10 Free Swimming Holes near Three Bar Route
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Rd 647, Tonto Basin, AZ 85553, USA City, Zip, or Address
Pebble Beach
Mesa, Arizona
24.2 miles SWA popular Salt River spot near Mesa for tubing, swimming, and picnicking in the Cibola National Forest.
Swim
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
34.8 miles NHellsgate 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
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
36.9 miles NA 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 3.9 mi
Cave Creek Swimming Hole
Cave Creek, Arizona
41.4 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 2.3 mi
Gordon Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
41.4 miles NA 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 0.4 mi
Christopher Creek Gorge
Payson, Arizona
41.5 miles NCold, 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
41.7 miles NA 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
Payson Area
Cornville, Arizona
43.4 miles NThe 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
43.8 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 4.0 mi
Woods Canyon Lake
Payson, Arizona
44.7 miles NA 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
