Cliff Diving & Jumping in Arizona
38 spots across 18 areas. Pick a town to explore, or get the app for the full map.
→ The best cliff jumping spots in Arizona, ranked
Arizona's cliff jumping is centered on its desert rivers, creeks, and reservoirs. The Mogollon Rim and Verde River country hold the classics — Fossil Creek, Tanque Verde Falls near Tucson, Slide Rock and Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon, and the travertine pools of the Salt River. To the north, the Havasupai Reservation's Havasu and Mooney Falls are world-famous (and permit-only, with steep fines for jumping). Around Phoenix, Saguaro, Canyon, and Roosevelt lakes draw summer crowds. Water runs warm spring through fall, but monsoon flash floods are a real, lethal hazard from July to September — never jump when storms threaten upstream.
Black Canyon City1 spot
Camp Verde3 spots
Carefree1 spot
Fort McDowell7 spots
Grand Canyon4 spots
Mesa1 spot
Morristown1 spot
Page1 spot
Patagonia1 spot
Payson2 spots
Rimrock1 spot
Roosevelt2 spots
Sedona3 spots
Strawberry2 spots
Tonto Basin3 spots
Topock1 spot
Tucson3 spots
Winslow1 spot
Cliff jumping in Arizona — FAQ
Where is the best cliff jumping in Arizona?
The most popular spots are Fossil Creek, Tanque Verde Falls (Tucson), the Salt River, Slide Rock and Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon, and the Phoenix-area lakes (Saguaro, Canyon, Roosevelt). Havasu and Mooney Falls on the Havasupai Reservation are iconic but require a permit.
Is cliff jumping legal in Arizona?
It varies by spot. Many lake and river spots are tolerated, but several — including the Havasupai falls — prohibit jumping and enforce fines. Always check local rules and posted signs; CliffScout notes restrictions where we know them.
When is the best time to cliff jump in Arizona?
Late spring through early fall, when water is warm and flows are stable. Avoid the July–September monsoon season after rain — desert canyons flash flood fast and have killed jumpers.