Slide Rock park offers a pleasant spot by the water
Along the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive just north of Sedona, you’ll find Slide Rock State Park, one of Arizona’s most beloved destinations. The park is well known for the section of Oak Creek where adventurous visitors can slide down an 80-foot natural water chute within the Coconino sandstone.
But it is not only the water features that draw people here, as the park also has great historic features you can visit and some fine hiking trails. Furthermore, it’s an active aspect, fun for children and other energetic people, which can be easily incorporated into a visit to the leisurely resort of Sedona. For that matter, it’s a great stop on any trip through northwestern Arizona.
June and July are good times to visit, as the temperatures are often in the low 90s — good weather for the old-time pleasure of swimming in cold water that is clean and untainted by chlorine or salt. The elevation there is about 4,900 feet.
The property was first developed and homesteaded more than 100 years ago by Frank Pendley. He planted an apple orchard and soon established an irrigation system to take advantage of the flowing water of Oak Creek. Pendley blasted, drilled and built tunnels in the sandstone cliffs and funneled water using metal flumes to water his crop.
The Pendley family farmed the property until the mid-1980s and then turned it over to the Arizona Parklands Foundation, which was then turned over to the state. The park was officially opened in 1987 and is managed by the state park system and the Coconino National Forest.
From the parking area, visitors usually start by strolling north on the Pendley Homestead Trail, the main access into the park. This paved trail takes you by the original apple orchards as well as by newer semi-dwarf trees. You will walk by many structures, including the fruit-packing barn and the bungalow-style Pendley Homestead House, which was built in 1927, an upgrade to the family’s original and more modest home.
After walking about three-tenths of a mile from the parking area, you will find the easiest place to access Oak Creek. Wide stairs help the visitor down to the Coconino sandstone that flanks the waterway. There are many places to stretch out a blanket and settle down for the day and head to the water for a dip or unwind, picnic and relax.
I wouldn’t recommend the creek for children or anyone not comfortable possibly being banged up a bit, as the water is swift, and the chute can be rough on your body as well as your bathing suit. As the water flow and level can change quickly, it is always best to watch a few brave souls do the chute before you head in to see what you might experience.
You can take some hiking trails from there or head over the drainage on the small footbridge to the east side of the creek and walk upstream. There, you will find the stone cabin, along with a water wheel and flume, which Pendley used to generate electricity for his homestead.
There are a variety of birds that have been identified in the park, including lazuli bunting, black-necked grosbeak and western tanager and several types of hummingbirds.
The park is a popular destination, so be sure to arrive when it opens to get a parking spot and a place to relax along the edge of the creek. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Sept. 1 (no entry into the park after 6 p.m.). The entry fee in summer is $20 per vehicle (containing up to four adults). Pets are permitted in the park but not in the swim area. There are restrooms and a small market. For more information, call 928-282-3034 or visit azstateparks.com.
Deborah Wall is the author of “Great Hikes, A Cerca Country Guide” and “Base Camp Las Vegas: Hiking the Southwestern States,” published by Stephens Press. She can be reached at deborabus@aol.com.
Directions
From Las Vegas, take U.S. Highway 93 south for 105 miles to Kingman, Ariz. Go east on Interstate 40 for about 148 miles to Flagstaff. Take Interstate 17 south for about 2 miles and exit to 89A south and continue about 17 miles to Slide Rock State Park.
