Before you go
The Forest Service lists the Fern Falls trail as closed at its footbridge, which visitors reported out of service from July 2021. The overlook side of the trail is short; check with Plumas National Forest (Beckwourth Ranger District) for current status.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.2 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Fern Falls
Fern Falls is a roughly 35-foot waterfall in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area of Plumas National Forest, south of Graeagle off the Gold Lake Highway. A very short trail leads from the roadside trailhead to an overlook on a rock knoll above the falls.
The Setting
Fern Falls sits at 5,958 feet within Plumas National Forest, in the high mountains of California. The falls drop 35 feet.
Height: 35 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy hike follows Fern Falls Trail (#12E41), a 0.2-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
FERN FALLS TRAIL #12E41
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.13 miTrail Description
The Fern Falls trail is about 0.1 mile each way from the trailhead to a viewpoint on a rock knoll at about 6,200 feet. A small footbridge on the trail has been reported out of service, and the Forest Service lists the trail as closed at the bridge.
What to Expect
The falls drop 35 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Fern Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Plumas National Forest trails and must be leashed in developed recreation sites.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Fern Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit Fern Falls is during late spring or early summer when the water flow is strongest, and the surrounding vegetation is lush and vibrant.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with Plumas National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Stay back from the edge of the rock knoll and the wet rock near the creek.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Graeagle hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Fern Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately 1 more freezing day forecast
Fern Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 58°F to 40°F. 1 freezing day are forecast, so ice may start to form.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 1 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.
The ground through the falls loses about 213 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The falls are listed at 35 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 5,947 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 138 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 40 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face west and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 5,947 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 213 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
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
Getting There
From Highway 89 just south of Graeagle, take the Gold Lake Highway south into the Lakes Basin. The Fern Falls trailhead is on the Gold Lake Highway about 0.7 mile past Lakes Basin Campground.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the small roadside trailhead pullout on the Gold Lake Highway.
Elevation
5,958 feet above sea level
Coordinates
39.713699° N, -120.666285° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Pair this short stop with Frazier Falls and the Lakes Basin trails nearby.
This trail sits at 5,958 ft above sea level
Elevated TrailUV radiation is roughly 24% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen
UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)
Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.
Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets
You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.
ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses
High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.
Where to Stay
Family Haven in Graeagle CA w/King Bed Suite
Dafna, Unit 3 - Two Bedroom, One Bath
Golf & Mountain Views - Retreat in Clio
Quiet Home w/ Graeagle Meadows Golf Course View!
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
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.
Nearby Campground
PACKSADDLE
6.2 miles away · 18 sites
Overview Packsaddle Campground is located in the Packer Lake area near the Sierra Buttes, north of the Yuba River. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities in the area, including hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, canoeing and gold panning. This facility is operated and maintained by the Tahoe National Forest. Recreation A large network of trails is available in the area, including Deer Lake Trail. This 2.9-mile trail is open to hiking, horseback riding and mountain bikin
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Graeagle, California
Mclear Warm Springs
McLear Warm Springs flows at 86°F in the high Sierra Nevada near Portola, generating a remarkable 36.5-degree temperature rise ...
Marble Hot Springs
Marble Hot Springs sits at 4,883 feet elevation in the northern Sierra Nevada, just 59 feet from Marble Hot Springs Road near P...
Campbell Hot Springs
Campbell Hot Springs produces 111-degree water near Sierraville at modest elevation with low mineral content and nearby campgro...
Spring
This thermal spring emerges at 99°F along the Feather River Highway in Plumas County, delivering water 44 degrees warmer than a...
Indian Valley Hot Springs
Indian Valley Hot Springs flows at 106 degrees Fahrenheit from the Sierra Nevada foothills at 3,900 feet elevation, with a 53-d...
Zamboni Hot Springs
Zamboni Hot Springs sits at 4,856 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Cold Springs, though recent USGS measurements show c...
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Graeagle, California on SoakingSprings.
Explore California springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Frazier Falls, Gold Lake, Lakes Basin Campground and the Lakes Basin trail network.
Wildlife
Visitors may encounter deer, squirrels, and a variety of birds along the trail. Be cautious of bears and other wildlife, and store food properly.
Cities near Fern Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Fern Falls
3 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
Writing about Fern Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.