Slide Rock State Park, originally the Pendley Homestead, is a 43-acre historic apple farm located in Oak Creek Canyon. Frank L. Pendley, having arrived in the canyon in 1907, formally acquired the land under the Homestead Act in 1910. Due to his pioneering innovation, he succeeded where others failed by establishing a unique irrigation system still in use by the park today. This allowed Pendley to plant his first apple orchard in 1912, beginning the pattern of agricultural development that has dominated the site since that time. Pendley also grew garden produce and kept some livestock.
Slide Rock is aptly named. Oak Creek here is extremely slippery. Every inch of anything wet is covered with algae. Unless your intent is to go on a wet slide, do not go in the water.
Additional Images
Slide Rock Canyon Tips
A sunny day is best but you do not want direct sun on the water.
A tripod is necessary if you want smooth flowing water and long exposures.
This park is very popular. If will be filled with people and it closes before sunset so it is best to be the very first person in the park. It took me three tries to get these images.
You have to work fast. Even if you are the first person in the park you only have about 15 minutes at the slide, if that before direct sun ruins the area around the lead image. You have another 15 minutes or so to make images from the second spot I like where the remaining images we taken, on the opposite side of the creek, There is a bridge over the creek where you can cross.
Equipment
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
