A remote backcountry waterfall in Grand Canyon National Park requiring either an NPS backcountry permit or a commercial river-rafting permit — not accessible as a day hike.
NPS backcountry permit required ($10/group plus $5/person/night), or access via a private/commercial Colorado River rafting permit; no walk-up day-hike access due to remoteness.
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Based on this listing's approximate location — see the note on coordinates below.
Deer Creek Falls is a remote waterfall within Grand Canyon National Park, accessible only to hikers with a valid NPS backcountry permit or those traveling the Colorado River on a commercial permit. The standard backcountry route involves a 20.4-mile round-trip hike from the Monument Point/Bill Hall trailhead, following the Thunder River Trail and then descending to Deer Creek. This is strenuous, multi-day backcountry travel requiring extensive planning and preparation.
Access to this waterfall exemplifies why many Grand Canyon backcountry destinations require advance permits. The area protects cultural resources—climbing and rappelling in the narrow canyon above the falls is currently prohibited by the National Park Service. Visitors must either obtain an NPS backcountry permit (reservations highly competitive) or arrange passage on a licensed Colorado River outfitter. There is no walk-up day-hike option due to the remoteness and permit system requirements.
The remote character of this site means it remains largely undisturbed. If you’re considering a visit, begin by checking the NPS Grand Canyon backcountry website for current permit availability and trail conditions, as these details change seasonally.
Seasonality not officially documented; consult current NPS conditions.
NOT wheelchair accessible.
You lack either an NPS backcountry permit ($10/group plus $5/person/night) or a spot on a commercial Colorado River rafting trip.
Other Grand Canyon backcountry destinations accessible via the Thunder River Trail.
NPS backcountry permit required ($10/group plus $5/person/night), or access via a private/commercial Colorado River rafting permit; no walk-up day-hike access due to remoteness.
Via a 20.4-mile round-trip trail rated strenuous by the managing agency.
There are 6 other waterfalls we track in Coconino. All Grand Canyon waterfalls →
nps.gov
Official NPS Grand Canyon 'Thunder River Trail and Deer Creek' trip-planning document, which gives the one-way mileage from the Monument Point/Bill Hall trailhead to Deer Creek Falls and confirms the falls and river-trail access remain open, though climbing/rappelling in the narrows above the falls is closed to protect cultural resources. Height figures for the falls vary widely across non-official sources and were not confirmed on any NPS page, so height_ft is left null rather than guessed. Checked 2026-09-03.
Checked September 2026.