I Was Lucky Enough to Visit the Famous Grand Falls in Arizona Before It Closed to the Public Forever

I recently told y’all about a road trip my sister and I took from Texas to California when I was a teenager, and today, I’m highlighting my absolute favorite stop we made along the way: Grand Falls in Arizona. Instead of just describing how beautiful this sacred natural wonder is (which would be a bit unfair because it’s closed to the public indefinitely), I’m going for something deeper here. 

You see, Grand Falls, also known as Adah'iilíní, is located on the Navajo Nation in the small town of Leupp, which is just outside of Flagstaff. Hidden down a long, bumpy dirt road in the middle of the eponymous Painted Desert, the 185-foot waterfall (yes, it’s taller than Niagara Falls!) is fed by snowmelt and rain from the White Mountains. 

For years, Grand Falls remained a hidden gem among Arizona waterfalls, but with the rise of social media and travel influencers, it was only a matter of time before that changed. After all, the idea of such a breathtaking phenomenon being virtually untouched by man is too alluring of a concept to keep people away for long — and once that Pandora’s box was opened, it was like unleashing a demon that couldn’t be tamed without cutting off public access to the falls entirely.

Navajo Nation authorities initially closed Grand Falls in the Spring of 2023, after heavy rains caused the Little Colorado River to swell. The closure was thought to be only temporary, but a statement was issued shortly thereafter announcing the falls would no longer be open to tourists. Unfortunately, due to the rapid influx of visitors in recent years, the sacred land became littered with trash, such as discarded alcohol containers. Locals also reported that visitors would drive their ATVs onto non-designated roads and in residential areas, disrupting the natural ecosystem. 

Now, I’m definitely not here to preach to anyone. None of us is perfect, and it’s easy to think that one little act of carelessness won’t have much of an impact on the bigger picture — but the reality is that when enough people have that mindset, the results can be devastating. It’s also crucial to remember the importance of respecting Native lands and behaving as respectful guests when we visit. After all, if we want to keep enjoying the beautiful places they so generously allow us to see, we must do our part by helping to preserve them for future generations (that goes for nature as a whole, really). 

I have to say that visiting Grand Falls in AZ was one of the best experiences of my life. Driving down the long, red dirt roads with no other vehicles in sight was already an unreal experience, but nothing could’ve prepared me for what I was about to witness. The rocky landscape looked otherworldly with its giant pockets and craters, and the falls spilled majestically into a canyon that was so deep, I had to squint to see the bottom. 

We got exceptionally lucky — the falls are most active in the spring because of the melting snow, but they also flow sporadically during monsoon season (summer), which is when we visited. Seeing the rainbows created by spray from the rushing water is a visual that will remain etched in my memory forever. 

Did you ever get the chance to visit Grand Falls in Arizona before it closed? If so, in your opinion, how does it compare to other Arizona waterfalls? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. If you're interested in checking out some of our state's other amazing waterfalls (many of which require some amount of hiking), our Ultimate Hiking Packing List has everything you need for a stress-free adventure.