Crescent Moon Picnic Site
Sedona, Arizona · on Oak Creek · Coconino National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- creek
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $15 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Crescent Moon Picnic Site
Crescent Moon Picnic Site, also known as Red Rock Crossing, is a developed U.S. Forest Service day-use area on Oak Creek in the Coconino National Forest near Sedona, Arizona. It is one of the most photographed spots in the Southwest for its view of Cathedral Rock reflected in the creek, and it is an official, fee-based swimming, wading, and fishing site.
The site sits along Oak Creek directly across from Cathedral Rock, within the Coconino National Forest's Red Rock Ranger District. It occupies the historic Crescent Moon Ranch property, a working cattle ranch dating to the early 1900s that also served as a filming location for Western movies and shows; remnants of an old mill structure remain on site. The grounds include paved walking paths, shaded picnic areas, and creekside sand/gravel beach frontage.
Swimming at Crescent Moon Picnic Site
Visitors wade and swim directly in Oak Creek from the sandy/gravel bank near the picnic area. Sources describe both shallow areas suitable for children and deeper pools for swimming, though at least one first-hand account characterizes it more as a classic wading and cooling-off spot than a deep swimming hole. The water is described as refreshingly cool year-round, popular for cooling off in Sedona's summer heat, and cold in winter and early spring.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Sedona, drive west on State Route 89A, then turn south on Upper Red Rock Loop Road (Forest Road 216) and continue about 1.5 miles on paved road to the Crescent Moon Picnic Site entrance. An alternative is to park at the Baldwin Trailhead and walk roughly 0.5 miles (10-15 minutes) along a relatively flat trail to the same stretch of creek.
Parking: On-site paved parking lot at the picnic area, accessed via a fee station; multiple sources note the lot fills quickly on weekends and during peak season, with early morning or weekday visits recommended to beat crowds.
The hike in
- To the water
- 0.2-0.5 mi one-way on a paved path from the on-site parking lot to the creek bank (direct entrance); alternatively about 0.5 mi one-way via the Baldwin Trailhead approach
- Time on foot
- 5-15 minutes one-way depending on route
Difficulty: easy - flat paved path (direct) or flat, easy-to-follow dirt/sidewalk trail (Baldwin approach)
Not on a backcountry trail; the picnic site has over 1.5 miles of paved walking paths total, of which only a short stretch (roughly 0.2-0.5 mi) separates the parking lot from the creek's edge. The Baldwin Trailhead alternative is a flat, sidewalk-like route (10-15 minutes one-way) that reaches the same stretch of creek without paying the picnic-site vehicle fee.
Most visitors drive in and park in the fee lot, then walk a short paved path directly to the creek and beach area nicknamed 'Buddha Beach' by visitors. No scrambling or elevation gain involved either way.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Sandy/gravel bank on Oak Creek with shallow wading areas alongside deeper pools, described by sedona.net as ideal for families; one first-hand account (jaredsdetours) characterizes it more as a shallow wading/cooling-off spot than a deep swimming hole, reinforcing that it's generally low-risk for kids. No lifeguards on duty (none mentioned by any source).
Parking
Paid, $15/vehicle (up to 5 people) + $4/additional walk-in person; $25 weekly or $50 annual Coconino Hospitality Pass (current official USFS rate)
On-site paved fee lot at the picnic-area entrance; multiple sources (Recreation.gov, dreamsedona.com, visitsedona.com) note it fills quickly on weekends and in peak season, so early-morning or weekday visits are recommended. A free alternative is parking at the Baldwin Trailhead (requires a $5 Red Rock Pass, not the picnic-site fee) and walking in.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault (pit) restrooms on-site at the picnic area, plus potable water/drinking fountain, per the official Coconino National Forest page.
Hours
Seasonal per the official USFS page: Apr 1-Sep 30 7am-7pm; Oct 1-Nov 30 8am-6pm; Dec 1-Mar 31 9am-5pm. Exit gate stays open until dusk on operating days. Day-use only, no overnight camping.
On the water
No official source (USFS, Recreation.gov) or visitor account mentions permitted or prohibited watercraft at this location; all descriptions frame it strictly as a wading/swimming creek. Searches for kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and tube rental outfitters serving Oak Creek near Sedona did not turn up any rental businesses operating at or near this specific site, so 'allowed' is left empty rather than assumed.
Backstory
The site was originally Crescent Moon Ranch, a working cattle ranch from the early 1900s, and its historic mill structures remain visible. The adjacent ford across Oak Creek, historically called Baldwins Crossing, was used by vehicles until it washed out in a 1978 flood and was subsequently closed to traffic; the surrounding land became part of the current Forest Service recreation area. The property has also served as a filming location for Western movies and television shows.
Crescent Moon Picnic Site: FAQ
Does Crescent Moon Picnic Site charge a fee?
Day-use vehicle fee currently listed by the official Forest Service page as $15 per vehicle (up to 5 people), $4 per additional walk-in, $25 weekly pass, or $50 annual Coconino Hospitality Pass; other visitor sites cite lower legacy figures ($8-11/vehicle), suggesting fees have risen over time. The Red Rock Pass (valid at trailheads like Baldwin) is explicitly not accepted at the Crescent Moon Picnic Site entrance, which requires its own separate payment.
Is Crescent Moon Picnic Site kid friendly?
Sandy/gravel bank on Oak Creek with shallow wading areas alongside deeper pools, described by sedona.net as ideal for families; one first-hand account (jaredsdetours) characterizes it more as a shallow wading/cooling-off spot than a deep swimming hole, reinforcing that it's generally low-risk for kids. No lifeguards on duty (none mentioned by any source).
Do I need to hike to reach Crescent Moon Picnic Site?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Crescent Moon Picnic Site?
On-site paved fee lot at the picnic-area entrance; multiple sources (Recreation.gov, dreamsedona.com, visitsedona.com) note it fills quickly on weekends and in peak season, so early-morning or weekday visits are recommended. A free alternative is parking at the Baldwin Trailhead (requires a $5 Red Rock Pass, not the picnic-site fee) and walking in.
When is the best time to visit Crescent Moon Picnic Site?
Summer is the primary swimming season given the area's heat, though the creek is described as cool year-round; fall is recommended by the local tourism bureau for mild weather and foliage; winter and early spring water is notably cold.
What are the rules at Crescent Moon Picnic Site?
Day use only, no overnight camping; maximum vehicle length 24 feet (no RVs, trailers, or buses); pets must be leashed; no horses or pack animals.
What water body is Crescent Moon Picnic Site on?
Crescent Moon Picnic Site is on Oak Creek, a natural creek verified in USGS hydrography data.
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