About this spot
Tanque Verde Falls sits roughly 30-40 minutes east of downtown Tucson. The site consists of multiple cascades and pools within a canyon canyon system, supplied by seasonal snowmelt and rainfall from surrounding peaks. Optimal conditions occur during monsoon season when precipitation keeps water flowing; other periods show highly variable water levels. Pool depths vary considerably, with some too shallow for safe jumping while others have adequate depth, though many contain submerged rocks. Conditions shift rapidly due to rockfall, debris, or sediment accumulation—always inspect jump zones beforehand. Flash flooding poses serious danger, particularly during monsoon months, as upstream storms may take hours to reach the canyon bottom. High water flow creates extreme risk of being swept over falls, which has caused over 30 deaths historically, predominantly from the main cascade. Practice Leave No Trace principles and remove litter when possible. Access via Tanque Verde Road on Tucson's northeast side. This becomes Redington Road, which eventually turns to dirt and climbs steeply. The upper falls trailhead appears roughly half a mile beyond milepost 4, near a fire safety sign, with a small parking area on the right just before the road's sharp left turn uphill. A distinctive corroded yellow metal sign marks the trail entrance on the left, followed by a livestock gate. The short but steep descent leads into the canyon; proceed downstream. The first basin holds year-round water and offers jumps ranging from 8-30 feet. Continue downstream for superior sites. The easiest route stays on the right bank. Beyond several shallow pools, the canyon bends rightward, leading to a sequence of three basins before the primary cascade. The first basin lacks adequate depth. The second offers excellent jumping opportunities from 6-45 feet on both sides. Following this is The Shaft, a 35-foot drop feature with additional jumps in the subsequent pool. The main 80-foot plunge lies just downstream, emptying into a large pool approximately 20 feet deep. The jump demands solid takeoff power. Returning requires either exposed rock climbing or an arduous fifteen-minute scramble through dense vegetation. This destination attracts significant crowds during warm months, particularly weekends, though it remains notable for varied jump heights and geological features.