10 Breathtaking Waterfalls in Arizona (With Photos)

Written by Volia Schubiger
Updated: April 29, 2023
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Waterfalls are among nature’s most beautiful wonders. Even though they are not found everywhere in the U.S., Arizona’s arid environment is home to some of the country’s most spectacular waterfalls. However, the size, surroundings, and accessibility of each of the falls differ greatly. Before you decide to hike to a waterfall, it’s helpful to know which ones are worth your time. Here, we’ve got the scoop on ten of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Arizona. Here’s a quick preview:

So, get ready to admire some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Arizona before even stepping foot into the state.

1. Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls is a Havasu Creek waterfall in the Grand Canyon.

©LHBLLC/Shutterstock.com

Location:Supai, Arizona
Nearby Attractions:Grand Canyon National Park
Animals to See:Desert Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Lions

The most popular Arizona waterfall is Havasu Falls, which is located in Supai, Arizona. 

The Havasupai Reservation is located in a remote part of the Grand Canyon National Park and involves a 10-mile round trip trek. The word ‘Havasupai’ refers to people living near blue-green waters. A natural component of Havasu Creek has dissolved calcium carbonate and magnesium, which results in stunning turquoise blue water at Havasu Falls.

2. Beaver Falls

Beaver Falls

Beaver Falls is a series of smaller waterfalls as opposed to a huge cascade like Havasu Falls.

©Double Bind Photography/Shutterstock.com

Location:Supai, Arizona
Nearby Attractions:Havasupai Reservation
Animals to See:Coyotes, Foxes

Although Beaver Falls is a challenging climb, the breathtaking beauty is well worth it. From the Havasu campsite, you can hike 18 miles to the falls, which feature a series of beautiful pools and turquoise water that spill over limestone terraces. Once you’ve arrived, take in the scenery and enjoy a relaxing swim in the refreshing pools.

3. Fossil Creek Falls

Fossil Creek Falls

Fossil Creek Falls allows cliff jumping, but keep an eye on the water level before leaping.

©Michael Landers/Shutterstock.com

Location:Pine, Arizona
Nearby Attractions:Fossil Creek Waterfall Trailhead
Animals to See:Porcupines, Jackrabbits

A one-mile trail leads to the waterfall at Fossil Creek via the Waterfall Trail, where you can view the creek and natural waterfall. Enjoy one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Arizona with a 25-foot drop to leap off. There are several swimming spots, stunning landscapes, and campsites near the route. Take a dip in some of the state’s most restorative waters after your hard work of hiking over.

4. Cibecue Falls

Cibecue Falls

Cibecue Falls is one of the more difficult waterfalls in Arizona to reach.

©Jon Manjeot/Shutterstock.com

Location:Whiteriver, AZ
Nearby Attractions:Cibecue Creek Falls Trailhead
Animals to See:Mules, Elk

Arizona’s Cibecue Falls is a hidden treasure that is worth visiting! This hike provides you with a unique opportunity to see a side of Arizona that you can’t find anywhere else. But be warned, a moderately challenging 4-mile trek leads to Cibecue Falls. There is an elevation gain of over 220 feet as you progress on the hike. Get ready to get soaked as you hike between banks and boulders to reach this 30-foot waterfall.

5. Deer Creek Falls

Deer Creek Falls

Deer Creek Falls is a waterfall located deep inside the Grand Canyon that is included in most rafting excursions.

©SageElyse/Shutterstock.com

Location:Fredonia, Arizona
Nearby Attractions:Grand Canyon National Park
Animals to See:Black Bears, Ringtails

Deer Creek Falls is a breathtaking 180-foot waterfall that cascades into the Colorado River. Although the location is secluded, both hiking and white water rafting can get you there. There are also several companies in the surrounding area that provide rafting tours to the waterfall for those who wish to see it in a hurry.

6. Grand Falls

Grand (Chocolate) Falls Navajo Indian Lands near Flagstaff, Arizona

The Grand Falls, with its multiple levels of water and wide appearance, is a magnificent natural phenomenon.

©Sierralara/Shutterstock.com

Location:Flagstaff, Arizona
Nearby Attractions:Painted Desert 
Animals to See:Snakes, Lizards

Getting to Grand Falls requires going off-road, making this one of the more challenging waterfalls in Arizona to explore. There’s no better waterfall in the state than this one. It stands at 181 feet and is surrounded by terraces. One of the most distinctive features of Grand Falls is the murky water that flows over 185 feet from the top of the Little Colorado River to the pool below. This brown water is the reason some people call it Chocolate Falls.

