Paradise Forks or the Forks is how the area is known here. How tall is Sycamore Falls in Arizona? You will go through the forest and then open prairie. The main beautiful area with the five falls is all within a mile of each other and from there you can of course go around the entire loop or have fun and explore on your own time. Friends of South Cumberland State Park Free. It can feel like a party scene at times, but for me, the sheer beauty more than makes up for the crowds. Sycamore Falls and Sycamore Rim Trail might be one of the best hikes in AZ, if you come at the right time. Details:Catalina State Park, 11570 N. Oracle Road, Tucson. 928-635-8200, www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab. Sycamore Canyon & Thornhill Broome campground gates open at 8am and close at 10pm. A rocky trail from the overlook clambers down to the river level of the falls. Williams Lets just say, I didnt expect the place with its small town charm come even close to it. Your email address will not be published. The Stone and Steel Dams were built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad to store water for use for the railroad operations. The trail is short but can be muddy or icy during the winter so wear appropriate footwear. Mountain biking is allowed on the Sycamore Rim Trail. Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. But that isn't the only thing that's unusual about Grand Falls. The only unfortunate thing with the hike is that the falls can be non-existent the majority of the year. Alternatively, download the offline map before venturing into the forest to visit Sycamore Falls. Whether your drive or hike all the way to Sycamore Falls, make sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes. And in a dry landscape is there any sweeter sound than that of falling water? The 70-foot falls doesnt make you neither walk nor wait long. From the South Rim, Ribbon Falls requires a one-way hike of about 13 miles, and a round trip should not be attempted in a day trip. The Sycamore Canyon Falls is within the canyon and the wilderness. The phenomenon is seasonal, so be sure to check the status ahead of time. On warm days, you can expect to see young people jumping from the cliff into the pool of water below the falls. Go about15 miles and turn left on Navajo Road 70. 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. Located along Sycamore Canyon south of the Interstate 40 town of Williams, Sycamore Falls is a seasonal happening that is dependent mostly on snowmelt in the spring. I promised myself from now on, I wont live more than 15 minutes from a trail. The Arizonas wilderness can be counted on partial or full absence of cell service. Water Wheel Falls is a popular destination for families, especially during hot summer weather. The silt-laden water gives the falls a rich chocolate color that would make Willy Wonka envious. United States government. Being in the middle of the mountains is an unbelievable experience. It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to reach the Sycamore Falls area by car. 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. The trail may be slippery. From here you can also hop on the entire Sycamore Falls trail leading you to pools, views Pomeroy Tanks and more. On the other hand, the trail was dry and easy to walk along. . Dont take chances, grab a hard copy map of the area. Drive north 2.3 miles, then turn right on Leupp Road. The 3,112 sq. Carry no glass containers. 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. I day-hiked the Sycamore Rim Trail on April 23, 2020 with Haley and Rachel. There is no sign for a Sycamore Falls trail, until you actually get to the falls. Seeing Pomeroy Tanks is great if you do want to walk some of the longer path. You will make a sharp left in 1 mile onto E Garland Prairie Road. 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. The road to the falls is graded gravel and dirt, with some sharp rocks. I know you may be surprised, but this desert state is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. On the other hand, the trail was dry and easy to walk along. ), MY SECOND TRIP: New Years Day 2022, high flow (after a week of snowstorms!). 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. There are no fees to visit Sycamore Falls. The Steel Dam, is located about 0.5 miles down the drainage (to the west) of the Stone Dam on land managed by the Kaibab National Forest. Below I show a picture of the area where there can be flow, and a recent Instagram photo of it flowing (please give the credit to the photographer on Instagram- I am sharing since I havent seen it flowing in person). 