Lava Falls is a Class IV+ rapid on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, at river mile 179.3 in Mohave County. It rates a 9 on the Grand Canyon rating scale, and is reached by river trip or by a steep, undeveloped route down from the Tuweep area of the North Rim.
The falls
The rapid is a river feature, not a waterfall. A large pourover sits in the middle of the river, with boaters choosing lines to either side, and the left line becomes more popular at flows of 15,000 cfs or more. Paddlers scout from both banks, including a rock outcrop on river right. The reach is read on the Colorado River at Lees Ferry gauge, where the recommended range is 2,000 to 48,000 cfs. Despite the name, the rapid was built by debris washed down Prospect Canyon, not by old lava dams.
Getting there
Grand Canyon river trips launch at Lees Ferry, mile 0, and take out at Diamond Creek, mile 225.87, on Hualapai land with a tribal fee, or at Pearce Ferry, mile 281.14. Private (noncommercial) trips go through the park's river permit lottery, which also counts past commercial trips when ranking applicants: a $25 lottery application, a $90 permit per participant and a $20 entrance fee per participant aged 16 and older, with a $200 or $400 deposit depending on trip size.
On land, the Lava Falls Route drops from the Tuweep area to the river: about 3 miles round trip with 2,540 feet of elevation change on steep, undeveloped cross-country terrain. The descent takes 2 to 4 hours and the return 2 to 8 hours. Tuweep requires a day or backcountry permit bought in advance, a park pass and photo ID. It sits at the end of 56 to 90 miles of dirt road from Arizona 389, depending on the route; allow at least 3 hours one way in a high-clearance vehicle no longer than 22 feet. Toroweap Overlook, above a 3,000-foot sheer drop to the river, is open from sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
When to go
Summer hiking on the Lava Falls Route is discouraged; starting at sunrise is recommended. The Main Street road from St. George is impassable in winter, and the Clayhole road when wet.
On site
Tuweep has no water, fuel, food or cell service. Pets must be leashed and are not allowed on trails. On September 18, 2011, a 64-year-old rafter, Gary Aus, died after being washed out of a raft at Lava Falls and swept downstream. The route is not an accessible trail.
History and name
Lava spilled over the canyon rim and dammed the Colorado more than a dozen times in this area, with the river cutting through each dam. The rapid carries the name of those flows, though it is made of side-canyon debris.
Nearby
Gateway Rapids is about 6.9 miles away and Fern Glen Rapids about 10.1 miles. Hundred and Sixtyfour Mile Rapids is about 12.9 miles away and Havasu Rapids about 19.3 miles.
Distances are straight-line.