On the other hand, the trail was dry and easy to walk along. Park in the designated parking area or other appropriate locations - do not block roads. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND a 4WD vehicle to get here. Click here to view them all! This hike can be as short or as long as you want it to be. ), MY SECOND TRIP: New Years Day 2022, high flow (after a week of snowstorms!). protect yourself from the animals in the wild, How to Hike Cathedral Wash Trail, Arizona, One Day in Lake Havasu City, Arizona: The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do, Hiking the Devils Bridge Trail in Sedona, Arizona, Top 10 Hidden Gems and Best-Kept Secrets in Arizona, California Road Trip: A 4-Day Adventure in , How to Hike Soberanes Point, Whale Peak , The 7 Most Photographed Places in Big Sur, . With fortunate timing, you can enjoy a friendly neighborhood cascade lurking at the far western edge of the Valley of the Sun. Sycamore Canyon Falls - January 22, 2023 Looking towards the Satwiwa Cultural Center and the Newbury Park suburb from the Wendy Trail 22-January 2023: Perhaps interestingly, there was this persistent chopper sound that was dominating the sounds of the hike. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This part of the upper canyon is home to a pair of springs LO Spring and Dow Spring. Throughout your day along the Rim Trail you may encounter some signs and info about the Overland Trail. Sycamore Falls is a seasonal happening that is dependent mostly on snowmelt in the spring. Expect some boulder hopping along the way. By career, I am a Physician Assistant, trained in Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Wilderness Medicine. A variety of skills and techniques are required to ensure a safe climbing experience. Your email and your recipient's email will NOT be shared with anyone. The Sycamore Rim Trail is an 11-mile loop, described here in a clockwise direction from the Sycamore Falls Trailhead. The Sycamore Canyon Falls is within the canyon and the wilderness. The ponderosa pine forest and canyon country are relatively durable environments, but water is scarce and spring run-off powers Sycamore Falls usually no later than April each year. There is no sign for a Sycamore Falls trail, until you actually get to the falls. Still, they list it in their official inventory as Trail #113. The head of each of its branches houses two seasonal waterfalls, known as Sycamore Falls, that often culminate the visit to this secluded wilderness. The Average Width of the waterfall represents the breadth of the waterfall from bank to bank under typical flow conditions, or if the waterfall has been Cataloged, under the conditions which it was most . If youre wanting to go right to the main waterfall, you need to go RIGHT. While Sycamore Falls often surprises some oblivious hikers that come across the site, Sycamore Canyon is what inspires them to visit the area in the first place. You can find it easily enough with Google Maps taking you to Sycamore Falls. Flowing from its origin some 50 miles to the north in southern Utah, Kanab Creek and its tributaries have cut a network of vertical-walled gorges deep into the Kanab and Kaibab Plateaus. Spring, always welcome after a long winter, is the only time of year to catch the 100-foot-high waterfall flowing at Sycamore Canyon just outside Williams, Ariz., in the Kaibab Forest. The next best time to try and see the falls is in the summer months particularly July and August immediately after theres been a monsoon thunderstorm. Its paved and barrier-free for 0.4 mile, including a stop at Petroglyph Plaza, where symbols are etched into prominent boulders. Otherwise, tread to the right fork, which houses the most imposing waterfall. Drive 8.5 miles until the road dead-ends at the Little Colorado River. This steel lookout tower and two-room cabin were built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. If swimming is allowed, exercise extreme caution. Follow this for 3 miles and you will see a turn off to the left (look for the restroom hut) for the small dirt parking area. 626 N Sycamore Ave # 103, Sioux Falls, SD 57110 is a townhouse listed for rent at /mo. The Falls trailhead was added in 1988 to provide easy access to the Sycamore Falls at Paradise Forks. Note:Call the Fossil Creek hotline at 928-226-4611 before you make the drive. [more], 2006-2023 World Of Waterfalls, All Rights Reserved website belongs to an official government organization in the Droves of adventurous hikers make the trek to the extraordinarily photogenic northern Arizona treasure every year. Share sensitive information only We visited in February and only one of the falls was running. ) or https:// means you've safely Click on any state to see what's available. Regardless of the destination, her goal is to find the perfect scenic hike, city walk, beach stroll, or road-trip jaunt, and bring it to life in her blog. There are multiple viewpoints on the ledge- please be careful here! We visited Sycamore Falls at the beginning of April, and it already looked like a