For those wishing to linger in the canyon, there are a dozen lodging options from campgrounds and motels to quaint and rustic resorts. In a few locations the whirling sounds of modern living are deliberately screened out. There are no harsh intrusions; no phones or TVs. The goal is to help guests completely shift gears, slow down and just be.

In those settings, nature is close at hand, just waiting to be explored. Frequently the creek abuts the property, trails begin and end at the doorstep and hammocks, chairs, decks, books and recreational equipment beckon. At the Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast, for example, sheep roam a manicured lawn, an outdoor gazebo has been built for creekside massages and there are private swimming holes nearby.

The outside world does not have to be far away however. Many of the properties do offer modern amenities - not only phones and TVs but also Jacuzzis, kitchenettes and Internet hookups. Most of the canyon's charming hideaways are nestled into the canyon and sometimes not even visible from the road. They are perfect locations for celebrations of all kinds, from romantic weekend getaways and weddings to family reunions.

Many resorts can do double duty. At the Oak Creek Terrace Resort, for example, a creekside gazebo is frequently used for small weddings and a sandy beach for family fun. Some of the properties in Oak Creek Canyon were once the homesteads of Sedona's early families - the Thompsons, Purtymans and Pendleys. Others came along in the heyday of Hollywood westerns, when the Sedona area was a large natural stage set for more than 100 Hollywood westerns. Even the most economical motels have character; a nostalgic flavor reminiscent of lazy summers long ago.

No matter where you stay in Oak Creek Canyon, its attractions are just minutes away. One of the area's most beloved hikes - West Fork - seems to be the canyon's very heart, offering a creekside amble past smooth iridescent walls, summer flowers and brilliant fall colors. When autumn paints West Fork with its fiery brush, you will think you are walking through a rainbow.

On the grounds of West Fork are the burned-down remains of Mayhew Lodge where presidents and celebrities once kicked off their shoes and where Zane Grey is said to have written "The Call of the Canyon." "There was a sweet tang of cedar and sage in the air and that indefinable fragrance peculiar to the canyon country of Arizona," wrote Grey. "I never understood anything of the meaning of nature until I lived under these looming stone walls and whispering pines."

A few miles south of West Fork, in the middle of the canyon, is Slide Rock State Park with its natural water slide that fills children of all ages with glee. And in several locations throughout Oak Creek Canyon are some of the best stops for Native American jewelry, pottery and other crafts. There is Garland's Indian Jewelry, Hoel's Indian Shop and the vista at the top of the canyon, maintained by the U.S. Forest Service where in warm-weather months Native American artists and artisans bring their exquisite creations.

The Forest Service maintains an information center at the overlook, which provides a panoramic view of the upper end of Oak Creek Canyon and picnic tables and restrooms. The overlook is shaded in Ponderosa Pines, which makes it delightful in the summer and a bit cool in the fall.