Cibecue Canyon

Location: White Mountain Apache Reservation, AZ
Rating: Advanced Canyoneering 3C III R / Optional Cibecue Falls Hike 2C II
Length: 2 to 5 hours
Mileage: ~2 miles round trip
Longest Rappel: ~50 ft (15 m)
Start: Cibecue Falls Trailhead
End: Loop or out and back
Permits: White Mountain Apache Recreation Permit Required With Guide
Wet Suit: Recommended for Canyoneering
Shuttle: No

Cibecue Falls and portions of Cibecue Canyon are currently closed until further notice by the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Visitors should verify current access regulations before planning any trip.

Overview: Cibecue Canyon is one of Arizona's premier water canyons, featuring crystal clear blue pools, perennial flowing water, polished rock corridors, waterfalls, and deep plunge pools. Located on the White Mountain Apache Reservation, the canyon offers a unique combination of technical canyoneering, swimming, scrambling, and spectacular scenery.

Unlike many Arizona canyons that remain dry throughout much of the year, Cibecue Creek flows year round through colorful volcanic and metamorphic terrain. Waterfalls cascade into deep turquoise pools while canyon walls tighten into scenic narrows, creating one of the most photogenic canyon environments in the state.

The lower canyon is well known for the popular Cibecue Falls hike, while the upper canyon contains technical rappels, mandatory swims, and significantly more advanced obstacles requiring specialized canyoneering skills.

Approach: From Globe, travel northeast on US 60 approximately 40 miles to Salt River Canyon. Turn west onto the primitive dirt road leading toward Cibecue Creek. Shortly after leaving the highway, the road forks. Stay right and continue across the cattle guards.

Follow the road approximately 4 miles to Cibecue Creek and the Cibecue Falls Trailhead near the Salt River confluence. Road conditions can vary significantly and may become impassable following storms. The trailhead may be unmaintained or poorly marked.

From the trailhead, follow the established route along Cibecue Creek toward Cibecue Falls. Water is encountered almost immediately and numerous creek crossings should be expected.

Visitors should verify permit requirements, guide requirements, and access regulations directly with the White Mountain Apache Tribe before planning a trip.

Route Description: The canyon follows Cibecue Creek upstream through a series of pools, scrambling, and polished bedrock channels. Most visitors hike only to Cibecue Falls.

Continuing beyond Cibecue Falls into the upper technical canyon requires an authorized Apache Reservation guide, specialized equipment, advanced canyoneering skills, and compliance with current tribal regulations.

Guides typically access the upper canyon via Tank Canyon before dropping into Cibecue Creek above the technical section. From this point, the route descends downstream through a series of waterfalls, deep pools, narrow corridors, and technical obstacles. Progress involves creek walking, mandatory swimming, scrambling, exposed stemming, and multiple rappels. Water levels can dramatically affect canyon conditions, increasing both the difficulty and seriousness of the route.

The canyon's defining feature is a series of waterfalls and pools carved into colorful bedrock. Algae covered surfaces and wet rock create extremely slippery conditions throughout much of the route.

Rappels: Rappel lengths and anchor conditions may vary due to flooding, maintenance, and changing canyon conditions. Always evaluate anchors before use.

• Rappel 1: ~60 ft waterfall
• Crux Hazard: Immediately below the first rappel lies a narrow water filled corridor containing hydraulics, exposed stemming, and a deep siphon hazard. A mistake in this section could have severe consequences. Several accidents, including broken ankles, have been reported from improper stemming techniques and failed traverses. Less experienced participants should strongly consider utilizing the canyon right bypass.
• Rappel 2: ~50 ft waterfall into deep pool

Water Conditions: Water is present throughout the canyon year round. Flash flooding remains a serious hazard despite the canyon's perennial flow. In a certain section of the canyon, A deep siphon exceeding 10 ft in depth that is described as non escapable if entered.

Exit: Most parties complete the route as an out and back descent. 

Cibecue Canyon offers one of Arizona's finest water canyon experiences, combining perennial flow, technical rappels, deep blue pools, and spectacular waterfalls into a compact but highly memorable canyon adventure.