Water Wheel Falls: A Family-Friendly Hike in Payson, AZ
Water Wheel Falls near Payson, Arizona, is family-friendly hike, which leads to a series of cascading waterfalls and swimming holes.
Key Info on Water Wheel Falls
- 10 miles north of Payson in the Tonto National Forest.
- The Water Wheel Falls Trailhead is off Houston Mesa Road.
- The trail is about 1.5 miles.
- There’s no cellphone service.
- You’ll need an $8 day pass.
- Parking is limited.
Trailhead Map, Location, Parking & Fees
Off the highway, you’ll drive 7 miles along Houston Mesa Road, north of Payson. This is where you’ll lose cell signal.
Buying a Day Pass
Watch for the turnout for Shoofly Ruins. This is where you’ll have to buy a Tonto Day Pass for $8.
Or, if you plan ahead, the Tonto National Forest sells passes at stores all over Arizona.
A national America the Beautiful Pass also works for Water Wheel Falls.
Parking for Water Wheel Falls
- There are only around 40 parking spots at the trailhead.
- Arrive early, as the lot fills up on weekends and daily during the summer.
- Basic amenities like restrooms and picnic tables are available near the trailhead.
Walk to the end of the parking lot, where you’ll find this initial dirt path that follows the creek.
The Water Wheel Falls Trail: Distance & Difficulty
As I mentioned, the trail begins on the north end of the parking lot. It follows Ellison Creek upstream.
Trail Overview
- Distance: Approximately 1.6 miles round trip (depending on how far you explore).
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
The trail is relatively short but includes some rock scrambling and stream crossings, so make sure to bring a decent pair of sneakers or boots.
Walking up farther, depending on the water level and time of year, you might find ropes to help you scramble across the rocks in the stream to continue your hike beyond the waterfalls.
The Waterfalls
There are benches and picnic areas along the way, but the main feature here are the waterfalls. You’ll find a series of cascades and swimming holes.
The area features rugged rock formations, surrounded by a lush forest. It’s a contrast to Arizona’s desert landscapes.
Fishing in the Creek
You might see people fishing along the creek for trout, bass, and sunfish.
The Best Time to Visit Water Wheel Falls
It snows in this part of Arizona each winter. May and June are warm, and come before the monsoon sends storms into Arizona. The Payson area sees strong monsoonal thunderstorms from July into September.
Summertime hikes come with a warning about sudden floods from heavy rainfall.
Fall is also really pretty in Payson, but depending on rainfall the water levels might be a bit lower.
Safety & Flash Flood Information
Flash floods have been deadly at Water Wheel Falls.
In July of 2017, a flood killed 10 members of a family who were hiking, swimming, and picnicking for a birthday.
Hours before the flash flood, heavy rain hit farther north on a wildfire burn scar. It created a 40-foot-wide wall of water, which caught the family by surprise. The muddy floodwaters carried boulders and logs, sweeping some people downstream and leaving others clinging to trees.
From this aerial drone view, you can imagine how the water is channeled down through the rock canyon.
Also Close to Payson, AZ: Fossil Springs
One of my favorite Arizona destinations is also near Payson.
It’s a lengthy hike (5 miles each way) to Fossil Springs, but well worth it for the waterfalls and swimming holes you’ll find there.
This is one you’ll need a permit for much of the year for the Bob Bear Trailhead.
Key Info on Fossil Springs:
- It was known as the “Fossil Springs Trail” until recently.
- The closest town is Strawberry, AZ, a 2-hour drive from Phoenix.
- The Bob Bear Trail hike is 10 miles, roundtrip.
- It’s a steep hike out: a 1500-foot change in elevation.
- Seasons matter: it snows in the winter and is hot in the summer.
Why It’s Called Water Wheel Falls
A miner named James Greer settled in the area a century ago. He built a water wheel as part of a system to process and crush ore, searching for gold.
The water wheel is still standing, though in disrepair. It’s on a path near the Water Wheel Campground, which you can access from the same parking lot.
More Arizona Hikes
Just outside Payson, you can hike under the world’s largest travertine bridge: Tonto Natural Bridge.
Northern Arizona is home to Petrified Forest National Park, which is one of three national parks in the state. The other two are the Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park (near Tucson). Chiricahua National Monument, also in Southern Arizona, is likely to become a national park in the future.
Flagstaff is home to countless hiking options, including Walnut Canyon National Monument and the Lava Tubes.
Hikers heading to Arizona can explore trails at Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Devil’s Bridge in Sedona, Picacho Peak near Tucson, the beautiful sites around Page, and Havasupai Falls (photo below) on Tribal land near the Grand Canyon.
Visitors looking for more relaxed trips to Arizona might enjoy the wineries around Sonoita and Elgin, like Dos Cabezas and Los Milics.
If you’re looking for Wild West history, check out the mining town of Bisbee (photo below), which is near Lowell and Tombstone.
Wrap: Is Water Wheel Falls Worth It?
My only concern about Water Wheel Falls is parking. The lot can fill up in the summer. Otherwise, it’s a great family destination, and suitable for kids. At the same time, it feels adventurous enough for hikers to enjoy, too.
It’s one of the more accessible waterfall hikes in Arizona, which provides a nice escape from the extreme summer heat 90 minutes away in Phoenix!
