Are there fees or permits required for Chiva Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Chiva Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Chiva Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Chiva Falls.

Nearby gauge (Rincon Creek) · 0 ft³/s

Chiva Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Chiva Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Chiva Falls. Dogs are allowed on this Coronado National Forest route; keep them leashed because of vehicle and bike traffic.

Arizona

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Coronado National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (1)

666isMONEY ☮ ♥ & ☠ CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Length

8.6 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

960 ft

About Chiva Falls

Chiva Falls (also spelled Chivo) is a seasonal waterfall in the Redington Pass area east of Tucson, on the Coronado National Forest outside Saguaro National Park. It is reached by rough dirt forest roads off Redington Road that are popular with off-road vehicles, so hikers share the route with jeeps, ATVs and bikes. The falls run mainly after monsoon storms or winter and spring rain and may be dry otherwise.

The Setting

Chiva Falls sits at 4,029 feet within Coronado National Forest, in the mountains of Arizona.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Tanque Verde Falls (80 ft) lies 3.5 miles to the west.

Tanque Verde Falls

Trail & Hike Details

8.6 mi distance 960 ft climbed

The Approach

The hard 8.6-mile out-and-back trail gains 960 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

Hikers usually start from Redington Road and follow the dirt forest roads (including FR 4417) south to the canyon and the falls. One GPS-measured route is about 8.6 miles round trip with about 960 feet of total climbing; distance varies with where you park. The route is rocky, mostly unshaded and shared with motor vehicles.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Chiva Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on this Coronado National Forest route; keep them leashed because of vehicle and bike traffic.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Chiva Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring fall winter

The best time to visit is after significant rainfall, typically during the monsoon season (July to September) or in the spring when water flow is more likely.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Fall, and Winter. Watch for flash flood warnings during monsoon season (July through September). Check with Coronado National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

The trail is remote and rugged. Bring sufficient supplies, including water and a first aid kit. Be cautious of flash flooding during the monsoon season. Cell service may be limited.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 38 minutes ago

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Rincon Creek, 9 miles away, not on Chiva Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

0 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Based on 60 years of record

1.90 ft

Water depth at gauge

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

RINCON CREEK NEAR TUCSON, AZ.

USGS 09485000

9 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 45 sq mi

Altitude: 3,132 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge RINCON CREEK NEAR TUCSON, AZ. (15 km away).

Moderate confidence

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late February to mid March, peaking in March.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Tanque Verde hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 197 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 4,014 feet.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 74 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 91 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Chiva Falls near Tanque Verde, Arizona, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Chiva Falls near Tanque Verde, Arizona, showing about 197 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing north

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 4,014 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 197 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: North; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

From Tanque Verde Road and Catalina Highway in Tucson, drive east on Tanque Verde Road until it becomes Redington Road, then continue up Redington Road past the Tanque Verde Falls trailheads. Redington Road is very rough near the Chiva Falls trailhead, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended; driving the forest roads to the falls requires high-clearance 4WD.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is no developed trailhead; hikers park at pullouts along Redington Road. If the road is too rough for your vehicle, park lower down and add distance to the hike.

Elevation

4,029 feet above sea level

Coordinates

32.258130° N, -110.595914° W

Land Management

Coronado National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Check weather conditions before visiting, as the trail can become impassable after heavy rain. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and sturdy footwear. If driving, ensure your vehicle is equipped for off-road conditions.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This challenging 8.6 miles trail gains 960 ft in elevation — come prepared with proper hiking boots and trekking poles. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

The backcountry standard — filters 99.9% of bacteria and weighs just 3 oz.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof

Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles

Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

MOLINO

7.9 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview Visitors are drawn to Molino Campground for its group camping area, scenic mountain surroundings and hiking and mountain biking opportunities. While most other campgrounds in the Catalina Mountains are closed in winter, Molino Campground and its picnic area are open in late fall, winter and early spring. The pleasant winter weather at this elevation makes it a great time to visit. Molino Basin is conveniently located 5.5 miles from the base of Mt. Lemmon on the Catalina Highway, and abou

Book on Recreation.gov