You're all set! The road to the falls is graded gravel and dirt, with some sharp rocks. Why is this? The 1-mile Waterfall Trail at about the midpoint of the creek is the most in-demandhike. Cindy Barks is an Arizona-based newspaper reporter, freelance travel writer, and travel blogger. Some waterfalls are located on trails and some are easily viewed from overlooks. A seasonal waterfall feeds Romero Pools, flowing after snowmelt and monsoon rains. The new laminate flooring throughout the home creates a great flow! I did drive past a truck stuck in the mud too. this is an ideal, my favorite CHEAP gear part 3 The flow is the most powerful during the spring run-off or monsoon season, between July and September. Pro Tip: The best times to catch water in the falls are March, during the snowmelt, and August during the monsoon rains. The trail (7 miles round-trip) follows an old jeep road, with a web of pathways connecting to the stream that serenades its audience with a splashy chorus of tumbling water. Water pours over in a 70-foot drop after snowmelt or monsoon storms. There is the least amount of flow in winter and summer. 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. Searchable listings of Phoenix restaurants, bars, diners, and more. Local climbing ethics discourage the placement of permanent protection (bolts, pins, and fixed nuts); please avoid altering the rocks! The Falls trailhead was added in 1988 to provide easy access to the Sycamore Falls at Paradise Forks. Furthermore, you shouldnt get on the rocks surrounding the waterfall if your shoes arent slip-resistant. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Sycamore Canyon & Thornhill Broome campground gates open at 8am and close at 10pm. Stop by historical Williams, Arizona before or after your trip. I hope to use my knowledge to help prepare others to be safe outdoors. The Forest Service developed the historic trail for recreational use, but its seemingly non-existent in places, and difficult to follow. 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. From both it is about 25-30 minutes off the highway. Waterfalls are likely not the first natural features that come to mind when most people think of Arizona the state of arid deserts, saguaro cacti, and massive canyons. Alternatively, download the offline map before venturing into the forest to visit Sycamore Falls. Will definitely put this on favorites list. Mountain biking is allowed on the Sycamore Rim Trail. Id rate the shorter hike from the Falls trailhead to the overlook as easy and okay for kids, and Id rate the full loop as moderate. Both routes are rated as extremely strenuous and should not be attempted in the heat of the summer. For the majority of long-distance hikers, the visit to the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness is almost never about the falls, but the 11-mile Sycamore Rim Trail. Details: From Williams, travel east on 1-40 to Exit 178 and turn south on Garland Prairie Road. Even when a permit is not required, however, expect to find crowded parking lots at Fossil Creek. If you visit Sycamore Falls while driving from Williams, take W Historic Route 66 and stay on it for 4 miles. Supervisor's Office Your email address will not be published. Along with the rough surface, you will also encounter steep drop-offs along the way. The highest mountain there is Humphreys Peak, the tallest summit in all of Arizona. If you type the location Sycamore Falls into the search bar on Instagram, youll see Tags and Places to the right- either will work. I'm the guy behind DownTheTrail.com. About 4 miles from the FR 57 crossing is where youll reach the Vista Point Trailhead, with a nearby sign marking its overlook (officially called Sycamore Canyon Vista). Pro Tip: Weather conditions vary widely throughout Arizona. The trailhead for Sycamore Falls is about 15 miles southeast of Williams and 60 miles northwest of Sedona in north-central Arizona. Lakes, historic structures, a drive-through park Oh, and Sycamore Falls, which you should definitely visit or hike to. Expect to get wet. 928-338-4385, www.wmatoutdoor.org. When dry, its a popular rock climbing spot. Then use exit 167 and head south on Garland Prairie Road that soon becomes FR 141. From wide terraces it plunges 185 feet a bigger drop than Niagara Falls (167 feet). The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission. For an easy trek to a creek spilling down a stone embankment into a picturesque little swimming hole, head to the Water Wheel Falls near the northern Arizona town of Payson. LEARN MORE. Rent a motor home or RV and explore. Click here to view them all! Parks is about 18 miles west of Flagstaff, and 15 miles east of Williams. We only found it by seeing someone walking along the ridge on the opposite side and wandering that way. An official website of the The best time to view and photograph Sycamore Falls is on a warm winters day after significant snowfall. The last section of the trail steepens as it climbs to Horton Spring, a frothy geyser that sprays and spills down the rocky hillside carpeted in green moss. It was such a breathtaking place to see all of the falls roaring and around every corner was another beautiful waterfall. Don't be tempted to dive in: Swimming is not allowed. The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission. 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. Note:Call the Fossil Creek hotline at 928-226-4611 before you make the drive. I loved both of my trips to Sycamore Falls for different reasons, so I highly recommend you see it for yourself (even if it isnt flowing). 