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Grand Falls (Chocolate Falls), a waterfall in Arizona
Grand Falls (Chocolate Falls), Arizona · Sherwood5030 · Public domain

Grand Falls, also called Chocolate Falls for its muddy brown snowmelt-fed water, is a tiered cascade about 185 feet tall on the Little Colorado River on the Navajo Nation northeast of Flagstaff. It flows mainly during spring snowmelt and after heavy rains, and access has at times been restricted by the Navajo Nation due to overuse.

Height
185 ft
Type
Tiered
Access
Short Hike
Trail
1 mi out-and-back
Elevation gain
187 ft
Best season
Late winter and early spring (snowmelt)
Land manager
Navajo Nation
Watercourse
Little Colorado River

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 Navajo Nation for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Grand Falls (Chocolate Falls) drops about 185 feet. That makes it the 98th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 86% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.

The Grand Falls Trail reaches it about 1 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 187 feet of elevation gain, rated easy. The nearest town is Leupp. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Navajo Nation for closures and current conditions.

Late winter and early spring (snowmelt). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.

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