Category: Swim

Secret Swim Spot, Zion National Park, Utah

The coolest hike in Zion National Park won’t be found on any map or brochure. It’s a secret spot, that we scouted out like treasure seekers on a hunt. And we hit the jackpot.
Thanks to a tip from the book Day Trips with a Splash: Swimming Holes of the Southwest by Pancho Doll, we knew there was a short hike that led to a waterfall with a natural water slide. The trick was to find it.

We started out on the side of the road, where we could hear water flowing but couldn’t see anything. Following the desert brush trail until the trees grew larger, we soon found the source of the sound, a rocky stream.

We followed the stream for less than half a mile, carrying the tots over ever larger boulders, waiting for a glimpse of the elusive water fall. We weren’t sure the place existed but after scrambling and hiking about thirty minutes we found a wider section of the stream with water deep enough for jumping. Awesome!

I would’ve been content there, but Mountain Dad decided to scramble over the rock wall to find the elusive natural water slide. I’m so glad he did.

The rock scrambling was rewarded with a beautiful red rock cove. The water cascaded from above, pooled three to four feet at the deepest and trickled down to the rocks below. We all enjoyed sliding down the mossy slope into the cool water below, and feeling the sand squish between our toes. It was the perfect place to play on a hot summer day.
Trail Info:
Difficulty: Difficult, but worth it
Length: 1 mile round trip
Tips: More adults than children make the rock scrambling easier.

Virgin River Swimming Hole, Zion National Park, Utah

Zion National Park is known for its hiking and scenery, but it should also be known for having great swimming spots. The shallow and rocky Virgin River is only swimmable at some points, but conveniently this little swim spot was right by the Canyon Junction shuttle stop. 

The ruins of an old diversion dam is what gives this area its special appeal. Now, we hadn’t planned on swimming and did not come prepared, but the weather was so hot, I didn’t mind getting my clothes wet. 
The shallow section above this waterfall was calm enough for little g to splash in on her own, but my favorite part was playing in the pools below. We slid very slowly, thanks to the rough surface of the rock, into the three to four foot water below. With the tots, we stayed to the right, away from the small white water section.

Along the banks of the river we found tiny desert toads and wriggled our toes in the cool sand. On a hot summer day in Zion National Park, this Virgin River Swimming Hole could not be beat!
Virgin River Swimming Hole Info:
Location: At the Canyon Junction Shuttle stop, follow river access signs on the west side of the road.
Difficulty: Moderate. The water above is calm, but little ones should be watched carefully to avoid the rough section to the left. The water below the waterfall averaged three to four feet deep.
Tips: Bring a towel and a swimsuit. We hadn’t planned on swimming and did not have our suits, but the water felt so good, it was worth it.

Payson Lakes, Nebo Loop Scenic Byway, Payson, Utah

Payson Lakes, a camping, swimming, fishing spot located off the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway near Payson, Utah is a well known locals getaway. The high mountain scenery complete with three fish filled lakes, makes for a beautiful and exciting place to play.

On our recent camp out there, we spent most of our time enjoying the largest of the lakes. As you can see, Big E and little g thought my relaxing on the raft looked too chill and they came to make my relaxing float in the lake more like a piggy back attack.

We swam, picnicked and chased a family of ducks around the pond. Big E especially enjoyed playing with his cousins and friends on the inflatables, something little g could only manage when safely on land.

We went to Payson Lakes with Big E and little g’s cousins. The older ones spent their time lashing together logs for a Huck Finn like raft that was more than a little unruly. Let’s just say it wasn’t designed with steering in mind.

 Now, swimming alongside fish and other pond animals can be a little yucky for me, so most of the time I just enjoyed the beautiful scenery and made sure the tots didn’t drown. But for a fun place to splash and play in the outdoors, Payson Lakes can’t be beat.

Black Ridge Reservoir, Herriman Utah

The tots and I recently spent the day at the beach at Black Ridge Reservoir in Herriman, Utah. This little swimming hole was built by the city of Herriman as an outdoor recreation area and I have to say we really enjoyed it.

There’s not many places in landlocked Utah to dig in the sand and play in the water. The location of Black Ridge Reservoir, 15000 South Ashland Ridge Drive in Herriman, is so close to homes, shops and towns, it makes a great outdoor play place.

Little g and Big E loved digging in the sand along with our friends from the Rocky Mountain Mammas meetup group. Our group of kids dug, dumped, swam and squirted each other for hours, even when overcast skies and raindrops threatened to end their fun.

I brought along an inflatable river kayak and along with the help of some sturdy seven year olds, we pumped it up by hand and floated around the pond. It made a great flotation toy when kept in the shallow part, and an even better boat to take us out to the deeper section. 

Other than the awkwardness of hauling beach chairs, a cooler, towels, toys and life vests to and from the car, the whole day was a great adventure. The tots and I enjoyed it and I’m sure you will too.

You know it’s been a great day when the back seat looks like this:

SITE INFO:
Address: 15000 South Ashland Ridge Drive, Herriman UT
Activities: Swimming, Boating (no motors), Digging in the Sand, Plus a playground was under construction and should be open soon
Tips: Change the tots out of their swimwear in the public bathrooms. That way you can avoid the awkward back seat of the car dressing room that I endured.