Mooney Falls
Arizona • 200 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Every visitor needs an advance permit from the Havasupai Tribe (campground or lodge reservation); entering without a permit and wristband is treated as trespassing. Areas beyond Mooney Falls are open in daytime only.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Hard
Trail Length
20.5 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
2,000 ft
About Mooney Falls
Mooney Falls is a waterfall of about 200 feet on Havasu Creek, just past the Havasupai campground and about 2.25 miles downstream of Supai Village. It is on the Havasupai Reservation, outside Grand Canyon National Park, and the Havasupai Tribe requires an advance permit for every visitor. The pool at its base is reached by a steep, slick descent down the cliff using chains and ladders.
The Setting
Mooney Falls sits at 2,680 feet within Havasupai Reservation, in the hills of Arizona. At 200 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Arizona.
Height: 200 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Havasu Falls (100 ft) lies 0.8 miles to the southeast. Also nearby: Fiftyfoot Falls (50 ft, 1.3 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The hard 20.5-mile out-and-back trail gains 2,000 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
The trail starts at Hualapai Hilltop (5,200 ft) and drops about 2,000 feet over 8 miles to Supai Village (3,205 ft), then continues about 2 miles to the campground; Mooney Falls is at the downstream end of the campground. That is roughly 20 miles round trip from the trailhead, normally split across a multi-night permit. The tribe describes the descent below Mooney Falls as extremely treacherous.
What to Expect
The falls plunge 200 feet. Swimming is permitted.
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 Mooney Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets and service animals are not allowed anywhere on the Havasupai Reservation.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fee: $455.00
Permit required
Permits are required to access the Havasupai Reservation, including Mooney Falls. Reservations must be made in advance through the official Havasupai Tribe website.
🏊 Is There Swimming at Mooney Falls?
✅ Swimming is allowed
When to Visit
Spring and fall are the best times to visit due to milder temperatures. Summer can be very hot, and winter may bring icy conditions, making the descent more dangerous.
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).
Safety Information
The descent to Mooney Falls is steep and can be dangerous, especially when wet or icy. Use caution and take your time. Always carry enough water and be prepared for the strenuous hike. Flash floods can occur in the area, so check weather conditions before your trip.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Havasu Creek, 4.2 miles away, not on Mooney Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
69 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 26 years of record
6.93 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge HAVASU CREEK ABOVE THE MOUTH, NEAR SUPAI, AZ (7 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
69 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
69 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
69 cfs
5/10Sat
Low
79 cfs
3/10Sun
Barely Flowing
73 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
75 cfs
3/10Tue
Low
76 cfs
4/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early March to late March, peaking in September.
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 Kaibab hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Mooney Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Mooney Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 74°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
- 69 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.
1-meter lidar shows Mooney Falls dropping about 545 feet in a single sheer step. That is more than the listed 200 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 2,513 feet above sea level.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 433 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 512 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 2,513 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 545 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
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
Hualapai Hilltop is at the end of Indian Road 18, about 60 miles from its turnoff on Route 66; the road is paved but open range, so watch for animals, and the nearest gas is 70 to 90 miles from the trailhead. Permit check-in is at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn (Route 66 mile marker 115, near Peach Springs). From the Hilltop, hike 8 miles to Supai Village and about 2 more miles to the campground; Mooney Falls is at its far end.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking at Hualapai Hilltop is limited, with more along the road leading to the trailhead. Camping and sleeping in vehicles are not allowed at the Hilltop, and there is no gas or food there.
Elevation
2,680 feet above sea level
Coordinates
36.263119° N, -112.708531° W
Land Management
Managed by TRIB Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Start your hike early to avoid the heat, and wear sturdy hiking shoes with good grip for the descent. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. Be prepared for the technical descent to Mooney Falls, and take your time navigating the ladders and chains. Reservations are mandatory, so plan your trip well in advance.
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This challenging 20.5 miles trail gains 2,000 ft in elevation — come prepared with proper hiking boots and trekking poles. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
The backcountry standard — filters 99.9% of bacteria and weighs just 3 oz.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
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.
Where to Stay
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
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
JUMPUP CABIN
24 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Since the 1900s, Jumpup cabin has been used by ranchers as well as the Forest Service, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site consists of a historic two-room cabin, shed and composting toilet. Recreation Jumpup cabin is located at the trailhead for the Ranger trail, a 17-mile wilderness trail that winds through Kanab Creek. Hiking this area is very popular in the spring and fall months, but is discouraged during the hottest summer months. Water is scarce and
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Mooney Falls, Arizona
Lava Warm Springs
Lava Warm Springs flows at 90°F on the Hualapai Indian Reservation in Mohave County near Peach Springs, emerging 20 degrees war...
Pumpkin Spring
Pumpkin Spring emerges as a mineralized thermal feature in the Grand Canyon's depths, located on the Hualapai Indian Reservatio...
Colorado Pool
Colorado Pool flows at 86 degrees Fahrenheit near the Grand Canyon in Coconino County at 2,912 feet elevation, requiring approx...
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Mooney Falls, Arizona on SoakingSprings.
Explore Arizona springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Other waterfalls in the Havasupai area include Havasu Falls, Beaver Falls, and Navajo Falls. The Grand Canyon is also nearby.
Wildlife
The area is home to various desert wildlife, including lizards, birds, and small mammals. Be cautious of snakes and other potentially dangerous animals.
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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