WaterfallNear Me

Codfish Falls

Placer County, California

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Placer County, California
Access status
Established trail; rough access road
The walk
About 3.4 miles return (derived from 1.7 miles one way)
Ground & access
Mostly easy, but narrow in places with steep drop-offs to the river. Watch for poison oak. The falls can be dry in summer.
Visit Placer: Codfish Falls Trail

Park at the lot on the right just before the Ponderosa Way bridge over the North Fork American River. The trail starts beyond the parking area, follows the river downstream for about a mile, then turns up Codfish Creek to a waterfall of about 40 feet. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Ponderosa Way bridge parking to Codfish Falls on the Codfish Falls Trail

Visit Placer and the Canyon Keepers trail sheet give 1.7 miles to the falls. The return figure is derived by doubling that.

Mostly easy, but narrow in places with steep drop-offs to the river. Watch for poison oak. The falls can be dry in summer.

Where to start

Parking area on the right just before Ponderosa Bridge. Ponderosa Way is recommended for high-clearance vehicles for the last 2.5 miles and can be difficult in winter after rain.

Timing & water

Best in spring. The falls can be dry in summer and the trail hot in the afternoon.

Before you go

Auburn State Recreation Area lists a $10 vehicle day-use fee. The reviewed sources do not say whether it is collected at the Ponderosa Way lot.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore California

Waterfall location

Placer County, California.

Open location map