About this spot
Water Wheel Falls sits about 9 miles north of Payson in Tonto National Forest, an easy 1.6-mile round-trip trail off Houston Mesa Road (FR 199) that follows Ellison Creek toward the East Verde River. The first major cascade, a roughly 80-90 foot gradual granite slide, empties into a deep emerald pool that's the area's main cliff-jumping and swimming spot, with a few smaller jump points along the trail. Water stays frigid even in summer heat. The real hazard here isn't the jump itself but flash flooding: this canyon is prone to sudden walls of water during monsoon season even under clear skies, so check upstream weather and avoid the creek after storms.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.
Watch & read
- ▶ Watch — Crazy Cliff Jumping! (Payson)
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- ▶ Watch — Water Wheel Falls cliff jumping