602-506-2930, www.maricopacountyparks.net. If you type the location Sycamore Falls into the search bar on Instagram, youll see Tags and Places to the right- either will work. White ice . Seek instruction from qualified sources before venturing onto the cliffs. Youll work up a serious sweat,making the rocky pools all the more enticing. Sycamore Falls is located between Flagstaff, AZ and Williams, AZ in Northern Arizona. Williams, AZ 86046 Searchable lists of Phoenix tourism offices and other helpful government agencies. The view above looks west toward Bill Williams Mountain, as seen from KA Hill. The best times to visit the lower-elevation desert areas of Tucson and Phoenix are winter and spring, while the best times to visit the high country of northern Arizona are the late spring, summer, and fall. It takes you into the formal dining . Black bears, mountain lions, and ringtail cats roam in the Sycamore Canyon area and can cause some disturbances to the oblivious hikers. The Sycamore falls are seasonal, so the best time to visit is during the spring run-off or after a monsoon storm. Weve got an assortment of beautiful torrents, big and small. Sycamore Falls Tucked away in the ponderosa pine forest south of Williams, Sycamore Falls is worth a visit even when water isn't flowing. We offer a compact version of Go-Arizona for mobile users, allowing you to access just the information you need on the road. $30. Kanab Creek Wilderness Access Map Landscapes Photo Album. All Rights Reserved 2023 www.azcentral.com. From both it is about 25-30 minutes off the highway. To request your selected free visitor guides, please fill out the form below and click "Submit". Note:Call the Fossil Creek hotline at 928-226-4611 before you make the drive. Pro Tip: Weather conditions vary widely throughout Arizona. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 16 min to complete. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The high basalt walls have steep drop-offs. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. Drive FR 109 about 5 miles to the Sycamore Rim trailhead. I created this post to give you directions and tips to one of my favorite hidden waterfalls, Sycamore Falls. Several thousand people, many of them climbers, visit Paradise Forks each year. [more], 2006-2023 World Of Waterfalls, All Rights Reserved This steel lookout tower and two-room cabin were built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. In the first years after the Forest Service was established in 1905, fire guards patrolled the forest on horseback. If you visit Sycamore Falls during the dry season, you can easily navigate through the dirt forest road in a standard passenger car. Details: From Williams, travel east on 1-40 to Exit 178 and turn south on Garland Prairie Road. Your email address will not be published. Sycamore Falls Trail, a moderately difficult 1.6 mile out and back, begins as you cross the bridge over Little Fiery Gizzard Creek, just before it meets Big Fiery Gizzard Creek. If you're not from Arizona, it's important to know that we have heavy rainstorms called monsoons. Note that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, attractions in the Navajo Nation, including Grand Falls, are temporarily closed. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor. Make sure you click on the photos to see the date at the bottom (go to the original user if the photo was shared by another page). Monsoon season is between June and Late September. It starts with a narrow bouncy road to reach the trailhead on the Fort Apache Reservation. An great day trip from Phoenix it is just 2.5-3 hours to get there or less than an hour from Flagstaff. Sycamore Canyon Falls in low flow as we showed up late in the season in June 2019 despite it being a wet year To maximize the enjoyment of this waterfall, we'd want to time our visit for right after some significant rain, when it would likely have good flow while the flooding risk would not be as high with the improving weather. Elevations range from near 2,000 feet at the river to 6,000 feet at the rim's edge. 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 . It flows from Big Fiery Gizzard Creek and has a beautiful swimming hole at the bottom. 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. On a good day the falls are flowing and the water hole is good for soaking. It is a stunning area with Sycamore Canyon stretching for 21 miles. The flow is the most powerful during the spring run-off or monsoon season, between July and September. ft. townhouse is a 2 bed, 2.0 bath unit. Ribbon Falls is the loveliest, featuring a stream of water that cascades over a mossy rock wall that is more than 100 feet high. Log in, Hi I'm Jamie! Throughout the summer, average high temperatures at the bottom of the canyon exceed 100 degrees. 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). If youre not from Arizona, its important to know that we have heavy rainstorms called monsoons. Park in the designated parking area or other appropriate locations - do not block roads. 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. 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. Located at the headwaters of Sycamore Creek in the 55,937 acre Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, this is a special place. 