It was such a breathtaking place to see all of the falls roaring and around every corner was another beautiful waterfall. The flow is the most powerful during the spring run-off or monsoon season, between July and September. Details: From Payson, drive 17 miles east on State Route260. Supervisor's Office From the road crossing to the top of the hill youll gain 600 feet of elevation. We only found it by seeing someone walking along the ridge on the opposite side and wandering that way. In the first years after the Forest Service was established in 1905, fire guards patrolled the forest on horseback. Paradise Forks or the Forks is how the area is known here. Located in popular Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in Tucson, Seven Falls isnt exactly a secret but anytime you can find a multi-tiered waterfall in the desert, make the journey. For an arid state, Arizona shelters some of the worlds most famous waterfalls. Continue straight as the trail descends back into the ravine at the Pomeroy Tanks. If swimming is allowed, exercise extreme caution. In 0.1 mile, you will come to a fork. 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. Mitzi Walkup October 17, 2022 Hiking Absolutely beautiful fall hike. Horton Creek is like a hatchery for waterfalls, nourishing dozens of small ones. It is fleeting, but Wolf Creek Falls near the northern Arizona town of Prescott typically appears in the spring, just as the snow is melting in the nearby Bradshaw Mountains. Soon youll come upon the historic sawmill site, followed closely by the site of an 1880s community called Dow Springs. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. Sycamore Falls is a seasonal happening that is dependent mostly on snowmelt in the spring. It spills downslope, dropping in a series of little cascades. The Navajo Nations Leupp Chapter House website posts updates on whether the falls are running and open to the public. 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. The Sycamore Canyon Falls is within the canyon and the wilderness. ive learned a lot this year & have, it really was a golden hour Permits arerequired to visit May 1-Oct. 1 and go on sale April 1. Yet the city superseded my expectation. There are no roads too smooth or too bumpy to steer you away from new experiences and discoveries. A quiet forest hike featuring views into Sycamore Canyon, with a minor summit and a seasonal waterfall, MAP:Kaibab National Forest South PERMITS: none DESIGNATION: Kaibab National Forest BEST SEASONS: spring, summer, fall DISTANCE: 11 mile loop WATER: seasonal at Pomeroy Tanks and Dow Spring ELEVATION: waterfall trailhead 6,575ft high point KA Hill 7,285ft ACCESS: gravel roads to trailhead GUIDEBOOK: 100 Classic Arizona Hikes. From Williams, take exit 167 south onto Garland Prairie Road. The easiest way to get to the falls is by parking in the lot designated as Sycamore Falls and taking the steep flight of stairs down to the canyon. It pays to head out early to secure a space. Visit Sycamore Falls in late fall or winter, and all you find is a tiny dribble running down the cobalt cliff to the emerald pool below. But that isn't the only thing that's unusual about Grand Falls. It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to reach the Sycamore Falls area by car. ( But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The 3,112 sq. As you reach the cliff, the trail splits. 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. From the parking area, walk the 0.2 miles to the main loop trail, and turn left at the T intersection to begin a clockwise loop. While the falls at Havasupai are the stars of the western portion of the Grand Canyon, the North Rim area of Grand Canyon National Park has waterfalls of its own, thanks to the flow of canyon creeks. Will definitely put this on favorites list. The flow is the most powerful during the spring run-off or monsoon season, between July and September. I felt like it was more of a choose your own adventure experience where you walk around, picnic, take in the different falls and enjoy yourself vs. some strenuous hike on a time schedule. 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, . Required fields are marked *, Sycamore Falls Hike Guide With Four Extra Falls. Follow Garland Prairie until the GPS guides you to turn right onto Thomas Loop Road after 9.3 miles. 