Ribbon Falls is the loveliest, featuring a stream of water that cascades over a mossy rock wall that is more than 100 feet high. The highest mountain there is Humphreys Peak, the tallest summit in all of Arizona. Continue on for another 3 miles until you reach a small parking lot with restrooms and a Sycamore Rim Trail sign. Your email address will not be published. The Ashfork Development Association, along with the Ashfork Museum and Information Center, help to manage the dam and reservoir which are open to the public for recreation and are accessible via a two track road located just north of Historic Route 66. 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. Location & Directions. Boasting not just one waterfall, but seven on a single site, Seven Falls is among the most popular trails in the Tucson area. 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. I know you may be surprised, but this desert state is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. As you get closer to the falls, the canyon narrows. I feel that going clockwise is best, as it gets the elevation out of the way early in the hike, and saves the best views for last. 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. 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. Supervisor's Office Request Free Travel brochures for Phoenix. 928-474-7900,www.fs.usda.gov/tonto. Sycamore Falls Loop - off-trail hike along the upper end of the west branch of Sycamore Canyon, descending via a steep, bouldery side drainage and climbing up the north fork of Sycamore Falls . The Best Free Camping Near Sedona, Arizona, Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in Phoenix, Arizona, The Best Weekend Itinerary in Sedona, Arizona. I would much rather spend 5+ hours sightseeing and exploring vs. the 11.1 mile loop. Coordinates: Unknown Elevation: USGS Map: Sulphur North 7 1 . This desert oasis is worth the climb on the flanks of the Santa Catalina Mountains. 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. Only a few can conquer this distance on foot and enjoy the Arizonas landmarks along the way. He left pretty soon, leaving the entire area to us to explore. When we went in winter, it was icy and muddy- if we didnt drive in a 4WD setting, we would have been slipping the whole time. Join Roads and Destinations' mailing list and get new blog updates, upcoming events, and exclusive travel resourses. You will make a sharp left in 1 mile onto E Garland Prairie Road. You will quickly pass a railway and the road will turn into dirt. Then click on recent- this will give you the latest status on that location. All Rights Reserved 626 N Sycamore Ave # 103, Sioux Falls, SD 57110 is a townhouse listed for rent at /mo. All falls are pretty seasonal so be sure to try and see them in the February to March timeframe. Williams is an eclectic little town with lots of old Route 66 history! Top 10 Best Waterfalls of the USA & How To Visit Them, User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month, and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls. Throughout your day along the Rim Trail you may encounter some signs and info about the Overland Trail. Monsoon season is between June and Late September. After following a ravine north for about a mile, youll intersect a small spur trail that leads to the left (west) for the Pomeroy Tanks Trailhead. Welcome to Roads and Destinations! Getting there is a monumental trek, however, and should be attempted only by fit and experienced hikers who have a plan in place. All Rights Reserved and. Make your own route down the gradually descending hill, staying as close as possible to the official trail. Leave Interstate I-40 at exit 178 for Parks, AZ. The best time to view and photograph Sycamore Falls is on a warm winters day after significant snowfall. From April through November, however, this becomes one of the most popular rock climbing areas in the southwest, known as "Paradise Forks.". Location & Directions. If you type the location Sycamore Falls into the search bar on Instagram, youll see Tags and Places to the right- either will work. Your email address will not be published. 520-749-8700, www.fs.usda.gov/coronado. Amid such a furious cascade, floating rainbows can often be seen in the mist. The hike is home to some of the most impressive waterfalls in Arizona if you come at the right time. Yet the city superseded my expectation. The cliff walls also didnt show any sign of the recent run-off. The falls overlook is just a short walk from the parking area, but handicap access is limited. Nestled within 21-mile-long Sycamore Canyon, Sycamore Falls hardly ever makes on the list of the popular destinations to visit in Arizona. Heres a map of the Sycamore Rim Trail. The path runs along the rim, swings by the Pomeroy Tanks area, ascends the peak of KA Hill, and comes across a few historic sites. Keep your eyes open for some sprawling specimens of Alligator Juniper. 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. www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd492963.pdf, Permits arerequired to visit May 1-Oct. 1, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Details: From Globe, drive north on U.S. 60 for about 40 miles until it enters Salt River Canyon. MY FIRST TRIP: Early April 2019, no flow (but it was a few days prior!! Remaining snowpack on the rim can add a nice quality to your photos, too. 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. To get there 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. The mile-long trail leads through open desert toward looming hills. 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, . Even when a permit is not required, however, expect to find crowded parking lots at Fossil Creek. ft. townhouse is a 2 bed, 2.0 bath unit. Its paved and barrier-free for 0.4 mile, including a stop at Petroglyph Plaza, where symbols are etched into prominent boulders. Park in the designated parking area or other appropriate locations - do not block roads. 