After heavy prolonged rains, the 240-foot Carney Springs Waterfall dramatically bursts into life. You can easily get right up to the base for a wilderness swim or even a shower, plus enjoy the small pool directly below it. Optional side trips to Shaka Cave and Wave Cave round out a day of adventure in the Superstition Wilderness. Note that shortly after weather events, Peralta Road can become rough and have washes with flowing water.

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Trail Description

I’ve been hiking in the Superstition Wilderness for years now, but this incredible desert waterfall is a rare enough occurrence that I hadn’t visited it until now. And wow, it was worth it! When you do get enough rain to get this waterfall flowing, the entire desert comes to life with streams, cascades, and cloudy skies that can make a visit out here simply magical.

The abundant water also means there’s a good chance that water will be flowing across Peralta Road in 4-5 places, so you will need to be prepared for that. Rain also can make the road rougher than normal and unsuitable for certain vehicles. On the plus side, water flowing across the road is a good indicator that the falls are running. If you know where to look, you should be able to spot the Carney Springs Waterfall from Peralta Road as you’re driving in. Even if you don’t time it right and the falls are not flowing, you can still enjoy Shaka Cave and Wave Cave.

Lost Goldmine Trailhead East

You can start this hike from the Carney Springs Trailhead (permit required), but I find it much more scenic and pleasant to start from the Lost Goldmine East Trailhead, which is a little bit farther down Peralta Road. Besides, after heavy rainfall, you might see waterfalls where there are never waterfalls on the Dacite Cliffs above. Be still, my heart.

(Both routes are included in the map download for this hike.)

Starting from the Lost Goldmine East Trailhead, you’ll head west along a trail that follows along just outside the wilderness border. Here you’ll have a few ups and downs as you pass over normally dry washes, which should have water in them if you timed this hike correctly. A forest of majestic saguaro cactuses surround you while the Dacite Cliffs loom large off to your right. If you look, you just might find bonus waterfalls tumbling from the lofty cliffs.

To your left, the eastern Superstition Wilderness spreads out before you, a scene made all the more magical if you’re visiting on a cloudy day.

Carney Springs Trail

Just after a mile in, you’ll come to the junction with the Carney Springs Trail, and you’ll see a break in the fence where you can turn right and enter the wilderness. The Lost Goldmine Trail continues straight, so don’t miss the turn!

You’re now headed straight toward the mountains, and it’s a captivating sight, but pay attention because the fork for Wave Cave is coming in less than a quarter mile. There’s usually a large cairn at this junction, sometimes a spray painted arrow (just don’t!), and once we even saw a sign there that subsequently disappeared. Keep right at the junction to continue on the Carney Springs Trail.

Shaka Cave Trail (Carney Springs Waterfall Trail?)

From here, the trail heads into the canyon along the left side, but the waterfall is on the right side, so you’ll need to keep a sharp eye out for the next junction that breaks off to the right. It’s only another tenth of a mile or so, it’s reasonably obvious, and it even had a large cairn marking it when we went. Yet we still missed it, which meant we found ourselves starting up the steeper part of the Carney Springs Trail for NO REASON. Boo! If you find yourself gaining a lot more elevation, check the map.

This trail is an unofficial trail, so it doesn’t really have a name, but others called it the Shaka Cave Trail, so I did, too. It could just as easily be called the Carney Springs Waterfall Trail.

Shaka Cave

After turning right onto the Shaka Cave Trail, you’ll cross to the other side of the canyon. In a little more than a quarter mile, you’ll see Shaka Cave off to your right. It’s so close that you just have to make a quick side trip.

You can smell that bats live there, and it seems even more pungent in humid and rainy weather. That may mean your visit is short, but at least you’ll get the cool photo op.

Back on the main trail, you’ll keep heading north toward the waterfall. Here you’ll get some good views of the Carney Springs Waterfall up ahead. Or, at least, I hope you will. If you don’t see a waterfall in the distance, you may be out of luck today. But if you do see it, you’ll probably be getting pretty excited at this point because it’s truly a wonder!

Carney Springs Waterfall

It’s only about a third of a mile before you’ll arrive at the falls, which are kind of tucked away in a pretty little cove.

There’s a small pool at the bottom and really sharp rocks everywhere that are murder on tender feet. The good thing is that they aren’t slippery because this waterfall doesn’t flow often or long enough to grow slime.

Still, take those shoes off and get yourself a natural shower! What surprised me the most was that it was relatively warm, being the runoff from October rains.

Below the main falls are several smaller falls that just add to the magic of a desert waterfall running in an unlikely environment.

Moments like these feel so special when you can witness the desert flowing with abundant water. If I could catch time in a bottle. . . but alas, capturing a picture will have to do because in a short time, this will once again run dry.

Wave Cave (optional)

Additional mileage 1.5
Additional elevation gain 738

On the way back, you have the option to visit the Wave Cave by forking right on your way back onto the Wave Cave Trail. This is the one just a quarter mile before you reach the wilderness boundary. It’ll take another 30-45 minutes to hike almost another mile over there, but if you haven’t been, it’s a worthwhile stop and the perfect ending to a magical day.

(The Wave Cave side trip is included in the map download for this hike.)

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Map & Directions

Location Superstition Wilderness, Gold Canyon, Arizona

Google Maps Lost Goldmine East Trailhead (Not to be confused with Lost Goldmine West Trailhead, which is near the Hieroglyphic Trailhead.)

Fees/Passes None, unless you park at the Carney Springs Trailhead. In that case, you’ll need a recreational permit from the Arizona State Land Department to park (though many people park there without it). Do NOT park on Peralta Road as you WILL get a ticket.

Trailhead Facilities None

Download KML or GPX

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