Waterfalls are truly nature’s gems which are one of the most beautiful creations on Earth. They are enticing and powerful in the way they offer breathtaking vistas and soothing background sounds. When planning an outing, any outdoor enthusiast will never miss a chance to visit & enjoy the appealing waterfalls around.
In this article, we will be listing the best Arizona Waterfalls that you should never miss. Arizona is a beautiful state in the South Western Part of the United States Of America, which attracts a number of tourists every year. It has a wide variety of scenic beauty including deserts, mountains, lakes, beaches & not to forget the hidden beauty – Waterfalls!
10 Best Arizona Waterfalls
1. Fossil Creek Waterfalls
Located in Strawberry, a place in Gila County, this is one of the most beautiful Arizona Waterfalls. The waterfall gets its source from Fossil Creek, hence the name. It is 25 feet high, and the pool beneath is deep, so you can go cliff jumping and swimming in many areas.
Areas To Visit Around
You can visit the Pine-Strawberry Museum, which will give you the whole history of the town. Or you can go to the Pine Creek Lavender Farm store and Cooking school, where you can check out all sorts of handmade products.
2. Cibecue Falls
Nestled deep in the canyon, the Cibecue Waterfall is 30 feet high. It has clear, beautiful water. It is located near Phoenix, but in a desert environment, so it is a lot warmer. Late spring, summer, or the beginning of autumn is the best time to visit. Unlike Fossil Creek, this waterfall requires a permit so keep that in mind.
Areas To Visit Around
On your way back, you can visit the Lost Dutchman State Park, which is the home of the infamous Superstition Mountains. You can also check out the Coyote Butte, which is a part of the Paria Canyon and is absolutely breathtaking.
3. Ribbon Falls
Ribbon Falls in located in the Grand Canyon National Park, on the north side of the Colorado River. You can hike to the top or take a dip into the mineral-rich water. It is 100 feet high and one of the most famous and dreamy Arizona Waterfalls. If you are planning to visit, do check out Wildland Trekking Company as they have amazing packages.
Areas To Visit Around
As it is situated in the Grand Canyon National Park, there are a bunch of things to do in the park itself. There are a couple of bus tours and even a 45-minute helicopter ride. There are also cultural and historical tours that can make your trip even better and educational.
4. Pacheta Falls
The Pacheta Falls are located in Whiteriver, Arizona, in the beautiful White Mountains. It is about 131 feet in height, and the path to it is quite rough. Swimming is unfortunately not allowed here, but you will not the disappointed as the sight of the water gushing will be worth the trip alone. It is surrounded by tall fir trees, and the Black River falls nearby.
Areas To Visit Around
There are numerous hikes that can be done nearby, like The Show Low Buff Trail, Thompson Trail, Blue Ridge Cave Trail, and the West Baldy Trail. You can also visit the Sonoran Desert Meditation & Yoga Retreat and meditate in the fresh air of the mountains and relax you body and mind.
5. Havasu Falls
The Havasu Falls are located in Havasu creek in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. It is one of the Arizona Waterfalls to be located in the tribal lands of Havasupai. It is absolutely beautiful with its turquoise water and picturesque scenery. The best time to visit is between February and November. If you visit in the earlier months of the year, you will find the water cold and the place less crowded. Try to avoid it, though, in the summer as it gets flooded. Otherwise, it is great for hiking and swimming.
Areas To Visit Around
People who visit the Havasu Falls usually hike to other nearby waterfalls like The Navajo and The Moony Falls. You can also visit the nearby Supai Indian Village and The Havasu Canyon.
6. Grand Falls
The Grand Falls is a natural waterfall located just to the north of Flagstaff, Arizona. It’s considered one of the most dramatic Arizona Waterfalls. Also known as the Chocolate Falls, it is 185 feet tall, making it even taller than Niagara Falls. The water comes from the snowmelt from the White Mountains, so there are only specific time periods when you will be able to find flowing water. The best time to visit are the months of March and April. You can have a cute little picnic here as there are picnic tables and gazebos arranged on sight.
Areas To Visit Around
From here, you can go to Downtown, Flagstaff where you can enjoy some amazing beers from the local breweries. There are a bunch of places where you can sit down and eat. You can also go to the Lowell Observatory or The Museum of Northern Arizona to make your trip worthwhile.
7. Navajo Falls
These Arizona Waterfalls have a very interesting story about how it was made. It was created as a result of a flood that came in the Havasu Canyon in 2008. It consists of two sets of falls which include the- The Upper Navajo Falls and The Lower Navajo Falls. The Upper Navajo Falls are not as easy to find as the lower one, so look hard for it as you do not want to miss it.
Areas To Visit Around
You can check out Granogi, where you can do yoga and pilates. Also, there are a number of waterfalls nearby to hike to. BG Wild is a great option, too for tours and camps.
