LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Finnegan Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainNo public access
Finnegan Falls isn't open to the public. There's no public trail or parking, so please don't trespass or park at neighboring properties. See public waterfalls nearby.
This point is on private land under a conservation easement inside the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. Refuge areas are closed to public entry unless posted as a nature trail, parking lot or observation area, and no public trail reaches it.
About Finnegan Falls
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Finnegan Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Finnegan Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on San Joaquin River, 2.3 miles away, not on Finnegan Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
1,230 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 98 years of record
8.35 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge SAN JOAQUIN R NR VERNALIS CA (4 km away).
Today
Roaring
1328 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
1386 cfs
6/10Tue
Roaring
1287 cfs
9/10Wed
Roaring
1336 cfs
6/10Thu
Roaring
1386 cfs
6/10Fri
Roaring
1378 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
1378 cfs
6/10Best window: Tue — roaring flow, sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid April to late May, 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 Westley hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Finnegan Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
Finnegan Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 66°F to 50°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 1160 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.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
23 feet above sea level
Coordinates
37.658263° N, -121.230217° W
Land Management
Managed by FWS No Public Access
Where to Stay
Baymont by Wyndham Modesto Salida
Tru By Hilton Manteca
Best Western Plus Executive Inn & Suites
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Modesto-Salida 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
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Nearby Attractions
The refuge's Pelican Nature Trail at 2714 Dairy Road in Vernalis has about 4 miles of interconnected loops and spurs and is open daily from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.
Cities near Finnegan Falls
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