Grabbing hold of the rope, feeling the rush of air in your ears and hitting the cold water.

That’s the rush many experience when using rope swings in the Coconino National Forest, particularly in the Red Rock Ranger District where swings can often be found at popular Oak Creek swimming locations.

The problem, however, is they’re not allowed in the forest. According to Cat Sampson, with the Red Rock Ranger District’s Recreation Department, swing ropes can be dangerous to those who use them and to the surrounding environment.

“We want everyone to enjoy the national forest and have fun there. However, we have a huge problem with swing ropes,” Sampson said.

Swing ropes are added to swimming locations in the forest by visitors to the area. The ropes, she said, are not healthy for the trees located at the sites and can injure people who use them.

“They can be very dangerous,” Sampson said. Liability concerns when it comes to injuries visitors can sustain while using the swing ropes led U.S. Forest Service officials to sever the swings when they find

For the full story, see the Friday, July 20, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.