Waterfall Hikes Near Mad River, CA

322 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
8 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Mad River? There are 8 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Mad River. These trails range from hard to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 40.4325°N, -123.4920°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Mad River

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

8 of 8 gauged

6 of 8 waterfalls near Mad River are flowing strongly today

Burnt Ranch Falls Strong Gray Falls Strong Canyon Creek Falls Strong Crystal Creek Falls Low Whiskeytown Falls Low Ishi Pishi Falls Strong Mill Creek Falls Strong Pepperwood Falls Roaring

Updated 31 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Wednesday

Sunny · 79°F

Tod 62°F Mostly Sunny then Isolated Rain Showers
Sat 69°F Patchy Fog then Sunny
Sun 66°F Patchy Fog then Sunny
Lab 75°F Areas Of Fog then Sunny
Tue 79°F Mostly Sunny
Wed 79°F Sunny Best
Thu 78°F Slight Chance Light Rain

Flowing best right now near Mad River

Updated about 1 hour ago

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

  1. 1 Pepperwood Falls Roaring · 10 cfs 96th percentile
  2. 2 Burnt Ranch Falls Strong · 1280 cfs 88th percentile
  3. 3 Canyon Creek Falls Strong · 1130 cfs 88th percentile
  4. 4 Gray Falls Strong · 1280 cfs 88th percentile
  5. 5 Mill Creek Falls Strong · 32 cfs 85th percentile
  6. 6 Ishi Pishi Falls Strong · 269 cfs 79th percentile

Know when to go.

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

Find waterfalls to hike near Mad River

Have your own travel site? Embed these waterfalls for free.

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Mad River (5 waterfalls)

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

Burnt Ranch Falls waterfall

Burnt Ranch Falls

37.2 miles away
California
Moderate
1.5 miles 300 ft
Gray Falls waterfall

Gray Falls

35.5 miles away
California
Moderate
2.5 miles 500 ft
Whiskeytown Falls waterfall

Whiskeytown Falls

21.7 miles away
California
Moderate
3.4 miles 700 ft
Canyon Creek Falls waterfall

Canyon Creek Falls

California
Hard
16.0 miles 2 ft

All 8 Waterfalls Near Mad River

Pepperwood Falls waterfall

Pepperwood Falls

18.2 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Burnt Ranch Falls waterfall

Burnt Ranch Falls

37.2 miles away
California
Moderate
1.5 miles 300 ft
Gray Falls waterfall

Gray Falls

35.5 miles away
California
Moderate
2.5 miles 500 ft
Mill Creek Falls waterfall

Mill Creek Falls

27.8 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Whiskeytown Falls waterfall

Whiskeytown Falls

21.7 miles away
California
Moderate
3.4 miles 700 ft
Canyon Creek Falls waterfall

Canyon Creek Falls

California
Hard
16.0 miles 2 ft
Crystal Creek Falls waterfall

Crystal Creek Falls

49.3 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Ishi Pishi Falls waterfall

Ishi Pishi Falls

18.3 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Mad River

Are there free waterfalls near Mad River?

There are 3 free waterfalls near Mad River, including Burnt Ranch Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Mad River?

There are 5 dog-friendly waterfalls near Mad River, including Burnt Ranch Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Mad River?

There are 5 kid-friendly waterfalls near Mad River, including Burnt Ranch Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Mad River?

There are 2 waterfalls that allow swimming near Mad River, including Burnt Ranch Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Mad River?

The shortest waterfall hike near Mad River is Burnt Ranch Falls at 1.5 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Mad River?

The tallest waterfall near Mad River is Whiskeytown Falls at 220 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Mad River require permits?

Yes, 1 waterfall near Mad River requires a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Mad River?

Yes, 8 waterfalls near Mad River have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Mad River?

The closest waterfall to Mad River is Pepperwood Falls, approximately 16.9 miles away.

🏙️ Other Cities Near Mad River With Waterfalls

Fortuna, CA
12,527 residents
Arcata, CA
18,536 residents
Eureka, CA
26,519 residents
McKinleyville, CA
16,913 residents
Anderson, CA
11,267 residents
Redding, CA
117,163 residents
Shasta Lake, CA
10,361 residents
Red Bluff, CA
14,576 residents
Ukiah, CA
16,496 residents
Chico, CA
110,001 residents
Yuba City, CA
133,106 residents

Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Mad River, California

Stinking Springs

41.8 mi 101°F

Stinking Springs flows at 101 degrees at 1,556 feet elevation in Tehama County near Rancho Tehama Reserve, providing water 39.6...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Mad River, California on SoakingSprings.

Explore California springs

Where to Stay

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

Find hotels, lodges, and B&Bs near the trailhead
Cabins & Rentals VRBO

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

← → walk · Esc to stop