16 Free Swimming Holes near Tonto Basin, AZ 85553
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Tonto Basin, AZ 85553, USA City, Zip, or Address
Pebble Beach
Mesa, Arizona
25.5 miles SWA popular Salt River spot near Mesa for tubing, swimming, and picnicking in the Cibola National Forest.
Swim
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
28.3 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
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
32.3 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 3.9 mi
Cave Creek Swimming Hole
Cave Creek, Arizona
33.0 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
Payson Area
Cornville, Arizona
34.7 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
35.1 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 0.4 mi
Christopher Creek Gorge
Payson, Arizona
35.2 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
35.5 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
36.5 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 4.0 mi
Woods Canyon Lake
Payson, Arizona
39.5 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 1.1-4.6 mi
Fossil Creek Dam (Toilet Bowl)
Pine, Arizona
41.2 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
41.2 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
42.1 miles NWOne 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
East Clear Creek
Happy Jack, Arizona
49.1 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 1.0 mi
Maxwell Trail No. 37
Happy Jack, Arizona
49.3 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 0.6-2.9 mi
Tramway Trail No. 32
Happy Jack, Arizona
49.3 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
