52 natural swimming spots across Arizona —
Creek Spots,
spring-fed pools, waterfall plunge pools and hidden creek spots.
15 of 52 are free to visit.
52
Swimming Holes
15
Free Entry
22
Regions
6
Need Reservation
🌵
Arizona
52 holes listed
Type:
Swimming in Arizona
Arizona has 52 documented natural swimming spots
ranging from spring-fed pools to waterfall plunge pools and river swims.
15 of them are free to visit. Browse by region below or use the filters above to find the right type of swim for you.
Central Arizona
4 spots
🪨
Bull Pen (West Clear Creek)
📍 Camp Verde, Yavapai County
Creek🟡 ModerateFree Entry
A classic, well-loved swimming hole with a sandy beach, rope swing, and multiple cliff-jumping heights along West Clear Creek.
One of only two federally designated Wild & Scenic Rivers in Arizona; over 30 million gallons of 70°F spring water surface daily, creating travertine pools famous for their clarity and a ~25-ft cliff-jump spot.
A confluence of the East Verde River and Ellison Creek with whirlpools, small waterfalls, and a deep pool below a 50-ft cascade at an old mill wheel site.
A scenic creek winding through Prescott's famous Granite Dells rock formations, offering a more rugged/natural swimming experience than nearby Watson Lake.
A stunning lake ringed by massive granite boulders in the Granite Dells. SWIMMING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED due to water quality. Only kayaking, fishing, and boating are allowed.
One of Arizona's most famous swimming holes, nicknamed The Crack, reached via a scenic ~7-mile round-trip hike along Wet Beaver Creek, considered central AZ's largest natural swimming hole.
📍 Supai, Coconino (Havasupai Indian Reservation) County
Pool🟡 ModerateIncluded in Havasupai permit/reservationReservation Required
A series of small, cascading turquoise pools well downstream of Mooney Falls, considered one of the best swimming spots in the whole canyon system for those willing to hike further.
📍 Supai, Coconino (Havasupai Indian Reservation) County
Waterfall🟡 Moderate$455/person for mandatory 3-night camping…Reservation Required
The legendary turquoise-blue waterfall on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, famous for its wide sandy beach and travertine pools; consistently ranked among the most beautiful swimming holes in the US.
📍 Supai, Coconino (Havasupai Indian Reservation) County
Waterfall🟢 EasyIncluded in Havasupai permit/reservationReservation Required
Two waterfalls created when a 2008 flash flood reshaped the original Navajo Falls; both offer swimmable pools closer to the village than Havasu Falls itself.
⚠️ Safety Notice
Descent to the pool requires a genuinely intimidating chain-and-ladder climb through a cliffside tunnel; falls/injuries are a real risk for inexperienced hikers.
Phoenix's classic summer tubing tradition on the Lower Salt River, with six Forest Service recreation areas and resident wild horses along an 18-mile stretch.
River🔴 Difficult$10/vehicle (City of Page lot)⚠️ Safety Note
Iconic horseshoe-shaped bend of the Colorado River below towering sandstone cliffs; while famous as a photo overlook, swimming access at river level is informal/rough and not the primary purpose of the site.
⚠️ Safety Notice
Reaching river level requires an unofficial, steep cliffside scramble — this is not a maintained swim access point; high cliffs with no barriers nearby.
Arizona's most famous swimming hole: an 80-ft natural sandstone chute worn smooth by Oak Creek, plus a half-mile of creek for swimming/wading. Named one of the Travel Channel's Top Secret Swimming Holes.
A small desert lake near Safford notable for both a sandy swim beach and an on-site natural hot-spring-fed soaking tub — a unique combination in Arizona.
Pool🟡 Moderate$5/person per day (Recreation.gov permit…Reservation Required
A rare perennial desert stream carving an 11-mile canyon through the Sonoran Desert, home to diverse wildlife and numerous swimmable pools; one of Arizona's most ecologically significant riparian areas.
One of Southern Arizona's best-known swimming holes, reached via a scenic hike through Bear Canyon that crosses the creek seven times before reaching the falls and pools.
One of Arizona's biggest water-recreation destinations — swim, boat, jet ski, or explore coves along the Colorado River reservoir; home to the relocated London Bridge.
15 of the 52 swimming holes in our Arizona guide are completely free to visit.
Others charge a small entry fee, typically $5–15 per person.
Use the "Free Entry" filter above to see only the free spots.
When is the best time to visit swimming holes in Arizona?
Late spring through early fall is generally the best season — typically May through September.
Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends, especially at popular spots.
Spring-fed holes maintain consistent water temperatures year-round, making them swimmable even outside peak season.
Do I need a reservation to visit Arizona swimming holes?
6 of the spots in our guide require advance reservations, particularly
during peak summer weekends. These are marked with a "Reservation Required" badge on each listing.
Always book 1–2 weeks ahead for popular spots in July and August.
Is it safe to swim in natural swimming holes in Arizona?
Natural swimming holes are generally safe when you check conditions before visiting.
Always check water levels after heavy rain, watch for blue-green algae in warm still water,
never swim alone in remote locations, and heed any posted closure signs.
Spots with known safety concerns are marked with warning badges in our listings.
What should I bring to a swimming hole in Arizona?
Essentials: dry bag for your phone and keys, water shoes for rocky creek beds,
reef-safe sunscreen, plenty of drinking water, and a microfibre towel.
If visiting a remote spot, bring more water than you think you need and let someone
know where you're going before you leave.