Directions

From Cave Creek, Arizona

1. Head east on E Cave Creek Rd toward N Hidden Valley Dr (1.9 mi)
2. At the traffic circle, continue straight to stay on E Cave Creek Rd (8.8 mi)
3. Continue onto Rd 24/7 Springs Rd/N Seven Springs Rd (2.8 mi)
4. Slight left onto Rd 24/Cave Creek Rd/N Seven Springs Rd (6.1 mi)
5. Turn right onto Rd 24/7 Springs Rd/N Seven Springs Rd
   Destination will be on the left
   (0.9 mi)

In the Seven Springs Recreation Area of the Tonto National Forest. To get there, take I-17 north from Phoenix to Exit 223. Follow the Carefree Highway east to Cave Creek Rd. north. DO NOT turn off at signs to the "Cave Creek Recreation Area", which is a local park near here. (Make sure you get drinking water as there is none further up.) Stay on Cave Creek Rd. for many miles, through the towns of Cave Creek and Carefree, past numerous subdivisions, to the sign for the Cave Creek Ranger District office. STOP AT THIS RANGER STATION FOR MAPS AND INFORMATION. Continue up Cave Creek Rd. as it changes to FR 24, a dirt road which has some wash boarding but negotiable with a passenger car. About 9 miles past the ranger station you will see the Seven Springs picnic area. Park here and hike.

Hike from the Seven Springs picnic area. A network of five trails originates in this area; the one along Cave Creek to the swimming hole is known prosaically as "Trail Number 4". (SEE THE TRAIL MAP YOU PICKED UP AT THE RANGER STATION) The trailhead for #4 is just a short walk up Cave Creek Road (FR 24) from the campground, on your left after you splash through the creek on a low water bridge.

The trail descends and heads west, closely following Cave Creek. It meanders initially through fragrant juniper stands, then up onto the canyon slope high above the water. Stop and enjoy the view: Saguaro cactus standing sentinel over clumpy prickly pear all the way down the canyon. As you cross through the creek the second time, about 3 miles in, the swimming hole is just downstream behind some rocks. There are said to be other swimming holes along this trail as it continues beyond this point for a total length of 9.9 miles, eventually coming our on another forest road (FR 1533 and FR 48).Courtesy of swimmingholes.org