Sedona News – The Coconino National Forest’s Red Rock Ranger District will begin improving the Turkey Creek area trail system later this year.
Phase 2 of the Red Rock Trails Access Plan was signed last week following an environmental analysis, a lengthy project scoping process and multiple rounds of public comment that concluded in November.
As part of the plan, the district will construct new trails, enhance existing trails, rehabilitate several unauthorized trails and improve trailheads in the Turkey Creek area, which is located near the Village of Oak Creek.
“We’re excited to get started on this work, which we think will greatly improve the recreation experience for Turkey Creek visitors,” said District Ranger Alex Schlueter. “We’re grateful to our public for providing us with valuable insight during this process and our partners for committing to undertake this work alongside us.”
During construction, the district will build 21 miles of new non-motorized trail, reroute about 2 miles of existing trails, adopt more than 10 miles of social trails, close/naturalize another 10 miles of social trails, and improve trailhead facilities.
The existing Turkey Creek East parking lot will be closed, and a new Turkey Creek East Trailhead will be constructed with an estimated capacity of 35 vehicles. Additionally, a nearby equestrian-only parking lot capable of accommodating five horse trailers will be built.
The existing Turkey Creek West Trailhead will be improved and expanded by a handful of parking spaces as well.
The planned work will positively benefit area ecosystems by sustainably concentrating use onto existing and maintained trail corridors, thus limiting impact to sensitive areas.
The decision memo, including a full description of planned project work and maps, can be accessed at on the project webpage at https://tinyurl.com/RedRockAccessPhaseII.
The Red Rock Trails Access Plan was created as part of a public trail planning process that concluded October of 2013. As part of that process, trail users in and around both Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek expressed desire for trail links and connectors to enhance the existing trail system, as well as the addition of high-interest user-created routes.
The first phase of the plan was approved in August 2024 and included ongoing work in areas near both Cornville and Sedona.
Closures are not anticipated for any planned trail work, but should they occur, they will be announced in advance via Coconino National Forest communication channels.