★★★★☆ Moderate zone/Flagstaff
A short rocky hike leads to the base of a thundering, chocolate-colored waterfall. Grand Falls is one of Arizona’s most incredible natural wonders. At 185 feet tall, it is 18 feet taller than Niagara Falls. When the snow melts in spring or after heavy monsoons, its roaring waterfalls are impressive to experience.
START OF THE TRAIL: Route 70, Navajo Nation • DIFFICULTY: moderate • DISTANCE: 0.3 miles (0.6 miles RT) • APPROXIMATELY. TIME: 0.5 HOURS rt • ELEVATION GAIN: -180′ • APPROXIMATELY. CALORIES BURNED: 90 – 100 rpm • BEST TIME OF YEAR: March-April, July-August • PETS: YES • SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN: Yes • FACILITIES: YES. no water • COSTS: None
NOTE: This sacred Navajo land trail is currently closed to the public due to overuse and littering. Please respect this decision until otherwise indicated.
THE muddy brown waters crashing over the tiered cliffs of Grand (or Chocolate) Fallsare amazing to see when the snow melts in spring or after heavy monsoons. The short, unofficial trail to the base of the falls winds along the cliffs directly in front of the falls.
From the parking lot, the walk along the rim of the canyon offers impressive views of the falls and the Little Colorado River below.
A worn, sandy walkway leads from the edge, just opposite the end of the falls. This the path winds along the rocky cliff and descends to the bank of the slimy, muddy river below.
THE the roar of the bank is deafening when the falls flow abundantly. And the high cliff walls have the ability to make anyone feel tiny.
On the left, the river brown waves head towards the Colorado River between the high walls of the canyon.
Totally cheesy Grand Falls is located on tribal lands. Please be respectful and follow notifications and closure guidance. Click here for a link to their site.
Instructions From the intersection of I-17 and I-40 (in Flagstaff), take I-40 east for 15.75 miles to the Townsend-Winona Road exit. Turn left/north onto Townsend-Winona Road and continue 2.2 miles to Route 419/Leupp Road. Turn right/north and go 13 miles to Highway 70. Turn left (this is a well graded dirt and gravel road) and continue 9.5 miles to Grand Falls.