Surrounded by famous red rocks and stunning forests, Slide Rock State Park offers all the fun of the water park, along with the beautiful scenery of Sedona.
In this article, we’ll share the best things to do in Slide Rock State Park, the best time to visit, where to stay, what to bring and a lot more, so make sure to read the article till the end.
Summary
| Park | Slide Rock State Park |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1985 |
| Things to do | Hiking, Mountain Exploration and many more |
| Hotels near Slide Rock State Park | Sky Ranch Lodge, Red Agave Resort and many more |
| Entry fee | $10-$30 |
| Camping Locations | Multiple Locations |
Where Is Slide Rock State Park, Sedona?
Slide Rock State Park, Sedona, is situated in Oak Creek Canyon along Highway 89A, which is 7 miles to the north of Sedona, Arizona, United States.
Flagstaff airport is the nearest to Slide Rock State Park, Sedona. Also, the park is just forty minutes drive away from Oak Creek Canyo and fifteen minutes away from Sedona.
About Slide Rock State Park, Sedona
Slide Rock State Park is among the most visited tourist attractions in Sedona, Arizona.
The park is famous for its natural rock slide formed by the slippery bed of Oak Creek, stunning red rock formations, and family-oriented hikes.
As one of the few homesteads left undamaged in the canyon, Slide Rock State Park symbolizes the agricultural development in Central Arizona.
The park still has the orchard and historical cabins available for visitors to enjoy the fruits of Pendley’s labor.
Slide Rock State Park is an excellent family vacation destination, where you can find every kind of fun from hiking, fishing, swimming to wildlife observing.
More than one million hikers, campers, and nature enthusiasts visit the park each year to enjoy swimming, paddling, hiking, camping, and fishing. 1
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History Of Slide Rock State Park
In 1907, Frank L. Pendley arrived in the canyon and acquired the park’s land under the Homestead Act.
He developed a unique irrigation system in the land, which is still active, and planted a 43-acre apple orchard in 1912, marking the beginning of agricultural development that dominated the site.
After the completion of Canyon Road in 1914, and the construction of the roadway in 1938, the site became a popular tourist destination and recreational site, which led to the development of cabins for visitors.
On July 10, 1985, Arizona State Parks bought the land from the Arizona Parklands Foundation laid the foundation of “Slide Rock State Park” in October 1987.
The Pendley Homestead Historic got listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
Things To Do In Slide Rock State Park
No matter how much time you have on your hands, you can’t see everything the park has to offer.
Here are the top things to do in the park:
Go To Rock Slide
A trip to Arizona is incomplete without a run down the Slide Rock.
Listed as one of the most beautiful swimming holes in the United States, this 80-foot-long slippery slide is a chute worn into sandstone.
The water here descends gradually in a series of steps while flowing over smooth sandstone strata in the form of pools and cascades.
The rockslide is perfect for sliding down and swimming and provides all fun of the water park in the natural environment of Sedona.
Visit The Pendley Homestead Apple Farm
Visit the Pendley Homestead apple farm located in Oak Creek and enjoy the fruits of Pendley’s hard work.
The historic farm is filled with more than 300 apple trees that still give fruit. In early Spring, the park is filled with the beautiful fragrance of apple flowers.
During the harvest season, when trees are loaded with juicy red apples, many fall on the ground. Visitors are allowed to pick apples for free during harvest time.
Explore The Red- Rock Mountains
The Red Rock Mountain Wilderness area is a great place to get a closer look at the spectacular red rock formations.
Sprawling on 47,195 acres, the wilderness area comprises sculpted pinnacles, arches, slot canyons, and red rock cliffs of the Mogollon Rim.
One can find Pre-historic rock art and abandoned cliff dwellings in the wilderness.
Other notable recreational activities include wildlife viewing, horse riding, swimming, and hiking.
Explore The Hiking Trails
The Park has three hiking trails of varying difficulties scattered throughout the park; Pendley Homestead Trail, Slide Rock Route, and Clifftop Nature Trail.
