Is Hiking to Mooney Falls Actually Scary?

Mooney Falls is the tallest and arguably most impressive waterfall in Havasupai. It plunges 200 feet off a curved, striking red cliff into a shallow turquoise pool, making it easy to see why so many people have this waterfall sitting at the top of their bucket lists.

girl standing at the base of mooney falls in havasupai

girls standing at the base of mooney falls in havasupai

While the waterfall may be beautiful, the journey to the bottom is intimidating. This treacherous descent, involving slippery rocks, crude chains, dark tunnels, and sketchy ladders, is a top concern for people planning a backpacking trip to Havasupai. I know it was for me!

Most of the biggest questions about Havasupai revolve around Mooney Falls – I had them too. Like:

Are the bolts, chains, and ladders maintained and safe to use?
What are the chances that I fall?
Are the chains slippery? Do I really need gloves to hold on?
Is hiking to Mooney Falls actually scary?

In this guide, I’ll answer all of those questions as I share what it’s like to descend the famous chains to Mooney Falls. You’ll read all about my experience, including whether I thought it was scary, whether I believe it’s safe, and whether or not it’s worth it.

Table of Contents

Is Hiking to Mooney Falls Actually Scary?

people climbing down the chains to mooney falls in havasupai

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What Is Mooney Falls?

Mooney Falls is the tallest waterfall in Havasupai, boasting a 200-foot single drop. Its electric turquoise waters tempt dozens of hikers daily to brave the adventurous climb for a front-row seat to this spectacle.

Getting to Mooney Falls

Mooney Falls is nestled inside the Havasupai Indian Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

The only way to see the falls is by first securing an expensive backpacking permit. You can find out all about that process in my full guide here.

Once you’ve secured your backpacking permit, you’ll unlock access to not only Mooney Falls but also five other breathtaking waterfalls in Havasupai.

girl running in front of havasu falls in havasupai

girl standing at beaver falls in havasupai

The adventurous journey to Mooney Falls starts at the Hilltop trailhead. The 11-mile journey to the waterfall involves descending steeply into the Grand Canyon, winding through the canyon corridors, traveling through the tiny village of Supai, and crossing through the Havasupai Campground.

Mooney Falls sits at the north end of the Havasupai Campground. In fact, some campsites even overlook the waterfall!

While you can safely see the waterfall from above at the campground, to get to the base, you’ll need to descend the cliff face in an intimidating series of ladder climbs, tunnel squeezes, and slippery rock scrambles.

That’s where the true adventure begins!

Climbing Down to Mooney Falls

The climb down to Mooney Falls is infamous for a reason. With its steep, almost vertical series of slippery rock steps, sketchy chains, and crude ladders, it’s not for the faint of heart or the acrophobic.

To reach the base of Mooney Falls from the north end of the campground, look for the Mooney Falls sign, off to the left of the waterfall. The descent to Mooney starts just beyond that sign, near the canyon wall.

Immediately, the path descends into a series of rock scrambles and switchbacks, but nothing crazy. Yet.

Once you see the “descend at your own risk” sign, you’ve reached the first tunnel. This tiny hole in the rock may not look like the path, but it is. This is where it starts getting interesting!

view of mooney falls and cave right before the chains

The tunnel is small, dark, and scary-looking, but don’t worry. It’s not as terrifying or sketchy as it looks.

While you won’t really be able to see in front of you inside the tunnel (headlamps are recommended, especially early in the morning or later in the evening), feel for the steps, get low, and proceed slowly. Watch your head!

The exit of the first tunnel is followed almost immediately by the entrance to the second tunnel. After exiting the second tunnel, you’ll be dumped off at the infamous chain section. There’s a spectacular view of the falls from here!

view of mooney falls in havasupai right before the chains

There are a bunch of gloves piled at the top of the chain section, so if you didn’t bring your own, grab a pair. You’re going to need it!

Now the crazy, slippery, wet, and muddy descent down the cliff begins. From the exit of the second tunnel, the descent looks steep but manageable. Your optimism will soon falter as you climb further down.

From this point, traffic is one-way. So if you see hikers coming up, you’ll need to wait your turn. And if you’re behind someone, make sure to give them space. Some people are slower than others, so there may be a bit of waiting involved.

