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A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service cabin or lookout

Crescent Moon Ranch Cabin

Forest Service cabin or lookout in Coconino National Forest Recreation, Yavapai County, Arizona. About 4,000 feet. 2.4 miles from Sedona.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Coconino National Forest Recreation
Elevation
About 4,000 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
1 1 cabin electric
Longest rig
20 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
Water
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Yavapai County

Overview

Crescent Moon Ranch is an exceptional year-round place to stay in beautiful Sedona. The central Arizona facility is a rustic, historic ranch house adjacent to Oak Creek and near the base of the towering Cathedral Rock, one of the most photographed scenes in the Southwest. Guests can enjoy hiking, photography or simply relaxing and taking in the breathtaking views.

The cabin can accommodate up to 10 people for overnight use. It can be accessed by vehicle. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.

Recreation

Guests can picnic at the adjacent day use area and fish, swim and wade in the crystal clear waters of Oak Creek. Flora, fauna and rock formations in the surrounding area provide excellent subjects for photography.

Within a few minutes, visitors can access hiking, biking and scenic driving through Oak Creek Canyon, to view majestic red-hued cliffs, buttes and canyons. The site is also convenient to Sedona, a resort town with shopping, dining, golfing and other attractions.

Facilities

With three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large living room, two kitchens and an enclosed sun porch, Crescent Moon offers plenty opportunities and views.The charming bedrooms offer a queen, 2 full, twin over full bunkbed, and 3 roll away beds. Electricity and running water are provided, and the house has heating and air conditioning, providing a comfortable stay any time of the year. Please be mindful of reducing energy use by not leaving windows open with central heating/cooling system on. The house is fully furnished, including a dining room table and chairs, sectional couch, screened in sun porch. The large kitchen has a sink, electric stovetop range, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster, and microwave. There is a limited supply of plates, pots and pans, and silverware. The smaller kitchen has a sink, cupboard storage and extra counter space. A grill and picnic table sit outside for outdoor cooking (click here for more cabin details). Guests must bring their own bedding and pillows, flashlights, towels, food, dishtowels, extra cooking utensils/ dish preferences, bedding and linens are NOT provided. Guests must clean the cabin, close and lock windows and doors. Please pack out trash (no trash service provided at this location). General cleaning supplies, garbage bags, toilet paper and paper towels provided.

Additional weekly cleaning and maintenance by US Forest Service Volunteers.

Natural Features

Placed beside a tree-lined creek with Sedona's famous red rock cliffs in the background, Crescent Moon's location offers a serene natural setting. The site lies in the high desert at the base of the Mogollon Rim, a 200-mile slope that ranges between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. Cresent Moon sits at an elevation of 4,000 feet and was built by ranchers of the original homestead. The cabin was later made available for public use by the U.S. Forest Service.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby towns of Sedona and Oak Creek offer plenty of lodging, camping, shopping and dining. A variety of hiking and swimming destinations are within a short drive, including the well-known Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock/Secret Mountain Wilderness area.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • hunting
  • swimming site
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Crescent Moon Ranch Cabin

The ringed pin is this cabin or lookout; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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