10 Best Waterfalls in Arizona (2026 Updated)
Of the 30 named waterfalls in Arizona, these 10 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Tanque Verde Falls, Beaver Falls, and Ribbon Falls. The list spans the Southern Arizona Sky Islands, Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau, and Mogollon Rim and Central Highlands.
How We Picked
We ranked the 10 publicly accessible Arizona waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Tanque Verde Falls
Tanque Verde, AZ · Pima County · Southern Arizona Sky Islands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 169 reviews. 89% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it Tongue Verde Falls. It is one of 8 named falls in the Southern Arizona Sky Islands region. Ernie's Falls is only 1.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Tanque Verde, about 4.8 miles to the west.
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2. Beaver Falls
Grand Canyon Village, AZ · Coconino County · Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 123 reviews. 82% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Red-rock canyon with a waterfall accessed by rugged hikes with river crossings & a ladder climb." It is one of 15 named falls in the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau region. Mooney Falls is only 1.7 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Grand Canyon Village, about 36 miles to the southeast.
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3. Ribbon Falls
Grand Canyon Village, AZ · Coconino County · Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 26 reviews. 96% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 15 named falls in the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau region. The nearest town is Grand Canyon Village, about 9.6 miles to the southwest.
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4. Workman Creek Falls
Tonto Basin, AZ · Gila County · Mogollon Rim and Central Highlands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 20 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention driving and falls. It is one of 5 named falls in the Mogollon Rim and Central Highlands region. The nearest town is Tonto Basin, about 21 miles to the west.
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5. Chiva Falls
Tanque Verde, AZ · Pima County · Southern Arizona Sky Islands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 31 reviews. 84% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it Chivo Falls. It is one of 8 named falls in the Southern Arizona Sky Islands region. The nearest town is Tanque Verde, about 8.3 miles to the west.
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6. Bridal Wreath Falls
Tanque Verde, AZ · Pima County · Southern Arizona Sky Islands
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 27 reviews. 78% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 8 named falls in the Southern Arizona Sky Islands region. Ernie's Falls is only 0.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Tanque Verde, about 5.4 miles to the west.
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7. Deer Creek Falls
Grand Canyon Village, AZ · Coconino County · Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 10th most reviewed in the state, with 5 reviews. It is one of 15 named falls in the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau region. The nearest town is Grand Canyon Village, about 31 miles to the southeast.
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8. Havasu Falls
Grand Canyon Village, AZ · Coconino County · Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Arizona, holding 4.5 stars across 679 Google reviews. 81% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Waterfall on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, known for swimming in a dramatic blue-green pool." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: Falls in Havasu Canyon, Grand Canyon, 170 ft. high and 500 ft. broad. Older records also call it Bridal Veil Falls. It is one of 15 named falls in the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau region. Navajo Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Grand Canyon Village, about 34 miles to the southeast.
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9. Navajo Falls
Grand Canyon Village, AZ · Coconino County · Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.4-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 25 reviews. Name history: Named for the Navajo Indian Tribe (US-T121). It is one of 15 named falls in the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau region. Havasu Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Grand Canyon Village, about 33 miles to the southeast.
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10. Grand Falls
Flagstaff, AZ · Coconino County · Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.2-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 377 reviews. Google's listing sums it up as: "Remote, natural waterfall system on Navajo Nation with hiking trails, a viewpoint & picnic benches." Reviews most often mention bumpy road, muddy water, lava flow, and dirt road. Older records also call it Grand Falls of the Little Colorado and Grand Falls of the Little Colorado River. It is one of 15 named falls in the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau region. The nearest town is Flagstaff, about 30 miles to the southwest.
When to Visit Arizona's Waterfalls
Arizona waterfalls follow two water seasons rather than one. The first comes from winter storms and snowmelt, usually peaking from late winter into spring, when the sky island falls near Tucson and Grand Falls on the Little Colorado River are most likely to be running. The second is the summer monsoon, typically July through September, when afternoon thunderstorms can switch on dry falls within hours but also bring flash floods. Late spring and early summer, roughly May and June, are usually the driest and hottest stretch, and many falls go dry. Havasu Canyon's spring-fed falls flow year-round, though summer heat in the canyons is intense. Higher elevations on the Mogollon Rim and the Grand Canyon's North Rim see winter snow that limits access.
Before You Go
Land ownership matters more in Arizona than in most states. Havasu Falls and its neighbors are on Havasupai tribal land, where visits require advance reservations through the tribe, and Grand Falls is on the Navajo Nation, which sets its own access rules. Grand Canyon National Park manages the inner-canyon falls, and backcountry overnight trips there need permits. Most other falls are in national forests such as the Coronado and Tonto. Flash floods are the defining hazard: a storm miles upstream can send a wall of water through a slot or narrow canyon with no rain overhead. Smooth granite near falls like Tanque Verde is notoriously slick, and heat, dehydration and long unshaded approaches cause many rescues. Carry more water than seems necessary.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Arizona Waterfalls
See all 30 waterfalls in the Arizona waterfall guide, or browse by town: Tanque Verde, Grand Canyon Village, Tonto Basin, Flagstaff.
More Arizona Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Arizona?
Tanque Verde Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 169 Google reviews. It is near Tanque Verde in Pima County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 10 publicly accessible Arizona waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
How many waterfalls are in Arizona?
Our directory lists 30 named waterfalls in Arizona. See them all, sorted by town, in the Arizona waterfall guide.
Why is the water at Havasu Falls so blue-green?
The spring water feeding Havasu Creek is rich in dissolved calcium carbonate, which reflects light in blue and green tones and deposits travertine around the pools. Muddy floodwater can temporarily turn the creek brown after storms.