The Pendley Homestead is the most accessible trail, perfect for all ability levels and ages.
Clifftop Nature is the little trail that provides a scenic view of the swim area of the park.
The Slide Rock Route is a moderately complex trail parallel to Oak Creek and takes the visitors to the natural water slide. 2
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Best Time To Visit
Though this Park is a fantastic place to experience all four seasons, summer and fall are ideal for enjoying outdoor adventures as the weather is most pleasant and crowds are thinner.
The apple orchard blooms in the Spring and fills the park with aromatic pink and white flowers.
Winters are perfect for enjoying the gorgeous white-capped rock views sense of calm on the cool mountain air.
Map
There can be network problems in the park, so make sure to download the map of Slide Rock State Park for a beautiful outdoor experience.
The park map displays all the hiking trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, swim areas, and more.
Camping Locations
There are no campgrounds inside the Park, but you can find some fantastic campgrounds near the national park.
Manzanita Campground is located just outside the park in the Coconino National Forest.
Cave Springs Campground has also situated a 13-minute drive away from the Park.
Both campgrounds accommodate tents, RV, and trailers and provide other camping amenities.
Weather Of Slide Rock State Park
This Park features hot summers and chilly winters, typical of this part of the state.
During summer, the temperature remains in the upper 70s to mid-80s, with June and July being the hottest months.
As the winter approaches, the air gets chilly, and the park can experience freezing temperatures well below 32°F.
Visitors should wear warm clothes. Spring brings warm weather with frequent rain and occasional snow showers.
Check out the weather forecast before visiting the park. 3
Best Hotels Near Red Rock State Park
Here are the top five best hotels to stay near this Park that offer excellent accommodation with modern amenities:
- Arabella Hotel Sedona
- Sky Ranch Lodge
- Red Agave Resort
- Sedona Real Inn and Suites
Entrance Fee and Passes
The entrance fee for the Park ranges from $10-30 per vehicle (1-4 person). The admission hours vary depending on the date of your visit.
The park opens for visitors from 8:00 a.m-6:00 p.m. in the Fall and Spring, 8:00 a.m-5:00 in the winter, and 8:00 a.m-7:00 in the summer.
Make sure to check the website to check the admission hours and fees on the day you’ll be going. 4
Checklist For Slide Rock State Park
Here’s a list of clothing, gear, and other essentials you must bring to the Park:
- Backpack
- Comfortable clothes
- Rain Jacket
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Tent & Sleeping bag
- Hiking Boots/ Trainers
- Sunglasses & Sunscreen
- Binoculars
- Camera
- Reusable water bottles
- Ready-to-eat foods
- Flashlight/headlamp
- First-aid kit
- Bug Spray
- Map
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FAQ
Is Slide Rock State Park worth visiting?
Slide Rock State Park is one of the unique parks in the country that offers experiences like no other.
The park is home to a natural waterslide, numerous swimming pools, and one of the oldest homesteads in the country, which makes it worth visiting.
How much time should I Spend in Slide Rock State Park?
It entirely depends on how much time you want to spend in the park. However, 2-3 hours are enough to enjoy the rocks and pools if you don’t want to
Do I need to bring a tube for Slide Rock?
No, a slide tube is not required, as there’s just a tiny area with a waterslide kind of effect where you slowly float around.
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ARTICLE SOURCES
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- https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g31352-d103915-Reviews-Slide_Rock_State_Park-Sedona_Arizona.html[↩]
- https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/road-trips/2019/10/14/slide-rock-state-park-sedona-roger-naylor-arizona-state-parks-book/2437269001/[↩]
- https://azstateparks.com/slide-rock/explore/weather[↩]
- https://www.nps.gov/ciro/planyourvisit/fees.htm#:~:text=Entrance%20Fee%3A%20All%20vehicles%20are,per%20day%2C%20%2425%20reservation%20fee.[↩]