Arizona's Best Swimming Holes  

 

 

Water Wheel, Verde Glen,
1st, 2nd & 3rd Crossing Day Use Areas

Statistics Elevation
 5100'
Season
April -Nov.
Days Limit
14
Fee
No
Units
Dispersed
Trailer Limit
16'
GPS Location
 34 21' 18.33"N
111 16' 54.79"W
(Second Crossing)
Access
Paved/Dirt
 
Amenities Potable Water
 No
Waste Disposal
No
Restrooms
No
Showers
No
Reservations
No
Store Nearby
Payson
Campsite Grills
No
Campsite Tables
No
Fire Rings
No
Utility Hookups
No
Information
928 474-7900
Firewood
Payson
Fishing Supplies
Payson
Laundry
Payson
Gas & Propane
Payson
ATV Use
No
Visitor Center
Payson
 
 
Fish Species Rainbow Trout
Yes
Cutthroat Trout
-
Brook Trout
-
Brown Trout
-
Apache Trout
-
Crappie
-
Yellow Bass
-
Flathead Catfish
-
Tilapia
-
Yellow Perch
-
Carp
-
Redear Sunfish
-
Bluegill
-
Green Sunfish
-
Walleye
-
Northern Pike
-
Channel Catfish
-
Sunfish
-
Smallmouth Bass
-
Largemouth Bass
-
Striped Bass
-
White Bass
-
Arctic Grayling
-
Bullhead
-
Fly and Lure Only
-
Acreage
-
Body of Water Depth
-
Catch and Release Areas
-
Boats Allowed
No
Motor Limit
-
Boat Rentals
-

 

 

 

All of these day use areas except Verde Glen cover about a 1 1/2 mile stretch of the East Verde River. None of these day use areas have water, trash or toilet facilities. To get to these day use areas, you will begin by heading north out of Payson and turning right on Houston Mesa Road (F. R. 199). We will start with the most downstream day use area, 1st crossing.

1st Crossing is 7 miles up Houston Mesa Road and as its name implies, is the first time you cross the East Verde River.

Water Wheel is 7 1/2 miles up Houston Mesa Road and you will see a parking area on the right. The East Verde crosses under a bridge and there is a nice hike upstream to a variety of waterfalls. The last time I was there, rappelling equipment was in place to scale down the largest waterfall some 30ft. You can hike upstream farther to a swimming hole with a fallen tree that has been carved with stairs in it to climb up and jump into a refreshing if not cold pool. Be advised, the rocks by the upper pool are extremely slippery I have seen people slip and injure themselves on the wet rocks.

2nd Crossing is 8 miles up Houston Mesa Road and is the easy to notice as you actually cross the river (your tires get wet). Parking is immediately on your left and a small campground (now a day use area) sits on the stream. If you cross the street from the parking area, you will climb a hill and descend down to a swimming hole with a 20 foot waterfall at its head. There are places to cliff jump across the river and you must be careful here as it can get relatively slippery on the rocks. This area makes for a nice day use picnic area.

3rd crossing is another former campground turned day use picnic area 8 1/2 miles up the river. There are picnic tables and the East Verde River flows adjacent to it.

Verde Glen is up Houston Mesa Road 10 miles then turn right at the Control Road and drive 1/2 mile to the camp area.

Rainbow trout on the smaller size can be caught along each of the camp areas except Verde Glen.

 

 

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Cold Springs

   

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