In this blog post we have covered 7 best waterfall trails for this spring season in Arizona.
One of them is taller than Nigeria Falls, another is famously known as Chocolate Falls, and one features a series of seven cascading waterfalls along a single trail.
Here is more one of them have 4 different waterfalls in one trail and don’t need separate permit for each, all of them covers in just one permit.
So with out any further delay let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Havasu Falls Trail
It is located in Havasu canyon which is itself a iconic feature.
When it comes to trail it is famous for its unique plus beautiful blue-green pool which surrounded by red walls of canyon.
Havasu Falls is just one of five beautiful waterfalls along Havasu Creek.
You can also explore 4 more falls (Navajo Falls, Fifty Foot Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls.) in Havasu Creek.
If you have a valid campground permit or lodge reservation then you do not need separate permits for each individual waterfall within Havasu Creek.
You need to hike approximately 8 miles to reach the village and then another 2 miles to Havasu Falls and the campground.
Website Information
| Purpose | Website |
|---|---|
| Havasu Falls & Havasupai Lodge Reservations | Havasu Reservations |
| General Information about Havasupai Tribe | Official Havasupai Tribe Website |
Fee Detail
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Stay Requirement | 3-night stay required for both campground and lodge reservations. |
| Campground Permit Fee | Cost per person: $455 for a 3-night stay. Includes: Permit for Havasupai Reservation and camping fee for the entire stay. No daily camping fees. |
| Lodge Reservation Fee | Cost per room: $2,277 for a 3-night stay. Occupancy: Up to 4 people per room. Fee remains the same regardless of the number of people. Note: Fee covers accommodation but not meals or transportation. |
| Reservation Fee | Additional non-refundable fee applied during booking. You will see this fee during the booking process on the official Havasupai Reservations website. |
Suggestion: 13 Best Lesser Known Waterfalls Trails for Spring in Arizona
Seven Falls Trail
It is located within the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in Tucson, Arizona.
It is famous for its series of seven cascading waterfalls. The trail is about 7 to 8.5 miles long for the round trip.
Fee Detail
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Fees | |
| Day Pass (Per Vehicle) | Cost: $8 per vehicle. It is Valid for the entire day of purchase. Covers all occupants in one vehicle. |
| Annual Passes | |
| Coronado National Forest Annual Pass | Cost: $40. It is valid for 1 year from the purchase date. Covers entry to all National Forest recreation sites in the Coronado National Forest. |
| Interagency “America the Beautiful” Pass | Cost: $80. It is valid for 1 year from the purchase date. Covers entrance fees to many federal recreation sites across the U.S. |
Fossil Creek Trail
It is located in central Arizona, between the towns of Camp Verde and Strawberry.
It’s known for its clear, turquoise-colored water, and unique travertine rock formations.
There are several distinct areas and trails within the Fossil Creek region like:
- Dixon Lewis Trail (formerly Waterfall Trail):
- This is a popular and fairly short trail which is about 1 mile each way that follows the creek to a natural waterfall and swimming spot.
- It is often gets crowded during the permit season.
- Flume Trail:
- This is a moderate-level hike that takes you to the old Fossil Creek Dam site.
- Bob Bear Trail (formerly Fossil Springs Trail):
- This is a tough 8-mile roundtrip hike with a big elevation change of about 1,500 feet down and then back up.
- It takes you to the source of Fossil Creek at Fossil Springs.
| Location / Access Point | Permit Requirement Period | Permit Needed | How to Obtain Permit | Fee (Approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fossil Creek (via FR 708 – Camp Verde) | April 1 – October 1 | Yes – Parking Permit | Recreation.gov | $6 per vehicle | Must arrive by 2 PM at Hwy 260/FR708 junction. Park only in assigned lot. |
| October 2 – March 31 | No | N/A | Free | Permits not required in off-season. | |
| Bob Bear Trailhead (Fossil Springs) | April 1 – October 1 | Yes – Parking Permit | Recreation.gov | $6 per vehicle | Similar rules as Fossil Creek access. |
| October 2 – March 31 | No | N/A | Free | No permit or fee in off-season. | |
| Tonto Natural Bridge State Park | Year-round | Yes – Entrance Fee | At entrance | Varies ($7–$15) | Not part of Fossil Creek; accessed via Strawberry, AZ. |
Suggestion: Best 5 Lesser Known Waterfalls Trails for Spring in Arizona
Grand Falls Trail
It is located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona.
It is famous for its unique appearance when it flows with muddy, brown water. It is also known as Chocolate Falls or Muddy Falls.
Grand Falls is taller than Niagara Falls, standing at an impressive 185 feet.
The falls are not consistently flowing throughout the year.
The best time to see them at their best is in spring (March to April) when the snow is melting, or after heavy monsoon rains from late June to September.
As it is located on Navajo Nation land, and visitors are generally required to have a permit from the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department.
