• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

California Through My Lens

California Travel, Food, Hiking & Road Trips

  • Start Here
  • Explore
    • Beaches
    • Bizarre
    • Caves
    • Food
    • Hikes
    • Historical Structures
    • Natural Wonders
    • Waterfalls
  • Drive
    • El Camino Real
    • Highway 395
    • LA to Las Vegas
    • Pacific Coast Highway
    • Route 66
  • National Parks
    • Channel Islands
    • Death Valley
    • Joshua Tree
    • Lassen Volcanic
    • Pinnacles
    • Redwoods
    • Sequoia & Kings Canyon
    • Yosemite
  • Cities
    • Los Angeles
    • Palm Springs
    • Sacramento
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
  • Resources
    • Day Trip Ideas
    • Road Trip eBooks
    • Hotels
    • My Favorite Travel Products
    • Travel Videos
  • Browse By …
    • Map Of Locations
    • Cities
    • Counties
    • National Parks
    • State Parks

Big Falls Waterfall in Forest Falls

Last Modified: November 18, 2019

218shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Big Falls waterfall in Forest Falls is one of the largest year-round running waterfalls in Southern California. The top part of the falls is around 150 to 200 feet drop, and the water continues down to the river below. There are many small waterfalls below the main two which makes this waterfall seem like it goes on for a good while. The overall drop from top to bottom is around 500 feet. As of July 2019, you can only go to the overlook. The trail to the top is closed due to the number of rescues that happen in the area.

Big falls forest falls

People have stated that it is hard to find the trail, do note that from parts of the parking lot and while driving up near the parking lot, you can see the waterfall off to the left. This should help you get your barrings, but if you go when there is snow or high water flow, it may be challenging to make it to the falls.

The falls are at the end of a short 1 to 2-mile hike that takes you from the parking lot, across a small river, and up to a vista point. Many people stop here, but you can continue past this vista point and all the way up through the water to the base of the falls (As of 2019, you can no longer continue on from the overlook). They make sure you are warned of the danger, though, with the slippery rocks and uneven climbing.

big falls hazard sign

From the vista point, many people elect to ford the water below and start the climb up to the base of the main fall. During this climb, you will cross over the river a couple of times and even scale up the parts of some hillsides before reaching the base of the falls, so make sure you are careful if you attempt this and do not attempt it if there is a lot of water!

big falls hike

While this is not extremely dangerous, it should not be taken lightly as there are many opportunities to fall on the way up, and it is even more slippery coming down from the falls. However, once you reach the base of the waterfall, it is nothing short of majestic. It is somewhat hard to photograph just because of the sheer size, which mists everything that comes near it. If you take the risk, the pictures will make it worth it.

taking photos of big falls

We spent about an hour and a half to climb and photograph this waterfall, and it is by far one of the most rewarding waterfalls you can hike to in Southern California, mainly due to the sheer size and flow of water that comes out of it. I would highly recommend you check this waterfall out, and if you are not from the area, you can probably hit both Big Falls, and heart rock falls on the same day; they are not particularly close to each other though.

slow motion waterfall big falls

Let me know what you think of this waterfall in the comments and check out more Southern California falls here.

Filed Under: Hikes, Southern California, Waterfalls Tagged With: Forest Falls, San Bernardino County

Interested in supporting this blog?

This blog is simply a hobby and labor of love for me. If you have enjoyed the posts consider sharing it with your friends. I want as many people as possible to explore this state and you can help by letting them know about all of the great spots!

Join the Newsletter

Subscribe for the four day welcome series and to get the latest content every month.

    We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    About JoshMc

    Thanks for checking out the blog, I am happy to be sharing my adventures with you! You can get to know me by reading my about me, which includes a video and additional information on the site, myself and my full disclosure. Also, follow along on Twitter here or read all of my posts on this blog here.

    Primary Sidebar

    About

    Josh from California Through My Lens I'm a travel junkie strapped down to one state, focused on seeing as much of it as I can and encouraging others to do the same. More about me.

    Popular Posts

    The Big List of Strange, Fun & Unique Attractions in Southern California
    Pacific Coast Highway: Where to Stop on Your Road Trip
    Top Hiking Trails in Southern California
    Fun Stops on the Drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas
    24 Things to do in Downtown LA
    17 Things to do in Lake Tahoe
    Donner Pass, Summit Tunnel Hike: Old Abandoned Railroad

    Categories

    Other Resources


    Footer

    Search the site

    Additional Information

    Privacy Policy

    About Us

    Copyright © 2021 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

    Coronavirus January 2021 Update: Please note that some information in the posts may have changed and some places may be closed.