Upper Hot Spring Canyon Waterfall Featured

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Waterfall Hike

2.8 miles - Moderate Effort
Or: 3.6 to Second Waterfall
2-3 Hours (Total)
450 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 3,300 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

Tucked away in a remote corner of Cleveland National Forest, the waterfalls of Upper Hot Spring Canyon are truly wild and beautiful. Luckily it's a relatively easy hike to the first 15-foot waterfall, then a bit harder to the second, taller 25-foot waterfall, which I cover in this guide. After that point, this hiking guide ends because Lower Hot Spring Canyon lacks a trail and is known as one of the most challenging canyoneering routes in SoCal. But this more leisurely hike in the upper canyon will give you a taste of the beauty without having to mount a major expedition.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions to Hike Upper Hot Spring Canyon
The Safe Waterfalls and the Dangerous Waterfalls
Parking for the Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike
Insider Tips and Recommendations

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Apr 2024 Gear

This hike is best done in winter when there's some water flowing and the fauna is green.

What Makes Hot Spring Canyon So Epic?

Upper Hot Spring Mountain Rugged Landscape — Hot Spring Canyon has a reputation for being rugged and spectacular. The canyon walls are steep, narrow, and rugged. The trail hugs the sides (on the right here), sometimes going through the creek itself.

Hot Spring Canyon is one of the most remote and unexplored canyons in the Santa Ana Mountains. This hike starts upstream at the headwaters, and as you hike down along Hot Spring Creek, the water flow will pick up as tributaries join the main creek. The stream can be dry in the summer, and the hike more of a rock hop. However, the creek can build to a swift torrent during the winter rains, making the slick granite treacherous. Moss-covered granite cliffs, interspersed with cacti, oak trees, poison oak, and aquatic grasses, line the trail as you venture onward.

There are two distinct sections of this hike. The first half to the 15-foot "first falls" is rugged but tame enough for most to reach. I've seen 9-10 year old Girl Scouts successfully hike to this waterfall. After that, the canyon walls steepen and the trail gets distinctly more challenging as you hike toward the 25-foot "second fall." There is a trail on this stretch, but expect to cross the creek multiple times, and navigate narrow stretches along the cliffside. At the end, you'll be able to view the "second fall" from the top.

Past this point, there's no trail, just cliffs, waterfalls, poison oak, and some of the most rugged terrain in SoCal. Although some experienced hikers venture past here (or hike up from the bottom, starting by the Lazy W Ranch), it's generally considered more of a canyoneering exercise. To give you an idea of how tough it is, one canyoneering guide recommends 10-14 hours to cover the 7 miles of the canyon. For those who can do it, the payoff is the largest (and probably least-seen) waterfall in the Santa Ana Mountains, the 160 foot Tanrverdi Falls.

I don't recommend going past where this guide ends unless you know what you are doing and the conditions are favorable. I've explored into the canyon during the dry season, and there were sections that, in retrospect, I wouldn't attempt again. As the canyoneering guide put it, "(the canyon) will most likely leave you with great memories and absolutely no desire to go back." The extreme nature of this canyon makes falls, sprained ankles, and broken bones a distinct possibility. Evacuation from the narrow canyon will not be easy. Also note that in recent years an experienced climber has died after falling in the lower canyon.

Ken Croker, one of the main forces behind the creation of the San Mateo Wilderness, wanted Hot Spring Canyon to be protected as well. He suggested that a trail be built to Tanrverdi Falls from the lower approach, starting by Lazy W Ranch.

Ca Tree Frog — Lower Hot Spring Canyon (the section we won't go to in this hike) is also known as Salamander Canyon because of the abundance of California newts. There are also many California tree frogs, like the one pictured here, that you can often see in the route described in this guide.

Where is the Upper Hot Spring Canyon Waterfall Hike?

The hike starts from a small roadside parking area by the Falcon Group Campground, a short drive off of the main CA-74 route through the Santa Ana Mountains. Use this trailhead address:
Falcon Group Campground, Main Divide Truck Trail, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 1 — There's a small parking area just past the Falcon Group Camp entrance, on the side of the road. There are no facilities in the parking area, but there are toilets in nearby Falcon and Blue Jay campgrounds.

Gear For the Hike

Even on the easy parts of the hike, the trail can be overgrown, narrow, rocky, and wet. You're going to want to wear long pants, have insect repellant, and bring trekking poles to clear away brush if that's your thing. For me, I just do long pants and long sleeves, and apply repellant liberally. If it's raining or winter, there can be times where you will have to get your feet wet to move forward. When it's dry, it's much easier to hop over the rocks and otherwise tricky sections.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2If you are out of cellphone range the Mini 2 will reliably allow you to hit SOS via satellite. You can see my review here.

