You Can Both Swim and Hike on This Arizona Trail—It’s Summer Perfection

My favorite summer hiking trails in Arizona have places to cool off along the way. Bell Trail, located in the Wet Beaver Wilderness area within the Coconino National Forest, is a 7-mile trail near Sedona that leads to a refreshing swimming hole surrounded by beautiful red rocks. It's the best of both worlds, offering a rugged hiking experience followed by a glorious swim in the cold creek waters. Arizona may be a landlocked state, but that doesn't mean we have to bake in the heat. Hiking the Bell Trail is the next-best thing to a day at the beach.

The trail immerses you in Arizona's picturesque red rock landscape. It's rated as moderately challenging on AllTrails, but the first half or so is fairly flat, so you'll have plenty of time to adjust to the rugged terrain. Most of the 600-foot elevation gain comes in the second half. The scenery is so beautiful, however, that you won't even notice the burning in your muscles.

Come prepared with plenty of water and sunscreen because the trail has little to no shade. You’ll want to get an early start to beat the heat and up your chances of finding a parking spot close to the trailhead. It’s a long enough hike as it is, so why waste any more time trekking through the parking lot? Shoes with good traction are a must for the rockier sections of the trail. Plus, the ground is usually slick the closer you get to the swimming hole from people hiking back out after taking a dip. 

Now that the practicalities are out of the way, let’s get to the fun part. The hike to the swimming hole might feel like forever because of the heat, but it’s only 3.5 miles. Let your excitement build with every step you take, anticipating the blissful moment when the cool water first touches your skin. In the meantime, look around and take in the rugged beauty of the tree-lined cliffs rising towards the clouds. I won’t lie and say the journey is better than the destination, but boredom along the way isn’t something you’ll need to worry about. 

The swimming hole looks like something from a fairytale. The pristine, crystal-clear water shimmers underneath the blazing sun, and red rocks surround the water and turn it into a secret hideaway that only locals know about. You'll likely see many other people cooling off from the intense heat, but the crowds create a fun, lively ambiance that's perfect for summertime. Even on the hottest days, the water is nice and cold, and it feels amazing after hiking in the direct sun. Whether you jump off the rocks or wade in the pool's shallow end, you'll be in heaven. Even if you don't want to swim, at least get your shirt wet to make the hike back to the trailhead more pleasant.

Editor's note: Please be aware of any excessive heat warnings before going on this or any other hike in Arizona, and carry plenty of water with you on the trails. Extreme heat can be dangerous even to the most advanced hikers. Visit the National Weather Service website for heat-related conditions and warnings.

Visit AllTrails to learn more about Bell Trail, including current trail conditions.

Do you think the Bell Trail is one of the best summer hiking trails in Arizona? It's hard to imagine a better feeling than diving into cool water on a sweltering day.