Hwy 179 – Stage Stop
Stage Stop Riparian area is unique with the unpredictable water levels in Dry Beaver
Creek. With monsoons and snow melt, this place has the potential to be a “migrant trap”
of sorts. Even during dry times, there is usually some amount of water available to birds.
During migration, it is a great place to see the possible rare or unusual bird resting and
getting a nice long drink. If solitude and silence call to you, head down the trail until you
come to an opening where you can choose your destination. The sounds of traffic on 179
begin to fade to silence and birdsong. Going left following the wash will lead you to a
pond where you can sit and watch a variety of species hanging out as well as wildlife
coming to drink. Going straight through a mish-mash of trails through riparian, desert
scrub and grassland habitat, will eventually land you next to Dry Beaver Creek. If there is
water here, enjoy birds coming to rest, feed and bathe. Both spots are ideal lunch spots
and you have a good chance of seeing the Common Black Hawk who has nested here in
the past
Site Information
Region: North Central
County: Yavapai
Directions: The web page will have site linked to Google maps. However sometimes extra info can be helpful. Add 2-3 sentences of brief directions to the site. Point out anything that might not be so obvious to a visitor. Located off of 179 between Sedona and I17. There are no signs or indications of where to turn. From I17 proceed 2.9 miles to left turn onto dirt road; from last round-a-bout in Sedona the turn off is 4.5 miles. There is a stop sign coming out of the dirt road. After turning in, go right to a nice parking area. The trail heads west from the parking area.
Latitude: 34.715375
Longitude: -111.778303
Operational Hours: Open all year, 24 hours a day
Admission or Fees: None
Best time to visit: March through June; Fall Migration
Habitats: Desert, Grassland, Pinyon-juniper Forest, Stream or river
Know Before You Go
Wear solid hiking or walking shoes. There are many cobblestones along the Verde River here and some bushwhacking may be necessary to access the pond and creek. There are multiple trails leading down to Dry Beaver Creek, many formed by wildlife.
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Speciality: Common Black Hawk, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Lucy’s Warbler, Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay, Zone-tailed Hawk
Charismatic: American Kestrel, Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Black-throated Sparrow, Cactus Wren, Gambel’s Quail, Gila Woodpecker, Greater Roadrunner, Lesser Goldfinch, Loggerhead Shrike, Verdin, Western Kingbird
Contact Information
Red Rock Ranger District
Coconino National Forest
Highway 179
Sedona, AZ
Phone: 928-203-2900
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55398
