Step under the forest canopy and feel the cool air wash over you. Dip your toes in a refreshing mountain stream, float in a clear spring-fed pool, or splash at the base of a waterfall.
The cooling waters of our nation’s forests are closer than you think—seven in ten Americans live within a two-hour drive of a National Forest or Grassland. If you are looking for a reprieve from the city heat, a day trip to some of the most accessible and beautiful water destinations in the Southwest might just be what you need to recharge and reconnect with friends and family out in nature.
Note: Due to their accessibility and beauty, these destinations are very popular. Get there early, be respectful, and leave no trace.
Photo by Jeff Eichorst
Rio Chama
Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico
2-hour drive from Santa Fe
A float along the lower 8-miles of the Rio Chama is the perfect day trip for families in Northern New Mexico looking for easy access to a refreshing outdoor adventure. The Wild and Scenic River flows through breathtaking canyons of multicolor sandstone on its way past sage-covered plains, dense Piñon woodlands, and towering stands of ponderosa pine—a landscape so beautiful, it inspired multiple paintings by the iconic American artist Georgia O’Keeffe.
Two campgrounds off Forest Road 151 provide easy access to the water for rafting, kayaking, paddle boarding, and trout fishing. A day trip from Chavez Canyon Boat Launch to Big Eddy Take-Out takes about five hours. This section of the Rio Chama doesn’t require a boating permit, but visitors should check water flow before they head out as it can vary week-to-week during the summer.
Photo by the U.S. Forest Service
Sitting Bull Falls
Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico
1 hour drive from Carlsbad
Tucked away in a rugged canyon just half a mile from the parking area, Sitting Bull Falls is the first of a series of spring-fed waterfalls to greet visitors to the Guadalupe Mountains. Enjoy the view of water cascading over 150 feet from the ADA accessible viewing area, or take a dip in the swimming hole at the bottom of the falls to cool off on a hot summer day. The area has plenty of amenities for the whole family—including picnic shelters, fresh water, and restrooms—to make for a prefect day of peace and relaxation.
Learn more about Sitting Bull Falls
Photo by the U.S. Forest Service
Fossil Creek
Coconino and Tonto National Forests, Arizona
2-hour drive from Flagstaff
Take a break from the desert heat in the shade of this lush, riparian ecosystem. One of only two Wild and Scenic Rivers in Arizona, Fossil Creek is an oasis known for its stunning blue waters and numerous swimming holes that are easy to access from the road.
Keep in mind you will have to put in a bit of advanced planning to visit Fossil Creek. Permits are required from April 1–October 1 and can be reserved on recreation.gov on a one-month rolling basis, or 2 days in advance. Here is a helpful guide on the parking areas you can reserve. Homestead is a great choice if you are visiting with kids — the water is only a 40-yard walk from the parking lot on shadier, slower section of the creek. Wade in, swim, or look for the fossil-like formations the area is known for, and discover the rest and wonder public lands provide.
Photo by Steve Diephuis
Oak Creek
Coconino National Forest, Arizona
45-minute drive from Flagstaff
Renowned for cool, crystal-clear waters, Oak Creek is a favorite of anglers and swimmers alike looking for a reprieve from the Northern Arizona sun. Surrounded by the shoring red cliffs of Oak Creek Canyon and the verdant greens of the lush creek-side ecosystem, visitors can enjoy stunning scenery from any number of popular swimming holes, campgrounds, and trails. Grasshopper Point is easily accessible from the road and a great place to have a picnic, snap a scenic photo, and take a dip in the lovely blue waters of Oak Creek.
Swimming in natural pools, rivers, and lakes can be dangerous. Familiarize yourself with water safety before you head out, especially if you are visiting with young children.
Cover photo of a boy playing at Fossil Creek in the Coconino National Forest by Joshua Cooper
