You might think that it’s all canyons and deserts at first glance, but once you start exploring it properly, you will find that there is so much more going on.
The Grand Canyon state is actually home to a lot of waterfalls, which might surprise you if you thought it was all just desert!
The waterfalls of Arizona are a great place to visit when you want to cool off from the heat and they make for a nice change of scenery when you are in the desert areas.
If you are interested in learning more about the waterfalls of Arizona, then you have come to the right place! We have put together a list of 15 of the best waterfalls in Arizona you absolutely NEED to visit (Looking for more? Check out our favorite beaches in Arizona right here)!
There is something for everyone on this list, so read on to find out more about each of them!
You can find Tanque Verde Falls on a short hike in Tucson, Arizona, and on the hike to Lower Tanque Verde Falls, you will actually find many waterfalls!
The largest waterfall on this hike is at the end of the trail and it is 80 feet high and it is an incredible sight to behold. To reach this part of the hike, you will have to hike about a mile and there is also a 30-foot cascade.
The hike altogether is about 1.6 miles in length, so it isn’t an overly complicated hike and it is suitable for most abilities and age groups.
Because there are so many waterfalls in the Tanque Verde Falls area, you will be spoilt for choice when you visit.
The whole area is incredibly picturesque and the waters blend seamlessly with the rocky terrain that surrounds it.
Tanque Verde Falls makes for the perfect day out with your family and friends and you will love every moment you spend on this trail.
Located near Payson, Arizona, Water Wheel and Ellison Creek Cascades is a wonderful location to visit if you want to get some wild swimming in!
You will have to start on a trail at Water Wheel and then hike about a quarter mile to the swimming hole.
This is the perfect place to visit if you need to escape from the desert heat. The scenery is incredibly beautiful and the waters are the perfect temperature to cool off in.
There is a small fee you will have to pay in order to enter the site, but it is totally worth it for how unique the location is.
Traveling on the whole trail back and forth covers about 1.8 miles and the highest elevation is about 100 feet. Most of the hike takes you along the river and at the end, you will be able to swim under the Ellison Creek Waterfall.
This is definitely a location that you don’t want to miss out on!
These falls are aptly named because the whole area of Grand Falls is incredibly GRAND.
Located near Flagstaff, Arizona, the waterfall stands at about 180 feet tall and it can be found right in the heart of the Navajo Nation.
In order to get to the falls, you’re going to have to go on a bit more of an intense hike as there is some offroading involved!
But it’s totally worth it for the magnificent views that you won’t be able to see anywhere else in the state.
As the falls are in the Navajo Nation, you will need to get a permit before you can visit, but as long as you do have one, you won’t have any issues.
The best time of the year to visit Grand Falls is between the months of March and April because the snow will have melted and there will be more water here than at any other time of the year.
Located near Tucson, Arizona in the Catalina State Park, the Romero Pools and Waterfalls are another incredible sight that you absolutely must visit when you find yourself in Arizona.
You will have to pay a small fee per vehicle when you visit, but it is absolutely worth the money.
The hike to the pools and waterfalls is classed as moderate and it is 2.8 miles one way or 5.6 miles on a round trip. Even if you aren’t that experienced in hiking though, you can still manage this hike.
Just make sure to take your time and bring plenty of water!
If you want to visit a waterfall that is a bit different in terms of Arizona scenery, then you absolutely need to check out Pacheta Falls!
Located near Whiteriver, Arizona, and located in the White Mountain Apache Reservation, the Pacheta Falls are surrounded by lush greenery and amazing forests, which definitely gives it a slightly different feel to most of the other waterfalls on this list.
As these falls are located on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, you will need to get a permit to visit, and there is no swimming allowed in the water, but once you do get a permit you will be able to hike to the falls and enjoy the scenery.
Ribbon Falls can be found in the Grand Canyon National Park and it is something of a hidden oasis in the surrounding rocks and canyons.
The difficulty of the hike will vary depending on your own ability and experience.
It is a 17-mile round trip and you will gain about 4,500 feet in elevation at times. But there is so much to see on the trail, and it’s totally worth it just for the falls themselves.
When you reach the falls, you will be greeted by a stunning and powerful stream that is bursting out from the rocks.
The floor below is blanketed in moss and green, which makes for a stark contrast to the orange and brown rocks that surround it. Ribbon Falls is an incredibly peaceful place to sit and ponder life.
