Swimming holes by town
Swimming Holes in Payson, Arizona
10 natural swimming holes
If Payson is home base, you're spoiled for choice: 10 natural swimming holes appear in our listings for this area. Expect a spread: 4 lakes, 3 creeks, and 3 rivers. The listings span Coconino County and Gila County. Christopher Creek anchors the local list, and Horton Creek rounds out the highlights. Plan around May-September — that's the best season named in most local listings.
Swimming holes in Payson
- Christopher Creek
A spring-fed creek that stays cool and clear through the Mogollon Rim summer, with swimming explicitly permitted along its course.
- Horton Creek
A spring-fed tributary of Tonto Creek with a popular trail following its cascades and swimming holes below the Mogollon Rim.
- Water Wheel Falls
A beloved swimming hole where the East Verde River tumbles over smooth rock slabs into a broad, swimmable pool near Payson.
- Bear Canyon Lake
A deep, cliff-backed lake on the Rim reached by dirt road, wilder and quieter than Woods Canyon or Willow Springs.
- East Verde River First Crossing
Where Forest Road 199 crosses the East Verde River, a series of shallow riffles and deeper pockets create easy riverside swimming below the Mogollon Rim.
- Kinder Crossing (East Verde River)
A lesser-known East Verde River access near the Mogollon Rim where the river pools beneath the pines.
- Knoll Lake
A small, high-elevation Rim lake tucked in ponderosa forest, popular with anglers and crowd-averse swimmers.
- Tonto Creek
Tonto Creek slides over granite slabs and pours into deep, clear pools beneath the Mogollon Rim near Payson.
- Willow Springs Lake
A pine-ringed Rim lake with a roped swim area and sandy shoreline that makes it a family favorite.
- Woods Canyon Lake
A classic Mogollon Rim pine-country lake with a developed swim beach, campgrounds, and cool mountain water.
Frequently asked questions
How many swimming holes are in Payson, AZ?
Our directory lists 10 natural swimming holes in and around Payson, Arizona, across Coconino County, Gila County. New spots are added as they're verified.
What kinds of swimming holes are in Payson?
The 10 listings cover 4 lakes, 3 creeks, 3 rivers. See each listing for details on access and conditions.
Which swimming hole near Payson should I try first?
Christopher Creek is a well-documented local listing. A spring-fed creek that stays cool and clear through the Mogollon Rim summer, with swimming explicitly permitted along its course. Full details, maps, and safety notes are on its page.
When is the best time to swim near Payson?
Local listings most often name May-September as the best season. Spring runoff can make rivers and creeks dangerously high — check local conditions before you go.