Waterfall Hikes Near Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

47,702 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
9 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Rancho Santa Margarita? There are 9 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Rancho Santa Margarita. These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 33.6318°N, -117.5988°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Rancho Santa Margarita

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

9 of 9 gauged

4 of 9 waterfalls near Rancho Santa Margarita are flowing strongly today

Andreas Falls Roaring Bonita Falls Roaring Hidden Heart Falls Moderate Middleman Falls Strong Monkeyface Falls Roaring San Antonio Falls Moderate Wolfskill Falls Moderate

Updated 35 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Labor Day

Mostly Sunny · 89°F

Aft 82°F Sunny
Sat 88°F Sunny
Sun 86°F Rain Showers Likely
Lab 89°F Mostly Sunny Best
Tue 91°F Chance Rain Showers
Wed 92°F Mostly Sunny
Thu 89°F Sunny

Flowing best right now near Rancho Santa Margarita

Updated about 1 hour ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Bonita Falls Roaring · 44 cfs 99th percentile
  2. 2 Monkeyface Falls Roaring · 20 cfs 97th percentile
  3. 3 Andreas Falls Roaring · 1 cfs 93rd percentile
  4. 4 Middleman Falls Strong · 4 cfs 81st percentile
  5. 5 Hidden Heart Falls Moderate · 0 cfs 54th percentile
  6. 6 San Antonio Falls Moderate · 7 cfs 52nd percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Rancho Santa Margarita hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Rancho Santa Margarita

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Rancho Santa Margarita (2 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

San Antonio Falls waterfall

San Antonio Falls

28.9 miles away
California
Easy
1.4 miles 300 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Rancho Santa Margarita (4 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Bonita Falls

32.3 miles away
California
Moderate
1.5 miles 200 ft
Sturtevant Falls waterfall

Sturtevant Falls

14 miles away
California
Moderate
3.3 miles 400 ft

All 9 Waterfalls Near Rancho Santa Margarita

San Antonio Falls waterfall

San Antonio Falls

28.9 miles away
California
Easy
1.4 miles 300 ft
Wolfskill Falls waterfall

Wolfskill Falls

9.6 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

Bonita Falls

32.3 miles away
California
Moderate
1.5 miles 200 ft

Middleman Falls

36.8 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Hidden Heart Falls waterfall

Hidden Heart Falls

9.1 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Sturtevant Falls waterfall

Sturtevant Falls

14 miles away
California
Moderate
3.3 miles 400 ft
Hidden Falls waterfall

Hidden Falls

25.4 miles away
California
Moderate
2.5 miles 500 ft
Andreas Falls waterfall

Andreas Falls

17.2 miles away
California
Easy
1.6 miles 100 ft

Monkeyface Falls

49.1 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Rancho Santa Margarita

Are there free waterfalls near Rancho Santa Margarita?

There is 1 free waterfall near Rancho Santa Margarita, including Hidden Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Rancho Santa Margarita?

There are 2 easy waterfall hikes near Rancho Santa Margarita, including Andreas Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Rancho Santa Margarita?

There are 4 dog-friendly waterfalls near Rancho Santa Margarita, including Bonita Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Rancho Santa Margarita?

There are 5 kid-friendly waterfalls near Rancho Santa Margarita, including Andreas Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Rancho Santa Margarita?

The shortest waterfall hike near Rancho Santa Margarita is Andreas Falls at 1.4 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Rancho Santa Margarita?

The tallest waterfall near Rancho Santa Margarita is Bonita Falls at 160 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Rancho Santa Margarita require permits?

Yes, 2 waterfalls near Rancho Santa Margarita require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Rancho Santa Margarita?

Yes, 9 waterfalls near Rancho Santa Margarita have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Rancho Santa Margarita?

The closest waterfall to Rancho Santa Margarita is San Antonio Falls, approximately 32.8 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Rancho Santa Margarita, California

San Juan Hot Springs

San Juan Hot Springs

5.8 mi 120°F

San Juan Hot Springs flows at an impressive 120°F within Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park in Orange County, delivering water 5...

Spring

6.0 mi 95°F

This 95-degree thermal spring emerges in Orange County's rolling hills near San Juan Capistrano, delivering water 33 degrees wa...

Glen Ivy Hot Springs

10.3 mi 131°F

Glen Ivy Hot Springs emerges at 131 degrees Fahrenheit, the warmest feature among these Riverside County springs and displaying...
Wrenden Hot Sprs, Elsinore Hot Sprs

Wrenden Hot Sprs, Elsinore Hot Sprs

13.5 mi 125°F

Wrenden Hot Springs flows at 125 degrees Fahrenheit virtually roadside in Riverside County, making it one of Southern Californi...
Fairview Hot Spring

Fairview Hot Spring

14.9 mi 96°F

Fairview Hot Spring represents a unique geothermal oddity in Orange County: an artesian well that tapped heated groundwater and...

De Luz Warm Springs

21.2 mi 85°F

De Luz Warm Springs emerges at 85°F from the rolling hills of northern San Diego County near Fallbrook, where water surfaces ju...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Rancho Santa Margarita, California on SoakingSprings.

Explore California springs

Where to Stay

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Glamping Hipcamp

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RV Rentals Outdoorsy

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