University Falls Trail

Nice and short, downhill going there and uphill back, but manageable. Very muddy so wear waterproof hiking shoes. Falls were much bigger than I expected. Get a chance to see it up close. The bad: road to get there has lots of potholes. Also, lots of off road ATVs and dirt bikes so be prepared to share the road. We also heard gunshots from the trailhead.

We meant to start at a different trailhead (it’s a little confusing coming in) so the hike ended up being super short. Like, “Wow that’s it?” kinda short...but there was snow on the ground and we had two small kids with us so it worked out in the end. A longer hike from another trailhead would have been preferable to my husband and I. Falls are beautiful though! Kids really enjoyed it. Note: lots of locals (I think?) with ATV’s on the surrounding roads so watch the kiddos carefully.

I accessed the trailhead from Beaver Dam Road > University Falls Road. After just 2 or 3 mins of walking, I passed a sign that read "Historical Hiking Trail, No Motor Vehicles Please". 50 yds beyond this sign is a massive clear cut. So sad. It must have been a beautiful forest at one time.

Nice easy trail. The falls were very pretty and it was a good quick stop. My GPS took me up Rutherford road and DON'T GO THIS WAY - incredibly steep gravel road at the start and muddy too. Coming from Beaver Dam road is much better. Be cautious of bikers and potholes on the road up too.

Nice short wooded trail. Nothing too exciting but good for a quick stop.

Kid friendly is a 50/50 chance it may or may not be crowded short hike beautiful up close to the falls

Great trail! Cute little waterfall at the end which was nice. Short but beautiful!

Very short hike to the waterfall. The trail keeps going so you can make it longer if you want. Lots of ATVs in the area, which I don’t care for since I like my hikes to be quiet.

Nice easy hike, can be slippery so wear appropriate shoes.

The trailhead is tucked back on some dirt roads (careful of potholes!) off of Beaver Dam Rd - putting Roger's Camp Trailhead in the GPS got us to the right spot and all the trailheads are marked. University Falls meets up with a bunch of other trails, so we did a loop by taking Gravelle Brothers to Nels Rogers and then Wilson River Wagon Road - it is a LONG loop! The University Falls trail itself is beautiful, and we had it almost entirely to ourselves.

Really great hike! Short and sweet, just a bit of a leg burner on the way back as it’s mostly up hill. It was pretty muddy, rec good shoes. There are dirt biking trials that intersect with the hiking trail. There’s a nice area by the water fall for a nice picnic!

I hiked this trail last week when it was dry weather. The trail was in decent shape. Dry with a few small mud spots. BUT: I hiked this trail again today in the rain. It had been raining all day and the previous day as well. The trail, when it rains, becomes very muddy and slick. The small mud spots become big unavoidable muck spots. Just be prepared. I recommend wearing hiking boots for this hike when it has been raining. Really should wear them no matter when, but especially when it has been raining so you can comfortably navigate the mud. The hike itself is a small uphill with a decline down to the falls. The hike is about .5 miles. The sign says it is .3 but from my trackers (and junction with another trail) it is .4 to .6 miles. The falls are beautiful and worth the hike. You can continue on another trail or head back to parking once you are done with the falls.

Trailhead sign says .3 miles but my two trackers say .5 miles. This seems more accurate as you do pass a trail junction prior to the falls that is listed at .4 miles by the signage (and is in sync with my tracking. This trail intersects with ATV trails so it isn’t going to be traditionally quiet. ATVs are not allowed on this trail, so all is good. It appears mountain bikes are allowed although I did not encounter any. There is an initial uphill then you go downhill a ways. You will cross over ATV trails twice early in the hike. When you get to the trail junction .4 mile down, stay left and you will see a sign for thr Falls. It is another .1 miles to the falls beyond that. There are a few minor mud spots but not too bad.

3/28/20- nice little hike, the waterfall was a lot prettier than I was expecting. Only ran into two other families there, so social distancing is definitely possible. Trails are small, but you can move into the brush to keep a distance. You can get right up to the waterfall, so that was cool!

Awesome trail; had a great time! Super short though, like my gf.....

Nice and easy trail with option to explore other trails.

Not excessively muddy. We had a five and six year old with us today and they managed fine. It was an easy hike and a brief uphill at the end. The waterfall was beautiful and flowing nicely today. It was not crowded at all. There were two other families, one of which was leaving when we arrived. The whole area has some great hikes, so you can make this easy one part of a longer day.

Great short hike. Went yesterday and it's pretty muddy and icy in spots. great for kids & pets on leashes. The waterfall is gorgous and really flowing right now.

Beautiful waterfall, very muddy getting there.

Little muddy and icy in some parts. Waterfall is amazing, coming around the little bend and see its wonder. Must see!!

I'm a beginner hiker and this was by far the most remote to date but also thre most rewarding. Lots of great trails and options to make it a short or long hike. #50waterfallsby50