. Swimmers have their own beach tucked away in a quiet cove with a playground nearby. At mile 1.0, Sycamore Canyon comes into view with Boulder Mountain to the right. Does this canyon have a hiking trail before you get to the falls? Pools form along the way, creating rippled mirrors that reflect the canopy of treetops and high cliffs that surround me. While theres plenty of open water for boaters, portions of the west end of the lake are buoyed off as a no-wake zone. It is a flash flooding area. Seven Cataracts 32.36202 , -110.7264783 Explore. Unable to tell where river crossings are. The camp sites are tight and few. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Visitors Center, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Rd., 520-749-8700, sabinocanyon.com, 3 CREEKS NEAR PAYSON[Easy] Salome Creek The Jug: The western part of the Sierra Ancha Wilderness near Roosevelt Lake, known as The Jug, is a hikeable, green-water-filled granite slot canyon carved by Salome Creek that demands wading. Camping spots fill up quickly during peak months (April-July), but if tent-living isnt your thing anyway, book a reservation at the Supai Lodge, just a half hours walk from the campgrounds. It is more off road and about 15 - 20 back in the Kaibab and Prescott National Forests. Bring no glass containers. The cool water at this entry point is shallow and better suited for wading or rafting than swimming, but wander up or downstream and youll stumble upon deeper pockets of water among the limestone canyon walls and twisty sandstone cliffs suitable for swimming. 1. Never carry glass containers. Grab your favorite pair of cut-offs, pack a sandwich lunch and dive in were taking you on a tour of Arizonas best shady spots to get wet. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. The 21-mile (34 km) long scenic canyon reaches a maximum width of about 7 miles (11 km). Winding for 30 miles, West Clear Creek is the longest drainage. A little tricky to follow for river crossings, but just takes a little attention. Saunter through the absolutely picturesque Burkhart Trail to reach this spot. As the canyon is largely uninhabited by humans, visitors can enjoy amazing diversity in wildlife. It is quiet and very beautiful. ELEVATION: 2,700 3,600FACILITIES: Camping, restrooms, picnic areas at Catalina SPFEE: $7 day use fee per vehicle DOGS: Not allowedGETTING THERE: 11570 N. Oracle Rd., Tucson.From Phoenix, travel south on Interstate10 to the Tangerine Road exit 240. It is a much prettier way to get into or out of Sycamore Canyon, compared to the paved Sycamore Canyon Fireroad. From there its easy going through a virtual tunnel of leafy shade sheltering the stream. Turn right onto AZ-260 East and drive for 32.4 miles. Was extremely surprised to find sycamore canyon. Easy. East Verde River: Water Wheel. These moisture-retaining granite basins worn smooth by eons of running water quench the thirst of local bighorn sheep and cool the bodies of hikers who make the 3-mile, uphill trek to reach them. Swimming hole in the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, outside of Clarkdale, AZ. 2023 www.azcentral.com. The property contains a prominent silicified breccia body that is over 600 meters long and . Pack out all your trash and any that you might find. Spent two nights, weather was perfect, with three of my kids and our dog. Your post will be removed without warning if it does not follow this rule! Just want to see the scenery and take pictures. Jumping from rock to rock is also fun just make sure to bring water socks or shoes with adequate grip (also necessary for the thrillingly vertical hike down to the water). Updated 2/14/2023. There are 15 miles of streamside trail through oak and sycamore woodlands on chaparral-covered slopes. The waterway forms a slender riparian corridor that barely keeps the spiny desert at bay. The main attraction is the arching torrent and plunge pool at Ellison Creek Falls, where brisk water slips over polished cliffs before charging south toward the Verde River. From Pacific Coast Hwy turn inland on Corral Canyon Rd. While youre in Lake Havasu City, take advantage of thefree public beaches. This happens to be about a 40-minute ride over Switzer Falls, in the heart of the Angeles National Forest. Youll need a rest before making the slog back up to the trailhead that steep climb can feel downright Sisyphean for novice hikers (leave the little ones at home for this one), especially after a day swimming in the sun. Turn right and go about3 miles to the Bull Pen Ranch Trailhead. In an arid state like Arizona, swimming holes are revered. Sycamore is the second largest canyon in the state but theres a special intimacy to this segment of the gorge, shaggy with greenery. Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. Kinder CrossingBraving the steep, rocky and winding three-quarter-mile path that descends 500 feet from Kinder Crossing Trailhead #19, youre rewarded with a pine- and alder-flanked clearing and a mossy, sandy beach abutting the soft trickle of East Clear Creek. Amble back the way you came, enjoying the miracle of water and shade in the desert. Several well-used social paths branch off and lead to the stream at prime pools and smooth rock mini-beaches for those looking for a private oasis. The trail is easy to follow and well-marked, but quite uneven and studded with rocks. It was a great trail! There are three walking paths in the park, including one (Waterfall Trail) that leads to its namesake cascade. 