Upper end of the south fork. During the wet season, a churning flow of muddy, chocolate-hued water rushes over the rock wall, creating a phenomenon unlike any other. Highlining is other popular activity in the Sycamore Canyon area during this time. At the GDL sign, go left. 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. One of only two rivers in Arizona designated as Wild and Scenic, Fossil Creek features the same travertine formations and bright blue waters found at Havasu Canyon. 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. A carefully driven car can make it, but you may be more comfortable in a high-clearance vehicle. 800 South6th Street more, 2006-2023 World Of Waterfalls, You will quickly pass a railway and the road will turn into dirt. Soon youll come upon the historic sawmill site, followed closely by the site of an 1880s community called Dow Springs. Being in the middle of the mountains is an unbelievable experience. Your email address will not be published. I dare say the navigation app will get you there just fine, but heres the driving directions. Along with the rough surface, you will also encounter steep drop-offs along the way. Transportation companies, driving directions and more for Phoenix. It is best to avoid the trail in the summer, when average high temperatures hover at the 100-degree mark. ) or https:// means you've safely Alternately, you can hit the 8-mile, round-trip Parsons Trail or the strenuous, 2.9-mile Taylor Cabin Trail and explore different sites. I did drive past a truck stuck in the mud too. Sycamore Falls is free to visit, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Just be aware that the rim of the canyon marks a Wilderness Area, so biking is prohibited within the canyon. How tall is Sycamore Falls in Arizona? Tucked away inthe ponderosa pine forest south of Williams, Sycamore Falls is worth a visit even when water isnt flowing. Click the right tag, and youll notice multiple pictures like in the photo below. Ive lived in Phoenix, Arizona since 2014 and went on my first real hike in March 2015. Coordinates: Unknown Elevation: USGS Map: Sulphur North 7 1 . MY FIRST TRIP: Early April 2019, no flow (but it was a few days prior!! The numerous trailheads include the Sycamore Falls Trailhead, Pomeroy Tanks, Vista Point, and Dow Spring. In the first years after the Forest Service was established in 1905, fire guards patrolled the forest on horseback. Depending on the time you visit Sycamore Falls, the site might look like a roaring giant or hardly visible trickle. The 72-degree water is laden with calcium, which has created beautiful travertine formations, along with the fossils for which the area is named. Note that the area can be prone to flash floods during the summer monsoons, so be sure to check weather forecasts in advance. Did you know Four Peaks is the tallest point in Fall colors in Arizona?? More Visitor Guides are available in Arizona. The best time to view and photograph Sycamore Falls is on a warm winter's day after significant snowfall. It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to reach the Sycamore Falls area by car. The view above looks west toward Bill Williams Mountain, as seen from KA Hill. 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. . Everything about getting there is an adventure. There are no destinations too small or insignificant to fuel your curiosity and creativity. Besides being aware of the seasons, I have another trick I use to check if the waterfall is flowing before I visit. The Sycamore Rim Trail is an 11-mile loop, described here in a clockwise direction from the Sycamore Falls Trailhead. Turn left on Tonto Creek Road and continue to the campground where the trail begins. Learn how your comment data is processed. Her blog, NearandFarAZ gives readers an insider's view of the wonders of the U.S. Southwest, and a traveler's take on far-off locales from Panama to Hong Kong to the Czech Republic. The falls are flowing after heavy rainfall or during the spring when snow is melting. 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. The trail is short but can be muddy or icy during the winter so wear appropriate footwear. Amid such a furious cascade, floating rainbows can often be seen in the mist. It sure is, and I hope some fall colors have sneaked into the forest around the waterfall by now. Weve got an assortment of beautiful torrents, big and small. Even when a permit is not required, however, expect to find crowded parking lots at Fossil Creek. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor. If swimming is allowed, exercise extreme caution. Several thousand people, many of them climbers, visit Paradise Forks each year. Will definitely put this on favorites list. Ive gotten lost, WAY LOST, trying to find the famous waterfall the first time, so I want to help you find it. 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. Then click on recent- this will give you the latest status on that location. Just after crossing the river, turn left onto a dirt road. If youre coming from Phoenix, both of these routes are great and are only a few minutes difference. 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). Free; no permit is required. 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. 