Holy Jim Canyon Trail is a 2.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Corona, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
birding
hiking
mountain biking
nature trips
trail running
walking
forest
views
waterfall
wild flowers
wildlife
rocky
This may be Orange County's most popular family hike despite the washboarded road leading to it. Nature was profaned here by the swear words flooding from the mouth of "Cussin' Jim" Smith or "Holy Jim" as he was renamed by tightlaced government surveyors who mapped the canyon in the early 1900s. Another bit of history marks the place: the last wild California Grizzly -- an old bear named "the honey thief" -- was killed at the mouth of Trabuco Canyon after robbing beehives here in 1907. Heavy winter rains are essential to a pleasant journey. Along the way, you will see many small cascades and cross the stream several times before you reach the split where the main trail ascends to the Main Divide Road to the left and the trail to the waterfall shoots off to the right. Watch for poison oak as you scramble over the last quarter of a mile to the twenty foot falls. This may not sound like much, but Holy Jim Falls is a chapel in the brush.
I enjoyed this trail, but the road to get to the destination is pretty terrible. 3-4 mile dirt road with potholes and rocks. The waterfall was pretty dried out. We went in late July. Probably won't give this trail another go.
So fun the trail was beautiful and had a nice swing at the end. Not sure if it'll be there for long but I had a blast
OK trail. Not very pretty but it's in a quiet area of Orange County. Last 4 miles to the trailhead is on a bumpy, rocky dirt road and many places is only wide enough for one car. The one thing I do like about this trail is there is always water in a wagon at the trailhead that you can have for a donation. Not a bad idea for all trails.
Beautiful canopied trail with a refreshing small "waterfall" at the end. Great for kids who live hiking! So many fig trees, doesn't feel like you're near a city.
hey Becca, you wild minx...
How was the waterfall and the pool at the end of the trail? Is the water still running? Trickle? Torrent? Thinking of going tomorrow. Was wondering how much water there is now.
Love this trail, been going since I was a teen & have taken our son since he was 7 years old. Have seen snakes, frogs/tadpoles, birds & bugs.
Great hike, nice scenery, and don't forget the bug spray. Took 5 kids ranging from 3 to 11 and everyone made it there and back. Some scrapes and slips, but that's what kids do, right? Waterfall and pool were both a little low this time of year but better than they've been in times past at this time of the year. Usually runs a little cooler in the canyon but it did seem match the temp in the rest of the oc this hot summer day. I love Holy Jim. The drive out, the great trail, the waterfall. It all makes for a great day hike and family experience if thats your thing.
Great hike all around. Very busy path. It's highly recommended to bring bug spray.
It was a nice place! Beautiful!
Decided to check out Holy Jim Falls for an early 4th of July hike. I had hiked to it about 2 months ago when it was really flowing so I wanted to see if the falls was still going strong or not.
The creek is definitely down, but still flowing and the falls itself is a little smaller, but still going strong.
Lots of bugs, but thankfully we remembered the bug spray.
Still a great hike for all levels of experience.