Oak Creek Swimming Holes Of Northern Arizona

Choose between Grasshopper Point and Slide Rock

Oak Creek Canyon has more than one swimming destination, and their entrances, passes and rules are not interchangeable. Grasshopper Point is a Forest Service swimming and picnic site north of Sedona. Slide Rock State Park is a separate destination known for its natural sandstone slide. This regional listing focuses on those documented options rather than promising five equivalent swimming entries.

Use current access information

The September 14, 2026 Forest Service update announced that the broad Oak Creek closure would lift on September 17. Slide Rock's current page reports its swim area reopened. Earlier summer closure reports should not be treated as the current status of the entire canyon. That announcement is not blanket confirmation that every trail or creek reach is open today; check current notices for the specific destination.

Budget separately for each entrance

Grasshopper Point lists $15 per vehicle for up to five people and $4 for walk-ins, bicycles or extra people. The Red Rock Pass and America the Beautiful Pass are not accepted there. Slide Rock currently lists $20 per vehicle for August 22, 2026-April 2027, with additional-person charges. Confirm your party's price with the park rather than transferring Grasshopper Point's pass or occupancy rules.

Get the approach and vehicle rules right

For Grasshopper Point, the official directions follow SR 89A north from the Sedona SR 179 intersection for about 2.5 miles to a signed right turn. Southbound visitors cannot turn left into the site; the Forest Service describes turning around at Midgley Bridge farther south. Grasshopper Point excludes RVs, trailers, buses and oversized vehicles and enforces a 24-foot maximum length. Slide Rock, at 6871 N. Highway 89A, admits visitors only by vehicle through the entry station, with no walk-ins, bicycle entry or drop-offs. Its swim area and last entry close one hour before the park closes.

Know which services belong where

Grasshopper Point documents vault toilets and picnic tables but no drinking water. Camping is prohibited there. Bring your own drinking water and arrange overnight accommodation separately. The map uses Grasshopper Point's official recreation-area reference, not a surveyed water entry, the old Flagstaff town point or Slide Rock's entrance.

The natural slide is not a cliff-jumping invitation

The Forest Service discourages jumping and diving at Grasshopper Point because the pool has varying depths, hidden rocks and unforeseen objects. The Slide Rock swimming page warns of slippery sandstone, cold water and no lifeguard. The natural slide belongs to Slide Rock, not Grasshopper Point. Pets are excluded from Slide Rock's creek year-round and from the whole park May 1-September 30. Read the selected site's current rules before entering.