Arizona has some majestic waterfalls, that’s for certain! But many of them are so hard to get to that most people only get to enjoy them through photos and videos. The same is true for Arizona’s own Niagara Falls – which, by the way is actually at least 14 feet taller than the real Niagara Falls. Here’s why this outrageously beautiful waterfall (nicknamed, Chocolate Falls) is so hard to see:
Firstly, it’s located in the Painted Desert on the Navajo Nation.
Flickr/Nick|Allen If you want to visit, you’ll need a permit.
Secondly, at times, this waterfall is all dried up, so timing is very important.
Flickr/Nick|Allen The flow relies heavily upon the runoff of melting snow or, upon waters garnered from the monsoon season. Any other times of the year and this majestic waterfall may be nothing more than a drip.
And thirdly, few people have seen it because there are no paved roads to get here.
TripAdvisor/happyheidi2017 During times when the water is actually flowing, you’re advised to drive only a high-access four-wheel-drive vehicle. Getting here sometimes even requires driving through the raging river. (Not advised, under any circumstances, but people — with permits — do it.)
But oh-la-la! If you can somehow make all three of the above factors work in your favor, the view of Arizona’s Niagara Falls (real name: Grand Falls) is beyond belief!
Flickr/Arizona’s Earth Science Photo Gallery
Have you been among the lucky to see this majestic and rare sight in the middle of the Painted Desert?
TripAdvisor/Dick P We’d love to hear all about it and see your photos in our Facebook feedback thread!To see part of the drive to Grand Falls and some amazing video footage captured of these Chocolate Falls, watch this short video below from youtube user Dennis Lazau:
Grand Falls, a.k.a. Chocolate Falls, is located in Leuup, Arizona, approximately 30 miles east of Flagstaff. Getting here can be a bit tricky. The best directions can be found at this link.
Flickr/Nick|Allen
If you want to visit, you’ll need a permit.
The flow relies heavily upon the runoff of melting snow or, upon waters garnered from the monsoon season. Any other times of the year and this majestic waterfall may be nothing more than a drip.
TripAdvisor/happyheidi2017
During times when the water is actually flowing, you’re advised to drive only a high-access four-wheel-drive vehicle. Getting here sometimes even requires driving through the raging river. (Not advised, under any circumstances, but people — with permits — do it.)
Flickr/Arizona’s Earth Science Photo Gallery
TripAdvisor/Dick P
We’d love to hear all about it and see your photos in our Facebook feedback thread!To see part of the drive to Grand Falls and some amazing video footage captured of these Chocolate Falls, watch this short video below from youtube user Dennis Lazau:
If you feel like Grand Falls is a difficult journey to accomplish, then take a look at the journey to Havasu Falls in this previous article!
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