HOKA Speedgoat 5These are a great balance of comfort and performance. The high stack height leaves my feet feeling great after a hike.

Check out the complete list here.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Trail Maps

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

Upper Hot Spring Mountain Rugged Elevation — Although you'll be following the creek downhill, the reality of the trail is that it's a series of ups and downs. There's some minor uphill on the way back but with the ruggedness of the trail, it doesn't really register.

Finding Your Way

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 3 — Prepare to use all your limbs to navigate the trail. There are a few small scrambles, but nothing too crazy.

Okay, first of all, let's talk about the trail. This isn't an official trail, but it is a popular use trail, especially the portion to the first waterfall. In general, it's easy to follow and wide enough to see. After that, it's a smaller (but there) trail to the second fall.

There are points where the trail will go around obstructions.
The trail follows Hot Spring Creek. If you're not following the direction of the creek, you're not going the right way.
If you don't see the trail along the stream, look up to the sides.
In a few sections you'll be the stream bed. If it's raining, this could mean walking in the water.
When raining, the rocky portions of the trail can be very slippery, especially when covered by leaves or wet grass.
Expect to travel slower than usual, especially on the more primitive sections of the hike or in wet conditions.

3D Map

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Waterfall Hike Directions

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 4 — The hike starts at an unmarked trail entrance from the parking lot. Use the trail on the left, not the right.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 5 — The start of the trail is a little hidden. Just head through the trees.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 6 — And it will open up onto a small meadow.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 7 — Make the first left. The beginning can be confusing, with several interconnecting use trails from the campsites. These next turns all come within a few minutes of each other.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 8 — The trail is small and narrow, but it's there.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 9 — Keep left at the next junction.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 10 — And then stay left, going straight. Shortly after this, another trail will join in from the left (from the campsite). Keep hiking straight.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 11 — One you finish with all the small trails around the campsites, you'll be on the bank of Hot Spring Creek. From here on out we're following the creek.

I will show you some examples of what the trail does along the creek in the following images. But in general, you will follow the creek downstream. The trail will meander back and forth around the creek, sometimes climbing up, sometimes staying in the creek. Sometimes there are multiple options. Just keep following the trail downstream, and you're heading in the right direction.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 12 — You'll have some stream crossings.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 13 — And then you'll be on the right bank of the creek.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 14 — If the trail peters out in front of you, look up to the sides. Often it will climb the hill to avoid an obstacle.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 15 — Some sections will have you higher up along the side of the canyon, with the stream down below.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 16 — And at some points, like here, you'll have the option of going down on either side. In general the main path follows the right bank.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 17 — And some sections have this little rock scrambles. It's nothing extreme, but rather small climbs 6-10 feet or so above the creek.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 18 — At about 1.2 miles in you'll arrive at the first falls, marked by a big flat area. Continue around the falls to the right.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 19 — And you'll get some great views of the 15-foot falls from the bottom.

If you're just going for the first falls, you can turn around here and head back the way you came. Otherwise, you can continue to the second falls, but know the trail becomes much more challenging, especially if water is flowing.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 20 — Continue downstream, crossing over a feeder stream.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 21 — The trail is primitive, often being nothing more than a well-worn animal track.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 22 — As you continue down, the walls of Upper Hot Spring Creek narrow.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 24 — When you get to the big rock face, cross to the right and continue down the other side. This section is particularly slippery.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 25 — Continue downstream, sometimes climbing up above the creek.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 26 — And after about 1.6 miles, you'll see the top of the second fall in front of you, along with a sheer 25 foot drop. When the water is flowing, it's hard (and dangerous) to get to the top of the fall. When it's dry, you can just hop down there. If you want to hike up to a viewpoint, or to continue into the Lower Hot Spring Canyon, the trail is on the right in this picture.

Hiking past the last photo is not recommended.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 27 — Once you head up on that trail to the right, it's a steep uphill.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 28 — And then a very narrow and sketchy trail along a cliff. The drops here are high enough to potentially kill you.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon End — At the top of the narrow climb, you'll reach a big piece of granite, seen here on the right. Anything past this is very hardcore and will bring you into Lower Hot Spring Canyon.

From here, head back the way you came.

Upper Hot Spring Canyon Hike 29 — See you out there!

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.