Slide Rock State Park has finally reopened after months of closures.

Under a plan agreed upon by the Arizona State Parks department and the Coconino National Forest, Slide Rock State Park reopened most of its swim area to more than a thousand visitors Saturday, Sept. 20, at
8 a.m.

“It was busy all day, in and out, but we never did fill up the parking lot,” said Steve Pace, Slide Rock State Park manager. “It felt good to be back in business.”

The U.S. Forest Service and Arizona State Parks officials closed access to the water, including the eponymous slide in June to prevent possible injuries from rock falls, flash floods and possibly contaminated water runoff after the Slide Fire burned 21,227-acres from just north of the park to several miles beyond the top of the State Route 89A switchbacks. The orchards, visitor center and park were still open at reduced rates but visitors were not allowed to enter the waters of Oak Creek.

To read the full story, see the Wednesday, Sept. 24, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.