Waterfall Trail,
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Located 9.8 miles from Payson, Arizona (AZ)
4 Stars
132 Steps 1  (0.1 mi)
Trails › Arizona State Parks › Tonto Natural Bridge › Waterfall Trail

Near the town of Payson, Arizona is the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. This park has what is considered to be the largest travertine natural bridge in the world — standing at a height of 183 ft and a width spanning 159 ft, the magnitude of this exceptional structure is impossible to capture with a camera.

Waterfall TrailWaterfall TrailWaterfall Trail

The Waterfall Trail is a short trail with many steep and uneven steps that end at a waterfall cave. When the end of the trail is reached, the surrounding variations of green belonging to the numerous ferns and moss cascading down the rock accompanied by the backdrop of the waterfall is a spectacular sight to be seen.

Elevation

The Waterfall Trail has a maximum elevation of 4,596 ft., a minimum elevation of 4,532 ft. and an elevation range of 64 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
0.1 mi4,532 ft4,596 ft64 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
2 min0.00 ft63 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
3 min5.263 ft0 ft
Data Accuracy
5 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

Calories

The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.

Topo Maps

Download the PDF Waterfall Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

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  1. Northwest Topo Map: Strawberry, AZ
  2. North Topo Map: Pine, AZ
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Kehl Ridge, AZ
  4. West Topo Map: Cane Springs Mountain, AZ
  5. Topo Map: Buckhead Mesa, AZ
  6. East Topo Map: Payson North, AZ
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Cypress Butte, AZ
  8. South Topo Map: North Peak, AZ
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Payson South, AZ

Difficulty

The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Waterfall Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.

FAQ

What is the length of the Waterfall Trail?

The length of the trail is 0.1 miles (0.1 km) or 132 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Waterfall Trail?

A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 2 minutes in one direction and in 3 minutes in the opposite direction.

Warnings

Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. (cdc.gov)

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.

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