McCloud Waterfalls Trail is a 3.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near McCloud, California that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. 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.
Many users have reported icy conditions during the winter months. At this time, the road to the trailhead may be gated and you will have to add a couple miles if you park at a lower trailhead. Many users go swimming or cliff-diving at the Lower, Middle, or Upper Falls and various pools along this trail, although caution is advised. The McCloud River is also used by kayakers who start at the Lower Falls and go to McCloud Reservoir, and dirt roads nearby are used by off-road vehicles. Accessibility: There are three observation points (one to each waterfall) that are paved and wheelchair and stroller friendly from the parking lots. However, the dirt trails between the falls are not considered wheelchair-accessible due to the surface, very steep grade over 12%, and obstacles such as roots. There are wheelchair-accessible toilets by all three parking lots. There is a wheelchair-accessible picnic area by the Lower Falls parking lot with multiple tables and drinking water. There is a picnic table by the Upper Falls but it is on dirt not pavement. There is a wheelchair-accessible, paved trail that runs from the Lower Falls to Fowler Campground, about 0.5 miles. This portion of the trail has been marked with a waypoint on the map. Past that, towards Middle Falls, the trail is dirt and wide but may have too many obstacles and become too steep for wheelchair/mobility equipment or stroller users.
There is a free, day-use parking area at Lower Falls.
April 20, 2021There is a big waterfall you can’t even go to the top!
April 17, 2021April 11, 2021Great! Very little snow now. Best before 10am to avoid crowds.
April 10, 2021Perfect day for this hike! The falls are absolutely wonderful! Best waterfall for us is the middle falls.
April 8, 2021Easy, beautiful, worth the effort.
April 8, 2021Awesome!
April 8, 2021Very easy, beautiful trail. Good for dogs
April 5, 2021Nice easy dog friendly hike
March 28, 2021To get to middle Falls from the parking lot...stay off the snow and ice covered walking road that is a nowhere to walk. instead, Go straight, until it deals ends at the ceeek, and stick to the trail along the edge of the river by the campground. when u get to the campground and the river, then go left. nice trail to the top.
March 28, 2021March 28, 2021Amazing! Super busy towards the end tho
March 27, 2021March 20, 2021very snowy, a fun but tiring hike
March 20, 2021March 7, 2021Beautiful hike. The views were breathtaking.
February 28, 2021The map on here was hard for me to follow, given I am a beginner. Google maps gave me a more straightforward path and it was less populated!!
February 27, 2021Nobody wears a mask but other than that not too crowded at middle or upper falls but lots of snow and ice.
February 16, 2021February 14, 2021February 13, 2021January 22, 2021I went early morning after a slightly snowy night. The road to trailhead was gated so I had to hike to the trail. It was very easy though. The last about 1/4 mile of the trail itself was total snow and ice. It was very slippery so I only made it to the Lower Falls, but it was still worth it. Beautiful! The trails are paved and there are signs so no danger to go off trail. Though had I not been all alone I may have ventured to see more of the beauty of this area.
January 18, 2021Lots of people and dogs on trail.
January 17, 2021We had to hike the road from the closed gate. Hiked in the late morning and the road was still icy in a few areas so we only made it to the lower falls. Nice view of Shasta straight ahead on the hike back to the parking lot. Cars parked along both sides of the road, as the lot was already full when we arrived.
January 17, 2021January 17, 2021The road to get to parking lots are closed. They are extremely icy and we watched several people fall on the way up. You will have to add several miles to your hike. It was 5 miles from entry to middle falls.
