Waterfall Hikes Near Monterey, CA

30,007 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
13 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Monterey? There are 13 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Monterey. 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 36.5919°N, -121.8808°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Monterey

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

13 of 13 gauged

1 of 13 waterfalls near Monterey is flowing strongly today

Berry Creek Falls Moderate Castle Rock Falls Roaring Golden Falls Moderate Silver Falls Moderate McWay Falls Barely Flowing Pfeiffer Falls Barely Flowing Pine Falls Barely Flowing

Updated 39 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Friday

Partly Sunny · 68°F

Tod 68°F Partly Sunny
Wed 67°F Partly Sunny
Thu 66°F Partly Sunny
Fri 68°F Partly Sunny Best
Ind 66°F Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Sun 66°F Mostly Cloudy
Mon 65°F Partly Sunny

Flowing best right now near Monterey

Updated about 1 hour ago

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

  1. 1 Castle Rock Falls Roaring · 2 cfs 99th percentile
  2. 2 Golden Falls Moderate · 10 cfs 64th percentile
  3. 3 Silver Falls Moderate · 10 cfs 64th percentile
  4. 4 Berry Creek Falls Moderate · 4 cfs 29th percentile
  5. 5 McWay Falls Barely Flowing · 24 cfs 1st percentile
  6. 6 Pfeiffer Falls Barely Flowing · 24 cfs 1st percentile

Know when to go.

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

Find waterfalls to hike near Monterey

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Monterey (4 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.

Pfeiffer Falls waterfall

Pfeiffer Falls

36.3 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Monterey (3 waterfalls)

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

Maple Falls waterfall

Maple Falls

48.8 miles away
California
Moderate
7.5 miles 800 ft

All 13 Waterfalls Near Monterey

Pfeiffer Falls waterfall

Pfeiffer Falls

36.3 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft
Maple Falls waterfall

Maple Falls

48.8 miles away
California
Moderate
7.5 miles 800 ft

Fiver Finger Falls

32.9 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Pine Falls waterfall

Pine Falls

40 miles away
California
Moderate
3.0 miles 500 ft
Basin Falls waterfall

Basin Falls

34.5 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Upper Falls waterfall

Upper Falls

31.9 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Black Rock Falls waterfall

Black Rock Falls

34.1 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Triple Falls waterfall

Triple Falls

31.5 miles away
California
Moderate
3.0 miles 500 ft
McWay Falls waterfall

McWay Falls

41.4 miles away
California
Easy
0.6 miles 100 ft
Castle Rock Falls waterfall

Castle Rock Falls

33.1 miles away
California
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft
Berry Creek Falls waterfall

Berry Creek Falls

44.5 miles away
California
Hard
10.5 miles 2 ft
Silver Falls waterfall

Silver Falls

41.3 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft
Golden Falls waterfall

Golden Falls

41.3 miles away
California
Moderate
2.5 miles 400 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Monterey

Are there free waterfalls near Monterey?

There are 2 free waterfalls near Monterey, including Golden Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Monterey?

There are 4 easy waterfall hikes near Monterey, including Castle Rock Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Monterey?

There are 3 dog-friendly waterfalls near Monterey, including Golden Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Monterey?

There are 8 kid-friendly waterfalls near Monterey, including Berry Creek Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Monterey?

The shortest waterfall hike near Monterey is Basin Falls at 0.6 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Monterey?

The tallest waterfall near Monterey is McWay Falls at 80 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Monterey require permits?

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

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Monterey?

Yes, 3 waterfalls near Monterey have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Monterey?

The closest waterfall to Monterey is Pfeiffer Falls, approximately 20.6 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Monterey, California

Sulphur Hot Spring

Sulphur Hot Spring

2.8 mi 100°F

Sulphur Hot Spring flows at 100 degrees in Monterey County near Seaside at just 36 feet elevation, essentially at-grade with th...

Unnamed Spring Monterey County

14.3 mi 114°F

This exceptional 114-degree thermal spring near Carmel Valley Village flows at just 255 feet elevation, creating remarkably hot...
Sykes Hot Spring

Sykes Hot Spring

25.1 mi

Sykes Hot Spring flows at warm temperatures in Monterey County's Big Sur backcountry, requiring a substantial 3.4-mile hike thr...

Sargent Estate Warm Spring

30.3 mi 77°F

Sargent Estate Warm Spring flows at 77°F in the hills east of Gilroy in the Diablo Range. The modest 19-degree temperature rise...
Tassajara Hot Springs

Tassajara Hot Springs

31.7 mi 144°F

Tassajara Hot Springs emerges at a scalding 144°F within the Ventana Wilderness, one of California's most historically signific...
Slates Hot Springs

Slates Hot Springs

33.1 mi 122°F

Slates Hot Springs, also known as Big Sur Hot Springs, emerges at 122°F on the iconic Big Sur coast at just 4 feet above sea le...

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

Explore California springs

Where to Stay

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

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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

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