Hike the Etiwanda Falls Trail

3.5 miles - Moderate Effort
2 Hours (Total)
790 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 2,825 feet
No Dogs Allowed

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.

In this Guide:

Turn by Turn Directions & Video For the Hike
How to Get to the Etiwanda Falls Trail & Parking
What to Know Before You Go

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

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.

Gear That I Love Right Now

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

Garmin InReach Mini 2Hit SOS or just tell loved ones that you're running late where your cell phone has no service. Review here.

Topo Pursuit 2The best hiking footwear I've ever owned. No blisters. Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.

Garmin Epix ProHiking maps, route info, and fitness stats on my wrist. Review here.

Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.

Check out the complete list here. ( Updated October 2024)

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.

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

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.

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide? Join my Patreon and ask me a question.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.
Do you have an update to this guide? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to update the guide.

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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.