Are there fees or permits required for Clover Creek Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Clover Creek Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Clover Creek Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Clover Creek Falls.

Live Conditions · 40 ft³/s · About average

Clover Creek Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Clover Creek Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Clover Creek Falls.

California

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Photo Credits (3)

kern.justin CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.5 miles

Trail Type

Loop

About Clover Creek Falls

Clover Creek Falls is a seasonal waterfall tucked in Northern California near Redding, offering a compact but picturesque cascade that is most impressive in spring when snowmelt and early-season rains swell the creek. The falls make an excellent short-day destination for hikers and photographers who want a scenic payoff without a long trek; the water flow can vary greatly through the summer and into fall. The falls are commonly accessed via a short, family-friendly hike that provides close-up views of the cascade when flows are up. Plan for a moderate outing—the route is short enough for a half-day trip yet lively enough to feel like a proper hike, especially in wetter months when the falls are at their peak.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Out-and-back trail, 2.4 miles round-trip with approximately 350 feet of elevation gain. Rated moderate in difficulty and suited to hikers comfortable with a steady, short climb and descent. No specific USFS trail number, surface, grade, or technical class information was provided in the available data.

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 Clover Creek Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Clover Creek Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring is the best time to visit Clover Creek Falls, as the water flow is strongest during this season.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

The trail is generally safe, but visitors should watch for uneven terrain and avoid visiting during heavy rain, as the area may become muddy or slippery.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Moderate

Based on a USGS gauge 15.4 miles away

40 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

12 24 59 84

Based on 76 years of record

2.38 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 regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.

COW C NR MILLVILLE CA

USGS 11374000

15.4 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 425 sq mi

Altitude: 388 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge COW C NR MILLVILLE CA (25 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

40 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

40 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

47 cfs

8/10

Sun

Moderate

44 cfs

8/10

Mon

Moderate

46 cfs

8/10

Tue

Moderate

47 cfs

8/10

Wed

Moderate

46 cfs

8/10

Thu

Moderate

46 cfs

8/10

Best window: Today — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late January to early 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 Oak Run hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

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.

Along the line through the falls, the bare ground drops about 210 feet, most of it in one sheer step, the signature of a plunge waterfall. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,134 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 49 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 115 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing south, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Clover Creek Falls near Oak Run, California, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Clover Creek Falls near Oak Run, California, showing about 210 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing south

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 1,134 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 210 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: South; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Clover Creek Falls is located within the Clover Creek Preserve in Redding, California. The preserve is easily accessible by car, and the trailhead is located near the parking area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a designated parking area at Clover Creek Preserve, which is free to use. Parking availability may vary during peak seasons.

Elevation

1,125 feet above sea level

Coordinates

40.655988° N, -122.017775° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit during the spring for the best chance to see the waterfall flowing. Bring water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Early mornings or weekdays are less crowded.

Where to Stay

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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Nearby Campground

Jones Valley Inlet West Dispersed Area (CA)

12.2 miles away · 42 sites

Reservable

Overview Jones Valley Inlet West Dispersed/Day Use Area is located on the Pit River Arm of Shasta Lake, it has trash and portable restrooms provided in season. This is a shoreline area and doesn't have designated sites. This Campground is on a First Come - First Serve Basis, vistors are required to physically be at the campground to purchase and claim a site. You must also occupy the area the day you pay for it, no advance payments. We encourage our visitors to download the recreation.gov app t

Book on Recreation.gov