The Grand Canyon. It’s one beautiful place, isn’t it? Yup! And one of the things that makes this natural wonder even more magical is the pristine water that flows through it: a river, creeks, springs, and waterfalls. Did you know that there are several Grand Canyon waterfalls that you can hike to? It's true! Here are eight of those falls.
Today, we’re going to focus on some of the perennial and seasonal waterfalls in the Grand Canyon that you can find while hiking. Each one creates an enchanting atmosphere you won’t soon forget.
1. Beaver Falls
A series of small falls that step down Havasu Creek, this is one of the major waterfalls you’ll encounter near Supai and one of the more difficult ones to access. As for Grand Canyon waterfall hikes, this one is a six-mile trek from the little town, including a rugged trail and crossing the creek multiple times.Did you know that Beaver Falls is one of the many Grand Canyon waterfalls to have been altered by floods? A flood in 1910 destroyed the original Beaver Falls, which stood 50 feet tall and was a little farther north than where it currently sits.
2. Deer Creek Falls
Accessible through the Thunder Head Trail, the Deer Creek Trail, and rafting the Colorado River, Deer Creek Falls runs from the spring and creek by the same name. From there, it moves through a slot canyon before streaming down 180 feet.
3. Elves Chasm
This enchanting little spot is quite the oasis that requires some intense hiking or a rafting trip down the Colorado River. It's one of the most peaceful Grand Canyon waterfalls you can visit.
4. Havasu Falls
If there’s any photo you’ve seen of the Grand Canyon’s waterfalls, there’s no doubt it was this place. Havasu Falls has been attracting scores of visitors each year yet still remains one of the most beautiful places you will set your eyes on. The waterfall stands about 100 feet tall and streams down to beautiful turquoise colored pools. Havasu Falls usually looks just a little bit different every few years due to rain and floods. Before the 1910 flood, it was known as Bridal Veil Falls since it was much wider and appeared to "drape" down into the pools.
5. Mooney Falls
Visually similar to Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls is just a hike away from the former. The descent to the pool is known to be a more dangerous excursion as the trail is steep and slippery. In fact, it obtained its name from a miner who died trying to climb up the falls in 1882.
6. Ribbon Falls
Most photos of Ribbon Falls just don't do it justice. This pretty area can be accessed through the North Kaibab Trail and can be a rough hike with elevation quickly dropping in some areas. However, an excursion here is worth the effort to see a little piece of paradise, one of the most majestic waterfalls in the Grand Canyon. Best of all, you can actually walk behind it!
7. Lower Navajo Falls
Before 2008, Navajo Falls used to be one large waterfall just over a mile from Supai. However a summer flood in 2008 re-routed Havasu Creek, creating Upper and Lower Navajo Falls which sit less than a quarter mile away from each other.Lower Navajo Falls is also known as Rock Falls and has a nice little swimming hole that makes an ideal rest area for hikers.
8. Upper Navajo Falls
Upper Navajo Falls, also called New Navajo Falls, is the last waterfall on our list but one of the first you will encounter when hiking along the creek from Supai. The waterfall streams down fifty feet into a pool, making this a little shorter than its predecessor. It's still one beautiful spot though.
Did this list inspire you to want to investigate the Grand Canyon waterfalls? If multi-day hikes might be a little much for you, you might want to check out some more accessible waterfalls. Read our article 6 Gorgeous Arizona Waterfalls Hiding In Plain Sight for fantastic spots to visit!
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