174.8K Payson Area Swimming Holes by freearenas
first prev 1 next lastThe classic swimming holes of Arizona's Rim Country in the Tonto National Forest around Payson, Pine and the Verde River, from Fossil Creek's travertine pools to Ellison Creek Falls, Christopher Creek Gorge and the remote Hell's Gate.
Hell's Gate
Payson, Arizona
12.9 miles E of Payson, ArizonaHell's Gate is one of the most dramatic swimming holes in Arizona's Rim Country, hidden deep in the Hellsgate Wilderness of the Tonto National Forest where Tonto Creek meets Haigler Creek below the Mogollon Rim. The "gate" itself is a narrow, 100-foot-long pool squeezed between sheer granite walls that rise as much as 1,000 feet and glow pink in the late-afternoon light; getting through it means floating or swimming the deep, startlingly cold water, which runs around 48°F even in summer.
Reaching it is a serious undertaking. Trail #37 drops steeply off the rim and traverses the canyon to the confluence, a strenuous roughly 13-mile round trip best done as an overnight backpack rather than a day hike, since the return is a long, hot, steep climb out. The reward is a stunning, remote canyon of pink granite, clear pools and streamside camping where the two creeks join. Tonto Creek is largely impassable above the gate, while Haigler Creek can be walked upstream for miles, making this a base for canyoneering and exploring deeper into the wilderness.
This is rugged backcountry with no facilities, no water on the rim-top approach and real consequences, so it suits prepared backpackers far more than casual swimmers. Spring and fall are the comfortable seasons; summer days on the exposed trail are brutally hot.
Ellison Creek Falls
Payson, Arizona
9.1 miles N of Payson, ArizonaEllison Creek provides 4 beautiful waterfalls in this area, each with their own swimming and diving opportunities. There are even fishing spots where trout can be caught. Since the falls are close to parking lots, this is a popular destination, especially on the weekends. There are several day use sites here, collectively known as the "Water Wheel;" The cold water of the river and the falls make for a refreshing break from the summer heat. There are swimming holes all along the creek, but the most popular is Ellison Creek Falls, due to the relatively short distance to the swimming area from the parking lot.
Take care to watch the weather during monsoon season, since this area is at risk for flash flooding. The site has reopened for use since the 2017 flash flood.
There is a $6 drop box fee, so be sure to bring exact change.
Christopher Creek Gorge
Payson, Arizona
16.4 miles E of Payson, ArizonaChristopher Creek Gorge is a fun swimming or canyoneering destination located in Christopher Creek, just outside of Payson, Arizona. To get there, you have to hike from the Christopher Mountain trailhead next to the freeway, and then you can rappel down the various waterfalls and swimming holes. The water is cold year-round, which is nice during the summer, but a wetsuit is advised if going during the colder months. The rocks are slippery when wet, so be cautious and safe.
There is no fee for accessing the gorge, except for parking as explained below in the directions. If you do choose to park at the campground, there are restrooms available there.
Fossil Creek Waterfall
Pine, Arizona
9.2 miles W of Pine, ArizonaFossil Creek is one of Arizona's two designated "Wild and Scenic" rivers. The waterfall is the most popular place to visit to cool off and see the natural beauty. Located between the towns of Strawberry and Camp Verde, south of Flagstaff, the creek is a uniquely lush piece of Arizona's Coconino National Forest. The waterfall is a short hike away from the parking area, which is itself a long drive down a dirt gravel road. At the base of the falls is a pool deep enough to swim in, and refresh from a hot day.
There is a restroom at the trailhead, but there is no potable water or trash service, so be sure to pack out all trash to keep the environment clean for the others who follow behind. Take care to stay on the trail, since many have seen snakes along the path.
Note that this hike does not lead to the old Fossil Creek Dam, or the "Toilet Bowl", as that is a separate trail.
From April to October, registration and a $10 pre-printed parking permit is required for day use at the site. You cannot get a permit on site, so make sure to have it before you leave. The rest of the year, no permit or registration is required. You can get your permits at https://www.recreation.gov/permits/251863
Fossil Creek Dam (Toilet Bowl)
Pine, Arizona
6.6 miles W of Pine, ArizonaHidden in the high desert between Pine and Camp Verde, Fossil Creek is one of Arizona's two federally designated Wild and Scenic rivers — a spring-fed, travertine-blue oasis that pours some 20,000 gallons a minute out of the ground and brings its canyon vividly to life. Along its course lie several beloved swimming and hiking destinations, including two waterfalls; this one, the “Toilet Bowl,” is the swimming hole at the old Fossil Creek dam.
Despite the unglamorous nickname, it's a gorgeous spot. The name comes from a round, natural chute on the side of the river: jump or slide in and the swirling water spins you around the “bowl” before flushing you out into the deep main pool at the base of the falls. There's even a shallow cave beside the pool where swimmers duck out of the desert sun. It's a favorite with cliff-jumpers and swimmers, though water levels and submerged hazards change from year to year, so it's always worth checking the depth and conditions carefully before you leap.
