12 Free Swimming Holes near Tucson, AZ
first prev 1 next lastShowing Swimming Holes within 50 miles Distance miles of Tucson, AZ, USA City, Zip, or Address
Seven Falls
Tucson, Arizona
8.6 miles NESeven Falls crosses a stream seven times through Bear Canyon before arriving at pools best visited in late winter when snowmelt keeps the water flowing strong.
Hike, Swim 0.5-3.8 mi
Hutch's Pool
Tucson, Arizona
8.6 miles NEA famous desert pool in Sabino Canyon — 8 miles round trip from the trailhead, plus up to 8 more if you walk from the visitor center — with spectacular desert views the entire way.
Hike, Swim 1.0-1.2 mi
Maiden Pools
Tucson, Arizona
9.3 miles NEGranite pools carved smooth by the Ventana Stream, best filled in late winter and spring, with shading oak trees and big rocks for picnicking — 2.4 miles up Ventana Canyon Trail.
Hike, Rock Climb, Swim 1.2 mi
La Milagrosa Canyon
Tucson, Arizona
12.6 miles NEA hidden canyon east of Tucson with rock-climbing walls and a seasonal waterfall pooling into swim basins — best after fall or winter rain, with boulder scrambling required.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Rock Climb, Swim 1.4-1.8 mi
Romero Pools
Tucson, Arizona
14.1 miles NA two-hour canyon hike through Romero Canyon leads to year-round stream-fed pools surrounded by Catalina State Park desert — best enjoyed September through May.
Hike, Swim 1.0 mi
Montrose Pool
Tucson, Arizona
14.1 miles NA seasonal catchment pool about a mile up the Romero Canyon Trail in Catalina State Park, filling after rainfall — best hiked October through May and dog-friendly to the pool.
Hike, Swim 2.4 mi
Sycamore Reservoir
Tucson, Arizona
14.3 miles NEA small lake up in Bear Canyon on Mount Lemmon with a sandy shore and a dam that creates a small waterfall — best hiked in fall, winter, or spring, when the desert foliage is at its most striking.
Hike, Swim
Seven Cataracts
Tucson, Arizona
15.2 miles NEA set of waterfalls deep in Willow Canyon near Tucson, reached by off-trail canyoneering scrambles — visible from the Catalina Highway pulloff after rainfall.
Canyoneer, Hike, Swim 0.5 mi
Tanque Verde Falls
Tucson, Arizona
15.4 miles EWaterfalls and pools in Tanque Verde Canyon reachable on a short hike — but this site has about 30 deaths since 1971 from flash flooding and cliff jumping. Check weather carefully and use extreme caution.
Hike, Swim 3.6 mi
Lemmon Pools
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
17.4 miles NEA steep, rocky 8.5-mile trek through the Wilderness of Rocks to hidden pools tucked in the Santa Catalinas.
Hike, Swim 4.4 mi
Chiva Falls
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
17.6 miles EA desert waterfall tucked in Coronado National Forest, best reached by mountain bike or motorized vehicle on rocky double-track — with a pool at the bottom to cool off in (check depth before diving).
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim 0.2-4.6 mi
Frog's Hollow
Vail, Arizona
21.4 miles EMultiple small pools and shallow waterfalls in a frog-filled Arizona canyon, best in fall through spring after rain — hike via the Arizona or Indian Springs Trail.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
