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Anyone got some ideas for where I can find a quiet swimming hole that will be worth the trek? I don't mind a hard drive, nor do I mind a hard hike, as long as I can be confident that I'm not going on a wild goose chase.

I'm thinking the week after next (6/16-22), sometime mid-week. I've got a capable 4x4 and am experienced with off-roading as well as backpacking. I'm thinking of a single overnighter.

Thanks for the help!

@innanetmatt
Welcome to HAZ, consider using the "Find" option from the main page.

Here are some suggestions:

https://hikearizona.com/traildex.php?SH ... PN=1&ID=34

This is guaranteed perfection right now and the odds of seeing anybody up there is slim to none. You don't need a capable 4x4 and it's no-goose-chase safe. Enjoy..

[ Tonto Creek - The Box ]

[ photo ]

accessible by car: the Big Dipper on Poland creek, Algonquin trail.
Romero creek waterfall, near Bear Camp about 5.5 miles from the Romero Canyon trailhead.
Lemmon Pools. gotta find those on your own.

Lake Mohave.

Romero Canyon, out of Catalina State Park. Water in the worst of times, and with winter rains as they were this year, It should really be flowing. The pools start at about 2.8 miles in (but so do the teenagers), and dot the canyon up to around the 6 mile mark. There are 2 incredible camps sites in the 5-6 mile range (Old Trail Camp, then Bear Camp). Both offer large living area, fireplace & running water, all under a lush green canopy. The further site (Bear Camp) comes with a love seat (though I hear that someone may have used that as firewood or something) & swimming pool on the lower terrace as a reward for the extra effort. Lastly, you will not likely see many humans beyond the 3.5 mile mark of the trail.

@Mountain_Rat - I was just hiking up Romero Canyon yesterday. Still some water flowing and a few tiny waterfalls left to observe. Quite surprised it wasn't that busy yesterday. I hit the trail early around 5:15AM and was the second person at the pools. Kept going and I had the whole place to myself. Didn't seen anyone else until I turned around and was almost back at the pools. Water wasn't too murky yet, but don't know if I'd brave a dip in the pools. But I was up at the pools in under an hour, so easy access.

The reason I mention Lake Mohave is because, although its western shore is all in Arizona, it's virtually unknown to most Arizonans. With almost 200 beaches, there are plenty of places to camp and swim if you have a kayak or other type of boat. The water is clear, and is often an aqua blue color similar to what you'd see in the Caribbean. It warms up in summer, and stays warm enough to swim in through October. If you have a good truck or Jeep there are many places where you can drive down to it. If not, you can just go to Telephone Cove, near Bullhead City, and join the crowds. This lake is about 65 miles long. It's part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, administered by the NPS, but it's below Hoover Dam rather than above it. Many people go to Black Canyon, just below Hoover Dam, without realizing they could keep on paddling and camping another 50 miles.

Thank you everyone! I'll be sure to post a report of wherever I end up.