Arizona Swimming Holes in Two – Mile Hike or Less
There are few things more fun than finding a refreshing swimming hole to save you from the heat of the desert. You have probably seen those posts with the amazing Arizona swimming holes.
They are absolutely gorgeous and immediately you add them to your bucket list. Then after scrolling through the stunning photos you realize it is a 8-10 mile hike to reach that swimming hole.
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Short Hikes to Arizona Swimming Holes
I love to hike, but if you are looking for short hikes with a cool reward at the end then this list is for you. As you know, Phoenix summers can be brutal. For those pressed for time or just looking for Arizona swimming holes to cool off in here are some of our favorites:
| Swimming hole | Hike | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Wheel Falls | 1.6 miles RT | Waterfall | Water along much of trail |
| Slide Rock | .6 miles RT | Easy access | Popular, park fee |
| Grasshopper Point | .5 miles RT | Quick swim | Crowded weekends, rocky |
| Fossil Creek | 2 miles RT | Big payoff | Long drive + planning |
| Christopher Creek | .5 miles RT | Creek swimming | Deeper pools along creek |
| Beaver Creek | Less than 200 feet from Parking | Easy cooling off | Deeper pools along creek |
| Crescent Moon | .4 miles RT | Red-rock scenery | More Creek Access, wading |
Christopher Creek
Follow Christopher Creek’s rocky shore to find a deeper swimming hole.
About 110 miles from Phoenix and 20 miles from Payson.
Water Wheel Falls
Water Wheel Hike
1.6 mile out and back moderate hike
As of 2026, there is a $12 fee onsite.Trail is mostly unshaded.
Parking may be crowded, but the trail is not.
The trail is rocky and the area near the water is also rocky.
The Water Wheel Falls swimming hole is a great hike because you are following the water most of the way. So, if you get hot before you reach it you can wade in the creek along the way.
Water Wheel hike is a 1.6 mile hike out and back, but there are places to cool off at this trail if you don’t feel like hiking all the way to the falls.
The trailhead is about 100 miles from Phoenix and 10 miles from Payson.
Read the complete guide → Water Wheel Falls
Beaver Creek Picnic and Day Use
Wet Beaver Creek swimming hole is in Camp Verde. It is a great spot for a refreshing swim. One of the quickest spots to park your car and be in the water in less than 5 minutes.
20 miles from Sedona and 104 miles from Phoenix.
Fossil Creek
It is an adventure to drive here, but the hike is short and the reward of the Fossil Creek swimming hole is worth it. This swimming hole is like finding an oasis in the desert.
It is 115 miles from Phoenix (however it will take at least 2.5 hours one way due to the road), 55 miles from Sedona, and 24 miles from Camp Verde.
Read the complete guide → Fossil Creek
Slide Rock
Slide Rock Park, a natural rock water slide carved by nature, is one of the most popular spots to cool off in Sedona. If you are visiting the area take a short hike to this cool natural attraction. What use to be home to the Pendley’s Homestead and Apple Orchard is now a tourist destination. The park has large grassy open areas, perfect for a picnic. You will have beautiful red rocks as your backdrop.
Slide Rock is 7 miles from uptown Sedona, 23 miles from Flagstaff and 123 miles from Phoenix.
Read the complete guide → Slide Rock State Park
Grasshopper Point and Picnic Area
Grasshopper Point swimming hole is well known, so like Slide Rock it is crowded on the weekends.
There are several rocks above that people jump off of as a nature’s diving boards. The swimming hole beach area is rocky, so swim shoes or sandals are a good idea.
Grasshopper Point is 120 miles from Phoenix and 2.5 miles from uptown Sedona.
Read the complete guide → Grasshopper Point & Picnic Area
Crescent Moon Swimming Hole
Crescent Moon park in Sedona is a beautiful spot to hike. It also has some nice areas to cool off.
This refreshing spot is 120 miles from Phoenix and 7 miles from uptown Sedona.
Read the complete guide → Crescent Moon
Arizona Tours
Before you go swimming in an Arizona creek
Arizona swimming holes aren’t swimming pools. There is no life guard on duty. Conditions can change with weather, water levels, storms and fires.
Rocks are slippery, I always recommend wearing water shoes.
Water levels change often. It is dangerous to cliff jump.
There is a flash food danger during monsoon season. This is something that happens at Water Wheel trail. Don’t hike when rains are predicted.
Bring your own drinking water. You need to stay hydrated on hot summer days.
Arizona Guides
Adventurer At Heart
Amber is the writer behind Adventurer At Heart, sharing practical travel advice based on firsthand experience exploring Arizona and beyond. She focuses on hiking, history, scenic drives, and finding places worth your limited vacation time. When she is not traveling, she is gardening.