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. Sycamore Falls is free to visit, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Sycamore falls are seasonal, so the best time to visit is during the spring run-off or after a monsoon storm. The idea is to ensure that melting snow will cause the falls to flow. To be precise, not Williams itself, but Sycamore Falls, a natural landmark that was said to be one of the most scenic places to visit nearby. The seasonal falls flow at a point thats only a short walk from the trailhead, where two forks of the canyon meet. My #1 recommendation is to take your time and stop the car wherever and whenever something catches your eye. It is part of the Grundy Day Loop. Certainly, the falls of Havasupai are hard to beat, and if youre able, they are a not-to-be-missed bucket list destination in the Grand Canyon State. Details: From Williams, travel east on 1-40 to Exit 178 and turn south on Garland Prairie Road. You can send yourself an email as well. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND a 4WD vehicle to get here. The range is actually a single ancient volcano, thought to have erupted sometime within the last million years. Regardless of the destination, her goal is to find the perfect scenic hike, city walk, beach stroll, or road-trip jaunt, and bring it to life in her blog. What Is Rental Car Insurance Coverage? Follow this for 3 miles and you will see a turn off to the left (look for the restroom hut) for the small dirt parking area. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. The US Army established the trail as a route from Flagstaff to Prescott in 1863. ), MY SECOND TRIP: New Years Day 2022, high flow (after a week of snowstorms!). Share sensitive information only A rocky trail from the overlook clambers down to the river level of the falls. Mind the elevation if youre not acclimated to the area, though. Pro Tip: The best times to hike into the Grand Canyon are spring and fall. Sycamore Falls is the Unofficial name of this waterfall. Slicing through Mogollon Rim country forest, Horton Creek east of Payson makes the perfect introduction to waterfalls. The flow is the most powerful during the spring run-off or monsoon season, between July and September. I mentioned earlier that I got lost on my first visit by going left at the fork, over the dried waterfall, and right along the rim. Going right you can come across Sycamore first or the falls above Sycamore. $30. If coming from the East/Flagstaff you can get off at Exit 178 for Parks Rd. 928-203-2900, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino. It appears that some selective logging has taken place here, but the walking is pleasant as you approach KA Hill. We got lost by going left, crossing a different dried-up waterfall, and walking along the rim for miles until we turned around. Sycamore Falls is likely to flow after monsoons- I suggest going 1-2 days after a big storm when the roads are drier and the storm has passed. Youll work up a serious sweat,making the rocky pools all the more enticing. Just after crossing the river, turn left onto a dirt road. 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. Follow this forest service road for roughly 9 miles. Overnight Accommodations. 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. Booked a trip to Oahu? To avoid the crowds, arrive early or plan your trip for mid-week. A carefully driven car can make it, but you may be more comfortable in a high-clearance vehicle. Sycamore Canyon & Thornhill Broome campground gates open at 8am and close at 10pm. Furthermore, you shouldnt get on the rocks surrounding the waterfall if your shoes arent slip-resistant. Searchable listings of Phoenix RV parks and campgrounds. So the bar was raised too high already. But a natural pool created by the colossal basalt cliffs undoubtably indicates on the presence of the waterfall. No matter where you go on the forest, the Williams, Tusayan or North Kaibab Ranger Districts, you will be blown away by the natural beauty, diverse flora and fauna, and outstanding recreational opportunities. During the wet season, a churning flow of muddy, chocolate-hued water rushes over the rock wall, creating a phenomenon unlike any other. Reaching Sycamore Canyon requires a 13.5-mile drive south of Interstate 40, much of it over gravel roads. The Arizonas wilderness can be counted on partial or full absence of cell service. The best place to access these is via the Sycamore Falls Trailhead and Vista Point Trailhead. $7 per vehicle. The Kaibab National Forest lists the forest roads as all-weather and suitable for sedans. Follow this for 3 miles and you will see a turn off to the left (look for the restroom hut) for the small dirt parking area. We also have visitor guides available in states highlighted in blue below. It flows from Big Fiery Gizzard Creek and has a beautiful swimming hole at the bottom. There are a few ways to get to the falls and you can learn more about Sycamore Rim Trail #45 as well as many other trails on our Recreation activity page. There are sheer drop-offs all along the edge of the canyon, so use extreme caution, especially with kids. The high basalt walls have steep drop-offs. It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to reach the Sycamore Falls area by car. Note that the area can be prone to flash floods during the summer monsoons, so be sure to check weather forecasts in advance. We visited in February and only one of the falls was running. