19 Free Swimming Holes near Sinkhole Campground
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Sinkhole Campground, AZ-260, Payson, AZ 85541, USA City, Zip, or Address
Gordon Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
3.9 miles WA 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 4.0 mi
Woods Canyon Lake
Payson, Arizona
3.9 miles NWA 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
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
7.4 miles SWA 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 mi
Christopher Creek Campground
Payson, Arizona
8.7 miles WA 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 0.4 mi
Christopher Creek Gorge
Payson, Arizona
9.7 miles WCold, 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
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
13.5 miles SWHellsgate 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
Payson Area
Cornville, Arizona
22.5 miles WThe 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 0.2-0.6 mi
Ellison Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
22.8 miles WFour 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
East Clear Creek
Happy Jack, Arizona
23.1 miles NWA Wild and Scenic river winding through the Mogollon Rim with canyon views, cliff-scaling canyoneers, trout fishing, and deep swimming holes for a full adventure day.
Canyoneer, Hike, Swim 0.8-1.8 mi
Kinder Crossing Trail #19
Happy Jack, Arizona
23.6 miles NWA 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
33.9 miles NWMaxwell 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
35.1 miles NWA 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 1.1-4.6 mi
Fossil Creek Dam (Toilet Bowl)
Pine, Arizona
39.5 miles WA 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
39.5 miles WA 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
42.0 miles WOne 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
McHood Park Clear Creek Reservoir
Winslow, Arizona
47.8 miles NA canyon reservoir near Winslow for kayaking, swimming, fishing, and canyon rock climbing — paddle nearly 3 miles upstream.
Camp, Canoe, Canyoneer, Kayak, Rock Climb, Swim 3.0 mi
Blodgett Basin Trail No. 31
Camp Verde, Arizona
49.3 miles WA 3-mile riparian canyon trail through West Clear Creek Wilderness with 1,700 feet of elevation change, fishing, camping, and wading in a desert oasis — expect to get your feet wet.
Backpack, Hike, Swim
Bullpen Day Use Area
Camp Verde, Arizona
49.5 miles WA big red jumping rock on West Clear Creek, shaded picnic areas, and trails down a stunning canyon below the Mogollon Rim — a full afternoon of swimming and hiking.
Backpack, Dive, Hike, Swim 8.4 mi
West Clear Creek Trail No. 17
Camp Verde, Arizona
49.5 miles WWest Clear Creek Trail winds down a shaded canyon to cool creek swimming, fishing, and dispersed camping — bring wading shoes, because wet feet are guaranteed.
Backpack, Hike, Swim
