Beat the Heat in Sedona’s Swimming Holes
As the sweltering Arizona summer sets in, there’s no better way to beat the heat than by plunging into Sedona’s scenic swimming holes – surrounded by stunning red rock landscapes, the soothing sounds of cascading creeks, and beautiful bluebird skies. From top Arizona State Park attractions that draw the summer crowds (and a pool party vibe!), to secluded swimming holes that require a hike and pristine pool homes for a private dip, here are our favorite Sedona swimming holes to beat the heat this summer.
Slide Rock Swimming Hole
Location: 6871 AZ-89A, Sedona
View parking, current hours, and admission fees HERE!
Situated 7 miles north of Sedona, Slide Rock is recognized as one of “America’s Top 10 Swimming Holes” and Sedona’s most popular summer attraction! From the parking, follow the path down to the bridge where you’re welcomed by the contrasting colors of the red rocks and a half-mile-long swimming hole with endless options for a summer dip. Slide Rock has red rock ledges to set up your sunbathing spot for the day, shallow waters for wading, deep swimming sections, and an 80-foot-long natural sandstone slide ranging from 2-4 feet wide, dropping swimmers straight into the natural pools along Oak Creek.
Slide Rock is all about sun, fun, and excitement, but be prepared to expect a crowd in the summer season. To escape the crowds, Slide Rock State Park has short nature trails winding through the Pendley Homestead apple orchards, along Oak Creek, and to the Oak Creek Canyon cliff tops with scenic views of the swimming holes.
Bootlegger Swimming Hole
Location: N State Route 89A, Sedona
View parking, current hours, and admission fees HERE!
Nestled between Route 89A and scenic Oak Creek two miles north of Slide Rock, the Bootlegger Day Use Area has a shaded, creekside picnic area leading to a quieter and lesser-known Sedona swimming hole with crystal clear waters, colorful birdlife, and wonderful opportunities for wildlife watching. The A.B. Young Trail leaves from the southern end of the picnic area and, for the fishing enthusiasts in the family, the creek is regularly stocked with trout for catch-and-release fishing too! Vault toilets and picnic tables are available in the day-use area.
Encinoso Swimming Hole
Location: N State Route 89A, Sedona
View parking, current hours, and admission fees HERE!
The Encinoso Picnic Site is two miles downstream from Slide Rock State Park, perfect for a pet-friendly picnic and dip in the cool waters of Oak Creek. For avid hikers, this is also the location of the north trailhead to hike to the summit of Wilson Mountain, the tallest mountain in Sedona. The cool, natural pools are perfect for an after-hike swim! Head past the signs in the parking lot and follow the rocks toward the creek. After a bit of boulder scrambling, you’ll reach a small boulder beach and lush oasis with a serene swimming hole framed by Oak Creek’s red rock canyon walls. Restrooms, picnic tables, and grills are available at the picnic site and the Encinoso swimming hole is dog-friendly too!
Grasshopper Point
Location: N State Route 89A, Sedona
View parking, current hours, and admission fees HERE!
Just two miles north of Sedona, Grasshopper Point is another popular day use area with restrooms, a large picnic site, hiking trails, and one of Sedona’s best swimming holes situated at the base of a towering red-rock cliff on a bend in Oak Creek. Scenic is an understatement, and fun is a given! A short walk from the parking lot on the Allen’s Bend Trail, you’ll find red rock terraces for sunbathing, tall cliffs with natural ledges for jumping, deep clear pools for floating and swimming, and isolated swimming holes away from the crowds. Grasshopper Point stays shady to midday for relief from the Arizona heat.
Midgely Bridge
Location: N State Route 89A, Sedona
View parking, current hours, and admission fees HERE!
The summer vibe is always on at the Midgely Bridge swimming hole, located less than a mile down the road from Grasshopper Point. The natural red rock pools are reached on a short and easy 15-20 minute walk on the Huckaby Trail down to Oak Creek. From the overview, you’ll get a glimpse of the fun to come – large red rock beaches packed with sun-worshippers, swimming holes for a summer dip, a natural water slide, stunning Sedona views, and a lively party vibe in season. A small picnic site and restrooms are available at the Observation Site as well as the trailheads to Huckaby, Wilson Canyon, and Wilson Mountain.
