Outbound Collective logo

The Water Wheel

Payson, Arizona

4.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

1 miles

Elevation Gain

75 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by David Frietz

Great hike for all levels with water that runs year round. Includes waterfalls, swimming holes, and hiking. 

Trail starts at the water wheel campground. Parking is free and there are bathrooms in the parking lot. Trail starts on the left hand side of the lot. There are picnic tables along the beginning of the trail which follows along the East Verde River. 

After a quarter mile the trail fades and you start to walk up a rock path. To your right you can hear the first and largest set of falls. Here you can do cliff jumping and swimming. Passing these falls the river forks. To the left is another fall with swimming hole and to the right is a more popular swimming hole where the trunk of a tree lays next to a small waterfall.

To get out hike back the same way you came. Carry all trash with you.

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin
Camping
Photography
Swimming
Hiking
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Forest
Waterfall
Cliff Jumping
Swimming Hole

The Water Wheel Reviews

Bring water and beware of flash flooding!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Water Wheel & Ellison Creek Cascades

Hike the Colonel Devin Trail

Mogollon Rim via Washington Park

Cabin Loop Trail

Hike the Pine Creek Loop in Tonto Natural Bridge SP

Stroll Pine Creek's Lavender Farm