Outdoors
Swimming holes and lakes near Flagstaff
Lakes, rivers and beaches near Flagstaff where swimming is allowed on public land.
7places to swim
10 mito the closest
5within 30 miles
June–Augustbest months
Good to know: Most natural swimming areas have no lifeguard; check water-quality advisories and current conditions before swimming.
Closest picks
Pine Flat Campground West
13 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service
Pine Flat Campground is a popular camping spot in scenic Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona's Coconino National Forest. The campground is nestled in a forested canyon near the well-known town of Sedona, Arizona, and its red rock cliffs.
Cave Spring
14 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service
Cave Springs sits in the scenic Oak Creek Canyon and is one of Coconino National Forest's most popular campgrounds. The campground is nestled in a forested canyon near the town of Sedona, Arizona, and its famous red rock cliffs.
Map of all 7 places
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Within 30 miles (5)
Coconino National Forest Recreation
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
Pine Flat Campground West
Pine Flat Campground is a popular camping spot in scenic Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona's Coconino National Forest. The campground is nestled in a forested canyon near the well-known town of Sedona, Arizona, and its red rock cliffs.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Photography
- Star Gazing
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Cave Spring
Cave Springs sits in the scenic Oak Creek Canyon and is one of Coconino National Forest's most popular campgrounds. The campground is nestled in a forested canyon near the town of Sedona, Arizona, and its famous red rock cliffs.
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Photography
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Manzanita.
Manzanita Campground is a small, year-round, tent-only facility with campsites that fill up very quickly. Visitors enjoy the campground for its fishing and swimming holes along Oak Creek, beautiful scenery and excellent wildlife watching.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Swimming
Crescent Moon Ramada
Crescent Moon sits beneath the stunning Cathedral Rock, one of the most photographed scenes in the American Southwest.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Swimming
75 miles and farther (2)
Tonto National Forest
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
Upper Burro Creek Wilderness
The 27,440-acre Upper Burro Creek Wilderness is located in Yavapai and Mohave counties in Arizona, 60 miles west of Prescott and 60 miles southeast of Kingman.
- Bird Watching
- Birding
- Dispersed Camping
- Hiking
- Photography
- Swimming
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Flagstaff. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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More outdoors near Flagstaff
Questions
Where is the closest place for swimming near Flagstaff?
Coconino National Forest Recreation (USDA Forest Service), about 10 miles east of Flagstaff as the crow flies. Next are Pine Flat Campground West (13 mi) and Cave Spring (14 mi).
When is the best time for swimming near Flagstaff?
Based on Flagstaff’s average highs, June–August. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.