1. Lake Clementine Dam Falls
- 📍 Address: Trailhead at 137 Old Foresthill Rd, Auburn, CA 95603
- 🕓 Hours: Open year-round, sunrise to sunset (parking fee applies)
- 🌸 Best Time to Visit: Late spring to early summer
- 💡 Insider Tips:
- 4.5-mile round-trip trail under the Foresthill Bridge
- Moderate difficulty; bring water and good shoes
2. Black Hole of Calcutta Falls
- Address: Trailhead off CA-193, Auburn, CA 95603
- Hours / Access: Located within the Auburn State Recreation Area, open daily from dawn to sunset.
- Best Time to Visit: Spring through early summer for the best water flow.
- Insider Tips: Short (~2.2 mile) round-trip, very family-friendly. Parking is limited — aim for early morning.
3. Sly Park Waterfall
- Address: 4771 Sly Park Rd, Pollock Pines, CA 95726
- Hours / Access: Day-use area (lake + waterfall); trail leads from the lake area. Fees apply.
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall when weather is warm and trail is accessible.
- Insider Tips: Combine a lake visit (Jenkinson Lake) with a short hike to the waterfall — great for families. Bring shoes that can get wet.
4. Dutch Creek Falls
- Address: Bayne Rd., Coloma, CA 95613
- Hours / Access: Public trail in El Dorado County; accessible during daylight hours (check road/trail conditions).
- Best Time to Visit: After rain or snowmelt (flow is stronger); summer is more moderate.
- Insider Tips: Less crowded than some other falls. Road/trail may be rough — check vehicle clearance.
5. Horsetail Falls
- Address: Trailhead at Pyramid Creek (Twin Bridges), CA 95735 (near Lake Tahoe)
- Hours / Access: Best during snow-free months (typically June-Sept).
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring/early summer (snowmelt peak) or mid-summer for moderate flow.
- Insider Tips: Hike is moderate to strenuous; elevation and rockiness make good shoes and layers a must.
6. Bassi Falls
- Address: Off Ice House Road, near 3300-4448 El Dorado Road, Placerville, CA 95667
- Hours / Access: Accessible day-use via El Dorado National Forest roads; no formal gate hours but daylight recommended.
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring when flow is good; summer works too if you’re okay with lower flow and want swimming.
- Insider Tips: Access road is dirt and may require high-clearance vehicle. Downstream rock pools are fun but bring caution.
7. Feather Falls
- Address: Bryant Ravine Rd, Oroville, CA 95966 (within the Feather Falls Scenic Area)
- Hours / Access: Trail system located in the national forest/scenic area; daylight hours access.
- Best Time to Visit: Late winter/early spring for maximum flow; winter has special sightings of migrating ladybugs in certain sections.
- Insider Tips: The falls drop ~410 feet — one of Northern California’s most impressive. Hike is longer so pack snacks and water.
Final Thoughts & Planning Tips
- Start early: Parking fills up early, especially on weekends.
- Check conditions: Road/trail closures, fire restrictions, weather (especially for snow/forest roads).
- Be trail-ready: Bring water, layered clothing, good shoes, phone with offline map (cell service can be spotty).
- Respect nature: Stay on trail, pack out trash, observe any swimming or climbing warnings.
- Driving time: Most of these are within ~45–90 minutes of Sacramento; Feather Falls is farther (~2 hours) so consider a full-day.
- Embed map: The map above makes trip planning easier — you can view all falls, driving distances, and select an efficient route.
