Are there fees or permits required for Tanque Verde Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Tanque Verde Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Tanque Verde Falls?

Yes, swimming is allowed at Tanque Verde Falls.

Nearby gauge (Rincon Creek) · 0 ft³/s

Tanque Verde Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Tanque Verde Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Tanque Verde Falls. Pets are permitted; the Forest Service asks that you leash them near other visitors and pack out their waste.

Arizona • 80 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Coronado National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

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

666isMONEY ☮ ♥ & ☠ CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Tanque Verde Falls

Tanque Verde Falls is an 80-foot seasonal waterfall in Tanque Verde Canyon on the Coronado National Forest, just off Redington Road about 8 miles east of Catalina Highway in Tucson. Tanque Verde Creek cuts through banded gneiss and granite here, forming a series of pools and smaller falls above and below the main drop. The Forest Service's rim overlook gives the best view of the main falls.

The Setting

Tanque Verde Falls sits at 3,163 feet within Coronado National Forest, in the mountains of Arizona. The falls drop 80 feet.

Height: 80 feet

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

The easy hike follows Upper Tanque Verde Falls (#350), a 1.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is developed (Class 3).

USFS Trail

UPPER TANQUE VERDE FALLS #350

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

+8-10%

USFS Segment

0.37 mi

Trail Description

The easy Tanque Verde Falls Overlook Trail runs 0.5 mile one way along the rim from across the road from the Middle Tanque Verde parking area to a view of the main falls; there is no trail into the canyon from the overlook. Three steep, rocky trails drop into the canyon: Lower Tanque Verde Trail #342 (0.5 mile one way, 280-foot climb out), the Central Canyon Access Trail (0.2 mile, 120 feet) and the Upper Tanque Verde Trail (0.5 mile, 120 feet), which reaches pools above the falls. There is no trail along the creek, and a 2-mile Rim Loop connects the three parking areas.

What to Expect

The falls cascade 80 feet. Swimming is permitted. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

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

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Tanque Verde Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Pets are permitted; the Forest Service asks that you leash them near other visitors and pack out their waste.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Tanque Verde Falls?

✅ Swimming is allowed

When to Visit

spring fall winter

The best time to visit is during spring or fall when temperatures are mild. Winter can also be a good time, but the water flow may be lower. Summer visits are possible but can be very hot, so early morning hikes are recommended.

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 Forest Service warns that dozens of people have died or been seriously injured here in flash floods and slipping or jumping accidents. Storms far upstream can flood the canyon even under a blue sky, so check the forecast and radar and do not enter the canyon if rain is possible. Bedrock and boulders are slippery even when dry; avoid jumping or diving into pools.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 39 minutes ago

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Rincon Creek, 8.8 miles away, not on Tanque Verde 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

8.8 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. (14 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.

The ground through the falls loses about 326 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The falls are listed at 80 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 3,174 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 224 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 151 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Tanque Verde Falls near Tanque Verde, Arizona, showing about 326 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing west

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 3,174 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 326 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

From the intersection of Tanque Verde Road and Catalina Highway in Tucson, drive east about 4.6 miles on Tanque Verde Road, where it becomes Redington Road, then 3.7 miles to the Lower Tanque Verde Trailhead; the Middle and Upper trailheads are a short way farther. The road is dirt and bumpy but passable for most passenger cars to the falls area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Three trailhead parking areas (Lower, Middle and Upper Tanque Verde) are on the north side of Redington Road; the Middle area has toilets, picnic tables and ramadas. There is no fee. Camping is prohibited at the parking areas and within 650 feet of the road.

Elevation

3,163 feet above sea level

Coordinates

32.254519° N, -110.655915° W

Land Management

Coronado National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good grip, as the trail can be rocky and slippery. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat to protect against the desert sun. Be cautious around the water, especially after rain, as flash flooding can occur. Arrive early to secure parking and avoid crowds.

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

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Nearby Campground

MOLINO

6 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