Swim at This Iconic Refreshing Swimming Hole in Arizona for the Ultimate Outdoor Fun

By April, Arizona typically heats up with temperatures in the 80s and 90s; before you know it, we hit triple digits. While some people thrive in the heat, others (like me) need an escape. Swimming pools are always an option to cool off but if you enjoy spending time in nature, a natural swimming hole may be more your speed. One of my favorite swimming places is Water Wheel Falls, an iconic swimming hole in Payson, Arizona.

Payson, Arizona, is an easy day trip destination for someone like me who lives in the North Phoenix/Scottsdale area. While there are no major highways to get there, I always enjoy the 1.5-hour drive through Fountain Hills to the end of Shea, where I turn left and head north on the super scenic Beeline Highway to Payson. As I head to my destination, the scenery seems to get prettier and prettier along the way.

Once in Payson, getting to my favorite Arizona swimming hole requires a drive slightly off the beaten path. Don't worry—there are no dirt roads, but you will drive through a rural landscape and over a few cattle guards along the way. When you arrive, there's a fairly large dirt parking lot by the Water Wheel Falls Trailhead. I've always found plenty of spaces to park, even on a busy day, but if there's nothing available, continue driving down the road, and you'll find a couple of other parking lots along the way.

If you find parking at the trailhead lot, there's a vault toilet for your convenience. Once you get to the trailhead, you'll first notice the serene and inviting East Verde River to your right. To the left is the historic water wheel this area is named after. If you cannot hike further but still want to swim, you can do so here or anywhere along the trail. What I love about this area is that there's not just one swimming hole but many!

One thing I'll mention about this trail is that there are several boulders and rocks to scramble over along the way, so wearing non-slip footwear is essential. While my kids love running and scrambling over the rocks, there are some incredibly steep sections the further you go, so I always make sure they slow down and exercise caution.

The further you get on this trail, the more awe-inspiring the landscape. As you climb the rocky terrain on one side of the river, you'll see how immense the canyon walls on the other side are. And then there's the river flowing steadily below with periodic waterfall drops and swimming holes along the way. Feel free to take a dip whenever you feel inspired.

One of my favorite places at Water Wheel Falls is the waterfall pictured below. You can actually climb up the rocks alongside it and then slide down the waterfall into the pool below. On a hot day, the cold, deep water of the pool is incredibly refreshing and sliding down into it is a super fun thing for both kids and adults alike!

One more thing I want to tell you—this area is prone to flash flooding, so if you hear any warning about one, please turn around and leave. Even if the sun is out, there's no rain, and you think you're safe, a flash flood warning should always be taken seriously and you should get yourself to safety immediately.

So, have you been to this iconic swimming hole in Payson, Arizona before? For current conditions and warnings at Water Wheel Falls, visit the U.S. Forest Service website.

Do you have another favorite swimming hole you don't mind sharing? Please tell us about it!