The Ultimate Desert Refreshment
How To Get There
Drive toward Sedona and take Exit 298/Forest Rd 618 east (away from town). Take this road approximately 2.2 miles and park at the Bell Trail parking lot, or the overflow parking lot. Here is a copy of a map for reference.
Where to Stay Near “The Crack” at Wet Beaver Creek
Headed out to Wet Beaver Creek to swim, scramble, and soak up that perfect Verde Valley energy? If you’re making a weekend of it — Sedona, Rimrock, and the Village of Oak Creek all have great spots to crash. Here’s a simple Vrbo link to browse nearby stays:
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A Debrief
Bell Trail No. 13 is not for the weary, offering little to no reprieve from that intense Arizona sun for most of the hike. But the reward is worth every step — the payoff at The Crack is a stunning oasis of crisp watering holes, supple trees, and thrilling jumps for the adventurous.
The beginning of the trial is level and easy, leading you into a wide area between hills where the land is thickly covered with plants, bushes, small trees, and taller mountains can be seen in the distance.
As the trail curves closer to the creek, the tree line thickens and pools of water emerge (there will be some spots to cool off in the creek, but save your time and energy for The Crack). The trail winds up along the striking red Supai sandstone walls before dropping you back into a shady riparian corridor filled with mature cottonwoods, sycamores, and alder trees.
Cross the creek a few times and before you know it you have arrived at the spot affectionately known as The Crack. Here, the canyon opens into a natural playground with several cliff-jumping ledges — unofficial guesstimates put these jumps anywhere between 10 and 25 feet. But best to experience this yourself!
If you enjoy a tougher hike that rewards you with blissful water, then this will be the hike for you. It is quite popular especially on a weekend so plan suitably. For a much tougher but incredible hike to an isolated swimming area, check out my review on the Bob Bear Trail.
Now…take a hike!
Ren Fou
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