Hey everyone, welcome to On The Rocks! I’m your trail guide, Claudia Collins. I’m taking you along on my adventures as I check hikes, waterfalls, and other outdoor activities off of my Arizona bucket list. I’m bringing you along for my hike to Cibecue Falls near Cibecue Arizona.
Cibecue Falls is roughly 3.5 miles long, with over 600 feet of elevation gain and it’s rated moderate. Before you make the trek out to the falls there’s a few things you need to know.
- All hikers need to obtain a White Mountain Apache permit to hike to Cibecue Falls
- Permits can only be purchased at the Sinclair gas station roughly 25 minutes from the entrance to the trail
- Sinclair gas station address: Hwy 76 And, Hwy 60, Cibecue, AZ 85911
- White Mountain Apache Permits cost $45 per person, per day
- I highly recommend driving a high clearance vehicle
Once you purchase permits at the Sinclair gas station you can drive back to the Cibecue Creek Trailhead turnoff, located just beyond the Salt River Canyon rest stop. Be prepared to present your permit to an officer posted at the trailhead. The last 20-25 minutes of the drive is an adventure in itself. Hikers will drive approximately 4 miles on a primitive road on a cliffside, a high clearance vehicle is recommended to avoid getting stuck!
Once you park the hike is very straightforward…just follow the river! The water is absolutely stunning, the temperature is perfect and you can see right through the clear water. No photos or video will ever do justice to the waterfall itself. The 80-foot waterfall makes a huge impact and is so relaxing to spend time by. I recommend packing a lunch to take along and spend extra time swimming and enjoying the sights.
