WaterfallNear Me

Thunder River Falls

Coconino County, Arizona

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Coconino County, Arizona
Access status
Partial: trailhead parking details and day-use permit rules are not confirmed
The walk
NPS: 2.6 miles Monument Point to Bill Hall Junction, then 4.5 miles to the Surprise Valley junction, then about 1 mile east and down switchbacks to Thunder River
Ground & access
Very long and exposed with steep switchbacks and a 15 foot scramble on the Bill Hall Trail. NPS advises avoiding Surprise Valley after 10 a.m. in warm weather. Water is available at Thunder River and Tapeats Creek.
Reviewed visitor source

Thunder River is reached on a long, hot backcountry route in Grand Canyon National Park. Take the steeper Bill Hall Trail from Monument Point, or the longer Thunder River Trail from Indian Hollow, to the Esplanade, then descend switchbacks to Surprise Valley. At the cairned fork go east, cross the valley for about a mile, then drop steep switchbacks to the cascades of Thunder River.

Plan your visit

Bill Hall Trail from Monument Point, or Thunder River Trail from Indian Hollow, into Surprise Valley and east to Thunder River

Derived: the sum of 2.6, 4.5 and about 1 mile is roughly 8 miles one way from Monument Point. NPS does not give one total to Thunder River, and the Indian Hollow route is 3.7 miles longer.

Very long and exposed with steep switchbacks and a 15 foot scramble on the Bill Hall Trail. NPS advises avoiding Surprise Valley after 10 a.m. in warm weather. Water is available at Thunder River and Tapeats Creek.

Where to start

Trailheads are at Monument Point and Indian Hollow, reached by forest roads (FSR 425, then 292 and 292A, or 232). Winter and spring access is unreliable; get a road update first.

Timing & water

Winter and spring road access is unreliable. Creek crossings below Thunder River can be impassable in snowmelt or after heavy rain.

Before you go

This NPS handout does not state fees or day-use rules; overnight stays need a backcountry permit from Grand Canyon National Park. Check current rules with the park.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Arizona

Waterfall location

Coconino County, Arizona.

Open location map