Red Rock Crossing / Crescent Moon
Locations:
Crescent Moon Picnic Site
Baldwin Trail Trailhead
Cathedral Rock Trailhead
View parking, current hours, and admission fees HERE!
Nestled below Cathedral Rock, one of Sedona’s most iconic natural monuments, Red Rock Crossing at Buddha Beach is one of the most breathtaking areas in Sedona. Whether you’re seeking to beat the heat with a dip, set up a picnic with a perfect backdrop, soak in the vibes of the Red Rock Crossing vortex, or photograph Sedona’s most stunning sunset, Red Rock Crossing is a must-do during your stay in Sedona.
Red Rock Crossing can be accessed on an easy creekside walk from the Crescent Moon Picnic Site with picnic areas, BBQ grills and restroom facilities available. Alternatively, the Baldwin Trail and Cathedral Rock Trail connect to the Templeton Trail for a short, easy hike to Buddha Beach. Here, you can truly pick your beach vibe! Buddha Beach has sun-drenched, red rock beaches, hidden coves, and deep pools for swimming and rock jumping. The water is warmer than Grasshopper Point and Slide Rock in the north, there are a few dog friendly pools to swim with your pooch, and the views of Cathedral Rock are simply spectacular.
The Crack at Wet Beaver Creek
Location: Beaver Creek Work Center, Nf 618A, Rimrock
If you’re up for an adventure, The Crack at Wet Beaver Creek is one of Sedona’s most pristine and secluded natural swimming holes, accessible only on a 3.5 mile bucket-list hike on the exposed Bell Trail with little shade, but big rewards (bring lots of water!). Nestled in the heart of the Wet Beaver Wilderness, only 10 miles from the Village of Oak Creek, The Crack is an amazing swimming hole framed by craggy red rock cliffs for jumping with a natural stone diving board (known locally as “the tongue of the beaver”), and serene surroundings. There are two forks along the trail, keep left at both. Shortly after the second fork, you’ll reach The Crack at Wet Beaver Creek. Dogs allowed!
Bull Pen Swimming Hole
Location: Bull Pen Rd, Camp Verde, AZ
View parking, current hours, and admission fees HERE!
For visitors to the Verde Valley, the Bull Pen swimming hole on West Clear Creek is situated 10 miles east of Fort Verde State Historic Park and promises a refreshing respite from the summer heat! From the Bull Pen Day Use Area, follow the West Clear Creek Trail and turn right after the stone house on to a lush oasis in the desert with crystal clear pools ranging from 3-10 feet deep, rock formations for cliff jumping, slickrock water slides, rope swings in the trees, and a shaded pebble beach. For added adventures, several trails lead from Bull Pen Ranch into the West Clear Creek Wilderness.
Sedona Community Pool
Location: 570 Posse Ground Road, Sedona
View the Summer 2023 Pool Schedule HERE!
If your Sedona vacation rental does not have pool access, no worries! The Sedona Community Pool is open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day with water slides and a small play fountain area for the kids and a variety of affordable drop in activities including lap swimming, aqua aerobics, and open recreational swim times for family fun in the pool!
Sunset Park Splash Pad
Location: 655 Sunset Drive, Sedona
Traveling with small kids? Sunset Park in West Sedona is always a hit with the little ones in the summer season. The park features a covered playground, tennis and pickleball courts, grassy fields, picnic ramadas, and short nature trail into the forest, and a seasonal splash pad water feature that’ll delight kids of all ages on a hot summers day in Sedona. Sunset Park is open from dawn to dusk.
Your Own Private Pool Oasis in Sedona
There’s no better way to beat the heat in Sedona than indulging in your own private pool oasis! Picture it - lounging poolside, sipping your favorite beverage on the rocks, the barbeque is fired up, the laughter of friends and family fills the air, and the stunning landscapes of Sedona create the perfect backdrop for a summer escape. Whether you prefer the convenience of a condo complex with communal resort-style amenities or the indulgence of a luxury home with a private oasis in your own backyard, Foothills Vacation Rentals has a wide range of rentals to beat the heat in Sedona this summer!
LOCAL TIP: When planning any Sedona adventures, please bear in mind a Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required at most trailheads and parking lots, and parking fills up fast! Arrive early if you can to beat the crowds!
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