Updated July 2026
Water Wheel Falls
Water Wheel Falls is a series of creek-fed cascades and slick-rock chutes on Ellison Creek about 9 miles north of Payson in Tonto National Forest. The short trail involves boulder-hopping and stream crossings and can continue upstream to the Ellison Creek Cascades.
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 (USFS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
No measured height is on record for Water Wheel Falls in the land-manager and survey sources this inventory draws on. We list it without a height rather than estimating one.
The Water Wheel Falls Trail reaches it about 1.6 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 150 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 (USFS) for closures and current conditions.
Spring snowmelt and summer monsoon season. 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
- Ellison Creek Cascades
- Fossil Creek Falls · 25 ft
- Grand Falls (Chocolate Falls) · 185 ft
- Havasu Falls · 100 ft
Sources
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