Water Feature Hikes

Hiking alongside a chilly spring fed stream, or plunging into a freezing cold swimming hole at the end of a good trail – are pretty radical pleasures. Perks that are extra-appreciated during Arizona’s blazing summer heat, and define some of the best Summer hikes Arizona! ! Abundant lakes in the Prescott and Mogollon Rim areas make for cooling retreats, even if sometimes swimming isn’t allowed.

Scroll down to explore water hikes by region. Click hike names for full details.

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Phoenix Area Water Feature Hikes

 

★★★★★ Butcher Jones Hiking Trail / Moderate / Saguaro Lake / 2.5 miles

Skirting Saguaro Lake, a stunningly beautiful desert gem, this trail crosses a sandy beach, intimate reed lined coves and high pinnacles with breathtaking views.

 

★★☆☆☆  Palo Verde Hiking Trail / Moderate / Bartlett Lake / 3.8 miles

For a perfect day at the lake, hiking, swimming and picnicking this lakeside trail can’t be beat. You’ll find gently rolling hills with gorgeous water and mountainside views. In Spring, birds and wildflowers add to the charm.

 

★★★★☆ Pipeline Canyon Hiking Trail / Easy to Moderate / Lake Pleasant / 2 miles

A floating bridge crosses crystal clear water, in one of Lake Pleasant’s intimate coves. Rambling along the quiet hillsides this hike leads to a special location where wild burros and ducks might be spotted.

 

★★★☆☆ Rock Springs Spur Trail to Aqua Fria River Crossing/ Moderate / Black Canyon City / 1.4 miles

Wade in a gentle creek, or relax on a wide stone beach, outside Black Canyon City. This trail leads to a bend in the refreshingly cool Aqua Fria River, perfect for splashing in or across.

 

★★★★☆ Jewel of the Creek & Dragonfly Loop Trails / Easy / Cave Creek / 2 mile loop

Dragonflies by a pond, wood-plank creek crossings and a kid-sized cave a few of the fun features on this trail. Kids of every age will have a blast exploring this shady, tree lined loop, that circles the lush banks of Cave Creek.

 

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Sedona Area Water Feature Hikes

 

★★★★☆ Bell Hiking Trail to Wet Beaver Creek’s “Crack” at Bell Crossing / Easy / East of Sedona / 3.3 miles

Bell Trail’s irresistible “splash canyon” is perfect for an icy, spring-fed, dip. 3-miles along this creekside trail, a chilly swimming hole is wedged between tall cliffs.

 

★★★★☆ Huckaby Hiking Trail / Moderate / 2.6 miles

Experience Oak Creek close up, on this creekside hike! Traverse the red rock ridges and treelined riverbanks along refeshing Oak Creek. Then catch some sunshine and a dip beneath Midgley Bridge.

 

★★★★★ West Fork Hiking Trail / Easy / 3 miles

Play hopscotch with a gentle stream on this beautiful canyon trail. Shaded by tall trees and increasingly sky-high cliffs, the West Fork hiking Trail is gorgeous year round, making it a Sedona area favorite.

 

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Payson & Mogollon Rim Area Water Feature Hikes

 

★★★☆☆  Fossil Creek Waterfall Hiking Trail / Easy / East of Camp Verde / 1.2 miles 

Blink your eyes (on this short hike) and you’ll have already arrived in paradise! A 15′ waterfall and icy-cold, turquoise pools are hiker’s rewards. Be prepared for the 15-mile dirt road to the trailhead, and large crowds in Summer.

 

★★★☆☆  Horton Creek Hiking Trail / Easy / East of Payson / 3.5 miles

Like Mother Nature’s “water cooler,” Horton Spring gushes cold, crystal-clear water and chilly air year-round. This gentle trail follows the banks of beautiful, Horton Creek – to its fresh water source.

 

★★★☆☆  Maxwell Hiking Trail / Moderate to Difficult / North of Strawberry / 0.7 miles

A string of crisp, clear swimming holes dot the creek at the base of West Clear Creek Canyon. Starting from the rim, a short, steep descent leads to a pristine canyon base.

