is slide rock state park in sedona arizona worth visiting?

Is Slide Rock Worth Visiting?

Let me begin by saying this is my personal opinion about whether visiting this very famous and popular (its the second most visited state park in Arizona) state run park in Sedona is worth the effort and expense. As a photographer, avid hiker, and fly-fisher I have been visiting and exploring Oak Creek canyon where the park is located for well over 25 years. The dramatic red rock landscape, soaring canyon walls, and beautiful and historic tree studded property where the park is located is absolutely gorgeous. Not to mention the famous water features and natural rock slides on Oak Creek that are undoubtably its biggest attraction. Understandably this is why Slide Rock State park is an extremely popular Sedona tourist hot spot and unfortunately can be crazy crowded at times including lines of parked cars waiting to get in at the entrance. Consequently it’s a not a location I personally choose to visit anymore (I believe my last visit was in the mid-90s) or think about as a photography subject- its way too busy and crowded! I will share a more in depth narrative later why avoid this park and also a few tips regarding when are probably the best times to go if you do choose to visit. But first a little history.

A Brief History of Slide Rock State Park

Slide Rock State Park sits on the site of the historic Pendley Homestead, which dates back to the early 1900s. The land was originally part of a larger ranch, and the Pendley family is credited with establishing the orchards that continue to grow apples and other fruits in the area. In fact, the park’s name originates from the natural rock water slide in Oak Creek, which has been a popular swimming hole in Sedona for decades.

In the 1980s, the Arizona State Parks system recognized the area’s unique beauty and historical significance, and in 1985, the 43 acre property was officially purchased from the Pendley family for approximately $4 million and designated as a state park. Over the years, the park has become a very popular destination for tourists who flock here to enjoy the water slides and cooler temperatures that can be found in Oak Creek Canyon.

Tips On Best Times To Visit

The absolute best time too explore Slide Rock state park to avoid crowds is during the slower winter months including late November to early March. Although Sedona really does not have an off or slow season anymore in my opinion, the winter months are for the most part quieter in Oak Creek Canyon. The other obvious reason its likely to be less crowded is its just too cold to go swimming or sliding in the creek during those months. Trust me, I fly-fish and wade on Oak Creek Year round and I know what time of year swimming season ends on this creek. The other fairly obvious tip is to try to avoid visiting Slide Rock park on the weekends as Sedona is always a popular weekend destination for the millions of people who live in the Phoenix metro area approximately 2 hrs South.

Photography Opportunities

As mentioned in the beginning of this post the park is located in a very scenic location in Oak Creek Canyon even by Sedona standards with lots of amenities including a picnic area and market. But for me personally as a landscape and nature photographer its just not high on my list to shoot there because of the amount of people who recreate there year round. I have probably driven by the park hundreds of times on highway 89A and there always seems to be people scrambling on the rocks above the creek. So to even to get a clean shot of the creek and the water features you would need be there very early during the off season or very good with removing people from an image with Photoshop.

My Personal Preferences

To be honest, unless your like 6 years old, I just don’t get the attraction of swimming or sliding down rock features on this small creek with crowds of people milling around and waiting to take turns. I get if you have young kids, but Its just dosen’t feel like an authentic and very natural outdoor experience to me. With a little effort, including hiking, you can find plenty of beautiful and mostly hidden spots on the creek to explore and enjoy- including finding some solitude.

Water Quality

In addition because of the amount of people and pets that recreate in and near this small creek there are in fact periodic water quality issues at Slide Rock State Park (E. coli Bactria) because of human and pet waste getting into the water. Think about it. This is a relatively small spring fed creek that flows on average about 35 CFS (cubic feet per second) that can have hundreds of people swimming (and god knows what else) in it on a busy day in the warmer months. I don’t know if their is a phrase called “creek abuse” but this would be a good example in my opinion. And to be clear this problem of human waste being left by visitors is not just happening at this park. I have personally found used diapers, toilet paper, and other trash right along the creek in multiple spots along over the years.

Conclusion

Slide Rock State Park is undeniably a beautiful and unique recreation area located in a part of Arizona that is blessed with jaw dropping Red Rock scenery. However, in my opinion, because of its popularity its no longer a place I would recommend visiting unless you go in the off season, have young kids, or have a very high tolerance for big crowds of people. Overall, in my view its not worth visiting if you are seeking a more natural and quiet outdoor experience.

Going forward, I think the State and the Forest service are going to have to address the traffic, crowds, and congestion that Slide Rock State park absolutely contributes to in the Oak Creek Canyon recreation area. Because of the traffic, its become absolutely crazy (and dangerous) driving on highway 89A in the canyon there at times during the warmer Spring and Summer months. I hate to say it, but an advanced reservation system to visit Slide Rock park (which has limited parking spaces) might not be a bad idea and it would certainly help mitigate some of the traffic and congestion on this narrow two lane canyon road.

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Winter is the best time to visit Slide Rock state park in my opinion. It was closed this day because of a snow storm but was open the following day.

The backdrop to the park is beautiful anytime of year. I was able to shoot this photo and others at the park entrance because it was closed due to a storm. Normally you cant park or pull over anywhere near the entrance. In addition no “walk in” visitors can enter the park which is fee based.

No Thanks… The park ‘s namesake rock slide on a summer day a few years back….