Slide Rock State Park, Sedona

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There is a small store along the Pendley Homestead Trail where you can buy snacks, drinks, limited groceries, post cards, etc. Photo 2 is not accurate though. That cannot be a Redneck Windchime. No self-respecting redneck would drink diet anything much less V8 Vegetable Juice!

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With the completion of the canyon road in 1917, tourists started coming to the area. In 1933, Pendley built some tourist cabins on his land and opened the site for tourism. Once the canyon road was paved in 1938, tourism grew rapidly.

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Slide Rock State Park was originally a 43-acre historical apple farm located in Oak Creek Canyon called the Pendley Homestead. Frank L. Pendley arrived in the canyon in 1907 and formally acquired the land under the Homestead Act in 1910. He established a unique irrigation system which allowed him to plant his first apple orchard in 1912, beginning the pattern of agricultural development that has dominated the site since that time. Pendley also grew garden produce and kept some livestock. As one of the few homesteads left intact in the canyon today, Slide Rock State Park is a fine example of early agricultural development in Central Arizona. The site was also instrumental to the development of the tourism industry in Oak Creek Canyon. The completion of the canyon road in 1914 and the paving of the roadway in 1938 were strong influences in encouraging recreational use of the canyon, so Pendley followed suit and in 1933, built rustic cabins to cater to vacationers and sightseers.

Since there is no place for Slide Rock State Park on VT yet, I will put all the tips here.

Slide Rock is a great way to spend an afternoon! As all the other reviewers have said, the water is cold, the rocks are warmed from the sun...the rocks form a sort of "slide" that you slip through the river in. It is fun for kids as well as adults.

From the parking lot at the park, the walk is kinda long. Part of it is a nice sidewalk, but then you go down some stairs and find yourself walking along the creek. The walk can be difficult for some (my mother went with and had problems because of her knees and arthritis)

The water is definitely cold. We went in September, it wasn't as crowded, it was hot outside, but that water felt FREEZING! It was definitely a shock to our systems!

We received a fantastic tip from a local. The rocks are slippery. VERY slippery. So, we all wore long shorts or capris over our suits. We did see a few people fall while we were there and crack their shins/knees/elbows/head on the rocks. So we were glad we had the jean material on. It didn't slip as much as "skin on slime" did.

Definitely a great time and we will be back!

Slide Rock is a natural wonderland. Slide down it in the cool waters or just sit on a warm red rock and look at the smooth colorful surface that is created by the creek, it changes every minute in time from the sun. Your imagination will run wild along with your body because this place is so much fun and completely natural. Just like many places in Sedona Slide Rock Park has a lot of pleasant surprises so explore.

7 miles North of Sedona, along Oak Creek Canyon, the most well known attraction is Slide Rocks State Park. The reason Slide Rocks are was designated a park was to keep it from being "loved to death."

It is such a popular spot, especially in the summer months, that it is now managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Arizonia State Parks. What is Slide Rocks? It is a section of Oak Creek where, for several hundred yards, the water descends in a series of steps as it flows over smooth rocks via a series of natural chutes and pools. It is absolutely perfect for sliding down and for swimming.

There are really nice picnic tables, cooking grills, and a snack bar. Also, there a good toilets with sinks and running water. Additionally, drinking water is available!

I would warn to be careful of the slippery rocks as you take a "slide". Besides swimming, sliding, wading, and picnicing, you may wish to birdwatch or just take spectacular photos.

It's open all year, but there is no overnight camping.

Tumbling down from the Colorado plateau, the year round waters of Oak Creek have carved out one of the world's best swimming holes from the native red sandstone. At Slide Rock state park the water is cool, the rocks are warm and there are enough chutes, pools and riffles to cater to the thousands who come here on summer weekends. But do not fret! Just hike a little upstream to escape the crowds and enter an idyllic world of cottonwood, granite boulders and the melodious call of the canyon wren. See my travelogue to get the feel of the place.

If I were organizing things, Slide Rock state park would be the destination and Sedona would be the 'Must See' activity. Unfortunately, you can't camp in Slide Rock but there are a couple of other Forest Service campgrounds along Oak Creek.

This is located behind the New Age Store just off of Highway 89A. The most peaceful and beautiful stream I've seen in Arizona to date!

This stream flows from Oak Creek. If you're ever looking for something to do there, try Slide Rock State Park!

Slide Rock State Park. A stretch of slippery creek bottom results in a natural water slide. This area has been seen in 'Broken Arrow' (1950) with James Stewart, 'Drum Beat' (1954) with Alan Ladd and Charles Bronson, 'Gun Fury' (1953) with Rock Hudson and Donna Reed, and a scene from 'Angel and the Badman' (1946) with John Wayne.

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Okay. so this is not a very exciting tip; but it's good to know where a bathroom is when you need one. There are bathrooms on the Pendley Homestead Trail and down by the sliding rocks.