Family Adventure Guide to Slide Rock State Park

Ready to slide through emerald water and glide over Sedona red rocks while taking in the forested walls of Oak Creek Canyon? Slide Rock is the perfect summer adventure!

A short 7 mile drive from Sedona, Slide Rock State Park was our last destination after a day full of outdoor adventures! It was the perfect place to cool off and enjoy the late afternoon.

It is far from a secret location, and can draw big crowds. However, we did not find it overly crowded in the late afternoon.

What is Slide Rock?

Slide Rock is a frequent top-10 runner on lists of the best swimming spots. Underground springs help Oak Creek form a natural water slide of ice cold water. Aided by a thin layer of algae on the rocks, this combination creates hours of chilly fun. This refreshing plunge is the perfect way to beat Arizona's summer heat.

To get to the natural water slide, you enter the state park and follow the crowds down the paved walkways. Along the path you will learn about the Pendley Homestead, a 43-acre historic apple farm that encompasses the current park. Frank L. Pendley acquired the land under the Homestead Act in 1910, and due to his unique irrigation system (which is still in use by the park today) Pendley was successful in planting an apple orchard. The Pendleton Homestead is one of the few homesteads left intact in the canyon today.

Once you reach the trail, you cross over rocks until you find the perfect place to jump in. We opted to hold Spider Monkey's hand over the rocks since they were a little slippery. Buttercup had no problem until we started walking through the water (then it gets pretty slippery).

Our Family Adventures at Slide Rock

Buttercup opted to explore the area first, while Spider Monkey jumped straight to the slide. The water gets surprisingly deep in areas, so we tried to catch Spider Monkey before she ventured too far down the slide. I was surprised by this as there were littles all over. Our catch method worked, but I would have preferred having her in a PFD.

After splashing around for a while, the sun became shaded by the cliffs, so we opted to head back to Sedona for dinner. There are little shops along the walkway that sell ice cream and snacks, but we were heading out for dinner elsewhere.

Tip: Bring a small tube or float for easier sliding. The girls had no problem using their bottoms, but it looked much easier with the aid of a float.

Visitor Information

Address: 6871 N. Highway 89A Sedona, AZ 86336

Entrance Cost: varies by season ($10-$30 per car)

Your America the Beautiful National Park Pass is not accepted at Slide Rock.

Hours: 8 am - 6 pm (varies by season)

Cell Service: limited

Disclaimer: Always make sure to check out the latest park information from the park website before you arrive.

The Family Verdict

Dustin was a little slow to warm up to the chilling water, but everyone ended up having a great time at Slide Rock. Just be sure to keep an eye on your littles while they are in the water. In all, our time at Slide Rock was a great way to end our family adventures in Sedona.

If you loved this family adventure guide, check out my review of nearby Sedona and follow along on our road trip through the American Southwest!

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