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Located near Flagstaff, Arizona, Grand Falls, also known as Chocolate Falls, is nourished by snowpack runoff from the Little Colorado River or by monsoon rains in summer. It surged with life in late July 2022, giving visitors a breathtaking display. Arlene Waller/ShutterstockWilly Wonka, the legendary chocolate maker from fiction, once serenaded us with the lyrics, "Come with me and you'll be, in a world of pure imagination." But if you visit at the right moment, you won’t need to imagine—Grand Falls, Arizona, often referred to as the "Chocolate Waterfall," is as real as can be.
No, this isn’t some extravagant dessert trick at a wedding reception. This stunning natural marvel is a series of tiered waterfalls cascading over flat rock plateaus, with water that takes on a rich cocoa hue. It is situated roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Flagstaff, in Navajo Nation territory, within the Painted Desert.
Grand Falls was formed during the late Pleistocene epoch. An ancient volcanic eruption at Merriam Crater released lava that flowed towards the Little Colorado River's canyon. The molten lava cooled, filling the riverbed both upstream and downstream, effectively damming the river. Over time, a lake formed and overflowed, carving out the majestic Grand Falls.
It is crucial to remember that visiting Grand Falls at the wrong time of year could mean witnessing no waterfalls at all. The best time to observe the "Chocolate Falls" is during spring, particularly in March and April. This is when the waterfalls are fed by snowmelt from the Little Colorado River, which begins at Mount Baldy, or Dził Łigai Sí'án, as it's known by the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
Mount Baldy, the tallest peak in Arizona, is part of the White Mountains, a range located in northeastern Arizona and a key feature of the Colorado Plateau. The river's water, rich with silt, gives it a distinctive brown color as it flows through the mountains and cascades down the 187-foot drop at Grand Falls.
By the time the water has traveled its full 338 miles (544 kilometers) northwest to meet the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon, the brown silt is entirely filtered out, and the water's minerals transform it into a serene pale turquoise color.
Occasionally, Grand Falls can be seen during the summer months when it is fed by the rainy season, which lasts from June through September. The monsoon season typically brings increased humidity, resulting in frequent thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and even flash floods.
However, these weather patterns are brief, rare, and unpredictable. The flow of Grand Falls can also be influenced by drought conditions. That said, you can always call ahead to check if the falls are actually flowing.
Grand Falls is located within the Grand Falls Recreational Area. Situated on Navajo Nation land, it is maintained and overseen by the Leupp Chapter House. When visiting, it's essential to show respect for both the people and the natural environment of the land.
Chocolate Falls doesn’t flow continuously. The prime time for viewing it at its most spectacular is in March and April, when the snowpack begins to melt. Pritha_EasyArts/Shutterstock
