As the warmer months approach and we all begin turning our air conditioners on more frequently, it’s a good time to think about finding places to visit to cool off when the heat really kicks in (and it will). One fun way to do this is by visiting swimming holes. We’ve covered a few well-known places before, so today we’re going to look at a few more spectacular spots that you can find here in Arizona. While you’re visiting these places, don’t forget to practice the leave no trace principles.
- Grasshopper Point
popofatticus/Flickr Located a couple miles northeast of Sedona, Grasshopper Point is a great little spot for swimming, picnicking, and taking a break from everyday life. The details on fees and how to get to the area are available on the National Forest Service website.
- Hutch’s Pool
Gamecat235-2/Flickr You’ll need to do a moderate hike through the Santa Catalina Mountains to get to this swimming hole, but the effort is worth it. The trailhead is at the end of the paved road at the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area; check out this link for directions on how to get to the swimming hole.
- Kinder Crossing
Kevin Dooley/Flickr This photo was taken in an area near Kinder Crossing, which is found nearby the Blue Ridge Crossing on the Mogollon Rim. Access requires a high-clearance vehicle and a short hike, so check out the National Forest website, for details on how to get there.
- Montrose Pool
Alan Levine/Flickr One of two pools found on a short trail in Catalina State Park. This is the first you will encounter and requires a hike that is just over one mile. The hike is relatively easy since the terrain is mostly flat and we recommend you stick with this one if it’s later in the day. The state park has a great website to check for park hours and location. This one has occasional closures more often than not, so double-check that it is open before you go.
- Parsons Spring
Alan English CPA/Flickr Who wouldn’t want to stop here? Parsons Spring is found a few miles north of Clarkdale at the end of a four-mile hike. Directions can be found at the National Forest Service website.
- Romero Pools
troy mckaskle/Flickr The second set of pools at Catalina State Park, the hike to this one is a little more strenuous, so make sure you get an early start and are set for a bit of climbing. You can find the website with directions at the official website.
- Slide Rock
Edwin Davila/Flickr While not a true swimming hole, Slide Rock is a super-popular location for people to cool off in the summer. This place can get completely packed, so get an early start and remember to practice the “pack it in, pack it out” philosophy when visiting. Here are details on how to get there.
- West Clear Creek
Coconino National Forest, Arizona This pretty area is a few miles east of Camp Verde in the West Clear Creek Wilderness area. Check out the Hike Arizona website for details on how to get there.
Have you visited any of these swimming holes before? Let us know which was your favorite by leaving a comment here or on our Facebook fan page!
popofatticus/Flickr
Located a couple miles northeast of Sedona, Grasshopper Point is a great little spot for swimming, picnicking, and taking a break from everyday life. The details on fees and how to get to the area are available on the National Forest Service website.
Gamecat235-2/Flickr
You’ll need to do a moderate hike through the Santa Catalina Mountains to get to this swimming hole, but the effort is worth it. The trailhead is at the end of the paved road at the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area; check out this link for directions on how to get to the swimming hole.
Kevin Dooley/Flickr
This photo was taken in an area near Kinder Crossing, which is found nearby the Blue Ridge Crossing on the Mogollon Rim. Access requires a high-clearance vehicle and a short hike, so check out the National Forest website, for details on how to get there.
Alan Levine/Flickr
One of two pools found on a short trail in Catalina State Park. This is the first you will encounter and requires a hike that is just over one mile. The hike is relatively easy since the terrain is mostly flat and we recommend you stick with this one if it’s later in the day. The state park has a great website to check for park hours and location. This one has occasional closures more often than not, so double-check that it is open before you go.
Alan English CPA/Flickr
Who wouldn’t want to stop here? Parsons Spring is found a few miles north of Clarkdale at the end of a four-mile hike. Directions can be found at the National Forest Service website.
troy mckaskle/Flickr
The second set of pools at Catalina State Park, the hike to this one is a little more strenuous, so make sure you get an early start and are set for a bit of climbing. You can find the website with directions at the official website.
Edwin Davila/Flickr
While not a true swimming hole, Slide Rock is a super-popular location for people to cool off in the summer. This place can get completely packed, so get an early start and remember to practice the “pack it in, pack it out” philosophy when visiting. Here are details on how to get there.
Coconino National Forest, Arizona
This pretty area is a few miles east of Camp Verde in the West Clear Creek Wilderness area. Check out the Hike Arizona website for details on how to get there.
