Babylon Swimming Hole — Secret Virgin River Swimming Hole near Leeds, UT
A secluded swimming hole on the Virgin River accessed via the Babylon Arch Trail in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area near Leeds, Utah. The swimming hole features calm, deep water, sandstone cliffs for jumping, and a sandy beach perfect for cooling off in the desert heat.
While Babylon Arch draws visitors for its geological wonder, locals know to continue just past the arch to find this hidden swimming gem on the Virgin River. The spot offers refreshing water, beautiful red rock scenery, sandstone ledges for jumping, and is typically less crowded than the arch itself — a true desert oasis experience the tourists don't know about.
From St George, head north on I-15 for about 13 miles and take exit 22 to Leeds/Silver Reef. Head north on Hwy 228/Main Street for 2 miles and take a right onto 900 North (sign for Red Cliffs National Conservation Area). Follow 900 North for about 3 miles and turn left after the sign indicating Sand Cove Trailhead. Continue on the Babylon Arch Trail for approximately 0.8 miles until you reach Babylon Arch, then continue another 0.3 miles downhill to reach the Virgin River and swimming hole. Free access, no permit required — managed by BLM. 4WD recommended for sandy access road.
Know Before You Go
- 📵 Cell service: Expect limited or no signal. Download offline maps before you leave the trailhead.
- 🌊 Water levels change: Seasonal flow and snowmelt can affect access and conditions. Check current status before visiting.
- 🗺️ Access varies seasonally: Trail and road conditions shift with weather and snow. Verify current status with the local ranger district before you go.
- 📅 Last verified: Information current as of May 2026. Conditions change — always double-check locally before heading out.
Packing Checklist
- ☐ Water shoes with real grip
- ☐ Quick-dry towel
- ☐ Dry bag for electronics
- ☐ Sunscreen (waterproof)
- ☐ Change of clothes
- ☐ First aid kit
- ☐ Snacks and water
You know those spots where you round a corner and suddenly realize you’re somewhere the guidebooks forgot? That’s the feel when you crest the small rise past Babylon Arch and the Virgin River opens up below you — a ribbon of cool green water carving through red sandstone, with a little sandy beach that feels like someone’s secret backyard.
The hike in takes about 20–25 minutes if you keep a steady pace — 0.8 miles along a sandy trail through the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. The arch itself is worth a pause, a wind-carved sandstone window framing blue Utah sky. But keep going. The real payout is another five minutes downhill where the trail meets the Virgin River. That’s where the locals set up camp on hot afternoons. The water is shockingly clear in spring, deepening into a wide, calm pool that’s perfect for floating. On the far bank, sandstone ledges rise about 8–12 feet — enough to get your adrenaline up without a hospital visit.
Arika Bauer from Zion Adventure Photog, who grew up exploring these canyons, lists Babylon as one of her top three swimming holes in southern Utah, and after spending an afternoon here you’ll understand why. She notes the sandstone cliffs you can climb and jump from, and warns about the deep sand getting hot enough to burn bare feet in summer. Bring water shoes — the river bottom is river rock, not pool tile, and that sand on the approach trail can hit surface temperatures well over 130°F in July.
Verified Facts
- Located on the Virgin River in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area near Leeds, Utah, about 18 miles north of St George
- Accessed via the Babylon Arch Trail (1.6-mile out-and-back from Sand Cove trailhead, or 1.5 miles from Primitive Campground with 4WD) — AllTrails
- BLM land — free public access, no permits required, open year-round
- Swimming hole sits approximately 0.3 miles beyond Babylon Arch along the Virgin River
- Listed as #3 swimming hole in southern Utah by local photographer Arika Bauer — Zion Adventure Photog
- Described as “Utah’s prettiest secret swimming hole” by Explore.com (Nov 2024) — Explore
- AllTrails rating: 4.5 stars from over 1,220 reviews
Actionable Takeaways
- Arrive before 9am on weekdays for best chance of solitude and parking
- Late spring (April–June) has the best water levels for swimming — by late summer the Virgin River drops significantly
- Continue past Babylon Arch on the trail for about 0.3 miles downhill to reach the swimming hole
- Check for toxic algae blooms before swimming — the Virgin River has had past advisories (DEQ Utah monitors this)
- Flash flood risk exists — avoid if rain is forecast anywhere in the watershed
- A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended for the sandy dirt road to either trailhead, especially the Primitive Campground access
- Combine with visiting the arch for a full morning of desert exploration
Open Questions / Caveats
- Water quality varies seasonally — always check Utah DEQ Virgin River Watershed monitoring before swimming
- Trail involves descending a sandy hill to reach the river; return uphill is the real workout
- Cell service is extremely limited in the canyon — download offline maps beforehand
- The deep sand surrounding the river gets dangerously hot in summer — don’t go barefoot
- Toxin advisories: the Virgin River has had algal bloom issues since 2020; dogs must be kept leashed and away from water during warnings
- Swimming hole accessibility and size fluctuate with Virgin River water levels
Sources
- https://www.redcliffsdesertreserve.com/babylon-area
- https://www.zionadventurephotog.com/single-post/15-refreshing-swimming-holes-in-utah-beat-the-heat-in-southern-utah
- https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/babylon-arch-trail
- https://www.explore.com/1706275/red-rock-filled-hike-utah-states-prettiest-secret-swimming-swim-holes-leeds/