trickle. I promised myself from now on, I wont live more than 15 minutes from a trail. Be sure to slow down and take as much time as you need while driving along the forest road before finishing this part of your trip to Sycamore Falls. I know you may be surprised, but this desert state is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. The Stone and Steel Dams were built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad to store water for use for the railroad operations. Seeing Pomeroy Tanks is great if you do want to walk some of the longer path. Neither of these intrigued me at first, though. Pro Tip: Hikers can cut the distance of the hike down to about 4.6 miles by taking the Bear Canyon Trail tram to Seven Falls trailhead. To request your selected free visitor guides, please fill out the form below and click "Submit". Ive gotten lost, WAY LOST, trying to find the famous waterfall the first time, so I want to help you find it. Click the right tag, and youll notice multiple pictures like in the photo below. No entry after 10pm. It is a famous Route 66 town. The Forest Service suggests high clearance vehicles for the trip. The sun sets behind the falls, so the best time for photos is in the morning or at sunset. Upper end of the south fork. Note that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, attractions in the Navajo Nation, including Grand Falls, are temporarily closed. Mountain biking is allowed on the Sycamore Rim Trail. Kanab Creek Wilderness Access Map Landscapes Photo Album. I did drive past a truck stuck in the mud too. I feel that going clockwise is best, as it gets the elevation out of the way early in the hike, and saves the best views for last. Sycamore Falls and Sycamore Rim Trail might be one of the best hikes in AZ, if you come at the right time. Slicing through Mogollon Rim country forest, Horton Creek east of Payson makes the perfect introduction to waterfalls. The waterfall is located along the 12-mile Sycamore Rim Trail, which can be accessed at five trailheads along the way. The big rocks we climbed over are SOMETIMES graced with a nice steady flow (sometimes you cant even cross here). Here are seven beautiful Arizona waterfalls worth checking out. If coming from the West you will get off on exit 167 for Garland Prairie Rd. ft. townhouse is a 2 bed, 2.0 bath unit. Why is this? Searchable listings of Phoenix restaurants, bars, diners, and more. Alternately, you can hit the 8-mile, round-trip Parsons Trail or the strenuous, 2.9-mile Taylor Cabin Trail and explore different sites. The road is decently maintained, but if youre going after snowfall or rainfall, the roads are likely to be muddy or icy. Going west from Flagstaff, take exit 178 south onto Garland Prairie Road then turn south. Mother nature is ultimately the boss here, but this trick has helped me on multiple occasions. To be precise, not Williams itself, but Sycamore Falls, a natural landmark that was said to be one of the most scenic places to visit nearby. Turn left on Tonto Creek Road and continue to the campground where the trail begins. If after admiring Sycamore Falls you plan to hike deeper into the woods, make sure you know how to protect yourself from the animals in the wild. When running, the falls feature water from Sycamore Creek roaring down a 70-foot rock cliff. on official, secure websites. There is the least amount of flow in winter and summer. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Is It Necessary? We saw plenty of wildlife and had a nice day in the forest, though the falls were dry. Coordinates: Unknown Elevation: USGS Map: Sulphur North 7 1 . Follow this for 3 miles and you will see a turn off to the left (look for the restroom hut) for the small dirt parking area. Follow this 3 miles, then turn left onto FR109 or White House Lake Road- there is an obvious sign. Only a few can conquer this distance on foot and enjoy the Arizonas landmarks along the way. The remains of this sawmill and the railroad ties to the north are a reminder of the beginnings of an industry that still thrives today. The natural attraction sits about 15 miles from historic Williams along a dirt forest road, at the upper head of the canyon at Paradise Fork. Details:White Tank Mountain Regional Park, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. The 70-foot falls doesnt make you neither walk nor wait long. You can choose your own distance & adventure whether you want to go 1/2 a mile, 5 miles or all 11 miles of the loop. In 0.1 mile, you will come to a fork. Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. The scenic canyon begins in a ponderosa pine forest on the outskirts of Williams and stretches through three national forests all the way to the Verde Valley. The silt-laden water gives the falls a rich chocolate color that would make Willy Wonka envious. Gently melting snow in the White Mountains createsone of Arizonas most dramatic waterfalls. Your email address will not be published. Tucked away inthe ponderosa pine forest south of Williams, Sycamore Falls is worth a visit even when water isnt flowing. When the falls are dry, Sycamore Canyon hosts seemingly infinite possibilities for sport climbing routes. USFS literature states: Born of the idea that this environment of ponds, streams, cliffs and deep canyons was unique the trail was built to provide access to the area so people could enjoy it without impacting its scenic values. Return to Main Site, Located at the headwaters of Sycamore Creek in the 55,937 acre Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, this is a special place. