Outbound Collective logo

Trail Canyon Falls

Los Angeles County, California

4.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

4.56 miles

Elevation Gain

1017 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Bianca Isidro

Roughly 30 minutes north of Downtown Los Angeles, the Angeles National Forest is sprawling with outdoor recreational areas. The Trail Canyon (particularly Trail Canyon Falls) is a serene place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily city life without traveling too far from LA.

To get to the trail, take Big Tujunga Canyon Road until you see signs for Trail Canyon Road. The entry point is easy to miss, but keep an eye out for a stop sign and cars parked at the bottom of a dirt path. Drive up the dirt path for direct parking at the trailhead (4x4 is definitely recommended) or park at the bottom and walk up around three-quarters of a mile to get to the trailhead.

From there, follow signs indicating the trail path. Be sure to stick to these signs since you'll be passing several houses along the way.

Be aware that the trail is not maintained so the creek can overflow onto the trail and the brush could be dense in some areas. Just be sure to wear long pants and water-resistant shoes.

The total distance of the Trail Canyon is 6 miles roundtrip unless you go directly to the falls from the parking lot, then it's only ~4.5 miles. If you're looking for a longer adventure, this trail hooks up with the Condor Peak trail. Regardless of what you decide, there are many scenic overlooks along the way, so make sure you stop to take in the beauty of the valley throughout your hike! The elevation gain during this time is around 600+ feet, so bring plenty of water, especially if you plan to go in the summer. 

There is a campground along this trail, if you're so inclined (Tom Lucas Campground). You'll have to backpack over 2 miles to get to it, but it's a great way to avoid the crowds that frequent car campgrounds.

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app
Download GPX File

Features

Chillin
Camping
Photography
Backpacking
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Picnic Area
Waterfall

Trail Canyon Falls Reviews

Great hike! Follows along a river most of the way, beautiful colors and incredible views. Payoff is the waterfall at the end. You can keep hiking further but I stopped at the waterfall. It’s not a raging waterfall by any means but still beautiful and you can hike to the top of the fall or the bottom. Overall, great hike that offers a little bit of everything! Good hike for all skill levels.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Big Tujunga Canyon Lookouts

Verdugo Peak via Hostetter Fire Road

Teepee Trail

Old Youth Camp Loop

Switzer Falls

Bear Canyon via Switzer Falls Trailhead