Bridal Wreath Falls Trail
It is situated within the eastern section of Saguaro National Park, Arizona.
This Trail is about 5.7 to 5.9 miles long (round trip).
The path goes uphill steadily, and some parts near the waterfall have loose rocks and boulders, which can make hiking a bit tricky.
Overall, you need to climb around 1,100 to 1,300 feet in elevation.
Fee Detail
| Fee Type | Cost | Payment Method | Official Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-day Entrance Pass (Per Vehicle) | $25 | Fee Kiosk (Debit/Credit), Automated Fee Machines (Credit only), Online | Saguaro National Park – Fees & Passes |
| 7-day Entrance Pass (Per Motorcycle) | $20 | Fee Kiosk (Debit/Credit), Automated Fee Machines (Credit only), Online | |
| 7-day Entrance Pass (Per Person) | $15 | Fee Kiosk (Debit/Credit), Automated Fee Machines (Credit only), Online | |
| Annual Saguaro National Park Pass | Check NPS Website for pricing | Online (Recreation.gov, USGS Store) | Buy a Pass – Recreation.gov |
| Interagency (America the Beautiful) Pass | Check NPS Website for pricing | Online (Recreation.gov, USGS Store) | USGS Online Store |
| Payment Location | Fee Kiosk, Automated Fee Machines, Online | Debit/Credit cards (No cash at kiosks) | |
| Online Purchase for Passes | Online only | Recreation.gov, USGS Online Store | Recreation.gov, USGS Online Store |
For the most up-to-date information, always check the official National Park Service website for Saguaro National Park.
Cibecue Falls Trail
It is located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in eastern Arizona, near the town of Cibecue.
In this trail the primary attraction is Cibecue Falls itself. This trail is about 3-4 mile long (roundtrip).
Access requires a permit from the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
| Category | Details | Official Links / Contact Info |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Required | Cibecue Falls Access Permit | Permit Details |
| Permit Fee | $45 per person per day | Permit Pricing |
| Permit Validity | From 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM on the specified date | |
| Activities Not Allowed | Camping, swimming, and fishing at Cibecue Falls | |
| Where to Purchase Permits | ||
| – Carrizo C-Store (Sinclair) | Hwy 60 & 73, Cibecue, AZ. Open Mon–Sat 6 AM–8:30 PM, Sun 7 AM–7:30 PM. Call to confirm hours. | 📞 (928) 332-2390 |
| – Sportsman’s Warehouse (Show Low) | Hwy 260, Show Low, AZ. Call ahead to confirm permit availability. | 📞 (928) 537-0800 |
| – Online | Through White Mountain Apache Tribe Game and Fish Department website (online system may be unreliable—check before relying on it) | Buy Permit Online |
| General Website for Info | White Mountain Apache Tribe Game and Fish Department | Homepage |
Water Wheel Falls Trail
The Water Wheel Falls Trail is located in Northern Arizona, near Payson, within the Tonto National Forest.
It is famous for its family-friendly hike that leads to a series of cascading waterfalls and natural swimming holes.
The 1.6-mile out-and-back trail is generally considered easy, making it suitable for families with kids.
Near the trailhead, you can find an old, non-functional water wheel, a leftover from the early 1900s when it was used for ore crushing in a mining operation.
Fee Details
| Category | Details | Official Links / Contact Info |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Required | Tonto Daily Pass (required for parking/access) | Tonto Pass Info |
| Daily Fee (Typical) | $8 per vehicle per day | |
| Peak Season Variation | Some sources report a $10 parking fee via self-pay envelope at the trailhead (especially from April 1 – October 31) | Water Wheel Area Info |
| Annual Pass Option | America the Beautiful Pass — $80/year (accepted at this site) | Recreation.gov · USGS Store |
| Where to Buy Tonto Pass | ||
| – Shoofly Ruins Turnout | Pay station on Houston Mesa Road | |
| – Retail Vendors | Sold at various authorized stores in Arizona (call ahead to confirm availability) | |
| – Tonto National Forest Offices | Available at any official forest office | |
| – Fee Machines | Located at Shoofly Village, Houston Mesa Campground, and Payson Ranger Station (credit card only) | |
| Where to Buy America the Beautiful Pass | Online through official platforms | Recreation.gov · USGS Store |
| Additional Notes | Cash not accepted at machines; bring card or exact cash for trailhead self-pay. Parking is limited — arrive early on weekends/summer. | 📞 Payson Ranger District: (928) 474-7900 |
Conclusion
Note: Before visiting the trail or purchasing tickets don’t forget to check the official websites of each place for the accurate and most up-to-dated information.
So now you know about the chocolate falls, 4 in one fall (Havasu falls), 7 cascading waterfalls in one trail etc.
Now i think this content helped you in figuring out the best trail this spring in Arizona.
If you have any query let me in the comment section below.
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