Is swimming allowed at Deadhorse Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Deadhorse Falls.

LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP

Deadhorse Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Deadhorse Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Deadhorse Falls.

Q: Are there fees or permits required for Deadhorse Falls?

Yes, fees are required. A permit is also required. An Adventure Pass is required for parking in the Cleveland National Forest. Passes can be purchased online or at local vendors.

California

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Before you go

Deadhorse Falls appears to be on private land, and no public trail or legal access route is documented. Do not enter without the landowner's permission.

About Deadhorse Falls

Deadhorse Falls is a named waterfall in eastern Tehama County, southwest of Mineral. It sits on land that Forest Service ownership maps show as non-federal, inside the Lassen National Forest boundary. We found no published trail, route or access information for it.

Trail & Hike Details

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Deadhorse Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fees are required
Permit required
An Adventure Pass is required for parking in the Cleveland National Forest. Passes can be purchased online or at local vendors.

🏊 Is There Swimming at Deadhorse Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Seasonal Access

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

Know when to go.

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

Is Deadhorse Falls Frozen?

Updated about 11 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Deadhorse Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 47°F to 38°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: no gauge

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.

Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 181 feet of drop through Deadhorse Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 4,140 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 88 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 43 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

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

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 4,140 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 181 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: West; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Elevation

4,140 feet above sea level

Coordinates

40.293193° N, -121.703067° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

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

Battle Creek Campground

5.5 miles away · 0 sites

Battle Creek Campground is a developed campground with 50 designated sites and a maximum of 8 people per site. Grills and tables are provided. Battle Creek Campground is close to Lassen Volcanic National Park which offers many diverse hiking trails and other outdoor amenities. Battle Creek Campground is located on Highway 36 approximately 2 miles west of Mineral, CA, and 38 miles east of Red Bluff, CA.

Book on Recreation.gov