Visiting Slide Rock State Park

Sedona, Arizona is well-known for miles and miles of desert, red rock formations, endless adventure, and Slide Rock State Park; an outdoor oasis where you can find every kind of fun from hiking and fishing to swimming and observing natural wildlife in the area.

Inside this post, you will learn everything there is to do.

About the Park

Slide Rock State Park is a historic apple farm located inside Oak Creek Canyon. The 43-acre property was originally the Pendley Homestead, as it belonged to Pioneer Frank L. Pendley who legally acquired the land in 1910. He helped establish a unique irrigation system which is still used in the park to this day. His method was helpful in getting his apple orchard going in 1912. It is one of the few homesteads still intact in the canyon. And it is an excellent example of early agricultural development in Central Arizona. Today’s visitors can appreciate the fruits of Pendley’s labor.

Admission and Hours

6871 N. Highway 89A, Sedona, AZ 86336

Due to the popularity of Slide Rock State Park and a high number of people in and out during the year, the park asks that visitors help protect its resources by carpooling whenever they can.

Hours and admission varies, depending on the date you visit. The Tuesday after Labor Day – October 31, it is open from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. November 1 – January 31, it is open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. February 1 – April 30, it is open from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. May 1 – Labor Day, it is open from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Admission ranges from $10-30 per vehicle (1-4 persons). Be sure to check on the website for the day you will be going.

See and Do

Hiking Trails

Take a hike on one of the trails in the park; The Pendley Homestead Trail, Slide Rock Route, or Clifftop Nature Trail. They go in order of difficulty, with Pendley being the most beginner friendly trail, perfect for families with kids in tow. It walks visitors through an apple barn and orchard, and part of the historic Pendley Homestead. Slide Rock Route is a 0.3-mile trail that gets its name from the popular Slide Rock swim area located within it alongside Oak Creek. Clifftop Nature Trail is a 0.25-mile trail that begins by the apple barn and offers scenic views of the swimming area.

Wildlife

Keep your eyes peeled for the wildlife; Coyotes, bears, white-tailed deer, javelinas, bald eagles, great blue herons, and black-tailed rattlesnakes.

Fishing and Swimming in Oak Creek

Fisherman

If you have a valid Arizona fishing license and are ten years or older, you are welcome to fish for some trout inside of the park. No fishing is permitted where the swimmers are. And no glass bait jars are allowed.

Swimmers

How would you like to slide down a slippery, mostly moss covered series of rocks, and plop into the probably way too cold Oak Creek? While admittedly that doesn’t sound like very much fun, visitors and locals promise it is.

Slide Rock is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 swimming holes in all of the United States each year. So, don’t miss out! This natural slide is about 80 feet long and 4 feet wide, with a seven percent decline from top to bottom. Enjoy the beautiful rock cliffs and colorful reflections on the water.

Friendly Visitor Tips

Some helpful tips from visitors about the rocks and water: Test the water before you jump in because depending on the time or season, the temperatures can drop to near-freezing. Be careful when walking on the rocks, they are extra slippery. It’s what makes the slide so much fun, but will hurt if you unintentionally slip and fall. Also, pack a waterproof camera, and leave your real one at home.

Kids

If you have kids in your group between the ages of 6-12, they can become a Junior Ranger on their visit, by pledging to their part to help preserve the parks natural beauty and asking the Visitor Center for a Junior Ranger activity book to fill in and complete while walking around. They will also get a pretty neat button to display their achievement.