alternate between a wide-angle lens, this telephoto (zoom) lens, and this basic everyday shooter.
With harsh lighting mid-day, we threw on this filter for the lens to cut out some of the light.
Recommend Gear for Hiking in Sedona
These are hands down the best hiking shoes in Sedona. In fact, we did an entire post on them and what else to pack for hiking in Sedona here.
Grab the complete packing for Sedona checklist with links to all our gear here.
For all of our hikes, we used our Garmin watches to track our distance and Jay’s even tracks elevation. They both have features for contacting help if you fall or need it. So we love them!
Lastly, we used our maps.me app all the time! You can pin locations on it, and it has a lot of the trails (even the social ones) on it — making it the best trail app for Sedona!
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