Slide Rock State Park is named for the 80-foot long natural rock slide that’s one of the park’s main attractions. The state park is also home to many other swimming areas where visitors can cool off during the summer months.
Slide Rock State Park
One of Sedona’s most popular attractions in the summer, Slide Rock State Park, is named for the 80-foot long natural rock slide that visitors have been sliding down for years. The setting is downright dreamy. Visitors are surrounded by vibrant red rocks dotted with green trees as Oak Creek rushes by. The state park is also home to three different hiking trails. The longest one is just 0.3 miles, making each one a perfect, short jaunt for even the hottest summer’s day.
Water from Oak Creek flows through Slide Rock State Park.
Get a bird’s eye view of the Slide Rock State Park swim area below if you hike the 0.25-mile Clifftop Natural Trail. The easy, paved 0.25-mile Pendley Homestead Trail is a stroll that takes you back in time. See the Pendley Homestead house, apple orchards, tourist cabins, an apple packing cabin and stellar views of the walls of Oak Creek Canyon. The 0.3-mile Slide Rock Route is the main route that visitors take to reach the swimming area. The trail starts by the apple packing barn and descends to the creek via a few stairs and then crosses the creek via a small footbridge. From there, head north along some sandstone shelves. You might spot some sunbathers here. As you hike, see if you can see the cabin on the west side of the creek.
An overhead view of Slide Rock State Park. This park is also home to three different short hiking trails that are perfect jaunts to take on even the hottest summer day.
If you hike the iconic Bell Trail in Rimrock, you’ll enjoy views of Sedona’s red rocks can hear Wet Beaver Creek babbling as you hike alongside it. Wet Beaver Creek.
“The Crack” at Wet Beaver Creek
The swimming hole “The Crack” at Wet Beaver Creek is one that just about every Arizona hiker wants to cross off his or her hiking bucket list. Located in Rimrock just a few miles outside of the Village of Oak Creek, the Bell Trail is how you’ll reach this storied spot. The trail is named after Charles Bell, the man who built the trail in 1932 as a cattle trail. The beginning of the trail is wide, flat and dusty. There’s no virtually no shade here. Be sure to bring plenty of water, and try to start early to beat the heat.
Look forward a hike in the woods that also features many watering holes if you tackle the about 7-mile out-and-back Bell Trail.
The Bell Trail runs alongside Wet Beaver Creek, and hikers can hear the sound of the rushing water. At 2.5 miles, the trail intersects with the Weir Trail – one of our favorite detours that leads to a more secluded swimming hole. At about 3.5 miles, the Bell Trail crosses Wet Beaver Creek. This area is called The Crack. This spot features red rock sandstone and crystal clear water that’s the perfect reprieve after a long, hot summer hike. Turn around the way you came for a hike that’s about 7 miles long.
The main swimming hole along the Bell Trail is “The Crack” at Wet Beaver Creek. One of our favorite detours is taking the Weir Trail that leads to another more secluded (and often less crowded) swimming hole.
West Sedona’s Crescent Moon Ranch or Red Rock Crossing offers stellar views of Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek.
Crescent Moon Ranch
Crescent Moon Ranch – also called Red Rock Crossing – is perhaps best known for its fantastic views of Cathedral Rock. But this scenic spot is also a great place to swim or wade into Oak Creek. Take the approximately 1.5-mile Crescent Moon Creek Walk to the popular swimming hole Buddha Beach. Start your journey by strolling beside a grassy meadow featuring a water wheel and shed from the 1930s – remnants from the area’s past as a fruit orchard. The concrete path turns into a dirt trail that follows the banks of Oak Creek.
Hike Crescent Moon Creek Walk and take time to check out the banks of Oak Creek.
From here, you can take many short paths to the creek. Don’t miss the view of Cathedral Rock and “The Family” red rock formation at the 0.5-mile point. It’s one of our favorites in town. At 0.75 miles, the trail ends at Buddha Beach. Soak up red rock views, bask in the shade of tall trees and enjoy the clear, cool waters of Oak Creek here. Post-dip, return the way you came to complete the hike.
One of the most popular swimming holes in Sedona is Buddha Beach, which you can find if you hike Crescent Moon Creek Walk.
Please check with the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest before planning your hike. For more information visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=54892