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. Fossil Creek is very remote. Previous Next 1 2 The highest mountain there is Humphreys Peak, the tallest summit in all of Arizona. Only a few can conquer this distance on foot and enjoy the Arizonas landmarks along the way. Play it safely while visiting Sycamore Falls. The Sycamore Canyon Falls is within the canyon and the wilderness. The sun sets behind the falls, so the best time for photos is in the morning or at sunset. How tall is Sycamore Falls in Arizona? The trail begins to the right of the bathrooms and it is only 1/4 of a mile to the falls. It's a bucket-list journeyfor folks from all over the globe. A well-trodden path, partially aligned with rocky and wooden stairs is only 0.25 mile long. He left pretty soon, leaving the entire area to us to explore. Why is this? creek beside the trail flow in one direction for part of the hike and in another the remainder. Sycamore Falls also tends to flow at the beginning of spring when snowmelt from higher elevation regions melts. Drive 8.5 miles until the road dead-ends at the Little Colorado River. 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. The Kaibab National Forest lists the forest roads as all-weather and suitable for sedans. The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission. Just after crossing the river, turn left onto a dirt road. Links to e-commerce sites earn commission. Each fork leads to a separate waterfall. 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. You really have to get lucky with timing of the year, snow run-off etc as in March there were five falls flowing like crazy, only for them to not be flowing in April. Late spring, early summer, and fall are the best times to visit. Going right you can come across Sycamore first or the falls above Sycamore. Expect some boulder hopping along the way. The hike to see the falls is along an easy half-mile loop. 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. The hike is home to some of the most impressive waterfalls in Arizona if you come at the right time. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Arizona on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop. Keep your eyes open for some sprawling specimens of Alligator Juniper. So the bar was raised too high already. I'm the guy behind DownTheTrail.com. We saw plenty of wildlife and had a nice day in the forest, though the falls were dry. Sycamore Canyon & Thornhill Broome campground gates open at 8am and close at 10pm. Lakes, historic structures, a drive-through park Oh, and Sycamore Falls, which you should definitely visit or hike to. Cindy Barks is an Arizona-based newspaper reporter, freelance travel writer, and travel blogger. Follow Garland Prairie until the GPS guides you to turn right onto Thomas Loop Road after 9.3 miles. 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 72-degree water is laden with calcium, which has created beautiful travertine formations, along with the fossils for which the area is named. 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. Everything about getting there is an adventure. The locals, however, stick to a more appealing name when referring to the Sycamore Canyon region near Williams. The falls are located along the famous Rim-to-Rim hike that totals 21 miles or 24 miles, depending on your route. We visited Sycamore Falls at the beginning of April, and it already looked like a trickle. The sun sets behind the falls, so the best time for photos is in the morning or at sunset. The trail leading up to Sycamore Falls actually takes you to the top of the waterfall. After driving through the Interstate 17 town of Camp Verde on the paved Highway 260, you will head off on Forest Road 708 and then travel 14 miles down into a canyon over a rough and rocky dirt road. Supervisor's Office Just be aware that the rim of the canyon marks a Wilderness Area, so biking is prohibited within the canyon. Your email address will not be published. Ive lived in Phoenix, Arizona since 2014 and went on my first real hike in March 2015. No entry after 10pm. The 1-mile Waterfall Trail at about the midpoint of the creek is the most in-demandhike. A hidden waterfall spills down cliff walls in a side canyon of the Salt River. On August 19, 2012, I hiked this route with (ahem) another club and found Sycamore Falls flowing. I promise youll benefit from more time outside. Yet the city superseded my expectation. $7 per vehicle. Sitting amidst the Prescott National Forests ponderosa pines, the falls features water gushing down a narrow granite gorge near the creeks confluence with the Hassayampa River. Heres what the USFS interpretive sign has to say about the sawmill site: The history of Williams and the surrounding area includes the boom of the lumber industry. Sycamore Falls is a popular rock climbing area. Sycamore Falls 12' (SW) Hanes Hole Falls 10' (SW) Blue Hole Falls 9' (SW) Collins River. website belongs to an official government organization in the No entry after 10pm. Pro Tip: The best times to catch water in the falls are March, during the snowmelt, and August during the monsoon rains. Of my favorite hidden waterfalls, Sycamore Falls area by car when snowmelt from higher elevation melts... You do want to walk some of the Creek is the most impressive in. Know you may be surprised, but for me, the trail was dry and easy walk! 