Camp Verde is not as synonymous with popular swimming holes as nearby areas, but is in fact home to one of the Verde Valley’s most appealing cool-off spots around.
Bull Pen offers a range of possibilities to enjoy a day outside, and while it has been a destination for locals for decades, it has become increasingly popular during recent years.
“I get to bring my son out here, we come fishing, we get to come chill, play in the water, we bring all our girls, family time. It’s family,” Prescott Valley resident James Adams said. “We like this one. This one is the most diverse I feel like. You get to come, there’s mutliple swimming holes, you can get away from people and fish, you can come hang out with people and jump in the water. It’s legit.”
Whether it is cliff jumping, swimming, hanging in a hammock, hiking or fishing, Bull Pen and the West Clear Creek Trail have it all. The main attraction is the large swimming hole centered around the red cliff, which seems like it was built to be the its focal point on purpose.
Thrill seekers of all ages and adrenaline thresholds can find an adequate place to leap from the cliff. Climbing to any level of the cliff is relatively easy, as well. The water is deep enough to break falls from the highest height, and is actually one of the few places to catch some sun in the surrounding area.
Across the pool of Oak Creek’s cool water is the shoreline to which visitors approach upon arrival. No matter what time of day, trees shade the entire area, and it is littered with boulders that double as seats and convenient places to leave belongings. One spot next to the cliff offers a place to sit comfortably in the water, and in the early afternoon, also feel the heat of the sun.
Trees on either end of this main area are good for setting up hammocks. On Sunday, June 24, after the Verde Valley consistently hit triple-digit temperatures throughout the week, Bull Pen was overflowing with visitors.
“You can tell it’s starting to get a lot of appeal from people out here, because there’s so many people here …. One of the times we was here, there might have been at least 100, maybe 150 [people],” said Joe Harbeson, who has lived in Camp Verde his entire life.
Adams, who brought his family to Bull Pen from Prescott Valley and has been visiting the area since he was old enough to drive, said he enjoys the ability to do different activities.
What set Adams apart from the rest of the visitors were his fishing poles. Up and down the creek are pools to catch fish, he said — given that there are no swimmers — including the main swimming area.
There is not just one place to swim at Bull Pen. In order to reach the main swimming spot, there is a small embankment that one must go up. Instead of going up the embankment, heading down toward the water is another small spot. That area is more exposed to the sun and has shallower water.
“It was a good spot to get away from the city, come have fun. It’s a way to get out and as long as you bring everything back with you, it stays nice,” Adams said. “It’s been like this pretty much since I started [coming] when I was 15. There’s more people, but other than that it stays clean, stays chill.”
Adams stressed visitors adhere to the pack it in, pack it out rule in order to keep the area as clean as possible for all to enjoy.
Getting There
Driving east on State Route 260, turn left onto Forest Road 618, marked shortly beforehand by a metal cowboy leaning on a pole. Forest Road 618 is located about 7 miles east of the intersection of Main Street and SR 260 in Camp Verde.
About 2 miles down the road is a fork; go right down what is called Bull Pen Road, or Forest Road 215. Shortly thereafter should be a sign signaling Bull Pen Day Use Area.
A few miles down a bumpy dirt road is the parking area — once on to Forest Road 618, the drive should last about 25 to 30 minutes. Any kind of vehicle can make the trip, but a recreational vehicle would make for the most smooth and safe ride.
Next to the bathrooms, the West Clear Creek Trail is clearly indicated through a fence. The hike is mostly exposed to the sun, but does not last more than 15 minutes. Careful attention to direcitons will prevent a longer hike than necessary.
“We’ve led several groups in here that couldn’t find it,” Harbeson said. “They see [the secondary swimming hole] right up there and they think they’re there.”
At the trail’s first fork, go right. At the second fork, continue left. Soon after there is a large fallen tree and the aforementioned embankment to its left. Go up the embankment to head to the main swimming hole.
Walking through a clearing, a large metal basket and zipline structure appears on the right. Continue past that landmark and the sound of the water, and other visitors, should be audible. A short descent down rocks gives way to the swimming hole.
There is no fee to park at the Bull Pen Day Use Area.
One More Thing
A third, more secluded but less adventurous swimming area can be found using different directions. Instead of going right at the very first fork on the trail, go left. After summiting a rocky trail is another fork. Continue along a trail that runs parallel with a red cliff, and upon reaching a third split in the path, head down the rocky slope to the right of it.
The swimming area will come into view. It offers more flat space to relax, but less shade and no place for jumping.
