Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon Ranch Picnic Area, Sedona

Stroll through an old apple orchard, past the mill house, through tree lined streams with log bridges to magnificent views that rival the awesome beauty that is the Grand Canyon. This park is an opportunity of a lifetime if you love photography. The soaring red rock towers and river rock lined creeks are just heavenly. We took our 3 year old Grandson and he traversed the terrain with ease. There are several streams that must be crossed by log so be nimble or get feet wet quick. Entrance fee is $9 per car and worth every penny. The Grand Canyon fee is $25. for comparison, fees are not what they used to be. Bathrooms, snack machines, recycling, trash cans and paved paths.

What I liked: Good photo opportunities, nice little park. What I didn't like: Picnic area, not much to it. Some covered areas would be nice for shade and rain. restroom was crappy, drain for water faucet outside was clogged so you had to stand in a puddle to wash your hands, Staff was kinda grumpy. The swimming hole is a very interesting place, try it if you like adventure, but be careful, the rocks that are submerged are super (and I mean SUPER) slippery. it's like walking on ice and it would be very easy to slip and hit your head on a rock. Also there are some crevices where you could get your foot stuck. Not exactly the safest place for young kids, but it can be fun for teenagers that can take care of themselves. I thought it was overpriced for what you got. For $8 I'd expect a decent bathroom.

We loved Sedona so much that we decided to get married with a red rock backdrop! It is a lovely park to visit and plenty of hiking opportunities.

The entrance fee is higher than any other day use area in Coconino County (though tied with the West Fork trail). Although there are bathrooms and a scenic old water mill, 90% of the reason one comes here is to cross THROUGH the ranch into the riverbed area, not even on its property. I find it rewarding to walk the 1/2 mile to mile from the Cathedral Rock trailhead down into the riverbed via Templeton Trail and enjoy the whole reason you come here without entering the ranch property and being charged the high fee. If you hike Sedona area frequently or more than once in your trip here you'll already have a Red Rock Pass that you can use for the trailhead parking. If you've already bought one don't waste your money at the ranch when they don't even own the property you came to see ($7 for using the bathroom doesn't make much sense)