The first couple times I visited Slide Rock State Park I found I arrived too late and the parking was already full. Once the parking lot is full, it may not open up for new cars for the rest of the day. 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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Visit Slide Rock State Park

Slide Rock State Park is beautiful year-round. There are three trails in the park:

• Pendley Homestead Trail
• Slide Rock Route (the path to natural water slide)
• Clifftop Nature Trail.

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 park’s main attraction – Oak Creek.

Slide Rock Route

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.

Slide Rock Park Natural Water Slide Rocks

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 we like to wear water shoes.

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.

For the latest information or any closures, visit the official USDA Forest Site.

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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)

Camp 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. If you want a specific weekend I recommend reserving six months 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) but because of this it is quiet and every site is close to the water.

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

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How to Get to Slide Rock Park

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

The park is six-miles north of uptown Sedona at 6871 N. Highway 89A
(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.

7 Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make at Slide Rock State Park

• Arriving too late. Summer is extremely popular, weekends are even more popular. If you arrive too late you may not be able to grab one of the 150 available parking spots.
• Forgetting water shoes. Water shoes are really nice to have when swimming or hiking around Oak Creek. Rocks can be slippery.
• Not checking seasonal conditions. Oak Creek is very cold depending on the time of year you’re visiting.
• Assuming parking is easy. Parking is limited and it is common for the parking lot to fill up within the first hour of opening. If this happens they will close the parking lot and not allow you to wait in line to park. You will need to find another spot to visit and try again later.
• Visiting without sun protection. Don’t forget your sunscreen.
• Bringing items that aren’t allowed. Glass containers are not allowed. Dogs are not allowed in the park during the summer and they are never allowed near the water.
• Not planning nearby stops or not having a back up plan.

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Sedona Guides

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Slide Rock State Park FAQs

Q: What is the Fee to Enter the Park?
A: $20 (October – April) or $30 (May – September) fee per vehicle. If paying with cash you’ll need exact amount.

Q: What are the Park Hours?
A: The park is open 8 am to 6 pm (Feb. 1 – Dec. 6), you cannot enter after 5 pm. The park is open 9 am to 5 pm (Dec. 7 – Jan. 31), you cannot enter after 4 pm.

Q: Are Dogs Allowed at Slide Rock State Park?
A: 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.

Q: Can I Bike or Hike to Slide Rock State Park?
A: Only vehicles are allowed to enter the park, meaning you can’t be dropped off or ride a bicycle there.

Q: What Time is Slide Rock State Park Open?
A: 8 am to 5 pm in Winter, 8 am to 7 pm in the Summer. Go early. It is first-come first-served. In the summer this place fills up fast.

Q: Where Can I Find More Information about Water Quality?
A: 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

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Sedona Tours