Grand Falls
- Height
- 185 ft
- Road
- High clearance
- Permit
- Required
Grand Falls only runs after rain or snowmelt. Grand Falls is a 185 ft waterfall on Little Colorado River in Coconino County, Arizona.
Closures and warnings
Public access closed. AZ Central (2023-03-07): Navajo Nation Tourism Department confirmed Grand Falls closed until further notice after visitor impacts. Entering despite posted closure risks being asked to leave. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 185 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow | Only after rain or snowmelt |
| Flow note | Also called Chocolate Falls for muddy snowmelt or storm flow; dormant to a trickle or dry for months without runoff. |
Access
| Road | High clearance |
|---|---|
| Road note | Grand Falls Road is remote and unpaved; historically 4WD was needed to cross the Little Colorado River floor in places. Do not attempt access while the community closure is in effect. |
| Parking | Historically informal pull-offs along Grand Falls Road; public access closed since March 2023 (respect posted closure). |
| Fee | No public visitation fee while non-resident access remains closed (respect posted closure). |
| Hours | Closed to public visitation since March 2023 until further notice; do not enter while community closure is posted. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Seasonal closure | Closed to public by local Navajo communities until further notice (reported Mar 2023 for environmental safety). Respect posted closed signs. |
| Managed by | Navajo Nation (local communities near Leupp) |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Grand Falls open?
Public access closed. AZ Central (2023-03-07): Navajo Nation Tourism Department confirmed Grand Falls closed until further notice after visitor impacts. Entering despite posted closure risks being asked to leave. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Closed to public by local Navajo communities until further notice (reported Mar 2023 for environmental safety). Respect posted closed signs. Hours: Closed to public visitation since March 2023 until further notice; do not enter while community closure is posted.
How tall is Grand Falls?
Grand Falls drops about 185 ft.
How do you get to Grand Falls?
The road in is high clearance. Grand Falls Road is remote and unpaved; historically 4WD was needed to cross the Little Colorado River floor in places. Do not attempt access while the community closure is in effect. Parking: Historically informal pull-offs along Grand Falls Road; public access closed since March 2023 (respect posted closure).
Do you need a reservation for Grand Falls?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Grand Falls?
The fee is No public visitation fee while non-resident access remains closed (respect posted closure).
When is Grand Falls flowing?
It only runs after rain or snowmelt, so it is often dry. Also called Chocolate Falls for muddy snowmelt or storm flow; dormant to a trickle or dry for months without runoff.
Nearby
Sources
2
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Falls,_Arizona (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.seasonalClosure / hazardNote, waterfall.heightFt, waterfall.ephemeral / flowNote, waterbodyName, access.roadSurface / roadNote)
- https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/03/07/after-surge-in-visitors-navajo-residents-close-grand-falls-access/69976654007/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.seasonalClosure, access.permitRequired, access.fee / access.hours, access.parking)