14. At the beginning the trail scrambles 200 feet down the canyon wall to the creek bed. Went early in AM and beat the heat. Centennial Beach, 500 Jackson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540, USA 10. FR 215 can be rough going and is best managed in a high clearance vehicle. After the fourth stream crossing (about 5.5 miles), the trail pulls away from the water and begins a series of steep switchbacks up to the Mogollon Rim. Lets vow to do better this summer. Once a limestone quarry, this swimming hole holds 6.2 million gallons of water and goes as deep as 15 feet. Buckthorn berries proliferate along the shores, while wildlife (including red-tailed hawks) look on. The Bell Trail parallels Wet Beaver Creek, a riparian corridor of remarkable beauty. Bring exact change for self-serve pay stations.DOGS: Not allowedGETTING THERE: From Phoenix, drive north on Interstate 17 and take exit 298 for AZ-179 North/State Highway 179 North. Sort by: Salome Creek. CA United States. You may not be able to swing from a vine into the water like the Riverdale gang in Archie Comics, but a freewheeling jump from a russet monolith makes a pretty nifty Arizona equivalent to the swimming holes of yore. They make refreshing swimming holes in warm weather and lush riparian escapes the rest of the time. Follow AZ-179 North and take the first exit onto North State Route 89A. 7/2/22, Trail closed from 7/7/22 until end of monsoon season due to flash flood danger. Nice trail. This is becoming one of the more popular swimming holes in Arizona, and is about 2 hours from Phoenix. Day trips and backpacks to enjoy. One of the worst hikes I've ever done. Drive about 11 miles to the trailhead. Swimming holes are spread along the entire length and getting to them begins on a high-desert mesa with a 200-foot decent into a lush riparian forest buttressed by sandstone escarpments and bizarre vertical walls of columnar basalt like those at Devils Postpile in California. 94% of travelers recommend this experience. Along with the campground, air-conditioned cabins were added in 2018. Bell Smith Springs - Pope County near Eddyville Wikimedia Commons/Unknown Its 3.3 miles to the real showpiece, a watery jewel known as the Crack. Boulders are bountiful on the easy downward path to the water and on the picnic-ready beach. The waters of Oak Creek crash and froth against the slick boulders, creating a respectable yet harmless current gliding over the stone-lined creek bottom. There is decent shade for a large majority of the hike. Here youll find deep pools and a 70-foot-long channel flowing between sandstone walls, perfect for diving or sunbathing. Yesterday the wife and I decided on a hike in the remote Sycamore Canyon Wilderness (just to the west of Sedona, AZ), with the destination being this idyllic swimming hole found along Sycamore Creek. Head northwest to Cottonwood. Best way to get there is via County Road 73 to FS Road 110. If you like lots of company, dive in here, or continue hiking to find less crowded pools. hard on the feet after a while lots of technical foot work in spots. Beyond the lake turnoff (FS Road 12) the road (FS 110) continues but narrows and requires higher clearance vehicles due to some rocky spots and steam crossings. Follow this road for three miles to the parking area. Fossil Creek, Arizona, USA 3. We are Thomas and Victoria, and we are starting our adventure as full-time RV newbies.. No entry after 10pm. This one involves a hike but its well worth the effort. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Sycamore Canyon Apartments has 11 units available starting at $2,245 per month. Swimming, floating and picnicking along the banks are great options for families. Boating, water skiing and fishing are also popular activities. . Roads are marked with signs but getting lost could be easy without a Forest Service map since there are miles of forested roads out there! Spring is coming and it was a lovely morning. This is where you go if you want your swimming hole to have a West Coast feel. Details: 928-337-4441, azstateparks.com/lyman-lake. The views are amazing, not too many people so it was peaceful. Please remember, these are fragile environments. Turn left onto AZ-87 North, then turn right onto Forest Service Road 95. It was a hot day and there is no water and there were lots of biting flies/mosquitos, so be prepared with water, bug spray, a hat, sunscreen, and good hiking shoes. My wife went thru a 21 oz bottle of water and I went thru a liter plus of water. Great views, shear cliffs, and wide vista. Swim, jump from the boulders and have a relaxing picnic before beginning the 4-mile return hike to the Parsons Trailhead. The older I get, the more I crave water. 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