Swimming holes near Flagstaff, Arizona

9 natural swim spots within about 100 miles of Flagstaff, Arizona.

This page lists 9 natural swimming holes near Flagstaff, Arizona, sorted by straight-line distance within about 100 miles — including 4 creeks, 2 waterfalls, 1 lake, and 2 others. It is a city day-trip list, not the national GPS finder. Open each listing for directions, fees, and access before you drive.

Where can you swim near Flagstaff?

Near Flagstaff, Arizona, our directory maps 9 natural swimming holes within about 100 miles of the city center — including 4 creeks, 2 waterfalls, 1 lake, and 2 others. The closest mapped spot is Oak Creek Swimming Holes Of Northern Arizona (22 mi straight-line). Distances are not drive time; open each listing for directions, fee notes, access rules, and safety context before you travel.

At a glance — swimming holes near Flagstaff

Central placeFlagstaff, Arizona
Search radiusAbout 100 miles
Mapped spots9
Closest listingOak Creek Swimming Holes Of Northern Arizona (22 mi)
Water typesCreek (4), Waterfall (2), Lake (1), Other (2)
Typical fees6 free · 2 fee · 1 varies

All swimming holes near Flagstaff

9 natural swim spots in Arizona, sorted by distance from the city center. Statewide inventory counts are on the U.S. swimming holes dataset. For live GPS sorting from your device, use the GPS finder.

Sycamore Canyon — creek swimming hole near Camp Verde, AZ
CreekAZ

Sycamore Canyon

Sycamore Canyon near Sedona / Clarkdale, Arizona is a remote red-rock canyon with seasonal creek swimming holes. Free hike-in wild access — bring water; monsoon flash floods are dangerous.

Free32 mi awayCamp Verde
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Mormons Crossing — creek swimming hole near Sedona, AZ
CreekAZ

Mormons Crossing

Mormon Crossing (often searched as Mormon Crossing) is a free creek swimming hole in Arizona used for wading and cooling off. Informal access — scout depth and flash-flood risk in monsoon season.

Free34 mi awaySedona
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Camp Verde Swimming Holes In Arizona — varies - see below swimming hole near Phoenix, AZ
Varies - see belowAZ

Camp Verde Swimming Holes In Arizona

Tucked into the canyon country of central Arizona, the Camp Verde swimming holes — known locally as the Bull Pen — are one of those rare finds that reward the effort it takes to reach them.

Free45 mi awayPhoenix
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Clear Creek — creek/lake swimming hole near Winslow, AZ
Creek/lakeAZ

Clear Creek

The creek winds through sandstone formations sculpted by millennia of wind and water, creating a ribbon of blue-green calm that rewards anyone willing to seek it out.

Fee varies59 mi awayWinslow
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Payson Arizona Swimming Spots — varies - see below swimming hole near Phoenix, AZ
Varies - see belowAZ

Payson Arizona Swimming Spots

The creek carves its way through a rugged riparian corridor where the Sonoran Desert transitions into the cool ponderosa pine forests of the Mogollon Rim country, creating a landscape that feels surprisingly lush against the Arizona heat.

Free69 mi awayPhoenix
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Wolf Creek Falls — falls swimming hole near Camp Verde, AZ
FallsAZ

Wolf Creek Falls

Wolf Creek Falls near Phoenix, Arizona is a falls swimming spot on Wolf Creek. What people come for: Secluded waterfall pool for swimming; Cool, clear waters year-round. Access is free, and you will find restrooms and camping. Best visited in Spring. Wear sturdy hiking shoes with traction for the steep, loose, and rocky trail.

Free69 mi awayCamp Verde
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Cave Creek — creek swimming hole near Phoenix, AZ
CreekAZ

Cave Creek

CAVE CREEK is a creek destination on Cave Creek in AZ near Phoenix, Carefree, Cave Creek. Fee note: None. Confirm current access and conditions before you go — no lifeguards at informal spots.

Free86 mi awayPhoenix
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Havasu Falls — waterfalls swimming hole near Kingman, AZ
WaterfallsAZ

Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls near Flagstaff, Arizona is a waterfalls swimming spot on Havasu Creek (tributary to Colorado River). What people come for: Turquoise blue waters from travertine deposits; 100-foot breathtaking waterfall plunge. There is a fee or park admission, and you will find camping. Best visited in March-May. Carry and drink ample water.

Fee required94 mi awayKingman
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Types of swimming holes near Flagstaff

Browse by water type in Arizona — each link opens the full state directory for that category.

Creek swimming holes — natural outdoor swim spots

Creek (4)

Looking for swimming creeks near you? Creek swimming holes are smaller stream and brook pools — usually cooler, shallower, and tucked into forests or hollows. Use the list below (or near-me GPS), then confirm water level after rain.

Waterfall swimming holes — natural outdoor swim spots

Waterfall (2)

Waterfall swimming holes are plunge pools and cascades fed by falls. Flow is often seasonal; check depth, cold water, and slippery rock before you enter.

Lake swimming holes — natural outdoor swim spots

Lake (1)

Looking for swimming lakes near you? Only swim where it is allowed — many reservoirs and drinking-water lakes ban body contact. This catalog is lakes, ponds, and reservoirs with documented public swim access: beaches, fees, and no-swim warnings on each listing.

Other swimming holes — natural outdoor swim spots

Other (2)

Mixed or unique water types that do not fit a single category — review each listing for access and conditions.

