5 Must-See Waterfalls in Arizona (2026)
If you only have time for five Arizona waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau, Southern Arizona Sky Islands, and Mogollon Rim and Central Highlands.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited Arizona waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Havasu Falls
Grand Canyon Village, AZ · Coconino County · Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau
Why it is a must-see
With 679 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in Arizona, and it holds 4.5 stars. In short: "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. 5 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Navajo Falls and Fiftyfoot Falls. It is one of 15 named falls in the Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau region. The nearest town is Grand Canyon Village, about 34 miles to the southeast.
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2. Grand Falls
Flagstaff, AZ · Coconino County · Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau
Why it is a must-see
With 377 Google reviews it is the 2nd most visited waterfall in Arizona, and it holds 4.2 stars. In short: "Remote, natural waterfall system on Navajo Nation with hiking trails, a viewpoint & picnic benches." Expect bumpy road, muddy water, and lava flow, the topics reviewers bring up most. Older records also call it Grand Falls of the Little Colorado and Grand Falls of the Little Colorado River. 1 more named waterfall lies within 15 miles, including Black Falls. 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.
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3. Tanque Verde Falls
Tanque Verde, AZ · Pima County · Southern Arizona Sky Islands
Why it is a must-see
With 169 Google reviews it is the 3rd most visited waterfall in Arizona, and it holds 4.8 stars. Older records also call it Tongue Verde Falls. 4 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Ernie's Falls and Bridal Wreath Falls. It is one of 8 named falls in the Southern Arizona Sky Islands region. The nearest town is Tanque Verde, about 4.8 miles to the west.
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4. Ribbon Falls
Grand Canyon Village, AZ · Coconino County · Grand Canyon and Colorado Plateau
Why it is a must-see
With 26 Google reviews it is the 7th most visited waterfall in Arizona, and it holds 4.8 stars. 1 more named waterfall lies within 15 miles, including Cheyava Falls. 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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5. Workman Creek Falls
Tonto Basin, AZ · Gila County · Mogollon Rim and Central Highlands
Why it is a must-see
With 20 Google reviews it is the 9th most visited waterfall in Arizona, and it holds 4.8 stars. Expect driving and falls, the topics reviewers bring up most. 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.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 328 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- Havasu Falls (start, near Grand Canyon Village)
- Ribbon Falls, about 36 mi east
- Grand Falls, about 70 mi southeast
- Workman Creek Falls, about 112 mi south
- Tanque Verde Falls, about 109 mi south
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: Grand Canyon Village, Flagstaff, Tanque Verde, Tonto Basin.
More Arizona Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see waterfall in Arizona?
Havasu Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.5-star rating from 679 Google reviews. It is near Grand Canyon Village in Coconino County.
How was this list made?
These are the five most visited Arizona waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 328 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
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.