7. Mooney Falls

Mooney Falls

Mooney Falls is a scenic waterfall located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation in Arizona, just west of Grand Canyon National Park.

©Juancat/Shutterstock.com

Location:Supai, Arizona
Nearby Attractions:Grand Canyon National Park
Animals to See:Red-Spotted Toad, Tarantula

One of the most scenic waterfalls on the Havasupai Indian Reservation is Mooney Falls. There is no doubt that it is the highest waterfall on the reserve, with a drop of almost 190 feet. It may be challenging to get to this waterfall, but the view is worth it. The waterfall is reached by a six-mile round-trip day climb across some high rocks.

8. Seven Falls

Seven Falls in Arizona

Seven Falls is an extremely popular hike in Tucson, Arizona.

©Billy McDonald/Shutterstock.com

Location:Pima County, Arizona
Nearby Attractions:Catalina Foothills
Animals to See:Bobcats, Rabbits

In the Catalina Foothills of Arizona, Seven Falls offers a magnificent oasis escape in the desert. Catalina Foothills is near Tucson, a dry region known for its waterfalls. The region offers a dense forest with cascading water that drops into a huge pool where hikers can cool off. Visitors to Tucson’s Seven Falls route will pass through some of the best scenery before arriving at the waterfalls.

9. Navajo Falls

Navajo Falls

Navajo Falls is made up of two separate falls, Upper Navajo and Lower Navajo, which are linked by a series of cascades.

©Jimmy W/Shutterstock.com

Location:Supai, Arizona
Nearby Attractions:Grand Canyon National Park
Animals to See:Rattlesnakes, Skunk

Navajo Falls in Supai, Arizona, is one of the most popular waterfalls in Arizona. There are actually two waterfalls: the Upper and the Lower, with cascades in between. But its location on the Havasupai Indian Reservation makes it one of the most spectacular.

10. Madera Canyon Waterfall

Madera Canyon Waterfall

Madera Canyon Waterfall is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in Arizona – making it a secret hidden gem.

©Dennis Swena/Shutterstock.com

Location:Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Nearby Attractions:Madera Canyon
Animals to See:Foxes, Racoons

The Madera Canyon Waterfall in Arizona is one of nature’s best-kept secrets and for good reason. You can reach the falls by following the Proctor Trail in Southern Arizona’s Madera Canyon, which is located 25 miles southeast of Tucson. Then, once you’re done hiking, why not enjoy the rest of your day? Picnicking is possible at a scenic spot about one mile from the waterfall, where people can see the water flowing along Madera Creek. This is one of the waterfalls in Arizona that you don’t want to say you missed out on!

Summary

All the waterfalls are subject to seasonal rainfall or snow runoff, so they don’t necessarily flow all year round. Most are inaccessible except to seasoned hikers; there is no driving close to any except Fossil Creek Falls and the Madera Canyon Waterfall.

Name of WaterfallLocationTrail Information
Havasu FallsSupai, AZ; the Havasupai Reservation in the Grand Canyon10 miles round trip hike.
Beaver FallsSupai, AZ; the Havasupai Reservation in the Grand Canyon18 mile hike from base camp.
Fossil Creek FallsPine, AZ, NE of Phoenix in the Coconino National Forest1 mile trail.
Cibecue FallsWhiteriver, AZ, NE of Phoenix at the edge of the Tonto Forest3.5 miles round trip hike.
Deer Creek FallsFredonia, AZ; in the Grand CanyonRemote – hike in or take a raft.
Grand or Chocolate FallsFlagstaff, AZ; in the Painted DesertNo longer open to the public; must take a tour.
Mooney FallsSupai, AZ; the Havasupai Reservation in the Grand CanyonVery difficult 6 mile round trip hike over high rocks.
Seven FallsTucson, AZ; in the Catalina Hills8.2 mile; #1 trail in AZ
Navajo Falls, Upper and LowerSupai, AZ; the Haasupai Reservation in the Grand Canyon1.4 miles out and back to Lower from base camp.
Madera Canyon WaterfallTucson, AZ; Madera Canyon200 ft. walk on Proctor Trail, then follow trail along stream.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Double Bind Photography/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Volia Schubiger is a freelance copywriter and content editor with a passion and expertise in content creation, branding, and marketing. She has a background in Broadcast Journalism & Political Science from CUNY Brooklyn College. When she's not writing she loves traveling, perusing used book stores, and hanging out with her other half.

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