The dam is reached by hiking in on the Flume Trail from the west or the Fossil Springs Trail from the east. Come prepared either way: the trails are hot and exposed, and the climb back out — especially via Fossil Springs — is long and strenuous, gaining well over a thousand feet in the desert heat. Carry far more water than you think you'll need, and remember that the creek water is not safe to drink without purification.
A permit is required to visit from April 1 through October 1, and the Coconino National Forest enforces it strictly. Each permit covers one vehicle at a designated lot and is reserved in advance through Recreation.gov; group size is capped (currently 12 people), drivers must reach the access point by early afternoon (the entry gate closes at 3 p.m.), and there is no camping within the permit area during the season. Book ahead, because permits for this popular spot go fast. Outside the permit season no permit is needed, but the access roads and weather can be far less forgiving.
The dam is a relic of history. For most of the twentieth century, Fossil Creek's water was diverted through a flume to a small hydroelectric plant — one of Arizona's first — leaving the creek bed nearly dry. In 2005 the dam was decommissioned and the springs' full flow was returned to the channel; the creek's travertine pools and lush greenery came roaring back to life, in one of the West's great river-restoration stories.
Plan for a full desert day: sturdy shoes, sun protection, plenty of food and water, and a dry bag for valuables. Be especially careful of the heat in summer, when midday temperatures in the canyon can be genuinely dangerous, and pack out every bit of trash to protect this fragile, precious oasis. With a permit in hand and an early start, the Toilet Bowl rewards you with one of the most memorable swimming holes in all of Arizona.
Fossil Springs Trail No. 18
Pine, Arizona
6.6 miles W of Pine, ArizonaLocated within the Fossil Springs Wilderness, this trail leads down a canyon to the springs for which it is named. At the trailhead, there are several hikes, some of which are available for horse riding. Trail No. 18 ends at the old dam, where it meets the Flume trail after 4.75 miles.
This trail has very little shade, and as such, is highly NOT recommended during the summer months of June, July, or August. The hot trail conditions can very quickly lead to illness, or worse. Be sure to bring plenty of water for the trail (at least one gallon per person minimum is recommended), and a filtration device if you want to refill at the springs. The hike is downhill to the springs, but uphill back, which can be exhausting.
As with all Fossil Creek locations, pre-registration and a $10 permit are required for parking during the months of April through October. The parking lot for this trailhead has 3 spots for horse trailers.
Verde Hot Springs
Camp Verde, Arizona
17.4 miles SE of Camp Verde, ArizonaVerde Hot Springs is one of Arizona's most atmospheric and adventurous soaks — a cluster of natural hot pools tucked among the graffiti-covered ruins of a long-gone 1920s resort, perched on the bank of the Verde River deep in the forest west of Camp Verde. Reaching it takes some effort and a river crossing, which is exactly why this remote, free hot spring has such a devoted following.
The springs sit across the river from the Childs Dispersed Camping Area, near the site of the old Childs power plant. The historic Verde Hot Springs Resort that once stood here burned down in 1962, and today its concrete foundations — now layered in colorful murals and graffiti — cradle the main soaking pool, with several more primitive pools tucked into the cliffside above the river. Soaking in the warm mineral water with the Verde flowing past and canyon walls rising overhead is a genuinely magical experience.
Getting there is part of the adventure, and it demands respect. The drive in is a long, rough dirt road where a high-clearance (ideally four-wheel-drive) vehicle is strongly recommended. From the Childs area it's a short hike of roughly 2.5 miles round trip — but you must ford the Verde River to reach the pools. On a calm day the crossing can be ankle-deep and easy; after rain or during spring runoff it can run knee- to waist-deep with a dangerous current. Never cross when the river is high or fast, check conditions before you go, and turn back if it doesn't look safe.
The site is free and open to the public with no permit required. Come fully prepared for the remote desert backcountry: bring plenty of water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes for the ford, and pack out absolutely everything. Late fall through spring offers the most pleasant temperatures and the calmest, safest river crossings. Earn it, respect the river, and Verde Hot Springs rewards you with one of the Southwest's most unforgettable soaks.
Haigler Canyon Campground
Payson, Arizona
20.7 miles E of Payson, ArizonaHaigler Canyon is a water-chiseled canyon along perennial Haigler Creek in the Tonto National Forest, tucked beneath the Mogollon Rim just north of the small ranching town of Young, Arizona. The creek is full of swimming holes and small waterfalls as it works through the rock, and it is a genuine local favorite both for cooling off and for trout fishing; the stream is periodically stocked with trout from spring into late summer.
At its heart is the Haigler Canyon Recreation Site, a Forest Service campground and day-use area built in 2007 with a handful of day-use spots and about fourteen overnight sites, open roughly mid-May through mid-October. The swimming holes are right around the campground and in the nearby canyon, shaded and creekside and far quieter than the busier Rim spots.
It is reached by rough forest roads that wind with drop-offs and can be difficult after rain, so a capable vehicle and some caution are wise, and visitors should bring their own water and supplies since potable water may not be available. For those willing to make the drive, it is one of the prettier and more relaxed creek-swimming spots in the Young and Payson backcountry.