 

★★★☆☆  See Springs Hiking Trail / Easy / East of Payson / 1.5 miles

Explore a babbling creek and gushing springs on this shady, family-friendly hike. The trail criss-crosses Christopher Creek and leads to a series of cascading springs on the base of the Mogollon Rim.

 

★★★★☆  Tonto Natural Bridge, Pine & Gowan Hiking Trail Loop / Easy / South of Pine / 0.92 mile loop

Shiver and squeal, as ice cold droplets fall from the 14-story-high natural bridge overhead! This short loop hike mashes-up an exhilarating blend of desert, creek, cave and waterfall fun.

 

★★★★★ Water Wheel Hiking Trail / Easy / North of Payson / 1.6 miles

This short hike ends at a gushing cascade and icy swimming hole. Along its rustic river pathway, it passes dramatic waterfalls and deep gorges.

 

★★★☆☆  Woods Canyon Lake Hiking Trail Loop / Easy / Mogollon Rim / 3.7 mile loop

Traverse a bog on a log. Skip stones. And walk under an eagle’s nest on this cooling lakeside trail. With no motorboats allowed, you’ll hear only the muffled sounds of fishermen, kayakers and people out having fun.

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Prescott Area Water Feature Hikes

 

★★★★☆Badger Springs Hiking Trail / Easy / East of Prescott / 0.8 miles

Have a blast exploring hieroglyphs and creekside boulders on this family friendly hike. The trail follows a short ravine to shimmering pools and an endless jumble of boulders on the banks of the Aqua Fria River.

 

★★★☆☆  Lynx Lake Recreation Hiking Trail Loop / Easy / Prescott / 2.3 mile loop

Escape life’s hustle and bustle on this pretty, tranquil lakeside hike. Tucked into an intimate mountain valley, scenic Lynx Lake stays cool all year. The level pathway is paved half-way around, making it easy for all.

 

★★★★☆  Watson Lake Hiking Trail Loop / Mostly Easy / Prescott / 4.8 mile loop

Explore rolling Granite Dells, hidden coves and a waterfall on this stunning loop hike. This trail circles Prescott’s largest lake on a series of mile-long sections. Each portion serves up a totally unique character.

 

★★★☆☆  Willow Lake Hiking Trail Loop / Easy / Prescott / 5.2 mile loop

Opt to explore the rambunctious stone dells or mellow grassy banks of beautiful Willow Lake. Billowing boulders and mini-canyons flank the eastern lake shore. While broad reed lined banks flank the west.

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Tucson Area Water Feature Hikes

 

★★★★★  Bear Canyon Hiking Trail to Seven Falls / Moderate / Sabino Canyon / 4.1 miles

A cascade of seven tall waterfalls most-definitely impresses, on this creekside, mountain hike! Hopscotching, the beautiful, canyon-lined, Sabino Creek, this trail leads to one of those rare natural features that get us hikers up and out the door.

 

★★★★☆ Romero Hiking Trail to Romero Pools / Moderate – Difficult / 2.8 miles

Crisp, clear pools and waterfalls are splash perfect. Beneath the high peaks of the Santa Catalina Mountains, a stream has carved an splash-worthy playground into the surrounding granite.

 

★★★★☆ Tanque Verde Falls Hiking Trail / Moderate / 1.6 miles to falls

Find splash-worthy pools, a canyon stream & seasonal falls on this short, rocky trail. Swimming season or not, Tanque Verde Canyon is a fantastic area to explore!

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Grand Canyon Area Water Feature Hikes

 

★★★★★ Havasu Falls Hiking Trail / Difficult / N. of Seligman / 10 miles

Turquoise blue water and thundering waterfalls make Havasu Canyon one of Arizona’s most spectacular places. The trail winds down a remote canyon to this magical canyon land.

 

★★★★☆ Sycamore Rim Hiking Trail / Easy/ Williams / 1-11 miles

Each snippet of this easy rim trail is stunningly beautiful! With five trailheads to choose from, you can hike just a mile or two, or do the full 11-mile loop, filled with jaw-dropping views, seasonal waterfalls and wildflowers.