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We are going to take the kids on this hike, probably May 29th (memorial day weekend). Are the swimming holes kid friendly? I saw a few of the pictures and I only see teens and adults swimming. We have 3 year old and an 11 year old that would love the swimming part of this hike. Aproximately how far is the first good swimming hole? I can't wait to go on this hike.

The good swimming hole is probably 2.5 to 3 miles off of the trail head. The 11 year old will definitely be able to swim in all of the areas. We've taken scouts in and they have swam and done the smaller jumps. There is a shallow area at the main swimming hole as well that would be good for the younger. There is a little rock "beach" that goes into the water and it is very shallow and calm. They should have a blast. Remember the sunscreen as the hike out is not shaded.

Thank you so much for the information, I really appreciate it. We also have a 1 year old, who can't do much of anything right now, but get into trouble, and I know he would enjoy the shallow parts and watching his siblings and other jumping and playing. The sunscreen is a staple at our house and everytime we go out.

Again, thanks.
JJ and Michelle

I haven't been on a memorial day weekend or any weekend for that matter so this may not be the case but here's my two cents...

I've seen nudity at the crossing on one occasion. Although I haven't seen large parties there's enough garbage and beer cans to tell the story. Of course on a holiday weekend it's probably more family oriented.

Personally if I had kids I'd forget the 3 mile sunburn walk and stick closer in.
You can hike either a half mile or a mile ( I forget ) and just go down (right) to the creek. There's nice cascading pools and some shade over the huge sandstone ledges in the creekbed. You'll probably hear all the playing and screaming in the water. Then again I don't know that it's anymore family oriented, it may be easier refuge for the party crowd for all I know.

1996 photo on one of the ledges, you can't see the creek from the trail due to the THICK tree coverage

We were thinking of going Monday morning, maybe the partiers will still be a sleep and most don't have the day off. I was a little concerned about the nudity part myself. You would think if someone noticed there were kids they would do that, but some people just don't have that kind of common sense, or their just plain wacko. I will have to play it by ear or eye when we get there.

Thanks for the photo, it does look beautiful.

Has anyone purchase the new Arizona Highways? It has something like 9 of the best swimming holes in Arizona. I was just wondering which ones they were.

In response to mcontreras' reply:

You might also consider Parson's Spring near Cottonwood. There is good swimming there (+/- 2.5 miles in) and it's generally not "trashed".
Look on this site for a few photos........

Well it official we are going with the kids on the Big Dipper hike. We plan on Monday, May 30, unless there's a reason I shouldn't take them here. I didn't read anything about nudity or crazy party people.

just note that you wont be able to actually swim in the Dipper, and if you do there is no easy route out of the area. Unless youre kids are quite hardy at bushwacking and fighting a rock wall and 2 large trees.
better be safe and swim at the few pools encountered before the Dipper. Have fun!

Yes, that's what I had planned on. Thanks for the information. If it was just us and the 11 year old, then we would probably go for the Dipper, but with the two little ones, I just think it would be dangerous, since we would be packing them on our backs.

yeah, I meant to say I was concerned about the kiddies. I dont think you would have a problem swimming the Big Dipper with an 11 year old.
Actually, we went in April and tried not to get wet, and the hardest scramble was the pool just before the big dipper- but you should have no problem getting there if youre gonna swim.

take a note at all the gold in the creek. it seems like panning utopia!
at least it looks like gold, that is.