1/2 - 11 mile loop pending your adventure. We are independently owned so content written by us merely reflect our own opinions. Normally, you would follow it until you reach the cliff edge with the panoramic views of the waterfall. Bear right when the road forks and drive 4 miles to the trailhead. The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission. Sycamore Falls is a popular rock climbing area. Turn left and go3.3 miles to Sycamore Falls trailhead (a half-mile past Pomeroy Tanks trailhead). Once you come to the fork in the road you can go right or left and head to the start of either of the five falls. Even the drive leading up the falls is filled with a ton of beauty and incredible picture taking spots. My #1 recommendation is to take your time and stop the car wherever and whenever something catches your eye. Hiking 11 miles, however, is not a piece of cake. You can walk as long as you please- there are beautiful canyon views everywhere! Coordinates: Unknown Elevation: USGS Map: Davenport Hill 7 . Follow it to FR 109. The road to the falls is graded gravel and dirt, with some sharp rocks. If youre coming from Phoenix, both of these routes are great and are only a few minutes difference. You will quickly pass a railway and the road turns into FR141. The big rocks we climbed over are SOMETIMES graced with a nice steady flow (sometimes you cant even cross here). Sycamore Falls is located between Flagstaff, AZ and Williams, AZ in Northern Arizona. The 1,050 sq. Details: Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, 5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson. What is the skill level? It is located off Houston Mesa Road along Ellison Creek, near its intersection with the East Verde River. Use our easy Lodging Search to find exactly the type of accommodation you are looking for at the right price. On the far side of KA Hill youll be greeted with views of Flagstaffs San Francisco Peaks through the trees. Its paved and barrier-free for 0.4 mile, including a stop at Petroglyph Plaza, where symbols are etched into prominent boulders. Embrace the beauty of the changing colors of the leaves this autumn season. Continue on for another 3 miles until you reach a small parking lot with restrooms and a Sycamore Rim Trail sign. The best time to view and photograph Sycamore Falls is on a warm winters day after significant snowfall. Sycamore Falls and Sycamore Rim Trail might be one of the best hikes in AZ, if you come at the right time. What Is Rental Car Insurance Coverage? Along with the rough surface, you will also encounter steep drop-offs along the way. How tall is Sycamore Falls in Arizona? Several thousand people, many of them climbers, visit Paradise Forks each year. This site is now a trailhead for the Arizona Trail. But a natural pool created by the colossal basalt cliffs undoubtably indicates on the presence of the waterfall. Turn left on Tonto Creek Road and continue to the campground where the trail begins. Use caution if venturing further into the canyon on the designated hiking trails. We visited Sycamore Falls on a Saturday afternoon, and there was only one person lingering nearby. You can send yourself an email as well. The hike, which starts on the Bear Canyon Trail, is about 8.2 miles round-trip and is rated as moderate. This mill was in operation around 1910-1920. During the dry season and when the waterfall is not at its strongest, the basalt walls serve as an excellent place for advanced rock climbing. Weve got an assortment of beautiful torrents, big and small. Your email address will not be published. And what a truly remarkable sight it was! The Sycamore Rim Trail has no less than 5 access points. Request these additional visitor guides selected below. It is a famous Route 66 town. 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. Black bears, mountain lions, and ringtail cats roam in the Sycamore Canyon area and can cause some disturbances to the oblivious hikers. Dont take chances, grab a hard copy map of the area. The North Rim largely closes down for the winter, and its full season runs from May 15 through October 15. Drive south for 3.3 miles (passing the Pomeroy Tanks Trailhead on your left) before arriving at Sycamore Falls Trailhead, also on the left. They are seasonal, however, so youll need to be able to jump when adventure calls. Then click on recent- this will give you the latest status on that location. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. ) or https:// means you've safely When you hit the fork, if you choose to go right you will hit the falls in another 0.1 miles or so (0.2) total. [more], 2006-2023 World Of Waterfalls, All Rights Reserved Just after crossing the river, turn left onto a dirt road. What is there to see in Williams, Arizona? Searchable lists of Phoenix tourism offices and other helpful government agencies. Free. Sycamore Falls is the most popular, and it registers on Google Maps. Request a few more Visitor Guides, or, Complete the form below to email this page to a friend or family member's email. And whenever something catches your eye it pays to head out early to secure space. Forks and drive 4 miles to Sycamore Falls is the most powerful during spring! A nice steady flow ( SOMETIMES you cant even cross here ) embrace the beauty of the waterfall thousand! Drive 4 miles to the oblivious hikers Leupp Chapter House website posts updates on whether the Falls are and. Piece of cake, big and small from Williams, take exit 167 onto! Continue to the top of the Hill youll gain 600 feet of elevation on. 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