Water was chilly and not as populated as I have seen it in past years. This is a natural slide running through Oak Creek Canyon. View is great, looking around the oaks and the red rock. Don't forget to bring your fishing pole because this creek has trout in it.

The water was freezing, but Lou, Robin, Rob, Aaron and I went in for a while and slid down the natural rock slide. The best part was Jen and Mike falling in with their clothes on. The rocks really were slippery, and as soon as you fell down, you just started to slide all the way down to the end of the stream. It's only about 50-100 yards long, but then you have to get out freezing and wet and walk back to do it again. After we got dried and changed, we got Burger King take-out ("take-away," as Mike put it) and drove up to the lookout point in Sedona to watch the sunset.

Here's one of the signature attractions from Sedona, just seven miles north via Oak Creek Canyon road (Highway 89A). Great spot for cooling off in the creek, picnicing, or red rock viewing. There's an admission fee unless you have a state park pass.

Drinks, sandwiches, snacks, and picnic supplies are available at the (on-site) Sllide Rock Market. The site is an old apple orchard and farm begun by Frank Pendleton, a pioneer who came in 1907 to establish a unique irrigation system still in use. The old farmstead, implements, and orchard are open for viewing.

But the charm of the park is the water activities along the slick slide rock chute through the colorful rocks. Remember to bring water shoes to protect you feet and give traction on the wet rocks.

And bring a camera. 'Nuff said. Here's their website.

This is the most amazing water park made by Mother Nature. Rock formations provide a series of natural water slides. My teenagers thought this was fantastic. Smaller children would need very close parental supervision due to uneven water depths and the moving water current. We visited in July and the water was surprisingly chilly. Park fee of $8 per car.

This park is known for its naturally slick and smooth rock formations in Oak Creek. It is a shallow wading creek that is a great little hike for all ages, and a fun water slide and shallow pool for swimming and wading. This is the most beautiful park and it holds the interest of kids! It has trails for hiking, volleyball courts, fishing, bird watching, picnic areas, barbecue grills, and a nice size apple orchid. It has a small convenience store for snacks and picnic supplies, but I suggest you bring food and drink with you to save money.

There are three different trails. Pendley Homestead Trail is a paved quarter mile trail that shows the history of the homestead and the apple grove. It is easy.

Slide Rock Route follows Oak Creek. The short trail is the main access to the Slide Rock swim area. The water quality varies in some years and they close the water access, so please call this hotline before you come or you may be disappointed. We go every year and have had this happen only once, but it is a possibilty.

Water Quality Hotline: 602/542-0202

PLEASE NOTE the kids love the rock water slides, so bring water shoes and shorts. My 5-year-old slid the seat out of two pair of Levis this year--yes, totally gone!

Finally there is the Clifftop Nature Trail. It is a quarter mile trail with scenic views of the Slide Rock swim area.