Manzanita Campground
Sedona, Arizona · on Oak Creek · Coconino National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- creek
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $30/night
- SEASON
- Spring
About Manzanita Campground
Manzanita Campground is a small, tent-only U.S. Forest Service campground directly on the banks of Oak Creek in Oak Creek Canyon, about 6 miles north of Sedona, Arizona, within Coconino National Forest. Campsites sit steps from the creek, and both the Forest Service and Recreation.gov advertise clear-water swimming holes and trout fishing as the main draws alongside camping.
The campground occupies a narrow, shaded riparian strip along Oak Creek in Oak Creek Canyon at roughly 4,724 ft elevation, described by the Forest Service as a lush corridor of Arizona ash and box elder trees. It sits on State Route 89A just north of the popular Slide Rock State Park, in the same canyon stretch known for red-rock walls and cool creek water noticeably cooler than nearby Sedona.
Swimming at Manzanita Campground
Visitors swim and wade directly in Oak Creek adjacent to the campsites, in what both the Forest Service and Recreation.gov describe as clear, cool swimming holes. A first-hand account notes the water can run fast and cold during spring snowmelt, mellowing later in summer; one local guide also mentions cliff jumping in the area, though that detail is not corroborated by the official sources. The creek here also holds stocked trout, making it popular for shoreline fishing as well as swimming.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Sedona, drive north on State Route 89A into Oak Creek Canyon for about 6 miles; the campground entrance is on the highway just north of Slide Rock State Park.
Parking: Paved pull-through parking with only one vehicle permitted per campsite; the 4 first-come, first-served sites have no separate overflow parking and fill up quickly.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike needed -- this is a drive-up campground on SR 89A about 6 miles north of Sedona, and multiple sources describe the swimming holes as 'steps' from the creekside campsites/parking. Nearby hiking trails exist in the area but are optional extras, not required for creek access.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Marketed as family-friendly (USFS: families come for swimming/wading; local guide calls it 'ideal for families'), but the creek here is described by a first-hand account as running fast and cold during spring snowmelt, mellowing later in summer. No lifeguards, and entry is directly off creekside campsites rather than a maintained beach, so young kids should be watched closely, especially May-June runoff.
Parking
Lot
Small paved pull-through parking, strictly one vehicle per campsite with no separate overflow lot; the 4 first-come sites fill quickly and there is little to no parking for day-use-only visitors who aren't camping. Camping fee itself is $30/night per Recreation.gov (50% off with Senior/Access passes); an older local-guide source lists $18/night + $7 for a second vehicle, so day-use parking cost, if any, is unclear.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault (barrier-free) toilets on-site at the campground; potable water also available.
Water clarity
Clear
USFS describes 'crystal clear waters, cool and refreshing'; Recreation.gov calls them 'clear water swimming holes.' A first-hand account adds that flow is fast and cold during spring snowmelt, which would reduce visibility/comfort in that window even though baseline clarity is good.
Hours
Campground operates year-round; camping check-in 2 PM / check-out 11 AM; quiet hours 10 PM-6 AM (no generators); one local guide lists separate picnic/day-use hours of 10 AM-1 PM. As of this research both Recreation.gov and the USFS page show the campground under an active closure tied to the Pocket Fire, with no stated reopening date -- confirm current status before visiting.
On the water
No source mentions kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, or any watercraft at this location -- Oak Creek here is a narrow, shallow, rocky mountain creek used for swimming/wading and trout fishing, not boating. No official restriction language found either; treat watercraft use here as undocumented rather than confirmed-allowed.
What regulars say
First-hand visitor accounts describe the campground as cramped, with sites 'not very spread apart' and only one parking space per site, so it gets crowded and fills up on weekends; advance reservations are recommended. Slide Rock State Park, well under a mile north on the same highway, is repeatedly mentioned as the go-to alternative and overflow swim spot with its natural rock waterslide. Some locals mention cliff jumping in the area, but this is not corroborated by the official USFS or Recreation.gov listings, so treat it as unverified.
Manzanita Campground: FAQ
Does Manzanita Campground charge a fee?
USFS lists a $30/night campsite fee (50% discount with Senior/Access Interagency passes) and $10 firewood bundles; sites are reservable on Recreation.gov, with 4 sites held first-come, first-served through the campground host.
Is Manzanita Campground kid friendly?
Marketed as family-friendly (USFS: families come for swimming/wading; local guide calls it 'ideal for families'), but the creek here is described by a first-hand account as running fast and cold during spring snowmelt, mellowing later in summer. No lifeguards, and entry is directly off creekside campsites rather than a maintained beach, so young kids should be watched closely, especially May-June runoff.
Do I need to hike to reach Manzanita Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Manzanita Campground?
Small paved pull-through parking, strictly one vehicle per campsite with no separate overflow lot; the 4 first-come sites fill quickly and there is little to no parking for day-use-only visitors who aren't camping. Camping fee itself is $30/night per Recreation.gov (50% off with Senior/Access passes); an older local-guide source lists $18/night + $7 for a second vehicle, so day-use parking cost, if any, is unclear.
When is the best time to visit Manzanita Campground?
Late spring through mid-September is the recommended/peak season per local guides; spring snowmelt makes the creek faster and colder.
What are the rules at Manzanita Campground?
Tent and small-vehicle camping only (no RVs, trailers, or motorhomes); 7-day stay limit; one vehicle per site; quiet hours 10 p.m.-6 a.m. with no generators during that window; no radios/amplified sound, no horses; pets must be leashed. As of this research, both Recreation.gov and the USFS page show an active location closure notice with no stated reopening date.
What water body is Manzanita Campground on?
Manzanita Campground is on Oak Creek, a natural creek verified in USGS hydrography data.
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