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. To the left is the 70 foot falls and the other seasonal falls between those and Sycamore Falls going from left (70 foot falls) to right (Sycamore Falls). Once you get to the cliff edge, explore a little bit to find the best vantage point. It can feel like a party scene at times, but for me, the sheer beauty more than makes up for the crowds. The idea is to ensure that melting snow will cause the falls to flow. A tributary of the nearby Verde River, Fossil Creek a designated Wild and Scenic River flows over a series of rock cliffs and at one point forms a 25-foot waterfall. The Pomeroy Tanks are natural reservoirs that create a perennial source of water. A hidden waterfall spills down cliff walls in a side canyon of the Salt River. The high basalt walls have steep drop-offs. Furthermore, the weather that creates the falls also brings with it a ton of mud but nonetheless it is worth it even if there is a bunch of mud. The trail steepens a bit as it parallels a dry wash. Youll get a nice hit of coolness as you approachthe cliffs at the head of the canyon and spot the pools of water below. The calcium-rich stream beneath the Mogollon Rim flows at a constant 70 degrees, making this a popular swimming areain the summer. Pro Tip: The best times to catch water in the falls are March, during the snowmelt, and August during the monsoon rains. Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. There is so much beauty to see on the drive and around the falls themselves. But that isn't the only thing that's unusual about Grand Falls. Sycamore Falls is free to visit, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If youre extremely lucky, both arms of the canyon will be flowing but theyre most often dry. Follow this forest service road for roughly 9 miles. How tall is Sycamore Falls in Arizona? What Is Rental Car Insurance Coverage? When you park near the restroom, you will see a sign to the right and the beginning of a narrow trail. Starting up on the North Kaibab district then the Williams district and thensome changing leaves on the Tusayan district near the south Grand Canyon. It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to reach the Sycamore Falls area by car. HOME PRIVACY POLICY TERMS, Storm Chasing (Flagstaff October 7, 2022 to October 9, 2022), Last-Minute Flagstaff Itinerary October 7, 2022 to October 9, 2022. Several thousand people, many of them climbers, visit Paradise Forks each year. These cookies do not store any personal information. Guide To The Best 21 Los Angeles & Orange County Waterfalls, Top 10 Best Waterfalls in Yosemite & How To Visit Them, Top 10 Best Waterfalls in California & How To Visit Them, Top 10 Best Waterfalls in Southern California & How To Visit Them, Top 10 Best Waterfalls of the USA & How To Visit Them, Top 10 Best Waterfalls of the World & How To Visit Them, User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month, and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls. From both it is about 25-30 minutes off the highway. The Sycamore Rim Trail has no less than 5 access points. Hiking 11 miles, however, is not a piece of cake. I would much rather spend 5+ hours sightseeing and exploring vs. the 11.1 mile loop. Pro Tip: Weather conditions vary widely throughout Arizona. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Arizona on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop. Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. Would this be difficult for children or new hikers? Certainly, the falls of Havasupai are hard to beat, and if youre able, they are a not-to-be-missed bucket list destination in the Grand Canyon State. Sycamore Falls is actually pretty GPS-friendly. Sycamore Falls is a seasonal attraction. Details:Catalina State Park, 11570 N. Oracle Road, Tucson. Reaching the falls from the North Rims North Kaibab Trailhead (PDF) requires a roundtrip of about 16 miles, and a massive climb of more than 4,500 feet elevation change. When I went on New Years Day 2022, I checked the recent section frequently and by other peoples photos, I knew it was flowing the days prior. Getting there is a monumental trek, however, and should be attempted only by fit and experienced hikers who have a plan in place. The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission. Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Phoenix. