• Ambiente is an ideal base for exploring where to swim in Sedona, with easy access to Oak Creek Canyon via Highway 89A, plus floor-to-ceiling red rock views and private Atrium rooftops for stargazing.
• Five of the best swimming holes in Sedona are highlighted: Slide Rock State Park, Grasshopper Point, Red Rock Crossing/Crescent Moon Ranch, Bootlegger Picnic Area, and Encinoso Swimming Hole.
• Oak Creek offers some of the best places to swim in Sedona, from Slide Rock’s natural sandstone waterslide and Grasshopper Point’s deeper cliffside pools to Red Rock Crossing’s Cathedral Rock views and quieter picnic spots like Bootlegger and Encinoso.

On a summer day among Sedona’s red rocks, there may be no better reward than slipping into one of the cool, clear swimming holes of Oak Creek. For travelers wondering where to swim in Sedona, this shaded waterway offers some of the area’s most refreshing natural escapes, winding through canyon walls and cottonwoods to create pools fed by snowmelt and mountain springs. The cold water is a bracing refresher on a hot desert day, whether you’re sliding down slick rock, jumping from a sandstone ledge, or simply sitting at the creek’s edge with your feet in the current.

At Ambiente, a Landscape Hotel, guests are immersed in Sedona’s natural beauty from the moment they arrive. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the red rock landscape, while private Atrium rooftops provide 360-degree views by day and a canopy of stars by night. Beyond the serenity of the resort, Oak Creek offers another kind of immersion, one that’s wonderfully wild and nostalgic.

A wild swim, as opposed to a chlorinated swimming pool, recalls the simple pleasures of an old-fashioned swimming hole, the kind Mark Twain made iconic in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. There’s a feeling of freedom and being a kid again. For Ambiente guests, that sense of summer adventure is close at hand. Highway 89A runs just in front of the hotel, leading north toward Oak Creek Canyon and some of the best places to swim in Sedona. Many of these favorite spots are also good for picnicking, wading, and just cooling down when the desert turns warm.

From the famous natural waterslide at Slide Rock to quieter creekside picnic areas and Cathedral Rock views reflected in the water, here are five of the best swimming holes in Sedona to seek out in summer.

Slide Rock State Park

The most famous of Sedona’s swimming holes, Slide Rock State Park is known for its natural sandstone waterslide: an 80-foot chute worn smooth by the cool, rushing waters of Oak Creek. The slide spills into a half-mile stretch of creek open for swimming, wading, and cooling off, making this one of Arizona’s most popular summer experiences.

With cold creek water, red rock walls, canyon scenery, and the playful thrill of being carried down a natural flume, Slide Rock feels like a water park designed by nature. It is a lively spot in warm weather, especially for families and couples looking for a classic Sedona summer adventure.

Beyond the slide, the park offers 25 open-air picnic areas and three short trails, each averaging about a quarter mile, so it is easy to pair a swim with a casual walk or creekside picnic. Because Slide Rock is one of Sedona’s best-loved swimming spots, parking can fill quickly in season. Arrive early to secure a spot and enjoy the creek before the busiest part of the day.

Grasshopper Point

For a calmer Oak Creek Canyon swim, head to Grasshopper Point, a large, shaded cliffside swimming hole set at the base of the canyon. A favorite with swimmers and picnickers, it offers cool creek water, smooth rock ledges, and hiking trails accessible from the parking area.

Grasshopper Point feels more tucked away than Slide Rock, though it is hardly a secret. The water is deep enough for swimming in places, while the surrounding cliffs and trees give the setting the feel of a natural amphitheater. Sunlight filters through the canyon, rock walls rise above the creek, and the sound of moving water creates a peaceful rhythm.

For the adventurous, there are spots where visitors can jump from the surrounding rocks into the deeper water below, though water levels can vary and caution is essential. Others may prefer to spread out a towel, dip into the creek, linger over a picnic, and relax in the shade of Oak Creek Canyon. For those seeking a classic Sedona swimming hole with a little less bustle than Slide Rock, Grasshopper Point is an ideal choice.

Red Rock Crossing / Crescent Moon Ranch

For sheer Sedona beauty, Red Rock Crossing at Crescent Moon Ranch is hard to beat, and it is wonderfully easy to access. Here, Oak Creek flows beneath one of the area’s most photographed red rock views: Cathedral Rock rising dramatically above its reflection in the water.

This swimming hole is less about adrenaline and more about lingering in an iconic setting. Visitors come to wade, swim, picnic beneath the cottonwoods, and photograph Cathedral Rock mirrored in the water. Shallow edges make it inviting for a relaxed dip, while smooth stones and shaded banks offer places to sit, read, or simply take in the view.

Red Rock Crossing is an ideal choice for guests who want their swim with a red rock vista and a glimpse of Sedona’s famous light. Sunset is spectacular, when Cathedral Rock glows deep red and the creek reflects the shifting colors of the canyon.

Bootlegger Picnic Area

Bootlegger Picnic Area is another Oak Creek Canyon favorite, especially for those looking for a more low-key creekside stop. Set along the clear waters of Oak Creek, it offers fishing holes, natural swimming areas, picturesque canyon scenery, and access to nearby trails, with opportunities for wildlife watching along the way.

Because Bootlegger is more of a picnic area than a marquee swimming destination, it tends to feel quieter and more relaxed than some of the canyon’s better-known spots. It is ideal for visitors who want to sit in the shade, lounge creekside, dip their feet in the water, and enjoy the simple pleasure of a summer afternoon beside Oak Creek. For guests seeking a gentler outing, Bootlegger offers an easy way to experience the beauty of the canyon at a slower pace.

Encinoso Swimming Hole

About two miles downstream from Slide Rock, Encinoso offers a quieter, pet-friendly Oak Creek stop with clear-water pools and a lush, tree-lined setting. A bit of scrambling across boulders is required to reach the water, and is well worth it.  You can swim and picnic in the shade, linger by the water, and enjoy a less crowded swimming hole.

Encinoso brings together many of Oak Creek’s simple pleasures: cool water, shaded picnic tables, grills, fishing, short walks, wildlife watching, and scenic canyon views. It is not as dramatic as Slide Rock or as iconic as Red Rock Crossing, but the canyonscape is just as beautiful.  For travelers who prefer their summer swim with Fido and a little more quiet, Encinoso feels blissfully removed from the crowds.

This summer, make Ambiente your base for a Sedona escape that pairs red rock views and starlit rooftop evenings with the simple, natural pleasure of cooling off in Oak Creek’s beloved swimming holes.