Arizona has multiple National Parks to offer like Monument Valley, Montezuma’s Well, Canyon de Chelly, and the world famous Grand Canyon, but one in particular is better known by the locals like myself: Slide Rock. Its place name is self explanatory; there are smooth faced rocks with water from the Verde River running over them that you slide on. Slide Rock is located in Oak Creek Canyon. While driving through the canyon, be sure to take plenty of pictures of the gorgeous scenery. There are oaks and pines lining the slopes of the canyon. There are plenty of small picnic areas beside streams and rivers to stop, stretch your legs, and climb through the rocks and trees. Then, you can come back to roast weenies on the miniature grill back by the car.
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Before deciding that you’re going to go, it is best to look on the park’s website and check out the algae levels and whether or not people are allowed in the water. If you arrive there forgetting this minor detail and find you are not allowed to swim, never fear, slide rock offers picnic tables to dine at, and it still makes for a memorable trip to hike around on the dry rocks surrounding the ones submerged in water. Algae levels are normally not too high to enter the water, so you shouldn’t worry yourself too much. The algae is actually what makes the rocks slippery and allows people to slide on them.
Slide Rock is like a water park made by Mother Nature herself. It is loads of fun to slide down the stream letting the stream take you. The best time to go is in mid July and early August when the temperatures are really high and slipping into the cool water is like walking into Heaven’s gates. The little ones have lots of fun on the smaller sides closer to the entrance of the park where the stream is a little weaker and it is easier to watch your precious ones play in the water. There is a little diving hole with a short ledge for the bigger kids to jump off into. The dry rocks on either side of the water are good for climbing, tanning, and sitting around watching the young ‘ins splash around. The best day to visit are when it’s a clear blue sky with not a cloud in sight, so pretty much every day of the summer is the best day to visit the park. Take it from me, a local Arizonian, Slide Rock is THE place to visit on your summer vacation.
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