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. There are sheer drop-offs all along the edge of the canyon, so use extreme caution, especially with kids. The easy-to-moderate Wolf Creek Loop Trail (number 384) winds through the forest before reaching a series of small waterfalls and pretty pools, and ultimately, the large rock chute. Why is this? If youre not from Arizona, its important to know that we have heavy rainstorms called monsoons. Because of its growing popularity, the Coconino National Forest requires permits from April 1 to October 1. Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Phoenix. When the falls are dry, Sycamore Canyon hosts seemingly infinite possibilities for sport climbing routes. The sun sets behind the falls, so the best time for photos is in the morning or at sunset. The falls are located along the famous Rim-to-Rim hike that totals 21 miles or 24 miles, depending on your route. HOME PRIVACY POLICY TERMS, Affiliate Disclosure: We receive compensation from companies whose products or services are used, referenced, or reviewed regardless of whether we endorse or criticize them. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. There are multiple viewpoints on the ledge- please be careful here! 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. When dry, its a popular rock climbing spot. This site is now a trailhead for the Arizona Trail. Located in popular Sabino Canyon Recreation Area in Tucson, Seven Falls isnt exactly a secret but anytime you can find a multi-tiered waterfall in the desert, make the journey. 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. The area is beautiful! The waterfall drops in a series of terraced cascades, creating juicy little swimming holes at every level. We saw plenty of wildlife and had a nice day in the forest, though the falls were dry. 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. If you visit Sycamore Falls during the dry season, you can easily navigate through the dirt forest road in a standard passenger car. The Waterfall Trail in White Tank Mountain Regional Park leads to an ethereal falls, splashing down canyon walls after a strong rain. Once you get to the parking area, the hike to the waterfall is a fairly easy one-mile trail with some sections that are fairly rough and rocky. Sycamore Falls also tends to flow at the beginning of spring when snowmelt from higher elevation regions melts. Mother nature is ultimately the boss here, but this trick has helped me on multiple occasions. Throughout the summer, average high temperatures at the bottom of the canyon exceed 100 degrees. Location & Directions. It can feel like a party scene at times, but for me, the sheer beauty more than makes up for the crowds. If you visit Sycamore Falls in fall or winter, the trail may be muddy and difficult to hike along. Sycamore Canyon Falls 4.5 8 #3 of 4 things to do in Newbury Park Waterfalls Write a review About Suggested duration 2-3 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. Im Danielle, a midwesterner turned desert rat with a passion for the outdoors. Otherwise, tread to the right fork, which houses the most imposing waterfall. 928-203-2900, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino. Sycamore Falls is a seasonal attraction. 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 . Going right you can come across Sycamore first or the falls above Sycamore. Hola! Dog Wate, How to Hike to the Highest Point in Maricopa County: Four Peaks, The Best Places to See Fall Colors in Arizona, The Ultimate 1-Week Itinerary to Oahu Hawaii, Dont drive without 4WD and be comfortable going through mud and water if its after precipitation, Do research ahead of time and know where you want to go so you dont get lost. 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. 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. No entry after 10pm. You can access the falls via the Sycamore Rim Trail. Your best bet is to visit after at least a few days of heavy rainfall or snowfall. Make a hard right, continuing to follow Garland Prairie for 2 more miles. Pro Tip: Hikers can cut the distance of the hike down to about 4.6 miles by taking the Bear Canyon Trail tram to Seven Falls trailhead. 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. We are independently owned so content written by us merely reflect our own opinions. Follow Bear Canyon Trail, whichwinds along a stream for much of the hike, frequently splashing across it. 2023 www.azcentral.com. Pack out all your trash. Alternatively, download the offline map before venturing into the forest to visit Sycamore Falls. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. For backpackers, camping is available, with a permit, at the Bright Angel Campground near Phantom Ranch, or the Cottonwood Campground along the North Kaibab Trail. Remaining snowpack on the rim can add a nice quality to your photos, too. Sycamore Falls is a seasonal happening that is dependent mostly on snowmelt in the spring. On Roads and Destinations, I share my love for travel, culture, life, and well-being. Your email and your recipient's email will NOT be shared with anyone. The dramatic 80-foot waterfall spills in a straight drop into a wide pool. Today's outdoor adventure features Sycamore Canyon's seasonal waterfall. Im Fraser & this site is a guide to help you reach your goals, travel the world and create amazing food in between. Mostly level, the trail makes a languid 11-mile loop through sunlit meadows and fragrant woodlands that break apart long enough to offer enticing panoramas into high-walled Sycamore Canyon. 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