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. The locals, however, stick to a more appealing name when referring to the Sycamore Canyon region near Williams. After descending the southeast side of KA Hill, youll cross another unnamed trailhead at FR 56 and begin working your way along an upper branch of Sycamore Canyon. Sycamore Falls is located between Flagstaff, AZ and Williams, AZ in Northern Arizona. Drive FR 109 about 5 miles to the Sycamore Rim trailhead. Transportation companies, driving directions and more for Phoenix. Permits arerequired to visit May 1-Oct. 1 and go on sale April 1. I'm spilling all of this this is 27 I promise youll benefit from more time outside. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter (at the bottom of the page), or else I'll slip a rock into your backpack when you're not looking. Five trailheads provide starting points, including one thats just a short stroll from the falls, a cleft hewed from steep cliffs. The hike, which starts on the Bear Canyon Trail, is about 8.2 miles round-trip and is rated as moderate. 11 New Experiences In Central Florida Your Family Will Love, Barnsley Resort Review Adairsville, Georgia, 8 Amazing Things To Do In Banff National Park If You Dont Ski, My 5 Favorite Springtime Experiences In The Arizona Desert, My 6 Favorite Arizona State Park Cabins Perfect For A Winter Retreat, From Burros To Gunslingers: 9 Unique Experiences In Historic Oatman, AZ, 6 Amazing Experiences Along Arizonas San Pedro River, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our. Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. The water trapped at the bottom acquires emerald shade, which further inspires you to visit the secluded realm around Sycamore Falls. 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. Cindy Barks is an Arizona-based newspaper reporter, freelance travel writer, and travel blogger. A Cibecue Falls Access Permit is required. From here you can also hop on the entire Sycamore Falls trail leading you to pools, views Pomeroy Tanks and more. The falls are known as a spot where weary and hot hikers can take a break and cool off in the misty flow of water. Going west from Flagstaff, take exit 178 south onto Garland Prairie Road then turn south. Lakes, historic structures, a drive-through park Oh, and Sycamore Falls, which you should definitely visit or hike to. What is there to see in Williams, Arizona? Remaining snowpack on the rim can add a nice quality to your photos, too. To find and visit Sycamore Falls, venture into the Kaibab National Forest in Northern Arizona. Would this be difficult for children or new hikers? This site was designed to help inspire and simplify your travels so that you can wander simply and simply wander. It is a stunning area with Sycamore Canyon stretching for 21 miles. Copyright 1997 - 2023 The Go Travel Sites. Seeing Pomeroy Tanks is great if you do want to walk some of the longer path. Where the trail forks, take the left branch to the base of the cliff. Here are seven beautiful Arizona waterfalls worth checking out. It can feel like a party scene at times, but for me, the sheer beauty more than makes up for the crowds. This site is now a trailhead for the Arizona Trail. Kanab Creek Wilderness Access Map Landscapes Photo Album. 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. Haley and I camped nearby in the forest on the previous night. Water Wheel Falls is a popular destination for families, especially during hot summer weather. This water was important to Native Americans, and now it provides a habitat for numerous insects, fish, and frogs. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. With fortunate timing, you can enjoy a friendly neighborhood cascade lurking at the far western edge of the Valley of the Sun. There is the least amount of flow in winter and summer. I dare say the navigation app will get you there just fine, but heres the driving directions. Official websites use .gov A .gov Play it safely while visiting Sycamore Falls. But that doesnt mean they are the only waterfalls worth checking out in Arizona. Parks is about 18 miles west of Flagstaff, and 15 miles east of Williams. Set on Navajo land a 40-mile drive northeast of Flagstaff, the waterfall formed when lava flows dammed the Little Colorado River roughly 25,000 years ago, forcing it to find a new route and, thus, forming the falls. $5. Scattered on top of the massive rock walls, each and every overlook presents different sights of the waterfall. Both routes are rated as extremely strenuous and should not be attempted in the heat of the summer. Your email address will not be published. The waterfall is located along the 12-mile Sycamore Rim Trail, which can be accessed at five trailheads along the way. Date of experience: March 2016 Ask February0212 about Sycamore Canyon Falls Thank February0212 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. It doesnt sound surprising after you visit this part of the canyon and feast your eyes on Sycamore Falls. Follow this for 9 miles, then turn right onto FR109 or White House Lake Road- there is an obvious sign. The head of each of its branches houses two seasonal waterfalls, known as Sycamore Falls, that often culminate the visit to this secluded wilderness. What is the skill level? . Will definitely put this on favorites list. Expect some boulder hopping along the way. LEARN MORE. 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). There is the least amount of flow in winter and summer. The easiest way to visit Sycamore Falls, though, is by driving first and then walking downhill to the basalt walls with the waterfalls hidden at the heads of the Fork. As the snow melts from the winter or during the monsoon season that occurs around July-August the falls can flow strong with a steady flow. However, there are some great views and pictures if you take your time along the drive. If you catch it at the right time Sycamore Falls will make you feel like a kid again exploring all of the ins and outs of the area. But if the falls are running, they are definitely worth the trip. The left branch to the base of the waterfall which starts on the rocks surrounding the waterfall take your and! 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