Are there fees or permits required for Upper Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Upper Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Upper Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Upper Falls.

Nearby gauge (Aptos C) · 2 ft³/s · About average

Upper Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Upper Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Upper Falls.

California

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 25 other waterfalls also named Upper Falls, see below

Uvas Canyon County Park LP · CNTY

Photo Credits (5)

PeterThoeny CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

calwhiz CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Tom Clifton CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

About Upper Falls

Upper Falls is a small, picturesque cascade tucked into Uvas Canyon County Park, offering a peaceful woodland escape not far from Corralitos. The falls sit on a creek within the park's forested ravines, and visitors will find a tranquil scene of mossy rock slabs and shady canopy; water flow can vary with the seasons, from a lively stream in wetter months to a more modest trickle in late summer. The site is managed as part of the county park system (Uvas Canyon County Park, managed by county authorities), so expect a well-loved local setting rather than a remote wilderness experience. Access to the falls follows a moderate out-and-back route that suits day hikers and families who are comfortable with some uphill. The trail through the park passes through typical riparian and mixed-woodland habitats; on clear days the short hike rewards you with a close view of the cascade and the surrounding green corridor. Pack water and wear good shoes, as sections can be slippery when wet and the creekside terrain is naturally uneven.

The Setting

Upper Falls sits at 1,624 feet within Uvas Canyon County Park, in the hills of California.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The trail is managed within Uvas Canyon County Park by county authorities; specific USFS trail numbers do not apply. Detailed surface, grade, and technical trail-class data are not documented in the available park records, so hikers should expect natural dirt and creekside paths with occasional roots and rocks. The route is suitable for a half-day outing and is most enjoyable after seasonal rains when the waterfall has higher flow.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a peaceful natural setting with a small waterfall surrounded by trees and vegetation. The flow of the waterfall may vary depending on recent rainfall and the time of year.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not available. The trail may not be suitable for those with mobility challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Upper Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Upper Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Spring is typically the best time to visit, as the waterfall is likely to have the strongest flow due to seasonal rains.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Safety Information

Visitors should be cautious of slippery rocks and uneven terrain near the waterfall. Check for potential hazards such as poison oak or wildlife encounters.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Aptos C, 7.9 miles away, not on Upper Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

2 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

1 1 2 4

Based on 16 years of record

3.25 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

APTOS C NR APTOS CA

USGS 11159690

7.9 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 10 sq mi

Altitude: 181 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge APTOS C NR APTOS CA (13 km away).

Moderate confidence

Roaring right now

2 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Roaring

2 cfs

9/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

2 cfs

9/10

Fri

Roaring

2 cfs

9/10

Sat

Roaring

2 cfs

9/10

Sun

Roaring

2 cfs

9/10

Mon

Roaring

2 cfs

9/10

Tue

Roaring

2 cfs

9/10

Best window: Today — roaring flow, sunny (trip score 9/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early February to late April, peaking in March.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

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

Is Upper Falls Frozen?

Updated about 4 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Upper Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 50°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 2 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 320 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 1,622 feet.

The whole reach is steep: about 267 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 141 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Upper Falls near Corralitos, California, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Upper Falls near Corralitos, California, showing about 320 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 1,622 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 320 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northwest; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Upper Falls is located approximately 4.7 miles from Corralitos, 4.9 miles from Day Valley, and 6.9 miles from Amesti. The coordinates for the waterfall are 37.0797, -121.8022. Access to the falls may require navigating local roads and potentially a short hike.

Get Directions on Google Maps