Red Rock State Park SedonaSedona Wildlife and Red Rock Views Abound in Scenic Park Go to Red Rock State Park Sedona: What You’ll See at Red Rock State ParkIt’s easy to get caught up in Sedona’s awe-inspiring landscape and not notice that the Sedona desert is home to a wide variety of Arizona wildlife.From kit foxes and kingfishers to bobcats and butterflies, Sedona wildlife is diverse though often secretive.
But, don't let their shy nature discourage you from wildlife watching. At Sedona's scenic Red Rock State Park, you have a very good chance of seeing some of the colorful and interesting animals that call the area home. Plus, this great park gives you the best of everything that makes Sedona such a great destination. Here, you get fantastic views of those famous red rock buttes and cool hikes along a stretch of famous Oak Creek. And even if you don't see a coyote, the park is still a perfect introduction to Sedona animals and Arizona wildlife viewing with its natural history museum-style visitor center and guided nature walks. This family-friendly Sedona desert park is also a great place to get kids interested in nature because they have a good chance of seeing animals up close. Common Sedona animals such as ground squirrels, whiptail lizards, red harvester ants and northern cardinals are generally easily seen along the trails and near the visitor center. Other wildlife, including gray fox, roadrunner, bobcat and javelina, inhabit the park but can be elusive. Stop behind the visitor center at the small pond and you’ll definitely get a close up view of some of the park’s animals. Brilliantly-colored dragonflies and damselflies hover over the water’s surface.
Peer into the pond and you may see aquatic insects like water beetles and water skimmers, or even fish. A variety of birds often come to drink or bathe at the pond, too. Red Rock State Park Sedona’s well-marked trail system offers everything from a short, paved nature trail to a varied trek through high desert and over Oak Creek to a stunning red rock view lookout. Some trails have little surprises that you might miss if you’re not keeping an eye out for them. Look closely and you will see a rock with the embedded fossil of a now-extinct fern. Or the petroglyphs of animal figures on the side of a hill, which are thought to have been made by the Sinagua Indians, who lived in the region around 1250 AD. No matter what your interest, Red Rock State Park Sedona makes for a perfect and scenic day in the outdoors.
Red Rock State Park Animals and PlantsWe didn’t have to go far to see something interesting at Red Rock State Park Sedona.
We merely pulled into a parking place, stepped out of the car, looked up and there was a beautiful male American kestrel perched on a utility pole, just several feet above our heads. With a little patience and time, you have a great chance of seeing some of the fascinating animals that live in or pass through the park. That's because Red Rock State Park Sedona happens to be set between 3,800 and 4,200 feet elevation. So, the park has three major habitat types...
The park’s varied landscape is home to over 135 bird species and 450 plant species. It’s such a crucial place for wildlife that the Audubon Society has designated it as part of the Lower Oak Creek Important Bird Area. The high desert pinyon-juniper woodland is a mix of juniper and pinyon pine interspersed with tough, drought-tolerant succulents such as agaves, prickly pear cactus and yuccas. Native bunch grasses and seasonal wildflowers provide food like seeds, nectar and pollen for the park’s wildlife. Sedona animals you may see in this habitat include rock squirrels, red-tailed and Cooper’s hawks, mule deer and black-tailed jackrabbits. This is also a good spot to see butterflies.
Red Rock State Park Arizona is home to a variety of reptiles too such as the plateau whiptail lizard, gopher snake, Sonoran whipsnake, greater short-horned lizard, Madrean alligator lizard and Woodhouse’s toad. If you visit Red Rock State Park Sedona during the summer monsoon thunderstorm season, you may even see a male tarantula out in search of a mate. More secretive Sedona animals include the great horned owl, coyote, bobcat and ringtail cat. Oak Creek runs for 1½ miles through the park, offering important habitat and precious water to many animal species. The riparian woodland along the creek’s banks is a tangle of tall Fremont cottonwood, Gooding’s willow, Arizona sycamore, alder and walnut trees.
The giant, pink bell-flowered Palmer’s penstemon also grows along the creek’s banks and is a favorite of hummingbirds. This rich, riparian habitat is home to many animals including belted kingfishers, yellow warblers, summer tanagers, bridled titmouse, canyon tree frogs and raccoons Sonoran mud turtles, wood ducks, common mergansers, great blue herons and river otters ply the creek's waters. What you may see at Red Rock State Park Sedona will depend upon the season when you visit. During winter, you may find bald eagles, mountain chickadees, ruby-crowned kinglets, Western bluebirds and song sparrows. In spring, black hawks nest in the park. Other species migrate through including rufous hummingbird, green-tailed towhee and even the occasional white-faced ibis. Red Rock State Park TrailsA good place to begin your exploration of Red Rock State Park Sedona is outside the visitor center.
