Ernie's Falls Hike

The Ernie’s Falls hike is a beautiful, moderately difficult trek in Saguaro National Park East. This route leads you to a small waterfall in the desert, a great place to find some shade and settle in on a hot day. The falls will most reliably have water in them after heavy rains or when there’s snowmelt in the mountains.

Bring lots of water on this hike and avoid hiking in the hot afternoons unless you’re making a winter visit. This route is commonly used by horseback riders, so remember to give them the right of way and announce yourself if passing from behind.

From the trailhead at the end of the road, take Douglas Spring Trail towards the low peak to the east. A few narrow switchbacks start your climb, and you’ll continue your way up and through the canyon until you reach a clearing. Here, take a left at the 4-way junction and then look for the falls up ahead just inside the northern park border. From here, retrace your steps back to the trailhead.