The Perfect Summer Road Trip Route in Arizona

Once home to a working apple orchard, Slide Rock State Park in Oak Creek Canyon is a historic park with a natural waterslide. This feature is a fascinating and refreshing draw come summer, as visitors come from all over the state for some fun under the Arizona sun. The natural waterslide that Slide Rock State Park is known for is created by Oak Creek, which has eroded and smoothed out red sandstone over time. Algae growing on the sandstone make it slippery, turning it into the perfect waterslide!

Please note that it can get crowded on hot days, so arrive early to avoid long lines to enter the park. Slide Rock opens daily at 8 a.m., and you can use your Annual State Parks Pass for entry or pay a fee when you arrive.

Also located in Oak Creek Canyon, the swimming hole at the Grasshopper Point Swimming & Picnic Area is surrounded by canyon walls, shaded by the surrounding trees, and has deep water for swimming. While it may be tempting, cliff jumping and diving are not recommended. For more scenic views, I recommend taking a short hike along the 1.1-mile Allens Bend Trail, which offers access to the creek for additional swimming opportunities.

Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There's an entry fee you can pay upon arrival, or you show your Red Rock or Coconino Pass.

Located off AZ Highway 179, also known as the Red Rock Scenic Byway, Wet Beaver Creek offers a secluded swimming area known as The Crack. It will take a 7-mile hike along the Bell Trail to get there, but it's well worth it. While you may feel hot and sweaty from the hike, know that the water at The Crack is incredibly cold! You can also take a dip in the creek along the way if you can't wait. Remember to bring your hiking gear and more water than you think you'll need for the trek to this swimming hole.

Head down to Happy Jack, Arizona, and discover a deep canyon that has been carved out over time by West Clear Creek. The best way to experience the wilderness area and the stunning creek that runs through it is by hiking along the West Clear Creek Trail. While this is a lengthy round-trip hike at 9 miles, it's relatively flat, and there are numerous creek crossings before you arrive at the swimming hole. Wearing water shoes is a great idea for this swim stop!

After a day of playing and swimming at one of the most popular Arizona state parks and then out in the wilderness, it's time to get some rest. This 1950s mid-century modern cabin, in the forest on the banks of the East Verde River, features three bedrooms and can accommodate up to four guests. Spend time along the 300 feet of riverfront before turning in for the night. You can book your stay on Airbnb.

One of my favorite swimming spots in Arizona is Water Wheel Falls. While you can certainly get out of your car at one of the parking lots and take a dip in Ellison Creek, a tributary of East Verde River, after a short walk, you may want to attempt the riverside hike to get to the best swimming spots here. There is some rock scrambling along the trail, but my kids and I think it's all part of the fun!

The river cuts through a canyon with a towering wall on one side, and there are several swimming holes along the route. Continue on your hike with a river crossing, and you'll eventually come to a waterfall cascading into a deep pool below. This is my favorite part of Water Wheel Falls!

(Please note that this area is prone to flash floods. Even if it's a sunny day and you get a flash flood alert, do not come here. It can take hours for a flash flood to reach a destination.)

Saguaro Lake is a reservoir that was created by the Stewart Mountain Dam on the Salt River. Like an oasis in the desert, this tranquil lake offers an abundance of ways to enjoy the perfect lake day. Folks from all over the state come here for fishing, boating, swimming, scenic boat cruises, and more. Amenities such as a marina, a store, a restaurant, and a nearby historic guest ranch add to the lake's allure.

Stake out a spot on Butcher Jones Beach if you'd like to relax lakeside, have a picnic, and go swimming. There are also hiking trails here if you'd like to add to the adventure.

Tubing on the Salt River is a favorite summer pastime for many Arizonans. Groups of friends and families will gather together on weekends for a float down this lazy river for many hours. The water is refreshing, and going with a group is so much fun! If you don't have your own tube, you can rent one from a local outfitter, like Salt River Tubing, which can also provide transportation to and from the river.

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Photo credits (from top to bottom): Siegfried Schnepf - stock.adobe.com, Jacki - stock.adobe.com, Jon Manjeot - stock.adobe.com, jon manjeot - stock.adobe.com, Photo courtesy of Airbnb, Tonia - stock.adobe.com, Matt Frepp - stock.adobe.com, Laura Franklin - stock.adobe.com