{"id":6913,"date":"2021-05-20T07:31:41","date_gmt":"2021-05-20T14:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?p=6913"},"modified":"2025-05-14T10:10:30","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T17:10:30","slug":"mccloud-falls-trail-hiking-waterfalls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2021\/05\/20\/mccloud-falls-trail-hiking-waterfalls\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking the McCloud Falls Trail: Three Magnificent Waterfalls!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Walking the lower, middle, and upper falls of the McCloud River<\/strong> is one of the premier hikes in the Mount Shasta area. This post has everything you need, including a detailed description of the trail, directions to the trailhead, a map, and several photos that highlight the stunning beauty along the route.<\/p>\n

\"Middle
Autumn at the Middle Falls of the McCloud River<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The McCloud Falls Trail is in Two of My Hiking Guidebooks…<\/h2>\n

It’s Hike 48 in my Day Hiking: Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps Regions<\/em><\/a>, and it’s Hike 43 in 100 Classic Hikes: Northern California<\/em><\/a>, fourth edition. Both books are available at many bookstores, outdoor stores, and visitor centers. Of course, they’re also on Amazon and Bookshop.org.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Spring<\/p>\n

\u00a0McCloud Falls Trail: Key Data<\/h2>\n

Distance: 3.8 miles roundtrip
\nDifficulty: Easy to Moderate; flat and easy for the 1.2 miles from the lower falls to the middle falls
\nType: Day hike
\nElevation gain:300 feet
\nHigh point: 3500 feet
\nSeason: spring through fall; access road closed in winter after first snowfall
\nContact: McCloud Ranger Station<\/a>, Shasta-Trinity National Forest
\nMap: USGS Lake McCloud, Mount Shasta Area map from Green Trails Maps<\/a>
\nPermits: No permits needed
\nNotes: dogs allowed, toilets at trailhead and near Upper McCloud Falls
\nSafety issues: Watch small children carefully near steep drop-offs and the river; Submerged rocks at\/near the base of Lower McCloud Falls make diving\/jumping dangerous<\/strong><\/p>\n

McCloud Falls Trail Trailhead Directions<\/h2>\n

Take CA Highway 89 for 15 miles east of the junction of 89 and I-5 (5 miles east of McCloud) and then turn south onto paved Forest Road 40N44, signed for Fowlers Camp and McCloud Falls. Go 0.6 mile and stay straight at a road fork, bear right 50 yards farther, and then continue another 0.7 mile past Fowlers Camp Campground to the trailhead at the Lower Falls of the McCloud River picnic area. Taking a left at 0.6 mile allows you to drive 40N44 to the Middle Falls overlook (1.0 mile from the fork) and the Upper Falls overlook (another 0.5 mile on 40N44, and then right on dirt FR 40N44B for 0.4 mile).<\/p>\n

McCloud Falls Trail Trailhead GPS coordinates:<\/strong> N 41 14.448 W 122 01.526<\/p>\n

\"The
The trail runs from the lower falls past Fowlers Campground to the middle and upper falls, and beyond. (Courtesy Caltopo.com<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Best Time to Do the Hike<\/h2>\n

The trail is quite popular during the summer months, especially on weekends and holidays, but summer is also prime time for swimming. Spring is beautiful with cooler temperatures and smaller crowds, and autumn features vivid colors on deciduous trees and shrubs, and on the Indian rhubarb along the river itself.<\/p>\n

Note: <\/strong>parking is difficult on weekends and holidays from late spring into early fall. If you must hike on those days, try to arrive early to mid-morning, or in late afternoon.<\/p>\n

\"Autumn
Autumn color on Indian rhubarb<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hiking the Trail: Lower McCloud Falls to Middle McCloud Falls<\/h2>\n

Let the sound of crashing water draw you to the railing and a prime view of the Lower Falls. Walk down the steps and then cross over rocks to the edge of the McCloud River, where you\u2019ll see the 10-foot cascade plunging into a deep pool, a favorite swimming spot on warm summer days. Caution: <\/strong>Be aware that a big block of rock fell into the pool in 2019. Do not dive or jump into the water<\/strong> until you have swum underneath where you plan to dive\/jump to be absolutely sure it is safe.<\/p>\n

\"Indian
Indian rhubarb (umbrella plant) along the McCloud River in late spring<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Take the paved path when you\u2019re ready to continue upstream to the even more impressive Middle Falls. Walk along the southeast edge of Fowlers Camp Campground and to a bench and a sign detailing the region\u2019s human history. You now travel a gentle, riverside dirt path that\u2019s shaded by Douglas firs, with occasional help from dogwoods and other trees. You\u2019ll always hear the rush of water over rocks from the nearby river.<\/p>\n

Gain the first invigorating glimpse of the Middle Falls at 1.0 mile, then continue the last 0.2 mile to reach the stupendous cascade. Seventy feet wide and 35 feet high, the waterfall is split by a huge buttress and an intervening ledge before it bursts with a cacophonous roar into a sea-foam-green pool, simultaneously spawning sheets of swirling mist that drift downstream toward a steep cliff spiked with surreal hoodoos.<\/p>\n

\"An
An angler tries his luck at the base of Middle McCloud Falls. Fishing is popular along the river.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This Map Includes the McCloud River Waterfalls…<\/h2>\n
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Comprehensive Trail Map for the Greater Mount Shasta Region<\/h4>\n

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This map is perfect for exploring Mount Shasta and the nearby areas of natural beauty:<\/strong><\/p>\n