20,000 years ago, the volcano that produced Merriam Crater spewed lava across the Arizona desert and dammed the Little Colorado River more than five miles away. Lava filled the small canyon carved by the little river and forced it to change direction northward before returning, hundreds of feet downstream, and plummeting over the canyon wall. 

Sometimes referred to as Chocolate Falls, the waterfall is known for the unusually sediment rich water that pours over its precipice… sometimes. This area does not receive much precipitation, so most of the year the waterfall is a trickle (if anything at all) but after a rain or a heavy snowmelt the falls flow spectacularly.

Getting there

If you’re coming from the West, take Navajo Route 15 (Leupp Rd) to Rt. 70, turn left (North) which will take you almost straight to the falls. Keep an eye out for a small sign pointing toward the falls. If you miss the entrance to the falls, you will be taken directly through the Little Colorado River. Most of the year the river is dry here, so you can drive right through, but if there is water on the road do not attempt to drive through the river without a high clearance vehicle. If coming from the East, take Navajo Route 15 to Rt. 6910, turn right and 6910 will eventually turn into Rt. 70. The roads from Rt. 15 are mostly dirt, scattered with basaltic rocks from the lava flow. The dirt road has pot holes and the black rocks may be sharp, so tread carefully, but I have seen a Nissan Altima make the drive.

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