89A, beginning 1 mi north of Sedona, Oakcreek Canyon.

Whether you want to swim, hike, picnic, or enjoy beautiful scenery framed through a car window, head north from Sedona  through the wooded Oak Creek Canyon. It's the most scenic route to Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon and worth a drive-through even if you're not heading north. Although the forest is primarily evergreen, the fall foliage is glorious. The road winds through a steep-walled canyon, and you'll crane your neck for views of the dramatic rock formations above.

Rainbow Trout Farm

3500 N. AZ 89A, 3 mi north of Sedona,

Oak Creek Canyon

928/282-3379.

Daily 9-5.

Anglers young and old will enjoy the sure catch at the. For $1 you'll get a cane pole with a hook and bait. There is no charge if your catch is under 8 inches. The real bargain is that the staff will clean and pack your fish for a low cost.

Slide Rock State Park

6871 N. AZ 89A, Oak Creek Canyon,

7 miles north of Sedona

928/282-3034.

Labor Day-Memorial Day, daily 8-5; Memorial Day-Labor, daily Day 8-7.

This is a good place for a picnic. On a hot day, you can plunge down a natural rock slide into a swimming hole.  (Bring a set of dry clothes).  The only downside to this trip is the traffic on summer weekends.

Cathedral Rock Trail

is a vigorous but non-technical 1½-mi scramble up the slick rock, to a nearly 360-degree view of red-rock country. Follow the cairns, the rock piles marking the trail, faithfully, and look for the footholds in the rock. Carry plenty of water. Though short, the trail offers little shade and the pitch is steep. You can see the Verde Valley and Mingus Mountain in the distance.

Red Rock State Park

4050 Red Rock Loop Rd., West.

928/282-6907.

Call ahead for times, which change with the season.

Daily 8-5.

Two miles west of Sedona via AZ 89A is the turnoff for the 286-acre, a less-crowded alternative to the popular Slide Rock State Park, though without the possibility for swimming. The 5 mi of interconnected park trails are well marked and provide beautiful vistas.

There are daily ranger-guided nature walks, bird-watching excursions on Wednesday and Saturday, and a guided hike to Eagle's Nest scenic overlook, the highest point in the park, every