A Guide To: Sedona Swimming Holes
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Grab your bathing suit and towel, because we just spent a week scouting out the best swimming holes in and around Sedona, AZ.
Even though we visited in early spring, the weather was already starting to warm up quite a bit. After a long cold winter, many of the locals had Spring Fever and were more than ready to break out the tank-tops and flip-flops. The trees didn’t have leaves yet and the water was still pretty chilly, but that didn’t stop us from getting into the summer spirit.
While we experienced these spots at the very start of the season, once summer rolls around and the temperatures start to rise, these swimming holes will be the place to be.
What to Pack on a Hike to Sedona’s Swimming Holes
While some of these swimming holes are close to roads, some require a hike in or a scramble down to the water. Here’s a quick checklist of what you’ll want to pack along:
Grasshopper Point
The Vibe: This fairly popular day use area offers a wide range of swimming, sunbathing, and cliff jumping options. It’s located along a bend in Oak Creek, which means it can remain shady until midday: a positive if it’s hot, a negative if it’s chilly. There are couple of different spots within walking distance from the parking lot, including a few deep sections for swimming, red rock terraces for laying out, and a variety ledges to jump off of. So if one area is busy, then it’s easy to move to another.
Directions: Google Directions.
Parking: There is a small parking lot that can fill up quickly during the summertime and on weekends. There is a $8 day pass fee per vehicle (5 people) and $2 for a walk-in, bicycle, extra person. However, the fee can be avoided if you park along the side of 89A and hike down on Midgely Bridge Trail.
How to find the spot: From the parking lot, the swimming holes are just a short walk up Allen’s Bend Trail, which can be picked up at the north end of the parking lot. There ara e variety of different sections along the creek, some of which might require a little bushwhacking to get to, but most of them are within a ¼ mile of the parking lot.
Midgely Bridge
The Vibe: If you’re visiting this swimming hole on a weekend during the academic year, there’s a good chance you’ll be sharing the trail with more than a few college kids, as they drag their ice-filled coolers and intoxicated friends down to the creek. This spot definitely had a “Spring Break” vibe to it, which can either be a plus or a negative, depending on what you’re looking for.
This section of Oak Creek has some deep sections for swimming, but the main attraction are the large red rock “beaches” that are perfect for laying out.
Directions: Google Directions
Where to Park: There is a comically small parking lot at the north end of Midgely Bridge, which can hold about 20 vehicles. If you plan on parking here, we suggest arriving very early. A Red Rock Pass ($5 per day / $15 per week) or a valid National Park Interagency Pass must be displayed. There is a pay kiosk located at the end of the parking lot that takes credit cards, across from the vault toilet.
If this parking lot is filled up or you’re unwilling to pay the fee, you can attempt parking to the north of the bridge, on the west side of 89A. We’re not sure if this is entirely legal, but we saw dozens of cars parked along the side of the road on a Saturday.
How to find the spot: From the parking lot, there is a trail that leads down underneath the bridge called the Midgely Bridge Trail. Just underneath the bridge there is an overlook, where you can see the swimming area to the south. Follow Midgely Bridge Trail and then take a right onto Huckaby Trail. This will lead you down to Oak Creek, but the swimming hole is actually further downstream. Follow the stream, passing the bridge on your right, until you see the large red rock “beaches”. Chances are there will already be a bunch of people over there.
Slide Rock State Park
Vibe: Perhaps the most popular and well-known swimming hole in Sedona, we couldn’t leave this classic off the list. This area is heavily frequented by tourists and for good reason: it’s absolutely beautiful. The red rocks closes in tight around Oak Creek, creating narrows with mini cascades and water slide chutes. Underneath the bridge, there are cliffs of varying heights that can be jumped off of, depending on the water level. There are many shallow areas for children as well as a few deeper sections if you’re looking to get fully submerged.
Directions: Google Directions
Parking: Slide Rock State Park has it’s own dedicated parking lot which cost $10 per vehicle (cash only). Again, this park is very popular during the summer, so parking might be limited.
But if you’re like us, and want to avoid paying for parking at all costs, there’s a secret access point. About 0.5 miles north of the park entrance, on the west side of 89A, there is a large turnout that can accommodate four to five cars. There is a trail that leads parallel to the road, down the to bridge. From there you can access Slide Rock.
How to find the spot: If you’re starting from the Slide Rock Parking Lot, then follow the paved and extremely well marked path down to the bridge. All the popular swimming areas are upstream from the bridge. If you’re starting from the the turnout on 89A, follow the trail down towards and across the bridge.
Red Rock Crossing
The Vibe: The swimming hole at Red Rock Crossing wins for having the best view. We can think of no better way to spend the day than hanging out by the creek and looking up at Cathedral Rock. While this park is not as touristy as Slide Rock, it is still very popular. A good place families with children, there are a variety of beaches and shallow swimming areas. While there aren’t any cliffs, there are a few prominent rocks to be jumped off of.
Directions: Google Directions
Parking: Most people pay for parking at the Red Rock Crossing picnic area ($10 cash only), but we took the trouble of finding a cheaper parking alternative. Our solution was to approach the park from the other side of the creek, by parking at the Baldwin Trailhead. You’ll need to display a Red Rock Pass ($5 per day / $15 per week) or a valid National Park Interagency Pass. From here, you can take Baldwin Trail down to Red Rock Crossing Trail. You’ll be on the opposite side of the park, but that’s nothing a little dip in the creek can’t fix.
How to find the spot: From Baldwin Trail parking lot, cross the road and follow Baldwin Trail north until it links up with Red Rock Crossing Trail. There are a few swimming spots along the creek in both directions. Since this side of the creek isn’t the official park, you may need to do a little bushwhacking to get to them, though most of the trails are fairly easy to follow.
“The Crack” at Wet Beaver Creek/Bell Crossing
The Vibe: First off, this swimming hole has the best name ever. Thank you unsuspecting pioneer person who named the creek and snickering college kid who named the swimming hole. Great team effort!
So unlike the other swimming holes on this list, this one requires a bit of a hike to get out to. While the 3.3 mile trail out only has 500 ft of elevation gain, it is largely exposed, which could make it brutal during the heat of summer. You’ll definitely want to apply some sunscreen and bring along some water for this one. But those who make the trek out will be well rewarded: because this swimming hole was amazing.
The Crack has the perfect combination of deep water for swimming, smooth rocks for laying out, and lots of cliffs to jump off. In fact, this spot features a natural stone diving board locally known as “the tongue of the beaver” that thrill-seekers can fling themselves off of. While the hike out will deter the more casual swimming hole goers, there will still be a decent amount people out there. Camping is not permitted within a ½ mile perimeter of the swimming hole.
Directions: Google Map
Parking: Off of Forest Service Road 618, there will be signs for Beaver Creek Work Center. Turn here and there will be a well-marked parking lot for Bell Trail. There’s no fee or pass required to park at the trailhead.
How to find the spot: From the parking lot, follow the signs for Bell Trail. When Weir Trail breaks off to the right, stay to the left to keep on Bell Trail. Right before trail descends to cross the creek, there will be a fork with a rock cairn. Stay to the left there too. That will bring you directly to The Crack.
