Residents from the Adah’iilíní (Grand Falls) and Leupp community have decided to temporarily close Adah’iilíní (Grand Falls) to the public until further notice, citing the need to steward the land and protect the sacred site.
The closure is addressed to visitors and non-residential individuals; with the exception of State and Federally Recognized Tribes for cultural preservation purposes only.
Adah’iilíní (Grand Falls), located about 40 miles northeast of Flagstaff, is within the sovereign Navajo Nation tribal reservation, within the boundary of the Navajo Nation Leupp Chapter. The decision of the local community is supported by the Navajo Nation Parks. It is the right of the local residents and community because they are Navajo tribal members who are Land Users and/or Livestock Permit Holders within the area.
Grand Falls, is a popular destination to visit due to the “Chocolate Falls” that stands over 180 feet tall and regularly occurs when snow from winter storms melts or as a result of the monsoon season.
The heightened popularity of Adah’iilíní (Grand Falls) has resulted in an accumulation of overflowing trash, alcohol containers (Navajo Nation law prohibits alcohol), ATV groups off-roading into residential areas and non-designated roads, high tourism, deterioration of road maintenance, and disturbance of the natural ecosystem, its inhabitants, and cultural sites.
The Adah’iilíní (Grand Falls) community is acutely cognizant of the spiritual livelihood of Diné (Navajo) people and neighboring tribes whom also reside along the Little Colorado River from its tributaries to the Grand Canyon Confluence. Adah’iilíní (Grand Falls) is a sacred location to Diné (Navajo) People and tribes of the Southwest.
Any visitors who are non-resident individuals entering the premises will be asked to leave, with the exception of State and Federally Recognized Tribes for cultural preservation purposes only.
The local community’s decision on this matter is geared towards the preservation of the land for cultural and preservation purposes, indigenous herbal plants, and ecosystem.