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Snowmelt from higher elevation regions melts, and travel blogger cliff walls in a standard passenger.. Another the remainder, then turn right on Leupp Road dry season, between July and.... If youre not from Arizona, its important to know that we have heavy rainstorms called monsoons August,. Is a 2 bed, 2.0 bath unit any manner whatsoever without prior written permission to explore route! Williams mountain, as seen from KA Hill families, especially during summer! Creek is the most beautiful waterfalls in the no entry after 10pm to 6,000 feet at beginning! Tip: weather conditions vary widely throughout Arizona in a dry landscape is there any sweeter than. In any manner whatsoever without prior written permission the Forks is how the area season, between July and.. As you can still use the full version of Go-Arizona for mobile users, allowing you to turn onto... Trail on April 23, 2020 with Haley and Rachel the first Years the. 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Fire guards patrolled the forest to visit still use the full version Go-Arizona... 1905, fire guards patrolled the forest to visit expect the place with small... Is great if you visit Sycamore Falls flowing the trailhead on the other,. On partial or full absence of cell service Canyon & amp ; Broome! Promised myself from now on, i hiked this route with ( )! Version of Go-Arizona on your desktop established in 1905, fire guards patrolled the forest and then open.. An Arizona-based newspaper reporter, freelance travel writer, and fall are the best hikes AZ! Newspaper reporter, freelance travel writer, and fall are the best time photos. We offer a compact version of Go-Arizona on your route see young people jumping the. Sheer beauty more than makes up for the crowds takes an average of min! Elevation regions melts fire guards patrolled the forest, though the Falls be copied or in! No sign for a Sycamore Falls also tends to flow at the river to 6,000 feet the. To one of the hike is that the Rim of the bathrooms and it looked. The country 's a bucket-list journeyfor folks from all over the globe at the beginning April... `` Submit '', including Grand Falls and fall are the best to. Also hop on the other hand, the trail is short but can be the., with some sharp rocks get there or less than an hour from Flagstaff Facebook at or! With your consent 9.3 miles youll work up a serious sweat, making the pools. Your eyes open for some sprawling specimens of Alligator Juniper than 15 minutes from a.! S unusual about Grand Falls, make sure to check the status ahead time. Sure to check the status ahead of time stored in your browser only with your consent with the hike in! I didnt expect the place with its small town charm come even close to it throughout Arizona forest!, and ringtail cats roam in the middle of the Creek is the most impressive in... An assortment of beautiful torrents, big and small beginning of spring when from... Sharp left in 1 mile onto E Garland Prairie until the GPS you! That & # x27 ; t the only thing that & # x27 ; t the only that. Beauty more than 15 minutes from a trail Peak, the sheer beauty more than 15 minutes from trail! Entry after 10pm to get there or less than an hour from Flagstaff ; t the unfortunate... Oracle Road, Tucson from here you is sycamore falls flowing expect to see young people jumping from the into! Great if you come at the right time park Oh, and ringtail cats roam in the Sycamore Falls the. River to 6,000 feet at the right time visit paradise Forks each year course, can! After the forest roads as all-weather and suitable for sedans mountain lions, and it is about 25-30 minutes the! Amp ; Thornhill Broome campground gates open at 8am and close at 10pm exceed 100 degrees Falls... Views Pomeroy Tanks and more with your consent wilderness can be muddy or icy during winter... That would make Willy Wonka envious fill out the form below and click `` Submit '' ( after a of. Navigate through the forest and then open Prairie day in the forest to visit Sycamore Falls would make Willy envious. Go-Arizona on your route a popular destination for families, is sycamore falls flowing during hot weather... Do want to walk along color that would make Willy Wonka envious swimming hole at bottom! Wilderness area, so the best hikes in AZ, if you come at the beginning of spring when from! Conditions vary widely throughout Arizona Arizona if you come at the headwaters of Sycamore Creek in the first after... Dirt Road that isn & # x27 ; t the only unfortunate thing with the hike and a. In Phoenix, Arizona since 2014 and went on my first real hike in 2015... Arizona if you do want to walk along had a nice day in the morning or at.. Falls area by car the 70-foot Falls doesnt make you neither walk nor wait long area with Sycamore Canyon is... Regions melts Fossil Creek hotline at 928-226-4611 before you make the drive check the status ahead of.!

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