Story · October 2, 2026 · By Shannon Roberts
West Fork Closure in October 2026: What You Can Still Visit at Call of the Canyon
West Fork’s wilderness hike is closed through October 31, 2026. See what remains accessible at Call of the Canyon, Mayhew Lodge history, and alternatives.
If you’re planning a fall visit to West Fork in Oak Creek Canyon, there’s an important distinction to understand: the wilderness hike is closed, but the entrance area offers a shorter visit with an orchard, historic lodge ruins, and a very different reason to slow down.
I’m Shannon Roberts, a Flagstaff-based Northern Arizona outdoors and travel creator. Here’s how the current Forest Service closure lines up with my local access information—and three alternatives if you want to spend more time outside.
The quick answer: West Fork Trail No. 108 within the Red Rock–Secret Mountain Wilderness is closed through October 31, 2026, unless the order is rescinded. My firsthand access information is that visitors can still cross the entrance bridge and walk through the orchard and historic lodge area at Call of the Canyon, stopping at the wilderness boundary. Follow posted closure signs; this is a short entrance-area visit, not the usual West Fork hike.
West Fork on a previous visit. The wilderness trail is currently closed; this image does not show current access. Photo: Shannon Roberts.
What the official West Fork closure covers
Coconino National Forest Order 03-04-00-26-007 is effective September 26 through October 31, 2026, unless rescinded. It covers the entire West Fork Trail within the wilderness and National Forest land within 100 feet of the specified West Fork drainage, from Forest Road 231 to the wilderness boundary.
The closure addresses rockfall and flood-debris hazards following the Pocket Fire. Check the official closure map before visiting. October 31 is the current order’s end date; it is not a guaranteed reopening announcement.
What you can still see before the wilderness boundary
Based on my firsthand access information, the available walk takes you across the bridge, through the old apple orchard, and into the historic Mayhew Lodge area. The old chicken-coop feature is another detail to look for before turning around.
The wilderness boundary is just beyond the historic buildings area. Use the posted boundary and closure signs as your turnaround point rather than trying to navigate by a ruin alone. Do not continue into the closed creek corridor or wilderness trail.
The order defines the closure boundary but does not individually name the bridge, orchard, or chicken coop as open attractions. Those details come from my local reporting. The Forest Service’s current Call of the Canyon page lists day-use operations and does not list a site-specific closure. Conditions and instructions at the entrance can change.
The history hiding at the start of West Fork
Those ruins belonged to Mayhew’s Oak Creek Lodge. Long before this became a popular hiking entrance, it was a place people came to stay in the canyon.
The Forest Service’s West Fork brochure describes the approach across the footbridge and past the lodge ruins. Carl Mayhew purchased the property in 1925, and the lodge attracted well-known visitors, including Walt Disney and Jimmy Stewart. It burned in 1980.
Sharlot Hall Museum’s historical account identifies surviving features including a stone fireplace, rock pillars, and a cave used as a root cellar. The orchard and remaining structures make this more than a place to pass through on the way to a hike. They offer a glimpse of the canyon’s earlier life.
Look closely, take photographs, and leave everything where it is. Stay on established paths and avoid climbing or disturbing the ruins.
Three alternatives to the full West Fork hike
These are different outings, each with its own appeal. None recreates the full West Fork canyon hike.
Grasshopper Point
Choose Grasshopper Point for a creekside picnic or time beside Oak Creek close to Sedona. Its Forest Service page lists normal operations and no site-specific closure as of this check. Allen’s Bend is accessible from the parking area; check current trail conditions before extending your walk.
Encinoso Picnic Site
Encinoso is a good option for a slower Oak Creek Canyon visit, a picnic, and photography. The Forest Service explicitly lists the site as open. A Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required.
Crescent Moon Ranch
For Cathedral Rock views, creekside scenery, and a relaxed visit at Red Rock Crossing, consider Crescent Moon Picnic Site, often called Crescent Moon Ranch. The Forest Service lists it as open. It’s a strong choice when the goal is scenery rather than a long canyon hike.
Oak Creek and Cathedral Rock at Crescent Moon Ranch, one of the alternatives in this guide. Existing photo; conditions may differ during your visit. Photo: Shannon Roberts.
Before you go
Check access again: Read the current Forest Service alerts and follow instructions at the gate.
Know the entrance fee: Call of the Canyon currently lists $15 per vehicle for up to five people and October hours of 8 a.m. to dusk.
Bring the right pass: Call of the Canyon, Grasshopper Point, and Crescent Moon accept the Coconino Hospitality Annual Pass or their separate entrance fee. Red Rock and America the Beautiful passes do not cover those three sites.
Bring water and pack out your trash: Keep dogs leashed and protect the historic features.
Planning a wider fall trip? My Flagstaff and Northern Arizona fall-color guide has more places to consider. A closure changes the plan, but it doesn’t have to end the day.