Found in the Sabino Canyon outside of Tucson, Seven Falls is actually one of the highest-rated hikes in all of Tucson, and it is also one of the very best waterfalls in all of Arizona!
The hike is about 2.5 miles, and it will take you through the Catalina Foothills and the lush landscapes that surround it, making it incredibly picturesque and beautiful.
It’s a moderately-rated hike, but as long as you are prepared and take it slow, you should have no issues completing it.
To get to the falls, you will have to cross a river at several points, but this is great for cooling off in the Arizona heat.
Apache Falls is actually one of the smaller waterfalls on this list, but that doesn’t make it any less grand!
The Apache Falls are also located close to the Cibecue Falls and you will need a permit for both, but luckily, just one permit will work for them both.
Permits are a little pricey for this region, but they are incredibly worth it for how beautiful the landscape and the falls are. You can buy the permits online too, so getting hold of them is quite easy!
Found in Coconino National Forest, the Fossil Creek Falls trail is actually the most popular hike in the whole National Forest, and it’s not too hard to see why!
It really shows off the beauty of Fossil Creek, with beautiful emerald waters and fantastic green foliage all around the area.
If you are looking for a spot in Arizona that is a little different from the desert color palette, then Fossil Creek Falls might be just what you are looking for!
The waterfall itself is about 25 feet high and quite wide, which makes it perfect for taking pictures. This hidden gem is absolutely worth the trip and you can easily make a day drip out of your hike there.
Cibecue Falls is located within the same area as Apache Falls, and it is widely considered to be one of Azriona’s “best-kept secrets”.
To get to the falls, you will need to hike on a 3.5-mile trail and once you get to the falls, you will be in awe of the views!
The waterfall itself reaches a height of about 40 feet and it cascades out of the red rocks into the canyon below. It is a small haven in the desert that is perfect for cooling off in and enjoying the heat.
The water is emerald in color and it makes for some fantastic photos!
Just like Apache Falls, you will need a permit for Cibecue Falls too, but you can use the same permit for both falls.
Located on the Havasupai Reservation, Hidden Falls is a 50-foot waterfall and it is one of the best places for adrenaline junkies to visit because you have permission to go cliff diving when you visit!
Lots of people flock to the falls specifically for this reason and you can jump from many different heights when you get there.
You do have to do a bit of hiking to get to Hidden Falls, and it’s a little out of the way, which is one of the reasons it’s not as popular as some of the other falls on this list.
But if you are more adventurous and you want to find some beautiful hidden gems, this is a great spot for you to visit.
Also found on the Havasupai Reservation, Fifty Foot Falls is a great place to visit because it is incredibly picturesque and is located just before the campground, making it a fantastic place to cool off from the heat.
The waters are a beautiful blue color that contrasts against the striking red rocks and the Grand Canyon is incredibly close to this location too!
There are so many waterfalls located in the Havasupai Reservation, and the Navajo Falls are going to be the first ones you come across. In 2008 a mudslide caused the original falls to be split into two, but they can both be found in the same location.
This is the perfect place to cool off and get in touch with nature and you can even climb underneath the falls for a more unique view of the area.
Also found in the Havasupai Reservation, Beaver Falls is one of the less popular falls on the Reservation, but this is mainly due to how much further away from the campsite it is.
If you want to enjoy lush foliage and forest, as well as cool off in the blue waters, this is the perfect place to visit.
Because there are fewer people visiting Beaver Falls, you will have a much more relaxing and quieter experience here.
Havasu Falls is one of the most well-known falls in Arizona, and it is arguably the most popular waterfall in the entire state.
You do need to get a permit to visit, but it’s totally worth it because it is one of the most beautiful areas in all of Arizona.
You do have to do a lot of downhill hiking to reach Havasu Falls, which might be a bit difficult for more beginner hikers, but the experience is worth it for the beauty that awaits when you finally get there!
Each of these waterfalls has something unique and beautiful to offer, and getting to them is an incredible adventure and experience that you will never forget.
Next time you are in Arizona, go visit some of these waterfalls for yourself!
Hi, my name is Alex Kallen and I love to travel. Ever since I could afford the ticket, I hopped on a plane and never looked back. I’ve made a living writing travel guides and blogging my experience all over the world.
I want to encourage and inspire others to travel around the US like I am. There’s no need to go on vacation overseas when there is an amazing land of opportunity right on your doorstep. Enjoy my website, I hope to see you out here one day.
