Basin Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Vehicle entry reservations are required every day; visitors without a reservation are not allowed to enter. The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
3.0 miles
Trail Type
Loop
About Basin Falls
Basin Falls is a small waterfall on Swanson Creek in Uvas Canyon County Park, in the Santa Cruz Mountains west of Morgan Hill. It sits just above the park's Waterfall Loop near Upper Falls and can be visited on a short side trip from the loop or on a roughly 3-mile loop that adds the Alec Canyon and Contour trails. Flow is best after winter and spring rains.
The Setting
Basin Falls sits at 1,893 feet within Uvas Canyon County Park, in the hills of California.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
Short route: from the day-use parking area, follow the Waterfall Loop Nature Trail past the Black Rock Falls spur (about 0.45 mile) to the picnic table at Myrtle Flats, then continue straight on the unmarked Basin Falls Trail to Basin Falls and Upper Falls. Longer route: about a 3-mile loop that follows Alec Canyon Trail to the Contour Trail, which narrows as it passes Basin and Upper falls before returning to the park entrance. The Contour Trail is narrow and steep in places.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Basin Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on leash in Uvas Canyon County Park.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fee: $6.00
🏊 Is There Swimming at Basin Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Winter and spring, after rain, when the creek and falls flow best.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
The Contour Trail is narrow and steep in places, and rocks near the falls are slippery when wet.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Aptos C, 7.7 miles away, not on Basin Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
1 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
3.20 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge APTOS C NR APTOS CA (12 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
1 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
1 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
1 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
2 cfs
3/10Sat
Low
2 cfs
4/10Sun
Low
1 cfs
4/10Mon
Low
1 cfs
4/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
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 Day Valley hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Basin Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Basin Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 73°F to 54°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 1 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.
The laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 320 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Elevation at the pin is about 1,890 feet.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 178 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 144 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,890 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 320 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The park entrance is at 8515 Croy Road, Morgan Hill, at the end of Croy Road west of Morgan Hill.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park in the day-use lot. A prepaid vehicle day pass reservation is required every day, including weekends and holidays; print the confirmation and place it on your dashboard. Reserve at the county's Go Outside and Play site or by calling (408) 355-2201.
Elevation
1,893 feet above sea level
Coordinates
37.079722° N, -121.806111° W
Land Management
Managed by CNTY
Visitor Tips & Gear
For trail closure updates, call the county parks trail hotline at (408) 355-2200 and press 31.
Where to Stay
Royal Villa - Ocean View - Heated Pools - SEASCAPE'S BEST 1 BEDROOM - 3 BEDS - End Unit
Hampton Inn Morgan Hill
Casablanca Inn on The Beach
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites San Jose-Morgan Hill by IHG
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Attractions
Black Rock, Granuja and Upper falls on the Waterfall Loop, and the Alec Canyon and Contour trails in Uvas Canyon County Park.
Wildlife
The area may be home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should remain aware of their surroundings and avoid disturbing animals.
Cities near Basin Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
Other waterfalls named Basin Falls
2 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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