For reference, it took us around 20 minutes to get through the chain section.

Once you’re clear to descend, it’s time to navigate the first set of slippery rock steps. There is a chain on the right side for you to grab on.

From here, the terrain gets sketchier, and the descent gets trickier. You’ll be faced with a series of challenging scrambles, and you’ll need to use the chains and bolts to slowly make your way down.

And if you’re short? You’ll struggle a bit because some of the “steps” are pretty far apart. I’m 5’8″, and I felt like I had to extend my legs pretty far a few times to reach the next step.

Another element that adds to the thrill and complexity is the intense spray of the waterfall. It will soak you almost immediately, coating your skin, clothes, and of course, the rocks, making everything incredibly wet and slippery.

There were a few times when I struggled with where to put my feet, especially the “steps” that were farther apart. I was grateful that Erica went first so she could guide my feet into the footholds. I recommend having the least scared person in your group go first.

The final section is a series of two wooden ladders. You’re in the home stretch! Use the rungs (some of which are really far apart) to reach the bottom. The solid ground will feel so good beneath your feet!

You’ll have to go back up eventually, but in the meantime, celebrate your victory by splashing in the turquoise pool and marveling at the incredible waterfall.

My Experience & Thoughts About Mooney Falls

All the blog posts I read and the videos I watched made the descent to Mooney Falls sound absolutely terrifying.

So naturally, I psyched myself out. I built it up in my head so much that by the time I got there, I was bracing for the worst to happen.

But honestly? The climb down was actually really fun. Sure, there were a couple of moments where I hesitated, paralyzed with fear for a second, unsure where to put my foot, but the fear faded quickly when Erica guided my feet.

The climb back up, though? Definitely sketchier. There was something about trying to hoist my body up a cliff while simultaneously slipping and sliding that had me in mild panic mode. But I made it!

While it was definitely a sketchy climb that did frighten me a few times, I didn’t ever feel like I was going to fall. So while I wouldn’t say that I felt totally safe, I didn’t feel in complete danger either. Somewhere in between haha.

And it was 100% worth it. That descent led us to the base of a roaring waterfall worthy of a postcard, and opened the door to our favorite adventure of the whole trip: the hike to Beaver Falls.

Mooney Falls FAQs

How hard is the hike to Mooney Falls?

The trek to Mooney Falls is strenuous. First, you’ll have to hike 11 miles through the Grand Canyon to reach the top of the waterfall.

To get down to the base, you’ll have to descend a 200-foot cliff via a sequence of slippery rock steps and ladders, while hanging on to crude chains bolted into the rock.

Is the hike to Mooney Falls worth it?

100%, yes!

What Should I Pack for Mooney Falls?

These are some great things to have for your day hike to Mooney Falls (and Beaver Falls).

How long is the hike to Mooney Falls?

The hike to Mooney Falls from the trailhead is 11 miles, one way.

The hike to Mooney Falls from Havasu Falls is about 1 mile, one way.

The hike to the base of Mooney Falls from the top of Mooney Falls is about 200 feet, one way.

Can you swim at Mooney Falls?

Yes, but beware of the deadly rip currents. Don’t swim too close to the waterfall, or you could drown.

Are the bolts, chains & ladders maintained?

Since Mooney Falls is outside of Grand Canyon National Park’s jurisdiction, the Havasupai Tribe is responsible for maintaining the trails, including the Mooney Falls chains.

However, how often they check the conditions of the chains, bolts, ladders, etc. is unclear, so descend at your own risk.

Are the chains slippery?

Yes, the chains are slippery from the waterfall’s strong, constant spray. Gloves are extremely helpful for gripping the chains.

What Are the Chances of Falling at Mooney?

I’d say as long as you keep three points of contact at all times and climb slowly, the chances of falling are slim.

The biggest danger of the climb is flash flooding, so check the weather before you head down, and be vigilant.

Is hiking to Mooney Falls actually scary?

Yes, the descent from the top of the falls to the base of the falls is definitely scary, especially for someone who’s afraid of heights.

The adventure involves squeezing through tunnels, navigating slippery rock steps, relying on chains bolted into the rock, and descending crude ladders.