Anyone who has driven through Oak Creek Canyon in the summer, especially near Slide Rock State Park, knows that motorists often get very creative when trying to find a free place to park.
Finding those spaces — which are often illegal — will soon be more difficult.
In September, the Coconino National Forest finalized the Oak Creek Watershed Restoration project, an environmental assessment under the Red Rock Ranger District.
The project includes nine plans to improve watershed conditions, wildlife habitat and water quality in the watershed, including closing unauthorized roadside parking pullouts in locations along State Route 89A in Oak Creek Canyon.
“As the new district ranger to the Red Rock Ranger District, I am pleased to sign the Oak Creek Watershed Restoration project as my first decision. Protection of the Oak Creek watershed is imperative to maintain a healthy riparian habitat for plants, animals and people,” Red Rock District Ranger Amy Tinderholt said.
A report by consultant Kimley-Horn states that due to the constrictive topography of the narrow highway through the canyon, very few designated parking areas exist, causing tourists to improvise their own “unpermitted” parking on the minimal shoulders of 89A.
“Over the past 10 years, ADOT, the U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest, Coconino County and Arizona Department of Public Safety have eliminated some of the non-permitted parking locations with signs and enforcement,” the report states. “There are currently 102 ‘no parking’ signs in the Oak Creek Canyon area. However, parking issues still exist. The USFS is concerned that unpermitted parking areas negatively impact the Oak Creek watershed.”
The report states that USFS conducted a field review in Oak Creek Canyon over Labor Day weekend in 2017 to assess the sites in use to review and confirm parking areas identified in the USFS’ preliminary map and evaluation.
A study team verified the location and condition of 59 sites. During the review, the team made initial assessments whether each site should be closed or maintained as is with no further action.
USFS National Environmental Policy Act planner Elizabeth Munding said implementation of the plan will occur at various times.
“ADOT is planning to close the pullouts [with guardrails] this spring, possibly by the end of March, as part of ADOT’s larger pavement project going on now,” Munding said. “After the 26 pullouts have been closed, then the Forest Service, with the help of Arizona Conservation Corps, will rehabilitate social trails.”
She added that the USFS hopes to start its social trail rehabilitation — being done to prevent sediment from falling into the creek — in April. The social trail rehab will be require approximately eight or more weeks of crew work, estimated to be split between the spring and fall of this year.
“To assist with this effort, ADOT is funding work to close five unauthorized parking areas as part of a current ADOT project in that area and closing 21 others on behalf of the Forest Service,” ADOT spokesman Steve Elliott said.
Sedona Assistant City Manager Karen Osburn said this project ties into the city’s overall plan to help provide transit into the canyon, and thus reduce the number of cars on the roadway.
“It is a critical component of the incentives and disincentives to use transit to go to Oak Creek Canyon,” she said. “If there is less availability of parking in the canyon then there is lesser ability to drive into the canyon and stop and recreate. In that case it makes sense for those wishing to spend time in Oak Creek Canyon to take a shuttle. Then they won’t have to worry about driving or take the chance that they drive in but can’t park and therefore can’t stay.”