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Address: Grasshopper Point Swimming & Picnic Area, N State Rte 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USAAddress: Tucson, AZ 85701, USAAddress: Kinder Crossing, AZ, USAAddress: Catalina State Park, 11570 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85737, USAAddress: Parsons Spring, Arizona 86324, USAAddress: Arizona 85619, USAAddress: Slide Rock State Park, 6871 AZ-89A, Sedona, AZ 86336, USAAddress: West Clear Creek, Arizona, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Swimming Holes in Arizona April 01, 2021 Tori Jane What are the most pristine lakes in Arizona? Arizona is, believe it or not, home to thousands of lakes. Most of them are man-made, though even those are pretty amazing depending on which ones you visit. Some of our lakes stick out above the rest as particularly clean and clear; some of our favorite pristine lakes and swimming spots in Arizona include Fossil Creek, near Strawberry, which is astonishingly crystal-clear and even has a waterfall. Knoll Lake is another Arizona getaway spot with beautifully clear water, though the lake is rather deep, so at many points, you can’t see the bottom, anyway. There’s also West Clear Creek which, as its name suggests, is also home to beautiful, clear water. For more of our favorite clear-water spots, check out this article. What are the best scenic hikes in Arizona? Arizona is home to some of the best hiking in the country, if not the world. From world-class hikes like those at the Grand Canyon to the hundreds of amazing trails in places like Sedona, Tucson, and eastern Arizona, there is something beautiful here for everyone. For example, Bright Angel Trail takes you from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and leads you down into the canyon. It’s beautiful and well worth a drive up. Kachina Trail, near Flagstaff, has incredible wildflowers and outstanding mountain views throughout the entire hike. West Fork Trail, in Oak Creek, near Sedona, is literally world-famous and has been called one of the top ten most scenic hikes in the United States. There are hundreds more… how much time do you have? Are there any hidden swimming holes in Arizona? Interesting, despite our reputation as a desert wasteland, Arizona has its fair share of really exceptional swimming holes - you’ve just got to know where to find them. For example, Fossil Creek is a stunningly beautiful creek, springs, and swimming area, though a rigorous hike is required to get there. Another swimming spot that’s tucked away inside Oak Creek Canyon is the popular and beautiful Grasshopper Point, which offers lovely, crisp, and cool water during the hot summers. In southern Arizona, Bridal Wreath Falls is a breathtaking waterfall that cascades down into a pristine swimming hole. This list is not all-inclusive - there are lots more all over the place! For some more of our favorites, this article might give you some ideas.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Swimming Holes in Arizona
April 01, 2021
Tori Jane
What are the most pristine lakes in Arizona? Arizona is, believe it or not, home to thousands of lakes. Most of them are man-made, though even those are pretty amazing depending on which ones you visit. Some of our lakes stick out above the rest as particularly clean and clear; some of our favorite pristine lakes and swimming spots in Arizona include Fossil Creek, near Strawberry, which is astonishingly crystal-clear and even has a waterfall. Knoll Lake is another Arizona getaway spot with beautifully clear water, though the lake is rather deep, so at many points, you can’t see the bottom, anyway. There’s also West Clear Creek which, as its name suggests, is also home to beautiful, clear water. For more of our favorite clear-water spots, check out this article. What are the best scenic hikes in Arizona? Arizona is home to some of the best hiking in the country, if not the world. From world-class hikes like those at the Grand Canyon to the hundreds of amazing trails in places like Sedona, Tucson, and eastern Arizona, there is something beautiful here for everyone. For example, Bright Angel Trail takes you from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and leads you down into the canyon. It’s beautiful and well worth a drive up. Kachina Trail, near Flagstaff, has incredible wildflowers and outstanding mountain views throughout the entire hike. West Fork Trail, in Oak Creek, near Sedona, is literally world-famous and has been called one of the top ten most scenic hikes in the United States. There are hundreds more… how much time do you have? Are there any hidden swimming holes in Arizona? Interesting, despite our reputation as a desert wasteland, Arizona has its fair share of really exceptional swimming holes - you’ve just got to know where to find them. For example, Fossil Creek is a stunningly beautiful creek, springs, and swimming area, though a rigorous hike is required to get there. Another swimming spot that’s tucked away inside Oak Creek Canyon is the popular and beautiful Grasshopper Point, which offers lovely, crisp, and cool water during the hot summers. In southern Arizona, Bridal Wreath Falls is a breathtaking waterfall that cascades down into a pristine swimming hole. This list is not all-inclusive - there are lots more all over the place! For some more of our favorites, this article might give you some ideas.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Arizona is, believe it or not, home to thousands of lakes. Most of them are man-made, though even those are pretty amazing depending on which ones you visit. Some of our lakes stick out above the rest as particularly clean and clear; some of our favorite pristine lakes and swimming spots in Arizona include Fossil Creek, near Strawberry, which is astonishingly crystal-clear and even has a waterfall. Knoll Lake is another Arizona getaway spot with beautifully clear water, though the lake is rather deep, so at many points, you can’t see the bottom, anyway. There’s also West Clear Creek which, as its name suggests, is also home to beautiful, clear water. For more of our favorite clear-water spots, check out this article.
What are the best scenic hikes in Arizona?
Arizona is home to some of the best hiking in the country, if not the world. From world-class hikes like those at the Grand Canyon to the hundreds of amazing trails in places like Sedona, Tucson, and eastern Arizona, there is something beautiful here for everyone. For example, Bright Angel Trail takes you from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and leads you down into the canyon. It’s beautiful and well worth a drive up. Kachina Trail, near Flagstaff, has incredible wildflowers and outstanding mountain views throughout the entire hike. West Fork Trail, in Oak Creek, near Sedona, is literally world-famous and has been called one of the top ten most scenic hikes in the United States. There are hundreds more… how much time do you have?
Are there any hidden swimming holes in Arizona?
Interesting, despite our reputation as a desert wasteland, Arizona has its fair share of really exceptional swimming holes - you’ve just got to know where to find them. For example, Fossil Creek is a stunningly beautiful creek, springs, and swimming area, though a rigorous hike is required to get there. Another swimming spot that’s tucked away inside Oak Creek Canyon is the popular and beautiful Grasshopper Point, which offers lovely, crisp, and cool water during the hot summers. In southern Arizona, Bridal Wreath Falls is a breathtaking waterfall that cascades down into a pristine swimming hole. This list is not all-inclusive - there are lots more all over the place! For some more of our favorites, this article might give you some ideas.
