Slide Rock State Park - Sedona's Natural Water Slide -

The first couple times I visited Slide Rock State Park I found I arrived too late and the parking was already full. So, I’ve learned to arrive early if my heart is set on sliding down a natural water chute. Slide Rock is the most popular spot to cool off in Sedona.

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Where is Slide Rock?

This beautiful park is just six miles north of uptown Sedona, Arizona off of 89a.

Pendley Homestead Trail

What use to be home to the Pendley’s Homestead and Apple Orchard is now a very popular local and tourist destination. The park has large grassy open areas, perfect for a picnic. You will have beautiful red rocks as your backdrop.

Walk the short .25 mile paved trail past the old homestead, the old water wheel, cabins, and barn. This path will wind you towards the main attraction – Oak Creek.

Slide Rock Park Sedona

Veer to the right at the end of the path near the old apple picking barn on the Slide Rock Route trail for a third of a mile and walk down the stairs to reach a natural rock water slide. Imagine how cool it must have been to call this property home. For additional trails see below.

Sedona Slide Rock Water Slide

Not too far to your left you will spot the popular rock water slide carved by nature. Here you can get in line to slide down the smooth 40-foot chute into the cold water.

Walking further to your left and pass the water slide there are plenty of less crowded spots to enjoy nature and Oak Creek. Even in summer the water is cold and the rocks are slippery so wearing shoes is not a bad idea.

The natural sandstone slide is an 80-foot chute.

Slide Rock Swimming

There are plenty of areas at Slide Rock State Park to cool off without sliding down the natural waterslide. Walk a little ways down the creek to find an open area or swimming hole to cool off.

Clifftop Nature Trail – Slide Rock Hiking Trail

A short .25 mile trail near the apple barn gives you a bird’s eye view of Oak Creek.

Across the footbridge and to your right is a deeper part of the water that is a popular spot to fish for Rainbow Trout in Oak Creek.

Hotels & Cabins Near Slide Rock Sedona

If you’re looking to stay close to the park the following places are nearby:

Canyon Wren Cabins (.5 mile south of the park)
Orchard Canyon on Oak Creek (1.5 miles north of the park)
Junipine Resort (1.5 miles north of the park)
Don Hoel’s Cabins (2.5 miles north of the park)
Oak Creek Terrace Resort (2.5 miles south of the park)

Camping Near Slide Rock

There are some gorgeous camp sites near Slide Rock. My favorite Arizona campgrounds are in this area. They are popular, so you’ll need to reserve them in advance.

Manzanita Campground is less than a mile to Slide Rock State Park. It is, in my opinion, the prettiest campground in Arizona. The campground is very small (tents only).

Cave Springs campground is about five miles north of the Park and Pine Flat is 5.5 miles north.

Slide Rock Park Address

The park is north of uptown Sedona at 6871 N. Highway 89A
Hours: 8-5 in Winter, 8-7 in the Summer (928) 282-3034

For the most up to date information visit the official site. There is a gift shop as well as restrooms at this park.

Tips:

Pets are not allowed in the Park from May 1 – September 30. They are allowed September 31 through April 30, however they are never allowed by the water. Unless you’re only hiking the trails away from the water I wouldn’t recommend bringing a dog.
Only vehicle are allowed to enter the park, meaning you can’t be dropped off or ride a bicycle there.
Go early. It is first-come first-served. In the summer this place fills up fast.
Call ahead if you are making a special trip to Sedona just to visit Slide Rock Park. The state will periodically close down the park when bacteria is too high in the water. Call the Water Hotline: (602) 542-0202