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Hike the Etiwanda Falls Trail

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated January 18, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 2 Hours
Total Climbing: 790 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Moderate
Dogs: No Dogs
Gear: What I Use
Weather: Latest Report
Park: North Etiwanda Preserve

The Etiwanda Falls Trail hike feels like you're a world away from the nearby LA suburbs. Starting in North Etiwanda Preserve, you gently hike up through the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, with glimpses of the prominent mountain peaks along the way. After a short 1.6 miles, you'll reach Etiwanda Falls, tucked into a shady canyon. The trail is easy to follow, the workout is good, and the scenery is beautiful.

Where is the Etiwanda Falls Trail?

Although there is plenty of parking at North Etiwanda Preserve, the trails are very popular, and spaces fill up quickly. I recommend doing this hike at 630am when the park opens. There are no bathrooms at the trailhead.

Use this trailhead address:
North Etiwanda Preserve, 4890 Etiwanda Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

North Etiwanda Preserve Hours — Double check the park website to confirm these opening hours.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 2 — North Etiwanda Preserve is easy to find on most maps and is well maintained.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 3 — There is a huge parking lot which will fill up on weekends and busy periods. If you park outside of the lot, be careful of the no-parking zones.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Parking — Finding the right trail can be confusing at the start. Go straight through from the parking lot for the trail to Etiwanda Falls.

It looks like you have to pay for parking now, which is done through an app that is promoted at the parking lot. The fee is $3.25 for 4 hours. Thanks to reader Weston B. for the update!

Gear for the Hike

I recommend wearing light hiking gear for this hike. In a pinch you can get away with fitness clothing. The trail is wide and easy to follow, but rocky, so trail runners or hiking boots will work best. If you have sandals it will be tough. The route is also exposed and in the summer can get very hot; bring 1L of water and sunscreen.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 19 — Most of the trail surface is rock like this, so wear shoes that can handle it.

Essentials I’m Using Now

Garmin inReach Mini 2: Reliable SOS Everywhere on Earth
Sawyer + CNOC Water Filter: Easy & Reliable Safe Water
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp: Running late? Get home safe
Altra Olympus 275: Favorite trail shoes right now, no blisters and very comfy.
Full November 2025 Gear List →

Etiwanda Falls Trail Maps

Although the trail is easy to follow, there are other trails at the park and random signs with arrows and hikers at multiple points. Sometimes it can get confusing. Follow the directions below to get to Etiwanda Falls. There's a trail map on the park website (at the top of this guide) if you want to explore the other trails.

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Elevation Profile

Etiwanda Falls Hike Elevation

3D Map

Etiwanda Falls Hike Ed — The hike climbs gently, but it's not a big mountain uphill. Etiwanda Falls sit at the end of Etiwanda Canyon.

Hike Brief

George Day Cabin Ruins — If you have the time, you can explore the other trails of North Etiwanda Preserve, which include an interpretive center and ruins of an early settler, George Day. Photo Wayne Hsieh

Why are the falls called Etiwanda? In 1882 settlers named the area Etiwanda after a native tribe in the Lake Michigan area.
In 1893 one of the earliest irrigation systems was started here using Etiwanda Creek. There is an interpretive display along the trail. Etiwanda Creek continues to provide a portion of the water supply to Rancho Cucamonga.
Much of the area you are hiking in was burned in the 2003 Old Fire, part of one of the worst fire seasons in SoCal history.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Hike Directions

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 4 — Go straight through the gate at the far end of the parking lot. There are signs with hikers pointing in other directions; they are for other trails.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 5 — The trail is wide and easy to follow.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 6 — Go straight through the intersection with the stone post.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 7 — To the left at that intersection is a pavilion that hosts some interpretive displays. It only takes a minute to hike there if you want to check them out.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 8 — Otherwise continue straight on the trail. There are a couple of these trail markers with distance and elevation along the way.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 9 — You'll pass an interpretive display about the early water pipelines.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 10 — At the next junction go straight through. The signs of hikers left and right on the stone pillar is a little confusing.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 11 — You'll go through a gate and starting hiking uphill.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 12 — Look for glimpses of the high peaks as you hike up the trail here.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 13 — At the next intersection, go straight through. You're actually in San Bernardino National Forest now.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 14 — Another intersection, keep going straight.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 15 — The trail levels off here and you get incredible views up Etiwanda Canyon.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 16 — When you get to the water overflow drain, keep left and follow the trail uphill.

Etiwanda Falls Trail Directions 17 — And after a short uphill you'll reach Etiwanda Falls! Feel free to explore the area but be careful on the wet rocks.

Originally published January 19, 2020

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