HikeArizona.COM

Next weekend I want to go hiking/camping. Am looking for a hike that's not too difficult to follow, along water- maybe creek, river, lake at the end where we can camp overnite and perhaps swim? I need to take my dog with me, so water is beneficial even if it's just for her. Distance about 12-15 miles each direction. I tried to find something but couldn't locate anything that wouldn't be too difficult to follow or require swimming. My dog is afraid to swim :-) unfortunately....I don't mind driving for several hours- as long as it's in AZ....Any recommendations? Thank you!! Ania

Parsons Trail is a cool hike. Along the creek alot of the way but you got to cross the creek a few times. Its only 7 miles though. You could just plop in the creek to cool down also. http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=86

Aravaipa is nice also and its 11 miles. http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2

Other than that go to navigation and click on perennial creeks and it will show hikes that are near a creek.

Aravaipa does not allow dogs :-(

oh yeh forgot about that. Parsons is nice and if not just check out perennial creek hikes and you will find quite a few. Idt any of them end up in a lake that you can swim in though.

I tried to search various ways and majority of the trails are really short. I'll keep looking. Thank you!

You could also Try Blue Ridge Arizona Trail Segment. I have not been here but its 8 miles your by the perennial east clear creek and by Blue Ridge Reservoir. You could go swimming here. If your crazy!! The water would probaly be like 68 degrees so pretty cold.

You could do Bell, as long as you go beyond Bell Crossing to the area where camping is permitted. Bell is actually an 11-mile trail that ends at FR214. Here is a map showing which area has no fires/camping permitted...

West Clear Creek trail #17

I'm thinking it will be too hot in Camp Verde and monsoon rains perhaps? Ideally it would be nice to getaway from this heat....

How about Canyon Creek. There is a campground at the beginning (Airplane Flats) or you can camp down the creek. We have had dogs there before. The road can be a little rutted but I've had my car in there with no problem.