How to Hike Black Star Canyon Falls
PLAY VIDEO
Hikes In and Around Orange County

How to Hike Black Star Canyon Falls

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated January 19, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance
7 miles
Time
4-5 Hours
Total Climbing
820 feet
Difficulty
Moderate
Crowds
Crowded
Dogs
Leashed
Gear
What I Use
Weather
Latest Report
Park
Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park

The Black Star Canyon Falls hike is a local classic. You'll hike through mellow country roads and then cut down into the dramatic (and maybe haunted?) canyon along Black Star Creek. The scramble up along the creek is challenging but doable by almost anyone. This guide has everything you need to navigate the hike safely and get to the falls.

Where Is The Black Star Canyon Trail?

Black Star Canyon Falls Location
The Black Star Canyon Falls hike starts in Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park, about an hour from downtown LA in Orange County, CA.

Here's the trailhead address: 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676, USA.

Black Star Canyon Falls Parking Lot
Park alongside the road in the long parking areas. Parking gets full with hikers and mountain bikers.
Black Star Canyon Falls Parking
Park on either side of the road.

There's no permit or fee to park here and no facilities such as a bathroom or water fill.

Gear Recommendations

Black Star Canyon Falls Sratched Leg
It's easy to scratch your legs when climbing the boulders and rocks. Long pants or leggings are better than shorts to protect your legs from rocks and plants.
  • Seven miles is a relatively long hike, and this area can get very hot in the summer. Take at least 1L of water or 2L if it's hot out. Don't drink water from the stream unless you treat it with a water filter.
  • I wear trail runners with an excellent grip to make my way up the streams and rock. You can usually hop over the stream without getting wet.
  • Cellphone coverage is sketchy along the hike. If you have a satellite communicator, bring it along if you need help.
  • Some folks use trekking poles to help with the stream crossings, but they can be a hassle when climbing some of the larger boulders. Be prepared to stow them for parts where using your hands makes more sense.

Essentials I’m Using Now

Can dogs hike to Black Star Canyon Falls?

I've seen plenty of people with dogs on this hike, but they'll have to get up and down steep rock sections. They should be comfortable jumping up and down, or you should be prepared to carry and lift them. Because of sharp rocks, many folks put booties on their dogs for the hike.

Black Star Canyon Falls Trail Maps

Black Star Canyon Falls 3d Map
You can break the hike up into two sections. The purple line shows the first part of the hike, approximately 2.5 miles rolling on dirt country roads closed to traffic. Then you hop off the road (yellow line) and hike up Black Star Creek for a mile. The section along the creek is slow going and involves some steep sections and minor scrambles.
Click to activate map
CalTopo
Print Map, Work With It Yourself
GPX
Bring the Guide to Any GPS

Hike Brief

Black Star Canyon Falls Mine Entrance
When you get to the falls, you'll see a tunnel, one of several explorations at Black Star Mines
  • Is Black Star Canyon haunted?
    • The first horror story dates back to the 1830s when the native Tongva peoples who lived in the area were allegedly massacred for stealing horses. The man behind the massacre was William Wolfskill, who became one of the wealthiest men in America, credited with starting the citrus industry. You can see evidence of the Tongva on the nearby hike to Beeks Place.
    • In the 1890s, the nearby Hidden Ranch was the scene of the murder of James Gregg.
    • Since then, there have been stories about ghosts, forest creatures called the Black Star Waddlers and even the bigfoot legend of Santiago Sam.
  • Black Star Canyon is named after the Black Star Mine, which opened in the 1870s to mine coal. According to a newspaper in 1877 "the coal was unanimously pronounced to be the best ever seen in California. It burned freely with no unpleasant odor and left no unburut substance. The ashes were as fine and soft as the ashes from a cigar."

Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions

Black Star Canyon Directions 1
Hike through the gate at the end of the parking area.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 1
You'll be walking down a dirt road for the first 2.5 or so.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 3
Avoid the gate on the right that says "Black Star Canyon" and continue straight on the road.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 4
At the bottom of the hill, bear right.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 5
Follow the peaceful and mellow road.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 7
There's private property alongside the road. Keep straight on the main road and avoid any side roads or driveways.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 6
You'll leave Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park and enter Cleveland National Forest.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 8
The road section has a few bridges to cross.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 9
This is the important turn. At about 2.5 miles, look for the sign and trail into the trees to the right. The road continues left and uphill.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 10
There's a nice big sign at the entrance to the smaller trail.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 11
Once you turn off the road you'll go downhill. At the bottom, make the left to hike up along the creek.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 13
Hike upstream. The going is slower here than on the road. You'll cross over the stream multiple times.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 14
Look for paths a few feet away from the banks of stream for an easier path.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 12
Shortly after 3 miles the trail goes sharply uphill through the boulders. You'll have to pick your way through. Just take your time.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 15
Towards the end, when the boulders seem massive and impassable, look for a steep dirt trail on the left.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 17
Sometimes there will be a rope to assist with the steeper parts.
Black Star Canyon Falls Hike Directions 16
And after about 3.5 miles you'll reach Black Star Canyon Falls!

From here, just turn around and go back the way you came.

Originally published March 24, 2023