Grasshopper Point Swimming & Picnic Area

🏊Swimming at Grasshopper Point Swimming & Picnic Area

The pool is shallow near the shore and gradually deepens further out, with clear, cold water described as staying cold even in summer heat; it is described by the Forest Service as a shaded, cool respite and by visitors as having classic Arizona swimming-hole character suited to casual swimming rather than serious cliff jumping (which is officially discouraged).

📍How to get to this swimming hole

From Sedona, drive north on State Route 89A into Oak Creek Canyon for about 2.5 miles; the entrance is on the right (east side) when approaching from the south.

Parking: On-site parking lot with a limited number of spaces; the entrance gate closes once the lot is full until another vehicle leaves, so arriving early is recommended especially in summer. Maximum vehicle length of 24 feet; no RVs, trailers, or buses permitted.

🥾The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is needed to reach the swimming area itself, it's a short, uneven walk down from the parking lot. Allen's Bend Trail starts from this same site and connects onward to the Casner Canyon and Huckaby trails for those who want to hike further, but that is optional and separate from reaching the water.

💬What regulars say

Visitors report the water staying cold and clear even in July heat, entry as shallow near shore and gradually deepening farther out, and the shoreline as rocky and uneven (better with water shoes). One recent visitor flags that the lot is small and gets busy in summer, so arriving early is recommended, and people sometimes wait in line for a spot to open up, while a spring visit saw far fewer people.