# 5800a - 2023 First-Class Forever Stamp - Waterfalls: Deer Creek Falls, Arizona

U.S. #5800a
2023 – Deer Creek Falls, Arizona – Waterfalls

• Stamp pictures Deer Creek Falls in Arizona
• One of 12 stamps in the 2023 Waterfalls set

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Set:  Waterfalls
Value:  63¢, First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue:  June 13, 2023
First Day City:  Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Quantity Issued:  34,992,000
Printed by:  Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method:  Offset
Format:  Pane of 12
Tagging:  Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged

Why the stamp was issued:  According to the USPS, this stamp (along with the others in the Waterfalls set) were issued to celebrate “the variety and beauty of American waterfalls.”

About the stamp design:  This stamp pictures an existing photograph of Deer Creek Falls in Arizona along with its name and the state it’s located in (text is below the image).

First Day City:  Issued in Yellowstone National Park, appropriate considering one of the stamps pictures a major waterfall in the park.

About the Waterfalls set:  The USPS issued the 2023 Waterfalls set to showcase a small handful of the 17,000 documented waterfalls in America.  Each one has something special about it that draws visitors from all walks of life to witness its natural beauty and power.  These stamps include small, lesser-known waterfalls like Sunbeam Falls in Washington State as well as huge, worldwide attractions like Niagara Falls in New York.

Here's a complete list of the waterfalls pictured in the set:

a)  Deer Creek Falls, Arizona
b)  Nevada Fall, California
c)  Harrison Falls, Pennsylvania
d)  Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, Wyoming
e)  Waimoku Falls, Hawaii
f)  Stewart Falls, Utah
g)  Niagara Falls, New York
h)  Dark Hollow Falls, Virginia
i)  Grotto Falls, Tennessee
j)  Sunbeam Falls, Washington
k)  LaSalle Canyon Waterfall, Illinois
l)  Upper Falls, North Carolina

History the stamp represents:  When post people think of waterfalls, Arizona is not the first place that comes to mind.  However, there are actually a number of beautiful and impressive falls in this state.  One is Deer Creek Falls, found at the mouth of Deer Creek where it enters the Colorado River.

The hike to see Deer Creek Falls is not for the faint of heart.  In fact, it requires five days and a backcountry camping permit from Grand Canyon National Park to even attempt it.  Hikers face extremely hot temperatures and steep, rocky terrain that can be challenging to navigate.  However, this is all worth it for the stunning canyons, Supai and Redwall Formations, and more.

After reaching Surprise Valley, the trail splits into two paths – east to Thunder River and Tapeats Creek or west to Deer Creek.  Before reaching its famed waterfall, Deer Creek’s striking blue-green water tumbles over an area known as “the Patio” before traveling at high speed through “the Narrows.”  Shortly after, the creek reaches its end with a 180-foot drop into the Colorado River.

Deer Creek and its waterfall are spring-fed and can be viewed throughout the year.  This creates a beautiful oasis-type environment with plants popping up despite the otherwise desert climate.  Visiting the area is an experience not soon forgotten.