East Clear Creek
Happy Jack, Arizona
| Address: | East Clear Creek, Arizona, USA |
| GPS: |
34°33'2.3"N 111°9'47.0"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Arizona |
Canyoneer, Hike, and Swim
East Clear Creek is a river that stretches through the Mogollon Rim area of Arizona. It provides water to the surrounding desert landscape, fishing opportunities, and various areas to hike, canyoneer, and swim. There are many scenic views along the river, such as the popular view of the surrounding canyon from FR 95. Another noteworthy site is the Kinder Crossing Trail, which takes hikers down to deeper portions of the river suitable for swimming.
The river runs through a canyon part of the time, and as such has several spots suitable for canyoneering. Many who go enjoy scaling the rock walls and dropping into the water below. Take care to always be sure to know how deep the water is before attempting such feats yourself!
At one point along the river, there is a dam that forms McHood Park Clear Creek Reservoir, a popular park where many go for recreational activities such as camping, boating, fishing, and more.
Some fish that can be found in this river include varieties of trout, including Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout.
More Information
Climbing in DWS East Clear Creek, Northern Arizona
Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers.
https://www.mountainproject.com/area/106366264/dws-east-clear-creekBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Happy Jack, Arizona
- Head northwest toward Lake Mary Rd (0.2 mi)
- Turn left onto Lake Mary Rd (15.3 mi)
- Turn left onto AZ-87 N (9.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Forest Service Rd 95 (4.2 mi)
- Continue onto Forest Service Rd 95Destination will be on the right(2.2 mi)
Added by camilledupar
Other Swimming Holes, Hiking Trails, and Canyons Nearby
Kinder Crossing Trail #19
Happy Jack, Arizona
1.6 miles NEA short but steep 0.75-mile hike dropping 500 feet to beautiful East Clear Creek — high-clearance vehicle required on FR 95T, no motorized vehicles past the trailhead, closed in winter snow.
Hike, Swim 1.0 mi
Maxwell Trail No. 37
Happy Jack, Arizona
13.2 miles WMaxwell Trail drops from the Mogollon Rim down into West Clear Creek, ending at shaded swimming holes, small caves, and great fishing — water shoes required.
Hike, Swim 0.6-2.9 mi
Tramway Trail No. 32
Happy Jack, Arizona
14.7 miles WA steep, rock-scrambling descent through the Mogollon Rim to West Clear Creek, with deep fishing and swimming holes waiting at the bottom — not for beginners.
Hike, Rock Climb, Swim 0.8 mi
Promontory Butte
Payson, Arizona
14.9 miles SSpectacularly scenic views from the edge of the Mogollon Rim, reached via old forest roads — a remote destination said to offer the best vantage over the forest below.
Hike 0.2-0.6 mi
Ellison Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
15.0 miles SWFour waterfalls, multiple swimming holes, and trout fishing along Ellison Creek near Payson — the most popular stop is a short walk from the parking lot.
Dive, Hike, Swim 1.1-3.5 mi
Horton Springs
Payson, Arizona
15.1 miles SA spring on the Mogollon Rim where water emerges dramatically from the mountainside — hike the easy Horton Creek Trail through wildflowers and maples, splash in the cold creek, and camp near the spring.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Payson Area
Cornville, Arizona
15.2 miles SWThe Payson area northeast of Phoenix offers numerous swimming holes in the Tonto National Forest rivers, including Ellison Creek Falls, Christopher Creek Gorge, Fossil Creek, and Verde Hot Springs.
Swim
Upper Tonto Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
15.3 miles SA 9-site first-come-first-served campground at the junction of Tonto and Horton Creeks — with vault toilets, drinking water, and trailheads for Horton Spring and the Highline Trail nearby.
Camp, Hike 3.3 mi
See Canyon Trail
Payson, Arizona
17.1 miles SEA wooded Arizona trail climbing from Christopher Creek to the Mogollon Rim — easy and flat for the first mile (great for kids), then progressively steeper, with a side trail to See Spring for water.
Hike 0.4 mi
Christopher Creek Gorge
Payson, Arizona
17.5 miles SCold, clear swimming holes and rappellable waterfalls in a canyon just outside Payson — cold year-round, with a wetsuit recommended in cooler months.
Canyoneer, Hike, Swim 1.1 mi
Christopher Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
17.9 miles SEA creekside campground east of Payson with swimming holes, small waterfalls, spring trout stocking, and cross-country skiing in winter — open for day-use and overnight camping spring through fall.
Camp, Canyoneer, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Swim 4.0 mi
Woods Canyon Lake
Payson, Arizona
19.4 miles SEA trout-fishing lake near Payson with a scenic loop hike and Mogollon Rim views — swimming is not recommended, but the scenery and fishing make it well worth the visit.
Camp, Hike, Swim 1.7 mi
Meadow Trail #505
Payson, Arizona
19.6 miles SEMeadow Trail #505 is a short, paved, wheelchair-accessible path along the rim of Woods Canyon Lake, high on Arizona's Mogollon Rim.
