13 Free Swimming Holes near Ballantine Trail
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Ballantine Trail near Rio Verde, Arizona City, Zip, or Address
Butcher Jones Beach
Fort McDowell
13.1 miles SA gently sloping Tonto National Forest beach on a motorboat-free cove of Saguaro Lake, with mesquite-shaded picnic tables and the Butcher Jones Trail. Tonto Pass required ($8 ahead, $12 on site).
Hike, Kayak, Swim
Pebble Beach
Mesa, Arizona
15.3 miles SA popular Salt River spot near Mesa for tubing, swimming, and picnicking in the Cibola National Forest.
Swim
Acacia Day Use Area Swim Beach, Canyon Lake
Apache Junction, Arizona
16.1 miles SGentle sand-and-gravel swim beach at the Forest Service's Acacia Day Use Area on Canyon Lake, 14 miles up the Apache Trail from Apache Junction in Tonto National Forest.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim 3.9 mi
Cave Creek Swimming Hole
Cave Creek, Arizona
25.8 miles NWA refreshing desert swimming hole at the end of nearly four miles of Cave Creek Trail — worth the cactus-country hike for the cool pool waiting in the shade.
Hike, Swim
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
38.8 miles NEHellsgate 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 0.2-0.6 mi
Ellison Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
42.7 miles NFour 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
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
43.7 miles NEA 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 1.1-4.6 mi
Fossil Creek Dam (Toilet Bowl)
Pine, Arizona
44.6 miles NA 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
44.6 miles NA 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 1.1 mi
Fossil Creek Waterfall
Pine, Arizona
44.8 miles NOne of Arizona's two Wild and Scenic rivers, with a short hike from a dirt-road parking area to a deep pool at the base of the falls — watch for snakes on the trail.
Hike, Swim 0.4 mi
Christopher Creek Gorge
Payson, Arizona
45.4 miles NECold, 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
45.9 miles NEA 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 2.3 mi
Gordon Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
47.5 miles NEA 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
