CRYSTAL CREEK, WHISKEYTOWN CALIFORNIA NATIONAL PARK

Whiskeytown California was a gold-rush town. Crystal Creek Falls is one of four in Whiskeytown National Park.  The short walkway from the parking area to the falls is paved. It makes for an easy stroll by wheelchair, stroller, or bike. Restrooms are available at the trail head.

YOSEMITE,NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA

Yosemite is not home to one waterfall or two or three, but many.  Several waterfalls ranging from 300 feet to nearly 2500 feet plummet from gigantic rock formations. Other waterfalls consist of cascading falls ranging from 50 feet to 500 feet.

The falls can be viewed from roadside pull-offs, hiking trails, and wheelchair accessible walkways.  Peak flow for the waterfalls is late spring, usually May and June.  Water flow slows to a trickle by August; however, late fall rains regenerate the waterfalls.

Grand Falls - Navajo Nation Arizona

Grand Falls in the Painted Desert on the Navajo Indian Reservation near Flagstaff Arizona is taller than Niagara Falls when it actually flows.

Snow melt or monsoon rain dumps into the Little Colorado River , then, a grand waterfall view is produced at Lower Colorado River.  It is said that the waterfalls are similar to flowing chocolate depending on the amount of water present. The falls are inactive for several months of the year or reduces to a trickle or non-existent.

The waterfall is remote and no major paved roads access it. Just when you think you've gone far enough into nowhere, go a little farther.  The 10 miles of dirt road, Indian Road 6910 (pic 1) was extremely bumpy; similar to a washboard.  A 4 x 4 vehicle would be ideal, however, a well-maintained car driven slowly will get you to the destination. Grand Falls Road (Indian Road 70) crosses the floor of the Little Colorado River.  The Little Colorado River was not flowing the day we found the waterfall, but, we got to drive on the river's bed (pic 3). Here is a site that has a picture of the falls in full spectacular. http://arizonatourism.com/articles/grand-falls/ This is another fall we will be returning to in late winter/early spring.

pic 1

pic 3

Picnic benches are provided at the overlook.

The site and the roads leading to the falls are located in the Navajo Nation, so wandering off the roads or trails is against Navajo Law.

Jemez Mountain Trail, New Mexico

Found on the Jemez Mountain Trail, a national scenic byway in Sandoval County, New Mexico,
underground hot springs called Soda Dam, have flowed for centuries building up mineral deposits to form a natural dam.

The Dam can be viewed from the road.  The rocky pathway does not allow easy access down to the waterfall bottom by wheels; however the thunder of the rolling waters compliments the serene and tranquil setting amongst the boulders.

WITCHITA FALLS, TEXAS

The original Wichita Falls in Wichita Falls, Texas washed away in a flood in the 1800's; however, a 54-foot man-made waterfall was built in 1987 on the south bank of Wichita River. A concrete walkway leads to the falls, which makes the one-mile walk to the falls easily accessible by wheelchair, stroller, or bike.

Palo Duro Canyon, Texas

River Falls is located on Curie Ranch at the northern end of Palo Duro Canyon (Texas Grand Canyon). The Falls lies on privately-owned ground behind a 24-hour security locked gate. A vehicle must be driven through the canyon to view the falls. The lower part of the falls is not wheelchair accessible. The Security Guard served as a guide. He was very knowledgeable on the history of the canyon and falls.

Davis, Oklahoma - Turner Falls

Turner Falls, located in Davis, Oklahoma, is one of the two tallest waterfalls in Oklahoma. The 77-foot waterfall in the Arbukle Mountains; the oldest known formation in the United States. Parking is close to the falls; however, a concrete pathway about two blocks long leads visitors directly in front of the falls, which makes accessibility easy.

An abandoned rock castle built in the 1930's by Dr. Ellsworth Collins, Dean of Education at Oklahoma University sits beside the waterfall. It served as a summer home and the headquarters for "The Bar C Ranch".