Creeks, lakes, and water holes near Flagstaff

People search for this in a dozen different ways. Here is what each one means around Flagstaff, with the counts from our directory.

creeks near me
Within about 100 miles of Flagstaff we map 4 creek swimming holes. The closest is Oak Creek Swimming Holes Of Northern Arizona, about 22 mi out. Also searched as: swimming creeks near me, water streams near me. Sort creek swimming holes by distance from you.
swimming lakes near me
Within about 100 miles of Flagstaff we map 1 swimming lake. The closest is Clear Creek, about 59 mi out. Also searched as: lakes to swim near me, swimmable lakes near me. Sort swimming lakes by distance from you.
waterfall swimming holes near me
Within about 100 miles of Flagstaff we map 2 waterfall plunge pools. The closest is Wolf Creek Falls, about 69 mi out. Also searched as: waterfalls to swim in near me. Sort waterfall plunge pools by distance from you.
water holes near me
"Water hole" and "swim spot" are the same search as swimming hole — natural outdoor water deep enough to swim or wade. We map 9 of them within about 100 miles of Flagstaff, across 4 water types. Browse the full directory.
where to go swimming near me
For outdoor swimming near Flagstaff, start with the 9 listings on this page sorted by distance from the city center, then read the access notes before you drive — the closest pin is not always one you are allowed to swim in. Municipal pools are not in this directory. Sort everything by GPS distance.
free places to swim near me
6 of the 9 spots near Flagstaff are listed as free or no-fee access. Most are public-land creek and river access points; parking passes can still apply at trailheads. Show free swim spots near me.

What to expect at nearby spots

Highlights and safety notes from our listings — not third-party reviews. Report outdated info or share a tip.

Natural swim spots in the Flagstaff area

Flagstaff is a practical launch point for day trips to natural swimming holes in Arizona. Within about 100 miles you will find 9 mapped destinations in our directory, starting with Oak Creek Swimming Holes Of Northern Arizona about 22 mi from the city center.

The mix spans creek, waterfall, lake, other — related terms searchers use include creek swimming, river swimming holes, spring-fed pools, and wild swimming.

How distances work near Flagstaff

Every card on this page is a verified directory entry in Arizona with map coordinates. We measure straight-line distance from the Flagstaff city center — not driving time. A creek swimming hole 12 miles away on forest roads can take longer than a river access point 20 miles away on a highway.

Wild swimming near Flagstaff includes informal river bends, spring-fed pools, waterfall plunge pools, and developed park swim areas. Rules, fees, and seasonal access differ by land manager. Never assume swimming is allowed without checking the listing and posted signs the day you visit.

Safety and water quality near you

Natural water near Flagstaff changes after rain, snowmelt, and summer heat. Cold shock, currents, submerged rocks, and bacteria are real risks at creek and river swimming holes — most sites have no lifeguard. Check weather and local advisories before you enter the water.

We publish original planning copy, safety tips, and last-updated dates on each listing. See our editorial policy for sourcing standards, or contact us if access or conditions have changed.

How we research listings · Report a correction · Safety disclaimer

Swimming holes near Flagstaff — FAQ

Where can you swim near Flagstaff?

Near Flagstaff, Arizona, our directory lists 9 natural swimming holes within about 100 miles — mainly 4 creeks, 2 waterfalls, 1 lake, and 2 others. Each listing links to directions, fee notes, and safety context. Use near me on your phone for live distance sorting from your location.

How many swimming holes are near Flagstaff, Arizona?

This page shows 9 mapped natural swim spots within about 100 miles of Flagstaff. The full Arizona directory may list additional holes farther out or awaiting coordinates. Counts update as we verify new listings.

What is the closest swimming hole to Flagstaff?

The closest open mapped spot to Flagstaff is Oak Creek Swimming Holes Of Northern Arizona (22 mi straight-line). Open that listing for driving directions, access notes, and current fee information — unofficial holes can change without notice.

Are swimming holes near Flagstaff free?

6 listings note free or no-fee access; 2 require a fee or park admission; 1 have variable or unverified fees. Open each spot page for current fee details.

What types of swimming holes are near Flagstaff?

Near Flagstaff, documented water types include creeks, waterfalls, lake, others. A swimming hole is a natural outdoor pool in moving or spring-fed water — not a chlorinated pool. Filter by type on the Arizona state page or open each card for water-body details.

When is the best time to visit swimming holes near Flagstaff?

Late spring through early fall is the usual swim season near Flagstaff, but snowmelt, drought, and weekend crowds change conditions week to week. Check each listing before you drive — high water after storms can make creeks and rivers unsafe.

Is it safe to swim in rivers and creeks near Flagstaff?

Wild swimming near Flagstaff carries real risks: cold water, currents, rocks, and no lifeguards at most unofficial sites. Check weather, water level, and posted warnings the day you visit. Read our river safety guide and each listing's safety section before entering the water.

Where can I find creeks near Flagstaff?

Within about 100 miles of Flagstaff we map 4 creek swimming holes. The closest is Oak Creek Swimming Holes Of Northern Arizona, about 22 mi out. Also searched as: swimming creeks near me, water streams near me.

Where can I find swimming lakes near Flagstaff?

Within about 100 miles of Flagstaff we map 1 swimming lake. The closest is Clear Creek, about 59 mi out. Also searched as: lakes to swim near me, swimmable lakes near me.

Where can I find waterfall swimming holes near Flagstaff?

Within about 100 miles of Flagstaff we map 2 waterfall plunge pools. The closest is Wolf Creek Falls, about 69 mi out. Also searched as: waterfalls to swim in near me.

Where can I find water holes near Flagstaff?

"Water hole" and "swim spot" are the same search as swimming hole — natural outdoor water deep enough to swim or wade. We map 9 of them within about 100 miles of Flagstaff, across 4 water types.

Listing data last updated across spots on this page.

Guides: Arizona swimming holes guide

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