8. Apache Falls
The Apache Falls is hidden in the Salt Canyon and is very large. Unlike other Arizona Waterfalls, this lies in a river, not a creek. The path to the waterfall is an easy one. You would need a permit, though you can save some money by getting a White Mt Apache permit which allows you to visit The Apache and The Cibeque falls from the same permit.
Areas To Visit Around
You can go to Tempe Town Lake to watch the sunset. There are also endless hikes nearby to go to.
9. Mooney Falls
The Mooney Waterfalls are located near The Havasu Waterfalls. 200 feet high, these waterfalls are not as beautiful as the other ones, though it’s still very pretty, it is ideal for swimming and having a relaxing picnic. The hike is short but be very careful on it.
Areas To Visit Around
You can check out the Havasupai Indian Reservation and the Indian Havasupai Village. You can go to the Thunder River Trail and The Havasupai Falls.
10. Beaver Falls
The Beaver Falls is a part of the three waterfalls that are located nearby, them being The Havasu Falls and The Mooney Falls. It is the perfect choice if you are looking for a quiet and relaxing place. You can swim in the beautiful blue water or hike further to go see the Colorado River.
Areas To Visit Around
There are a bunch of places to visit nearby. You can go to the Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail or The Elk Island National Park. The local bird sanctuary and wilderness area are a must-see.
5 Waterfall Hikes in Arizona
Waterfalls are known for their beauty, but what’s better than adding some adventure too to the spot. Yes, we are talking about Waterfall Hikes! To the surprise of many people, there are many such waterfall hikes in Arizona & the weather, which is suitable for year-round hikes, makes it even more enticing.
We have listed the 5 most beautiful waterfall hikes in Arizona, including shorter ones, longer ones, the ones that need a permit & the ones that need no permission at all. Let’s check them out!
1. Massacre Falls
Out of all the Arizona Waterfalls, Massacre Falls lies closest to the capital city Phoenix, about 45 minutes away from Downtown. It is situated in the Superstition Mountains & the trailhead for hike is around 5 minutes away from the best hike in Phoenix, i.e., Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail, and both the hikes offer equally breathtaking vistas and scenery.
As it is very suggestive from its name, there is a massacre associated with the falls, and as you hike the Superstition mountain, you get to learn the history of all that. It is said that once, this place was all about pioneers, gold, Indians, and now with spirits.
Since the best time to enjoy waterfalls is after the monsoon or when the snow melts in March-April, it is recommended to be the best time for Waterfall hiking here.
2. Water Wheel Falls
Unlike all the other hikes for Arizona Waterfalls, Water Wheel Falls offers a shorter hike, and it is comparatively easier, making it suitable for the whole family, including the elderly ones. So you can just spend a day with your family having a picnic and enjoying the falls. Also, kids enjoy a lot here as they can swim, jump in the water off the logs and explore many more.
The total time it takes for a round trip of hiking is 3 hours. Also, it is 150 feet above sea level & hence safe for hiking with the whole family.
3. Seven Falls
This is one of the unique Arizona Waterfalls because, as the name suggests, it is actually SEVEN Falls. They are situated right in the center of Tucson city, and to reach there is an 8.2 Miles long beautiful hike as part of which you have to cross many springs and water a number of times. But since the hike is almost flat, it is not a strenuous one.
Although you can visit any time of the year to run away from the summer heat of Arizona, it is still seasonal like other Arizona Waterfalls so that you can enjoy the waterfalls actually flowing.
4. Tonto Natural Bridge State Parks Waterfall
This Waterfall is different from all the other Arizona Waterfalls listed above in many aspects. Majorly, one is it is not the one with roaring water falling and second is it is all covered by caves which are a pleasure to watch.
You can even enjoy the vistas of Tonto Natural Bridge from the decks, and to reach the waterfalls, small hikes are available that lead you to the caves under the natural bridge. The hike in itself is a great experience that takes you through various springs, streams, rocks, decks, etc. Such beautiful views and adventurous hikes, along with picnic spots, make this place perfect for all age groups.
5. Sycamore Falls
This one is situated around one hour away from Flagstaff and also close to Grand Canyon. Also, unlike many other Arizona Waterfalls, this one needs no permit to hike.
During the right season, that is Spring runoff; you will get to see 5 beautiful waterfalls here. You can do small hikes from one waterfall to another and see all of them in one trip. You can even climb up some of these waterfalls and enjoy the alluring view from the top.
Conclusion
Arizona is not all deserts and canyons, but there is much more hidden beauty which is evident from this article. These amazing Arizona Waterfalls are breathtaking and soothing to the eyes. Although they are underrated, after reading about them, one cannot resist but long to visit them once.
Also, apart from just scenic beauty, these waterfalls involve beautiful hikes to reach them, which, in itself, is a great adventure. So, next time when you are visiting Arizona or planning a vacation, do not miss out on these beautiful gems of nature!
Also, read 10 Most Beautiful Arizona Beaches You Will Fall In Love With!