Redwood Creek: Top 25 Picnic Destinations

		SEDONA: Vibrant Colors and Vortexes
		THE SETTING Some come for the mystical vortexes, which some say have spiritual healing powers. Others come for the fishing, hiking and nature watching. But almost everyone comes to Sedona, Arizona, for the sheer beauty of the place. What better place to picnic than beside a rambling creek stuffed with trout, beneath majestic Indian ruins and sublime red rock formations. Sedona challenges many national parks in their beauty. Located in the high southwestern desert under the rim of the Colorado Plateau, just 40 minutes south of Flagstaff, the town boasts natural elevations of 4,500 feet. Arizona's famous Oak Creek meanders through here, creating a diverse habitat of plants and wildlife. The only difficulty you'll experience during your visit is deciding just what area to explore first. Try picnicking in one of the area's many forests, including Call of the Canyon, Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon Ranch, Grasshopper Point and Banjo Bill, or settle in at Red Rock State Park Nature Center, where you'll lunch alongside rare birds and the beautiful Oak Creek.
		WHAT TO SEE AND DO Get acquainted with beautiful Red Rock Country by taking a jeep tour through the town's rugged terrain, or driving north on 89A to enjoy 16 miles of scenic highway that winds through Oak Creek Canyon, national forests and several scenic hiking trails. Hikers will also also find popular trails at West Fork, which affords spectacular views of the canyon walls that rise hundreds of feet above the creek and includes a near-perfect picnic spot where you can site on flat rocks on the creek. Climb up to the magical vortexes, meander through Red Rock State Park Nature Center or take a tour of the Palatki and Honanki Indian ruins on the outskirts of town. If you're an adventurous type, view the stunning red rocks from a hot-air balloon or bi-plane, or swim in the natural waterslides at Red Rock State Park. If you've got more than a day in the area, visit Montezuma Castle National Monument, which boasts the southwest's oldest, best-preserved ancient cliff dwellings, or the nearby ghost town of Jerome.
		HOT TIPS When hiking in the area, pay attention to maps and respect "private property" and "off limits" signs when striking out on your own. A Red Rock Pass is required if you park your vehicle on Forest Service land. The Forest Service operates six campgrounds in Oak Creek Canyon - most open on a first-come, first-served basis. On summer weekends the campgrounds fill up early so plan accordingly. A Red Rock Pass, available at the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and other locations throughout Sedona, is required for vehicle parking on the national Forest in Red Rock Country.
		PHOTO OPS Wherever you turn in Sedona, you can't avoid the stunning red-rock vistas. Snap some of the area's most beloved formations, including Bell Rock, Snoopy Rock, Elephant Rock, Cathedral Rock and Coffee Pot Rock, or stand at a high elevation while you photograph the sparkling waters of Oak Creek.
		LOCAL SPECIALTIES Stock your basket with spicy Southwestern specialties like gazpacho soup, black bean and salsa salad, corn on the cob and green chile cheddar cornbread. For dessert, pack something sweet made from prickly pear fruit, one of Arizona's exotic specialties.