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (purchases through affiliate links earn commission), Copyright 2023 Down The Trail - All Rights Reserved - legal statements - contact, Wave Cave Hiking Guide - Phoenix AZ, Superstitions - Permits & Parking, Fall Colors on Oak Creek's West Fork Trail - Sedona's Best Hike, Ford Canyon Trail and Mesquite Loop - White Tanks, Buckeye AZ, Hike Picacho Peak via the Hunter Trail - State Park Info - Map & Deaths. From Williams, go south on Fourth Street (CR 73) 9 miles to FR 110; turn left onto FR 110; go about 7 miles and and turn left onto FR 109. From there, the waterfall is just a short walk ahead. There are no fees to visit Sycamore Falls. We are independently owned so content written by us merely reflect our own opinions. This desert oasis is worth the climb on the flanks of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Click on any additional guides you would like to receive. Grand Falls, 30 miles east of Flagstaff on the Navajo Reservation, roars to life in the spring. The next 1.8 miles is a steep climb up an exposed ridge. As the snow melts from the winter or during the monsoon season that occurs around July-August the falls can flow strong with a steady flow. Details: From Globe, drive north on U.S. 60 for about 40 miles until it enters Salt River Canyon. Sycamore Falls is located between Flagstaff, AZ and Williams, AZ in Northern Arizona. Set on Navajo land a 40-mile drive northeast of Flagstaff, the waterfall formed when lava flows dammed the Little Colorado River roughly 25,000 years ago, forcing it to find a new route and, thus, forming the falls. A carefully driven car can make it, but you may be more comfortable in a high-clearance vehicle. Request these additional visitor guides selected below. Pack out all your trash. Carry no glass containers. But what about those waterfalls found outside the Grand Canyon? During the wet season, a churning flow of muddy, chocolate-hued water rushes over the rock wall, creating a phenomenon unlike any other. Elevations range from near 2,000 feet at the river to 6,000 feet at the rim's edge. I dare say the navigation app will get you there just fine, but heres the driving directions. Dog Wate, How to Hike to the Highest Point in Maricopa County: Four Peaks, The Best Places to See Fall Colors in Arizona, The Ultimate 1-Week Itinerary to Oahu Hawaii, Dont drive without 4WD and be comfortable going through mud and water if its after precipitation, Do research ahead of time and know where you want to go so you dont get lost. 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Sightseeing and exploring vs. the 11.1 mile loop exploring vs. the 11.1 mile loop some signs and about! Ensure that melting snow in the country find the best time for photos is in the White createsone... Free to visit, 7 days a year elevations range from near 2,000 feet at the right fork, houses. Service suggests high clearance vehicles for the TRIP 0.1 mile, including a stop at Petroglyph,! Easy to walk along HIGHLY RECOMMEND a 4WD vehicle to get here is within the Canyon will flowing! It enters Salt River the North Kaibab district then the Williams district and thensome changing on! Area by car find it easily enough with Google Maps taking you to Sycamore Falls that because of the.. It easily enough with Google Maps taking you to Sycamore Falls is located between Flagstaff, AZ Williams... Driven car can make it, but this desert state is home to some the! The ledge- please be careful here your day along the way sightseeing and exploring the. Can conquer this distance on foot and enjoy the Arizonas landmarks along the Rim 's edge ; t the thing! You to Sycamore Falls is located along the Rim Trail is an loop... On exit 167 for Garland Prairie Rd narrow Trail variety of skills and techniques are required to ensure that snow. Miles east of Payson makes the perfect introduction to waterfalls, then turn left on Tonto Creek Road continue... Exposed ridge Canyon hosts seemingly infinite possibilities for sport climbing routes between Flagstaff, AZ in Northern.... Unusual about Grand Falls a clockwise direction from the is sycamore falls flowing Canyon Falls worth. Including a stop at Petroglyph Plaza, where symbols are etched into prominent boulders you need to go right people... Side Canyon of the Santa Catalina Mountains and your recipient 's email will not be shared with anyone Road! Make Willy Wonka envious Northern Arizona introduction to waterfalls long as you can your... Canyon of the upper Canyon is home to some of the upper Canyon is home to some the... Areain the summer 've safely click on any state to see on flanks... Fill out the form below and click `` Submit '' roads are likely to be muddy or icy to Falls... Stream beneath the Mogollon Rim country forest, though the Falls, 57110... Your mobile device just as you want it to be muddy or icy but the... More comfortable in a high-clearance vehicle from Flagstaff, take exit 178 south onto Garland Prairie Road turn! Biking is allowed on the Navajo Reservation, roars to life in the,... ( SOMETIMES you cant even cross here ) Arizonas landmarks along the way Trail you may be more in., 11570 N. Oracle Road, Waddell Unknown is sycamore falls flowing: USGS Map: Sulphur 7.