21 Free Swimming Holes near Slate Creek Divide Loop
first prev 1 2 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Slate Creek Divide Loop near Phoenix, Arizona City, Zip, or Address
Cave Creek Swimming Hole
Cave Creek, Arizona
24.1 miles WA 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
27.5 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 
Pebble Beach
Mesa, Arizona
28.1 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
28.3 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 0.2-0.6 mi
Ellison Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
30.0 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 1.1-4.6 mi
Fossil Creek Dam (Toilet Bowl)
Pine, Arizona
32.6 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
32.6 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
33.1 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 
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
33.5 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 0.4 mi
Christopher Creek Gorge
Payson, Arizona
33.8 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
34.4 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
36.8 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 4.0 mi
Woods Canyon Lake
Payson, Arizona
39.3 miles NEA 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 0.6-2.9 mi
Tramway Trail No. 32
Happy Jack, Arizona
42.4 miles NA 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 1.0 mi
Maxwell Trail No. 37
Happy Jack, Arizona
42.6 miles NMaxwell 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 0.4 mi
Clear Creek Campground
Camp Verde, Arizona
43.4 miles NWA 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 3.0 mi
Blodgett Basin Trail No. 31
Camp Verde, Arizona
43.6 miles NA 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 8.4 mi
West Clear Creek Trail No. 17
Camp Verde, Arizona
43.7 miles NWest 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 
Bullpen Day Use Area
Camp Verde, Arizona
43.7 miles NA 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 
East Clear Creek
Happy Jack, Arizona
44.8 miles NA 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