Hike
Bearfoot Trail
Strawberry, Arizona
20.8 miles SWBearfoot Trail (#13) is a mellow, shady Mogollon Rim hike and mountain-bike ride linking Strawberry to Pine Creek, near Pine, Arizona.
Hike, Mountain Bike 2.3 mi
Gordon Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
21.8 miles SEA secluded ponderosa oasis outside Payson with a seasonal waterfall that gushes in spring or after monsoon rains — dry or muddy when rainfall has been scarce.
Hike, Swim
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
23.1 miles SHellsgate Wilderness hides deep canyon pools possibly separated by impassable falls in a remote 37,000-acre preserve — a true adventure for spring and fall explorers.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim
Sinkhole Campground
Payson, Arizona
23.2 miles SESinkhole Campground sits in cool ponderosa pines atop the Mogollon Rim, a short walk from the trout waters of Willow Springs Lake.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike 1.1-4.6 mi
Fossil Creek Dam (Toilet Bowl)
Pine, Arizona
25.2 miles SWA waterfall over an old Fossil Creek dam with a spinning natural rock slide that launches swimmers into the main pool — plus a shallow cave for shade on hot Arizona days.
Dive, Hike, Swim 0.1-3.8 mi
Fossil Springs Trail No. 18
Pine, Arizona
25.2 miles SWA 4.75-mile desert canyon trail to the springs and an old dam in the Fossil Springs Wilderness — little shade and a brutal uphill return make summer visits genuinely dangerous.
Hike, Horseback, Swim
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
25.6 miles SEA 2007-built campground along Haigler Creek with 14 overnight sites, trout fishing stocked April through late August, and chiseled canyon swimming holes nearby.
Camp, Hike, SwimNearby Campsites
Horton Springs
Payson, Arizona
15.1 miles SA spring on the Mogollon Rim where water emerges dramatically from the mountainside — hike the easy Horton Creek Trail through wildflowers and maples, splash in the cold creek, and camp near the spring.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Upper Tonto Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
15.3 miles SA 9-site first-come-first-served campground at the junction of Tonto and Horton Creeks — with vault toilets, drinking water, and trailheads for Horton Spring and the Highline Trail nearby.
Camp, Hike 1.1 mi
Christopher Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
17.9 miles SEA creekside campground east of Payson with swimming holes, small waterfalls, spring trout stocking, and cross-country skiing in winter — open for day-use and overnight camping spring through fall.
Camp, Canyoneer, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Swim 4.0 mi
Woods Canyon Lake
Payson, Arizona
19.4 miles SEA trout-fishing lake near Payson with a scenic loop hike and Mogollon Rim views — swimming is not recommended, but the scenery and fishing make it well worth the visit.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Aspen Campground
Payson, Arizona
19.8 miles SEA large, popular campground near Woods Canyon Lake in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest — note that Rim Road closes in winter, so the site is inaccessible during that time.
Camp
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
23.1 miles SHellsgate Wilderness hides deep canyon pools possibly separated by impassable falls in a remote 37,000-acre preserve — a true adventure for spring and fall explorers.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim
Sinkhole Campground
Payson, Arizona
23.2 miles SESinkhole Campground sits in cool ponderosa pines atop the Mogollon Rim, a short walk from the trout waters of Willow Springs Lake.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
25.6 miles SEA 2007-built campground along Haigler Creek with 14 overnight sites, trout fishing stocked April through late August, and chiseled canyon swimming holes nearby.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Beaver Creek Campground
Camp Verde, Arizona
32.3 miles WBeaver Creek is a refreshing creekside oasis in the high desert of central Arizona, where the cool, clear waters of Wet Beaver Creek wind beneath big cottonwoods and sycamores in the Coconino...
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Beaver Creek Dispersed Camping
33.3 miles W
Free dispersed camping on the cliffs above Beaver Creek.
Camp
Verde Hot Springs
Camp Verde, Arizona
33.5 miles SWNatural hot spring pools beside the Verde River — the remnants of an old resort — reached by wading upstream from a dispersed camping area with no amenities near Sedona.
Camp, Hike, Hot Springs 0.4 mi
Clear Creek Campground
Camp Verde, Arizona
34.5 miles WA grassy creekside campground shaded by tall cottonwoods on West Clear Creek — ideal for hiking, swimming, fishing for smallmouth bass and sunfish, and wildlife watching in a desert canyon oasis.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Chavez Crossing
Sedona, Arizona
40.3 miles NWA campground on Oak Creek in Sedona's red-rock canyon, perfectly placed for cool water play, sunsets over Munds Mountain, and access to nearby swimming holes.
Camp, Hike, Swim
McHood Park Clear Creek Reservoir
Winslow, Arizona
41.1 miles NEA canyon reservoir near Winslow for kayaking, swimming, fishing, and canyon rock climbing — paddle nearly 3 miles upstream.
Camp, Canoe, Canyoneer, Kayak, Rock Climb, Swim 0.1-0.7 mi
Cave Springs
Sedona, Arizona
44.9 miles NWAn 84-site campground on Oak Creek in Sedona's canyon, with picnic tables and natural tree shade, close to Slide Rock, swimming holes, and the Coconino National Forest.
Camp, Hike, Swim
