Best Hiking Trails Near California’s Waterfalls
California has more named waterfalls than almost any other state, fed by three completely different sources depending on region and season: Sierra Nevada snowmelt, Northern California and coastal rain, and a handful of spring-fed falls that run year-round. I’ve spent four-plus years cataloging routes across this state, and finding the best hiking trails near California’s waterfalls comes down to timing: matching the right fall to the right season is the single biggest factor in whether your hike delivers a roaring cascade or a disappointing trickle.
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Show up at a snowmelt-fed Sierra waterfall in September expecting the photos you saw from a June trip, and you’ll likely find a fraction of the flow. This guide breaks down the best waterfall hikes by region, with current trail status where it matters, including one closure that’s still catching people off guard.
Key takeaways:
- California’s waterfalls fall into three seasonal categories: Sierra snowmelt (peak May–July), coastal/NorCal rain-fed (peak November–April), and spring-fed falls that run year-round.
- Yosemite alone has multiple major named waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls, the tallest in North America at 2,425 ft.
- Berry Creek Falls Trail at Big Basin remains closed following the 2020 CZU fire, with a 7–10 year restoration estimate; it’s not currently hikeable, despite older articles still recommending it.
- McArthur-Burney Falls is spring-fed and runs at a consistent 129 ft year-round, unlike snowmelt-dependent falls that dry up by late summer.
- Alamere Falls (Point Reyes) is one of the few “tidefalls” in the U.S., a waterfall that drops directly onto a beach.
Why California has some of the best waterfall hiking in the United States
California is home to more than 1,000 named waterfalls, fed by Sierra Nevada snowmelt, coastal fog drip, and winter rain across wildly different regions and elevations, a range few other states can match in one place.
The three waterfall seasons in California, and when to plan your hike
Sierra snowmelt falls peak from May through July as winter snowpack melts, then tapers fast; some are reduced to a trickle by late August. For details on planning Yosemite waterfall trips, see our Yosemite hiking trails guide; for southern Sierra cascades like Tokopah Falls or Mist Falls, check our Sequoia & Kings Canyon guide.
Coastal and Northern California rain-fed falls run the opposite calendar, peaking from November through April during the wet season. Big Sur’s coastal falls are detailed in our Big Sur hiking guide.
Desert oasis falls run on groundwater rather than seasonal runoff, making them reliably year-round. Death Valley’s Darwin Falls is a classic example detailed in our Death Valley guide.
Best waterfall hikes in the Bay Area and Northern California
Is Berry Creek Falls open? Big Basin’s waterfall trail after the CZU fire
No, Berry Creek Falls Trail, once considered the Bay Area’s best multi-waterfall day hike, remains closed following the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire, which burned 97% of Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
The fire destroyed nearly all of the park’s infrastructure, including bridges and trail structures along the Berry Creek Falls route specifically, and California State Parks estimates 7 to 10 years for full restoration of this backcountry trail, meaning it’s realistically not returning before the late 2020s at the earliest.
Big Basin itself is open for limited day-use, with a small fraction of its original 85 miles of trails, mostly short loops through the recovering redwood grove near the main day-use area, but currently has no waterfall access at all. Check our state parks hiking guide for other open forest parks. If you see this trail recommended elsewhere online, that’s outdated information carried over from before 2020.
Alamere Falls: the Bay Area’s waterfall that drops onto the beach
Alamere Falls, in Point Reyes National Seashore, is one of the few genuine “tidefalls” in the country, a waterfall that drops directly onto the beach rather than into a pool or creek.
It’s about 13 miles round-trip from the Palomarin trailhead, with an unmaintained final stretch down a bluff to reach the beach, so sturdy footwear and caution matter more here than the mileage alone suggests.
Spring is the best time for peak flow; by late summer it can slow to a trickle.
Best waterfall hikes in the Sacramento region
Feather Falls, in Butte County, drops roughly 640 ft in a dramatic single tier, one of the tallest waterfalls in the country, via a moderate day hike through Plumas National Forest with an overlook platform near the base. Codfish Falls, in Auburn State Recreation Area, offers an easier, shorter option closer to Sacramento itself, well suited to a half-day trip rather than a full day commitment.
The South Yuba River corridor has several smaller falls worth combining into a single day trip if you’re already in the area, with swimming holes at several spots that make it a good warm-weather add-on beyond just the waterfall views.
Best waterfall hikes in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada
Yosemite waterfalls: the ultimate Sierra Nevada waterfall hiking guide
Yosemite Falls, at 2,425 ft, is the tallest waterfall in North America, best viewed May through June before snowmelt tapers off. By late summer in a dry year, it can slow to a trickle or stop entirely, which surprises visitors expecting the roar they saw in photos. The Lower and Upper Falls loop runs about 7 miles round-trip for hikers who want the full route, with the Upper Falls section demanding real elevation gain and switchbacks.
Vernal Fall, via the Mist Trail, is a roughly 3-mile round-trip that lives up to its name; expect to get genuinely wet on a high-flow spring day, and bring a rain jacket even on a clear day if you’re hiking in peak flow season. Nevada Fall extends that same hike to about 7 miles round-trip for hikers who want both major falls in one trip, with noticeably fewer crowds once you’re past Vernal Fall itself.
Bridalveil Fall is a short 0.5-mile walk suited to anyone short on time or mobility, while Chilnualna Falls, at 8.4 miles round-trip, is Yosemite’s least-crowded major waterfall hike for those willing to work for solitude. It sits in the Wawona area, away from the Valley’s crowds entirely.
