In January Slide Rock State Park, just north of Sedona, is utterly empty of people, but beautiful. Apparently in the summer it’s a madhouse. Found on Highway 89A between Flagstaff and Sedona in Oak Creek Canyon (a great drive, by the way).
Above: the swimming areas at Slide Rock State Park. The pools are actually quite deep, and you can slide down the rocks into the deeper pools. Nature’s own waterslide.
Red mountains tower to the west of the creek.
The state has built some rest rooms into the rocks to handle the crowds. All in all, a pleasant and unpopulated spot in the middle of winter..
A word of warning to out of state travelers: Arizona has some of the most tourist-unfriendly park fee policies you’ll find anywhere. Just to stop into Slide Rock State Park in winter currently costs you $10.00 – outrageous for a day use fee. In addition, there are fees just to stop at scenic lookouts in the Sedona area. You may find discounts for seniors, but the fee structure is confusing, so be aware. Never assume that just because there isn’t a pay station, that you don’t have to pay, often somewhere else than where you have already parked.