Trifter

Arizona has some breathtakingly beautiful waterfalls and many waterfalls that only run when the rains come. The magnificent waterfalls along Havasu Creek near the Grand Canyon underwent dramatic changes in 2008.

Source

According to the Supai Flood 2008 Damage Recovery Plan from August 15-17, 2008 heavy rains in the surrounding areas caused the Redlands Dam to be breached and the ensuing flooding altered Havasu Creek causing Navajo Falls to run dry and collapsing Fiftyfoot Falls. Over 30,000 people visit the area yearly to see the fantastic canyon waterfalls located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation and camping in the area produced over $2 million per year in annual revenue for the tribe. The news is not all bad as trails have been or are being rebuilt and according to News From Indian Country at least two new waterfalls were formed by the flooding and alteration of Havasu Creek’s water flow. So we will start with all the waterfalls affected by the flooding.

Havasu Falls

Source

Havasu Falls drops some 100 breathtakingly beautiful feet along Havasu Creek in the Havasupai Indian Reservation which is located just west of Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona. You must pay the Havasupai Indians a fee to hike to or be guided to the falls. To reach the reservation area from I-40 take Route 66 from either Kingman in the west or Seligman in the east and continue until you reach Indian Road 18 which will take you to the reservation.

Mooney Falls

Source

Mooney Falls drops some 200 spectacular feet along Havasu Creek about 1 mile beyond Havasu Falls. Mooney Falls is named for miner James Mooney who reportedly fell to his death at the falls in 1882 while trying to carry an injured friend up the steep slope to safety. Note the tavertine formations on the walls around the falls which are formed due to the heavy lime concentration in the water.

Beaver Falls

Source

Beaver Falls is series of waterfalls located along Havasu Creek as it makes its way down a side canyon and eventually into the Grand Canyon where it joins the Colorado River. Beaver Falls is located downstream from Mooney Falls and can be reached via a very strenuous trail.

Upper Rock Falls

Source

One of the two new waterfalls along Havasu Creek.

Rock Falls

Source

The second of the new falls along Havasu Creek is called Rock Falls.

Navajo Falls

Navajo Falls before and after the flooding of August 2008.

Source

Ribbon Falls

Source

Ribbon Falls is located along the North Kaibab trail in the Grand Canyon National Park.

Deer Creek Falls

Image Source

Deer Creek Falls drops some 90 feet as the Deer Creek makes its way to the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. Deer Creek Falls was “discovered” by John Wesley Powell and his party as they explored down the Colorado River and Grand Canyon by boat on August 23, 1869 when Powell mentions the falls in a diary entry.

Upper Carr Falls

Image Source

Upper Carr Falls drops some 300 feet along a tributary of Carr Creek in Carr Canyon in the Huachucas Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Carr Canyon can be accessed via Carr Canyon Road just off Route 92 north of Nicksville. For a much better photo of Upper Carr Falls see Threaded Thoughts shot on Flickr here.

Wolf Creek Falls

Source

Wolf Creek Falls drops some 90 feet over a granite bluff along the Wolf Creek Falls Trail located along E Wolf Creek Road south of Prescott.

Bridal Wreath Falls

Source

Bridal Wreath Falls is located just outside Tucson along the Douglas Spring Trail which can be accessed at the end of E Speedway Boulevard. 

Fossil Creek Falls

Fossil Creek Falls is located along Fossil Creek in the Fossil Creek Wilderness section of Coconino National Forest in central Arizona.

Vasey’s Paradise

Source

Vasey’s Paradise is a spring fed waterfall that shoots out of the wall of the Grand Canyon in Marble Canyon where it quickly enters the Colorado River.

Lost Dutchman Massacre Grounds Falls

Source

This waterfall is located along the Massacre Grounds Trail in Lost Dutchman State Park which is west of Phoenix and just north of Apache Junction right off 88. Reportedly a group of Mexican miners were massacred by the Apaches in this area in the 1800’s as they were trying to hurriedly get out all the gold they could before the territory was turned over to the United States per the Gadsen Purchase.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Source

There are a number of seasonal waterfalls in the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park located just north of Payson along Routes 87/260. The Tonto Natural Bridge is reportedly the largest tavertine bridge in the world.

Slide Rock State Park

Source

There are a few small waterfalls or slides in Slide Rock State Park located just north of Sedona along 89A where you can take a water ride if you are so inclined.

White Tank Mountain Park Waterfalls

Source

When the rains come to Phoenix waterfalls can be found in the White Tank Mountain Park located just west of the city.

For more about the Grand Canyon please see Grand Canyon Fatalities.