Rainbow Falls near Mammoth Lakes: the Eastern Sierra’s best waterfall hike
At Devil’s Postpile National Monument near Mammoth Lakes, Rainbow Falls drops 101 ft and earns its name at midday, when sunlight hits the mist at the right angle to produce a visible rainbow an effect that fades outside that midday window, so time your visit accordingly if the rainbow itself is the point.
It’s about 2.5 miles round-trip, and a mandatory shuttle typically operates during peak summer season to manage the area’s limited parking, since the monument’s access road can’t handle unrestricted private vehicle traffic during high season. Confirm current shuttle requirements before your trip, since exact dates shift year to year based on staffing and road conditions.
Best waterfall hikes in Southern California and Los Angeles
Eaton Canyon Falls: Los Angeles’s most popular waterfall hike
At 3.8 miles round-trip with about 250 ft of gain, Eaton Canyon Falls is fed by a canyon spring rather than seasonal runoff, giving it reliable year-round flow one reason it’s consistently the most crowded waterfall hike in LA County, especially on weekends.
No permit is required, and parking is along Altadena Drive near the trailhead, though it fills up fast on weekend mornings. The trail itself is easy to follow and well-trafficked enough that it works well as a first waterfall hike for someone new to the sport.
Switzer Falls and Sturtevant Falls: two classic San Gabriel Mountain waterfall hikes
Switzer Falls, in Angeles National Forest, runs about 4.6 miles round-trip with 700 ft of gain and flows best in spring and early summer, dropping off considerably by late summer in drier years. Sturtevant Falls, accessed from Chantry Flat, is a shorter 3.4-mile round-trip with about 500 ft of gain, and tends to run reliably year-round in wetter years, though it’s worth checking recent rainfall before counting on strong flow.
Both are classic San Gabriel Mountains hikes worth combining into the same trip if you’re driving out from LA, since the trailheads sit within a reasonable drive of each other. You can purchase a pair of rugged hiking shoes or pack trekking poles to stabilize yourself on wet rocks.
Best coastal waterfall hikes in California
Big Sur’s McWay Falls drops directly onto a beach visible from an overlook (though the beach itself is closed to public access), making it one of the most photographed waterfalls in the state despite requiring almost no hiking to see.
Nearby Limekiln Falls adds a shorter forested option in the same area, reached through a small state park campground. Santa Barbara’s Nojoqui Falls rounds out the Central Coast options with an easy, short walk suited to any fitness level, dropping over a limestone cliff into a small pool.
McArthur-Burney Falls: California’s most spectacular year-round waterfall
McArthur-Burney Falls, in Shasta County, is spring-fed at roughly 100 million gallons a day, which means it runs at a consistent 129 ft year-round; unlike snowmelt-dependent falls, it never dries up or slows to a trickle. Theodore Roosevelt reportedly called it the “eighth wonder of the world,” and the 1.3-mile loop trail around it is one of the easiest, most reliable big-waterfall payoffs in the entire state regardless of when you visit.
If you’re planning a multi-region waterfall trip, our hiking safety guide covers water-crossing safety worth reviewing before a high-flow spring hike, and checking a trail’s current difficulty rating matters especially for longer routes like Alamere Falls or Chilnualna Falls.
| Waterfall | Region | Distance | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamere Falls | Point Reyes | ~13 mi RT | Spring |
| Feather Falls | Butte County | Moderate day hike | Spring |
| Yosemite Falls | Yosemite | ~7 mi RT (full loop) | May–June |
| Vernal Fall | Yosemite | ~3 mi RT | Spring–summer |
| Rainbow Falls | Mammoth Lakes | ~2.5 mi RT | Summer |
| Eaton Canyon Falls | Los Angeles | 3.8 mi RT | Year-round |
| Sturtevant Falls | San Gabriel Mtns | 3.4 mi RT | Year-round (wet years) |
| McArthur-Burney Falls | Shasta County | 1.3 mi loop | Year-round |
Frequently asked questions: waterfall hikes in California
What are the best waterfall hikes in California?
Yosemite Falls and the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls are the state’s signature waterfall hikes, while McArthur-Burney Falls is the best choice if you want a guaranteed year-round waterfall regardless of season.
When is the best time to see California waterfalls?
It depends on the source: Sierra snowmelt falls peak May through July, coastal and Northern California rain-fed falls peak November through April, and spring-fed falls as McArthur-Burney run reliably year-round.
What are the best waterfall hikes near Los Angeles?
Eaton Canyon Falls is the most popular and accessible, while Switzer Falls and Sturtevant Falls in the San Gabriel Mountains offer a slightly longer, less crowded alternative.
What are the best waterfall hikes near San Francisco and the Bay Area?
Alamere Falls in Point Reyes is the standout Bay Area option; note that Berry Creek Falls at Big Basin remains closed following the 2020 CZU fire and isn’t a current option despite older recommendations still circulating online.
Which California waterfalls flow year-round?
Spring-fed falls like McArthur-Burney Falls and Eaton Canyon Falls run consistently year-round, unlike snowmelt-dependent Sierra falls, which can slow to a trickle by late summer.
How do I find waterfall hikes near me in California using AllTrails?
Search or filter by “waterfall” in AllTrails’ feature tags for your region, then cross-check current trail status on the managing agency’s own site, since AllTrails doesn’t always reflect closures like Big Basin’s in real time.
