Lower Switzer Falls
Los Angeles County, California
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 33 ft (10 m)
- Location
- Los Angeles County, California
- Access status
- National forest trail; Adventure Pass parking
- The walk
- About 4 to 4.5 miles return
- Ground & access
- About 650 to 750 feet of descent, regained on the return. Several stream crossings. Poison oak near the creek.
From Switzer Picnic Site, cross the bridge and walk down the canyon on the old road and Gabrielino Trail beside the Arroyo Seco. The trail climbs along the canyon wall. At about 1.5 miles, stay left where Gabrielino Trail goes up to the right, and follow Bear Canyon Trail down to the creek. Turn upstream; the lower falls, about 25 feet with a pool, is less than a quarter mile further. The upper falls above it is reached only by a slippery scramble. Return the same way; the walk back is uphill.
Plan your visit
Switzer Picnic Site, Angeles Crest Highway, by Gabrielino Trail and Bear Canyon Trail to Lower Switzer Falls
California Through My Lens gives 4 miles round trip to the lower falls; Hikespeak gives 4.5 miles round trip. Source figures.
About 650 to 750 feet of descent, regained on the return. Several stream crossings. Poison oak near the creek.
Where to start
Switzer Picnic Site lot, about 10 miles up Angeles Crest Highway (CA 2) from La Canada Flintridge. Overflow parking at the top of the access road.
Timing & water
Best after rain; low flow in summer. Day-use hours 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fire danger was listed as Very High on the Forest Service page.
Before you go
Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful pass required: $5 per vehicle per day. No hiking permit needed.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Upper Switzer FallsPartial guide: last section is off trail and the falls names differ between sources33 ft (10 m) · Los Angeles County, CA0.2 miNW
- Royal FallsLos Angeles County, CA0.8 miSW
- Brown Mountain Dam WaterfallPublished hiking route and parking documented; stream crossingsLos Angeles County, CA2.1 miSW
Millard FallsCamp closure posted; road and falls access unverifiedLos Angeles County, CA2.7 miS- Leontine Falls131 ft (40 m) · Los Angeles County, CA3.9 miSE
- Thalehaha Falls79 ft (24 m) · Los Angeles County, CA4.0 miSE
- Roaring Rift Falls20 ft (6 m) · Los Angeles County, CA4.0 miSE
- Suspended Boulder Falls23 ft (7 m) · Los Angeles County, CA4.0 miSE
- Grand Chasm Falls59 ft (18 m) · Los Angeles County, CA4.0 miSE