Thunder River Falls

Thunder River Falls is the waterfall at the source of Thunder River, deep below the North Rim. Water pours from a cave in the canyon wall, a sudden ribbon of white water and green growth in an otherwise dry stretch of inner canyon. Treat this as a backpacking destination, not a day stop: the remote approaches involve long, exposed walking before a steep descent to the falls.

Thunder Springs gush from a cave at roughly 3,360 feet. From there, Thunder River runs about half a mile to Tapeats Creek, dropping around 1,200 feet on the way. The change from dry canyon trail to flowing water and pools is the whole reward.

The spring supports a ribbon of riparian growth in the desert. Surveys recorded 36 plant species, including crimson monkeyflower, maidenhair fern, willows and Fremont cottonwood. Take a minute to look at the plants around the water; they make the oasis feel almost out of place against the pale, bare slopes nearby.

Include the falls with some of the layered cliff or green trees around them. A tight crop of white water loses what makes this spot memorable: the lush spring emerging into a dry, immense canyon.