Swimming Holes in Sedona for Summer Time
Summer in Arizona means it is time for water hikes and swimming! There are so many great swimming holes in Sedona, Arizona. I didn’t know about most of them until recent years, and I have been living in Arizona since 2014. Some are obvious, some are hidden. But I am ALL ABOUT SHARING, so let’s get to it.
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Swimming Holes in Sedona
Sedona, Arizona is a year-round destination. You can enjoy leaves changing in the fall, snow-covered red rock in the winter, moderate weather and sunshine in the spring, and swimming holes in the summer. Whether you’re from Arizona, or visiting, keep in mind SUMMER IS HOT. It is usually 10-15 degrees cooler in Sedona versus Phoenix, but it still can reach 100 degrees. Heat illness is common. Personally, I do not hike if temperatures are over 88, unless the hike is short and to a water destination. Always be sun-safe.
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1. Slide Rock State Park
Slide Rock State Park is one of the most well-known swimming holes in Sedona, Arizona. It is beautifully situated in Oak Creek Canyon. The flow of water over the red rock creates a natural waterslide that attracts people of all kinds.
Keep in mind- because this spot is so well-known, it is BUSY. The parking lot is not very large, and once it fills up, they don’t allow people in. Getting here requires only a short walk. Many families with children hang out here, as it is generally safe. I don’t go here often because of the crowds, but it is beautiful!
Slide Rock State Park Summary
2. Midgley Bridge
This is one of the lesser-known swimming holes, and one of my personal favorites. To get here, you park at Midgley Bridge, north of Uptown Sedona and to the left once you cross the bridge. After parking, you cross the road and hike down the canyon on the Huckaby Trail. Once you get to the bottom, you’ll enjoy a cool oasis. You can swim, slide down natural waterfalls, lay out in the sun, or hammock on the creekside trees.
As I mentioned, you will cross the highway after you park by Midgley Bridge. Since you need to hike to get to this watering hole, I suggest sturdy shoes and a backpack so you can be hands-free. I have seen families try to bring large chairs and coolers down here and I DO NOT recommend this. You will use THIS TRAIL to get to Oak Creek, but you’re not doing the whole trail. You will be starting from the END of the trail, and only going down the canyon 0.5 mi and 200 ft down.
Gear for your Water Hike
First, YOU NEED SUN PROTECTION. To achieve this, I wore a visor, sunglasses, and this Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Sun Hoodie. Underneath, I just wore a sports bra. Shorts wise, I wear my REI Amphib Shorts– very comfortable and light. I always recommend Darn Tough Socks– my most comfortable and sweat-wicking socks. I wore my Teva Sandals to hike and swim in, and a swimsuit (I changed in and out of it by holding my Nomadix Towel around me). This towel is perfect as it is compact, but very wicking.
Midgley Bridge Summary
3. Grasshopper Point
Just a stone’s through away from Midgley Bridge is Grasshopper Point. This is a Coconino National Forest Recreation Area. It is a great place to swim, especially for families. People do cliff-jump here, though it is discouraged. It is also a popular area, so parking can fill up. I recommend this either around open or mid to late afternoon after others have left. I have not been to this spot myself, but I know it’s a great spot to swim- so I included a video from another creator in Arizona.
Grasshopper Point Summary
4. West Fork Trail
West Fork Trail within Oak Creek Canyon is a beautiful, unique Sedona hike that’ll cool you down on a hot summer day. The full length of the hike is 6.5 miles, but you don’t need to go that long. There are multiple water crossings (not deep) and shade cover since it’s deep in the canyon with many tall trees. I haven’t done this hike since 2018, and really need to go again. Some people say it is the “Zion Narrows” of Sedona. Like other areas of Sedona on the weekend, the parking lot for West Fork Trail gets busy.
West Fork Trail Summary
My Favorite Water Shoes
In the photo above, I was early into hiking and had just finished college, so I didn’t have a lot of extra money to upgrade my gear. If that’s you, that is OKAY. We are all in different stages of life. If you are able to splurge or improve your gear, I LOVE TEVA sandals. I’ve tried so many water shoes and sandals, and they are by far my favorite. The most affordable option is the Teva Hurricane Drift or $45. They’re cute, light, have good grip, and are comfortable.
5. The “Crack” At Wet Beaver Creek
If you drive a bit out of the business of Sedona, you’ll find another one of my favorite swimming holes in Sedona: The “Crack” at Wet Beaver Creek. This one does involve a decent hike, but the swimming and cliff-jumping is amazing! I have a whole blog post dedicated to this hike, make sure to check it out below.
Wet Beaver Creek Summary
6. Crescent Moon Ranch/ Buddha Beach
If I had to pick only one swimming hole in Sedona, it would be this one!! Why? The views of Cathedral Rock are 10/10. To get here, you enter Crescent Moon Ranch. This is actually one of the most photographed landscapes in the country. In the summer, this picnic site is open 7-7 and has a day fee of $12 per car or $3 per person walk in. When we went years ago over labor day, the line to get in was so long that we parked farther away and biked in, haha. Once you get in, there are picnic spots, a wide open meadow, and tons of creekside access where you can hike, wade in the water, or swim. The backdrop is just amazing. This is also a very family-friendlty area, as the flow isn’t too strong (weather dependent) and water is shallow. Buddha Beach is found by going to the end of the picnic sites and walking down Buddha Beach trail. This area will be less busy!
Crescent Moon Ranch Summary
7. Bootlegger Picnic Area
I haven’t personally been to Bootlegger Picnic Area, but I need to. This is a lesser-known swimming hole, so I wouldn’t expect it to be as busy as some of the others mentioned. This area is mainly used for picnics, but not many people know you can walk down to the creek and swim. This area is BEFORE West Fork Trail in the canyon north of Sedona.
Bootlegger Picnic Area Summary
Summary of Swimming Holes in Sedona
Summer is ROUGH in the Phoenix area. If you’re from the area, make sure you take a trip up north to enjoy the cooler weather and endless water adventures. Some people think Arizona doesn’t have water, but boy do we, haha. Of all of these spots, the ones I want to go visit again are Crescent Moon Ranch, Bootlegger Picnic Area, and West Fork Trail. Hope this helps. Happy hiking!
