Updated July 2026
Ellison Creek Cascades
Ellison Creek Cascades is a series of cascades and deep pools along Ellison Creek on Houston Mesa Road just past Water Wheel Falls near Payson. It is a popular warm-weather swimming-hole hike at the base of the Mogollon Rim.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Tonto National Forest for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
No measured height is on record for Ellison Creek Cascades in the land-manager and survey sources this inventory draws on. We list it without a height rather than estimating one.
The Ellison Creek Cascades Trail reaches it about 1.5 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 177 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate. The nearest town is Payson. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Tonto National Forest for closures and current conditions.
spring. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More Arizona waterfalls
- Beaver Falls · 40 ft
- Bog Springs Waterfall
- Cibecue Falls · 30 ft
- Deer Creek Falls · 100 ft
- Fossil Creek Falls · 25 ft
- Grand Falls (Chocolate Falls) · 185 ft
- Havasu Falls · 100 ft
- Horton Creek Falls (Horton Spring) · 30 ft
Sources
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