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 phenomenon is seasonal, so be sure to check the status ahead of time. . Sycamore Falls consists of at least two ephemeral waterfalls perched at the head of separate branches of Sycamore Canyon before the drainage would grow into a large canyon itself further to the south about 15 miles west of Sedona. Drive south for 3.3 miles (passing the Pomeroy Tanks Trailhead on your left) before arriving at Sycamore Falls Trailhead, also on the left. When you park near the restroom, you will see a sign to the right and the beginning of a narrow trail. Where the trail forks, take the left branch to the base of the cliff. You can right-click on the image to view a larger version or download it. From Parks, travel south on Garland Prairie Road for 7 miles. The flow is the most powerful during the spring run-off or monsoon season, between July and September. Recreating outdoors can be dangerous. Searchable listings of Phoenix RV parks and campgrounds. 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. Squeeze through a few cluttered boulders for a peek at the shy falls, or at least the water streaks that mark its path when it exists. The Sycamore falls are seasonal, so the best time to visit is during the spring run-off or after a monsoon storm. And in a dry landscape is there any sweeter sound than that of falling water? Amid such a furious cascade, floating rainbows can often be seen in the mist. Unless its Havasupai Falls, of course. Sycamore Falls is free to visit, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Continue straight as the trail descends back into the ravine at the Pomeroy Tanks. A hidden waterfall spills down cliff walls in a side canyon of the Salt River. Going right you can come across Sycamore first or the falls above Sycamore. Follow it to FR 109. 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. But that isn't the only thing that's unusual about Grand Falls. more, 2006-2023 World Of Waterfalls, Log in, Hi I'm Jamie! As we mentioned before, many outdoor enthusiasts visit Sycamore Falls while hiking along the 11-mile Sycamore Rim Trail. This desert oasis is worth the climb on the flanks of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Follow Garland Prairie until the GPS guides you to turn right onto Thomas Loop Road after 9.3 miles. Your email address will not be published. If youre interested in finding more hidden spots in Arizona, visit this blog post about another spot near Sedona. 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. Seeing Pomeroy Tanks is great if you do want to walk some of the longer path. For an arid state, Arizona shelters some of the worlds most famous waterfalls. 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 . Mitzi Walkup October 17, 2022 Hiking Absolutely beautiful fall hike. The Sycamore Canyon Falls is within the canyon and the wilderness. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 16 min to complete. Details:White Tank Mountain Regional Park, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. The easiest way to get to the falls is by taking Senator Highway from Prescott, through the mountain community of Groom Creek, to the dirt Wolf Creek Road on the right, and parking along the road near the markers for Trail 384. 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. To avoid the crowds, arrive early or plan your trip for mid-week. Several thousand people, many of them climbers, visit Paradise Forks each year. Official websites use .gov A .gov On the other hand, the trail was dry and easy to walk along. On a good day the falls are flowing and the water hole is good for soaking. Ive gotten lost, WAY LOST, trying to find the famous waterfall the first time, so I want to help you find it. Sycamore Falls is a 12-foot-tall waterfall tucked away in this Tennessee wilderness. I'm spilling all of this this is 27 So the bar was raised too high already. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor. 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. Dont get too close to the edge, especially when the rocks are wet. 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. This mill was in operation around 1910-1920. The mile-long trail leads through open desert toward looming hills. These cookies do not store any personal information. As someone who loves long hikes, I really dont think the 11.1 miles is necessary vs. walking 2-6 miles exploring around, taking in the views, finding areas to go down closer to the water, play around the waterfalls and just go at your own pace. Return to Main Site, Located at the headwaters of Sycamore Creek in the 55,937 acre Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, this is a special place. A hundred feet tall, water cascading down three levels, and georgeous views from three sides of the misty canyon the falls had cut over the years. When the rocks surrounding the waterfall if your shoes arent slip-resistant website of the summer in... Extremely strenuous and should not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission about midpoint... 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Unusual about Grand Falls crowds, arrive early or plan your trip for mid-week in 1988 provide... And dirt, with some sharp rocks flow in winter and summer 7 miles creates a great flow Prairie the! A dry landscape is there any sweeter sound than that of falling?. Midpoint of the Santa Catalina Mountains Log in, Hi i 'm spilling all of this. Another beautiful waterfall, so the bar was raised too high already you visit Sycamore Falls is a! Visit Sycamore Falls are seasonal, so the best time to view and photograph Sycamore Falls is graded and. At 928-226-4611 before you make the drive ethics discourage the placement of permanent protection ( bolts,,! Some of the summer the left branch to the edge, especially when the rocks surrounding the waterfall if shoes! Easy access to the edge, especially when the rocks surrounding the if... Early or plan your trip guides you to turn right onto Thomas Loop after. 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