Water Wheel Falls
Water Wheel Falls
4.5
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Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
60 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
9
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Kimberly S
Apache Junction, AZ5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Trailhead is just left of bathroom. Has sign boards but nothing is on them to tell you any info. Water wheel is at the start of trail to the left. Hike is beautiful with multiple waterfalls all the way to end of trail. Trail does cross over the water several times and does have rock face walking and some boulders to go around and over but an enjoyable hike still. Definitely check weather before going to avoid flash flood danger.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lori C
97 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We did not make it to the falls. However, the hike to the falls with beautiful and we got some great pictures. We stopped because we attempted to hike on the rocks/boulders and decided it was unsafe to continue. My husband is 78 and had problems with breathing and I slipped a couple of times on the rocks. We did not get hurt but decided it was too risky to continue. For the average hiker it wouldn't be a problem.
Written September 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hiker
1 contribution
Nov 2019
We came here this morning to go hiking and it looked like it was going to be nice but we saw 3 separate areas marking a persons death within less than half a mile. The first was a tree with faded silk flowers and some children’s shoes tied around it, then a cross with someone’s name on it and the third was a sign. What happened here? We were a little freaked out and decided to leave. Can anyone tell me what happened at this place?
Written November 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara B
5 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
This is a great place to go with the family to escape the Phoenix heat. There are picnic spots as soon as you park and even some swimming holes. If you are up for an adventure, you can hike up the creek to the waterfalls and even more swimming holes. This starts out as a dirt trail but turns into boulders, just follow the creek! When you arrive, to start the trail you will head to the left.
Tips:
*Bring as much water as you can. The temps when we went in July were around the 100's and we were extremely hot. We couldn't even finish because we ran out of our water supply and had to head back.
*Cell phones do not work so if you are planning on meeting a group, coordinate ahead of time.
*I brought hiking boots but I would actually recommend a shoe with a good grip that could also get wet because the farther you go, the more you will need to get your feet wet.
*Get there early, this place gets PACKED!
*Please pay the fee. This is a self-pay honor system and I was disappointed to see so many people just walk by without paying. This behavior creates a stricter system where quite possibly we'll have to have pay ahead permits in the future. The fee is small compared to the fun you get to have so bring cash with you to support our forests!
**And to piggyback off of that, please pack your trash and take it out with you. Again, destructive behaviors will only hurt the future of this spot.
*Wear sunblock!
Tips:
*Bring as much water as you can. The temps when we went in July were around the 100's and we were extremely hot. We couldn't even finish because we ran out of our water supply and had to head back.
*Cell phones do not work so if you are planning on meeting a group, coordinate ahead of time.
*I brought hiking boots but I would actually recommend a shoe with a good grip that could also get wet because the farther you go, the more you will need to get your feet wet.
*Get there early, this place gets PACKED!
*Please pay the fee. This is a self-pay honor system and I was disappointed to see so many people just walk by without paying. This behavior creates a stricter system where quite possibly we'll have to have pay ahead permits in the future. The fee is small compared to the fun you get to have so bring cash with you to support our forests!
**And to piggyback off of that, please pack your trash and take it out with you. Again, destructive behaviors will only hurt the future of this spot.
*Wear sunblock!
Written August 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kaitlynn W
11 contributions
May 2017 • Family
We did this hike easily with two kids. One an 8 week old, and a two year old. Water was amazingly clear and beautiful! Many falls along the way to the big one, super cool! Highly recommend this hike! Fee of 6$, it's an honor system!
Written May 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mel
Madison, WI50 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
Not from the area and wasn’t aware of the flood and deaths here. There are memorials so of course you think of it. It didn’t look like a path was cleared anymore? We didn’t hang too long and took the gorgeous drive thru the Tonto Forest back to the airport. Maybe the other stops were passable.
Beautiful area.
Beautiful area.
Written January 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Plynn458
Tucson, AZ9 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
This was on my top list of places to visit with my daughter when we were in town. Luckily we did not attempt to go. We found out the next day that a flash flood came through and swept away a family of fourteen. There were only four survivors and at this point one man is still missing. I'm sure this place is beautiful from what I've read, but please do not go during monsoon season or when it looks like rain is anywhere in the area. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family this happened to.
Written July 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill D
Pittsburgh, PA73 contributions
May 2017 • Family
As other reviews note, there is a well-worn trail that goes about a quarter of a mile to an area that looks a bit like a beach. The real payoff, however, is if you keep following the unmarked trails that lead upstream. The scenery is beautiful and, at the end, there is a beautiful waterfall.
The trek is not for the faint of heart because you have to cross the stream several times. There are logs, rocks, etc. to help with crossings but you should expect to get wet. Bring your swimming trunks if you don't mind a swim in pretty cold waters.
The trek is not for the faint of heart because you have to cross the stream several times. There are logs, rocks, etc. to help with crossings but you should expect to get wet. Bring your swimming trunks if you don't mind a swim in pretty cold waters.
Written May 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jessKels
Phoenix, AZ65 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
This is a nice water hole in Payson, super easy to get to and a super beautiful spot. Park at the Water Wheel Camping parking lot and just walk down towards the water. There are some boulders the farther you hike but you can stop at any time and hang out or take a swim. This is a very short hike, if you do choose to hike along the falls it really is only about half a mile to 1 at the most. Even though it's super short it is such a beautiful place, highly recommend checking it out. I made a day trip out of it, drove up from Phoenix hiked in the am and then stopped for some bbq in town before heading back to Phoenix.
Written June 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rextrent
Wichita, KS44 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
Do NOT use the maps on this site to find attractions. Ask a Park Ranger instead or use Map Quest(?). The maps here are often VERY WRONG and can get you lost and waste your time.
I found very helpful ladies at the Visitors Center, on ne corner of Beeline and Main St, and Parks Ranger also had maps and suggestions.
This place might be accessible via a Control Rd. but that's an adventure of it's own.
I found very helpful ladies at the Visitors Center, on ne corner of Beeline and Main St, and Parks Ranger also had maps and suggestions.
This place might be accessible via a Control Rd. but that's an adventure of it's own.
Written March 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes there is Houston Mesa Campground before it and Second Crossing Campground just after it. Not sure if either is open right now. Also be aware of monsoon storms this time of year. Flash floods can occur in the area.
Written July 7, 2020
Yes, it is! And dogs will love the hike and enjoy a dip in the water, as well.
Written July 15, 2019
we are traveling to Arizona mid January. is that a good time of year to do outdoor activities, such as the waterfalls, grand canyon etc
Written November 18, 2018
Hi there,
January will be a beautiful time to visit! Depending on the weather, Payson can get a little cold and icy. However, as long as the sun is out, you should be fine!
Written November 19, 2018
Virginia K
Shawnee, Oklahoma
is there a fee for hiking in to the water wheel and is it open this time of year
Written September 16, 2018
Is there a water schedule on times they close off the water during the year? We like to know when the water is running so we can go camp at those times TIA
Written September 14, 2018
Is this trail open today? And does it cost anything to park and hike for the day?
Written August 4, 2018
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