Are there fees or permits required for Minnehaha Waters?

No, there are no fees required to visit Minnehaha Waters.

Is swimming allowed at Minnehaha Waters?

No, swimming is not allowed at Minnehaha Waters.

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Minnehaha Waters near Yarnell, Arizona, showing about 144 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing west

LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP

Nearby gauge (Agua Fria River) · 57 ft³/s · Much higher than usual

Minnehaha Waters

Q: Are dogs allowed at Minnehaha Waters?

No, dogs are not allowed at Minnehaha Waters.

Arizona

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Prescott National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

2.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

300 ft

About Minnehaha Waters

Minnehaha Waters is a seasonal waterfall on Minnehaha Creek in the Bradshaw Mountains of the Prescott National Forest, west of Crown King near the old Minnehaha Flat mining area. The falls are labeled on topographic maps but rarely visited, and reaching them takes a long day of hiking on rough forest roads and an overgrown, off-trail creek bed. One hiker who reached them described a drop of about 18 feet into a grotto between two large boulders.

The Setting

Minnehaha Waters sits at 4,921 feet within Prescott National Forest, in the mountains of Arizona.

Trail & Hike Details

2.0 mi distance 300 ft climbed

The Approach

The moderate hike follows Wagoner (#0213), a 2.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 300 feet of elevation gain with grades of 5-8%. The trail is moderately developed (Class 2).

USFS Trail

WAGONER #0213

Trail Class

Moderately Developed

Surface

Nat Native Material

Avg Grade

5-8%

USFS Segment

12.19 mi

Trail Description

No trail leads to the falls. The one documented route (HikeArizona) starts at the junction of the Senator Highway and Forest Road 362 below Horse Mountain, follows FR 362 (a popular, rugged off-road route) for about 3.7 miles toward the confluence of Ash, Pine and Minnehaha creeks, then continues off-trail down a rocky, overgrown creek bed. That route is about 11.3 miles round trip with about 1,500 feet of gain and takes around 7 hours; the Wagoner Trail #213 is an alternate return.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a peaceful and scenic waterfall surrounded by desert landscapes. The flow of the waterfall may vary significantly depending on recent rainfall or snowmelt. Wildlife sightings are possible, and the area is known for its natural beauty.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Minnehaha Waters?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Minnehaha Waters?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are typically the best times to visit, as the waterfall is more likely to have water flow during these seasons.

Seasonal Access

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

Safety Information

Visitors should be cautious of flash floods, especially during monsoon season. The trail may be poorly marked, so navigation tools are recommended. Carry sufficient water and avoid hiking during extreme heat.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Agua Fria River, 19.4 miles away, not on Minnehaha Waters's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

57 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much higher than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

Based on 55 years of record

3.96 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

The water is flowing much higher than usual, expect an impressive display.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.

AGUA FRIA RIVER NEAR ROCK SPRINGS, AZ

USGS 09512800

19.4 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 1,111 sq mi

Altitude: 1,773 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge AGUA FRIA RIVER NEAR ROCK SPRINGS, AZ (31 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

57 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Barely Flowing

57 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

63 cfs

5/10

Tue

Low

74 cfs

3/10

Wed

Low

76 cfs

6/10

Thu

Low

78 cfs

4/10

Fri

Low

95 cfs

4/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

88 cfs

5/10

Best window: Wed — low flow, sunny (trip score 6/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid January to early April, 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 Yarnell hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Minnehaha Waters Frozen?

Updated about 16 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Minnehaha Waters is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 58°F to 48°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 57 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.

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.

The ground through the falls loses about 144 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 4,922 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 172 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 85 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Minnehaha Waters near Yarnell, Arizona, for comparison with the lidar view

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 4,922 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 144 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: West; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

The documented route begins where Forest Road 362 leaves the Senator Highway below Horse Mountain in the Bradshaw Mountains, north of Crown King. Forest roads in this area are rough and heavily used by off-road vehicles; check Prescott National Forest road conditions before driving.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is no developed trailhead. Hikers have parked near the junction of the Senator Highway and FR 362 and walked down FR 362; watch for off-road vehicles on the road.

Elevation

4,921 feet above sea level

Coordinates

34.201974° N, -112.422669° W

Land Management

Prescott National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water, as the trail can be rocky and exposed to the sun. Check weather conditions before visiting, as flash floods can occur in the area. Cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

With 2.0 miles and 300 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

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

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.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

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

HORSETHIEF CABIN

8 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview Horsethief Cabin is situated in a clearing of Ponderosa pines at an elevation of over 6,000 feet in the Bradshaw Mountains of the Prescott National Forest. The original cabin was built in 1939 as quarters and a staging area for Forest Service crews charged with protecting the southern end of the Bradshaw Mountains against wildfires. The cabin was remodeled and modernized over the years, but eventually fell into disuse by the 1980s. The historic structure now enjoys a second life as a ren

Book on Recreation.gov