First, pick up a free copy of the animal tracks guide inside the center. Then, step outside and start following the tracks that are stamped into the paved path next to the visitor center. With the help of the guide, you can follow the footprints of Sedona wildlife that call the park home as well as the tracks of other Southwest animals. The Smoke Trail is the quickest way to get down to Oak Creek. This 0.4 mile trail crosses the creek over a wooden footbridge. From here, you can stand suspended above the creek. Wait patiently and scan the trees and you may see some of the birds that inhabit this riparian woodland area. To make a long loop, you can take the Kisva Trail, which follows the riparian woodland along the creek, and connect with the Yavapai Ridge Trail.
For an exploration of the pinyon-juniper woodland, try the Javelina Trail at the southeastern end of the park. If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the more secretive wildlife such as owls and coyotes, sign up for one of the Red Rock State Park Sedona Moonlight Hikes. These ranger-led adventures will take you through the park’s desert area and over sparkling Oak Creek. The trail then traverses a series of switchbacks and ridges up to the Eagle’s Nest at 4,102 feet. This is the highest plateau in the park and considered to be one of the best scenic views in all of Sedona. From here, you can see famous Sedona rock formations including Three Sisters, the Monolith, Cathedral and Bell rocks. Besides the chance of seeing Sedona wildlife, you’ll get spectacular sunset views and see Sedona’s famous red rocks bathed in moonlight. Visitor Amenities at Red Rock State Park ArizonaBecause Red Rock State Park Sedona’s focus is environmental education, the park has a great visitor center.
This circular sandstone structure blends in with the red rocks and resembles the ancient cliff dwellings of the area’s native peoples. A small stream flows next to it and is a popular spot for young naturalists. The sugar water feeders behind the center attract Anna’s, black-chinned and broad-tailed hummingbirds. Inside, the visitor center is filled with great interpretative displays that tell you all about the park’s habitats and the animals that live in each. Outside, the park rangers post a small sign letting visitors know what animals have been seen recently. On one of our visits, the line-up included Arizona gray squirrel, striped skunk, kit fox and black-tailed rattlesnake. Walk to the landing on top of the visitor center for amazing views of Sedona’s red rocks. Be sure to take advantage of the great Interpretive Programs at Red Rock State Park Sedona.
There are guided nature walks, bird walks, geology hikes, guided hikes to Eagle’s Nest and summer evening hikes as well as the moonlight hikes. The park’s First Sunday Program offers presentations by noted experts in the fields of biology, geology and anthropology among others. Lecture topics include the volcanoes of Flagstaff, California condor reintroduction in Arizona and snakes. What if you’re not up to hiking? Red Rock State Park Sedona makes a great picnic spot. The Twin Cypress Picnic Ramada and the Cottonwood Picnic Area have comfortable tables, grills and drinking water. Fast Facts: Red Rock State Park Sedona AZ
Best Time to Visit Red Rock State Park Sedona: Year-round depending on what you want to see. This area does receive snow in winter. Location: Sedona, AZ five miles west of town. Elevation: 3,900 feet to 4,102 feet. Directions: From Highway 89A in west Sedona, turn on Lower Red Rock Loop Road and follow signs 2 miles to park entrance. Address: 4050 Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona AZ 86336 Google Map Directions: Click on "+" and "-" signs on Map Controls in upper left hand corner to zoom in and out on the location. Phone: (928) 282-6907 Management: Arizona State Parks Hours: Due to the state of Arizona's budget problems, Red Rock State Park Sedona switched to a 5-day schedule on November 3, 2009. The park will be closed to public entry on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It will be open the other days of the week until its planned indefinite closure on June 3, 2010. Summer Hours: Visitor Center Hours: Guided Hikes: Call for dates and times. Admission Fee: $7 per vehicle (1-4 adults) Visitor Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, picnic areas and ramadas with tables and grills, water. Camping: No Horseback Riding: On designated trails only. Inquire at visitor center. Pets Allowed: No Restrictions:
Desert Safety Tips:
Safety Note: Trail conditions are constantly changing. Before starting out on your hike, check with the public land agency that manages the area for current conditions or closures. Trail conditions can vary with season, weather and maintenance status. Each person has their own limits and capabilities. We cannot anticipate every hazard or possibly know your abilities and limitations. When you follow any of the hikes we mention, you assume responsibility for your own safety. It is your responsibility to be aware of traffic, road and trail conditions, weather, terrain, wildlife, your abilities and those of any companions as well as other factors. Note: This information was accurate at the time of our visit. All contact information, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the facility before making reservations and/or travel plans. Return to Sedona Arizona Vacation page from Red Rock State Park Sedona
Legal Disclaimer: Arizona-Vacation-Planner.com accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
|
