The Verde Valley and surrounding areas are full of swimming holes that can be found along local creeks and rivers.
One easily-accessible spot for wading is the Verde River at the Tuzigoot or TAPCO access sites in Clarkdale. From Broadway, turn onto Tuzigoot Road. Turn left at Sycamore Canyon Road to get to the TAPCO site, which will be a couple of miles down the road on the left. Continue down the road to get to the Tuzigoot access point, which will be on the right. Fishing and kayaking are popular activities here as well.
Also located outside of Clarkdale is the Parsons Trail in Sycamore Canyon, which follows the creek bed and eventually leads to Parsons Spring. From Tuzigoot Road, turn left onto Sycamore Canyon Road. From there, the trailhead is about 10 miles down a dirt road with a few rough patches.
Mormon Crossing in Cornville is another local favorite, and is more conveniently located behind Oak Creek School.
From Page Springs Road, turn onto either Rancho Bonito Road or Purple Sage Road. When they merge at the school, follow the dirt road over the bridge, keep left at the fork and look for a parking lot on the left. This swimming hole has waterfalls and a deepwater area.
Outside Camp Verde, try the Bull Pen swimming hole in the West Clear Creek Wilderness. From Highway 260, turn onto FR 618 and continue onto Bull Pen Road to the Bull Pen day use area. This area is surrounded by trees and has a large rock well placed for cliff jumping.
The Black Canyon river access point can be found off Highway 260 between Cottonwood and Camp Verde and is a popular area for fishing and kayaking.
The Beasley Flat day use area is good for wading and is also adjacent to the Mindeleff cavates. This cave complex site consists of almost 100 cavates with over 360 rooms. The site was named after Cosmos Mindeleff, a surveyor and architectural draftsman who recorded it during his 1891- 92 survey of ruins along the Verde River. Mindeleff’s report was published in 1896 by the U.S. Bureau of Ethnology and is considered ahead of its time for its detail and accuracy.
While Fossil Creek remains a popular swimming destination, the road leading to it will be closed until June 26. This spot requires a permit in advance due to the number of visitors wanting to take a swim in its crystal-clear waters.
A more challenging hike leads to The Crack at Wet Beaver Creek via the Bell Trail. This channel is surrounded by high redstone walls. From I-17, take exit 298 toward Forest Service Road 618, then turn right onto Forest Service Road 618 and take the Wet Beaver Creek Trailhead. Follow the trail for three miles until it crosses the creek at Bell Crossing.
Carpool when possible to reduce traffic and parking congestion. Remember that public lands belong to everyone so no matter where you go, practice “leave no trace” principles: Plan ahead and prepare, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, respect wildlife and whatever you pack in, pack out. Help recreation sites stay clean and pick up other’s trash if you can.
