# Village of Oak Creek, Arizona

Village of Oak Creek is an unincorporated community located within Big Park, a census-designated place (CDP) in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. The population was 6,147 at the 2010 census, up from 5,245 in 2000. Big Park is the name of the CDP while the community is more commonly known as the Village of Oak Creek (VOC), and is a bedroom community for Sedona, located seven miles away. Tourism and service to retirees and second-home owners are the basis for the local economy. Big Park, the pioneers' name for the large open area that became the Village of Oak Creek in the early 1960s, is set among scenic red-rock buttes and canyons. The Bell Rock scenic area adjoins the north end of VOC, and the town is surrounded by the Coconino National Forest. A Forest Service Visitor Center is located at the south end of VOC.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.6 square miles (12 km$^2$), all land. As of 2016, Big Park / Village of Oak Creek is a designated Dark Sky Community.

### Climate

Big Park, Arizona (ZIP 86351), has a semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) characterized by hot summers, mild winters, low humidity, and distinct wet and dry seasons. Its climate is shaped by its 4,000 ft (1,220 m) elevation, proximity to the Mogollon Rim, and surrounding red rock formations. Summers are hot but less extreme than Phoenix, with highs averaging in the mid-90s°F (35°C), while winter days are mild, often in the 50s°F (10–15°C), with nights occasionally dropping below freezing. The area receives an average of 22 inches (560 mm) of annual precipitation, mostly from the North American Monsoon (July–September) and winter Pacific storms (December–March). Monsoons bring intense thunderstorms, flash floods, and occasional hail, while winter storms can deliver rain and light snowfall, though accumulation is rare. The Mogollon Rim to the north helps funnel monsoonal moisture into the region but also blocks Arctic cold fronts in winter, keeping temperatures milder than higher elevations like Flagstaff. The red rock formations absorb heat during the day and radiate it at night, moderating temperature swings, while spring brings strong winds due to changing pressure systems. The area gets over 275 sunny days per year, with occasional fog in winter and spring mornings. Winds are generally light but can gust over 50 mph (80 km/h) during storms. Snowfall is rare, averaging 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) per year, with most melting within a day.

### Climate Data

Climate data for Big Park, Arizona (86351) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average rainfall inches (mm) | 1.60 (41) | 1.47 (37) | 1.69 (43) | 1.14 (29) | 0.55 (14) | 0.36 (9.1) | 1.91 (49) | 2.10 (53) | 1.52 (39) | 1.36 (35) | 1.20 (30) | 1.53 (39) | 16.43 (418.1) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.5 (3.8) | 1.0 (2.5) | 0.5 (1.3) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.6 (1.5) | 1.2 (3.0) | 5.1 (12.86) |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 55 | 50 | 45 | 35 | 25 | 20 | 35 | 40 | 35 | 40 | 50 | 55 | 40 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 25 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 333 |