Are there fees or permits required for Horsetail Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Horsetail Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Horsetail Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Horsetail Falls.

Nearby gauge (Robinson Creek) · 11 ft³/s · About average

Horsetail Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Horsetail Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Horsetail Falls. Dogs are allowed on the Horse Creek Trail on the national forest.

California

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 7 other waterfalls also named Horsetail Falls, see below

Toiyabe National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

scorpio-tiger CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

PeterThoeny CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

JusDaFax CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

PeterThoeny CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

3.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

600 ft

About Horsetail Falls

Horsetail Falls is a cascade on Horse Creek above Upper Twin Lake, west of Bridgeport, on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest outside Yosemite National Park. It is reached on the Horse Creek Trail, which starts at Annett's Mono Village resort at the end of Twin Lakes Road and climbs along the creek toward the Hoover Wilderness. The trail is busy in summer and much of it is exposed to sun.

The Setting

Horsetail Falls sits at 7,664 feet within Toiyabe National Forest, in the high mountains of California.

Trail & Hike Details

3.0 mi distance 600 ft climbed

The Approach

The moderate hike follows Horse Creek Route (#22074), a 3.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 600 feet of elevation gain with grades of +12-20%. The trail is moderately developed (Class 2).

USFS Trail

HORSE CREEK ROUTE #22074

Trail Class

Moderately Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

+12-20%

USFS Segment

0.26 mi

Trail Description

The Horse Creek Trail leaves the Mono Village area and climbs steeply south up the Horse Creek drainage on rocky, natural tread. One waterfall guide reports about 1,100 feet of gain in the first 2 miles, up to the upper falls on Horse Creek. Expect loose rock and slippery footing near the creek.

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 Horsetail Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on the Horse Creek Trail on the national forest.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Horsetail Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to snowmelt. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warmer weather for hiking.

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 Toiyabe National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

The trail can be slippery and steep in sections, especially near the falls. Visitors should exercise caution and avoid climbing on wet rocks. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Sierra Nevada, so be prepared for sudden rain or temperature drops.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Robinson Creek, 3.8 miles away, not on Horsetail Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

11 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

1.36 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

ROBINSON CK AT TWIN LKS OUTLET NR BRIDGEPORT, CA

USGS 10290500

3.8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 39 sq mi

Altitude: 7,050 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge ROBINSON CK AT TWIN LKS OUTLET NR BRIDGEPORT, CA (6 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

11 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

11 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

12 cfs

8/10

Thu

Moderate

11 cfs

8/10

Fri

Moderate

11 cfs

5/10

Sat

Moderate

11 cfs

5/10

Sun

Moderate

11 cfs

5/10

Mon

Moderate

10 cfs

5/10

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

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid May to mid August, peaking in June.

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 Twin Lakes hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Horsetail Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded 2 more freezing days forecast

Horsetail Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 57°F to 39°F. 2 freezing days are forecast, so ice may start to form.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 2 of the next 7
Flow: 11 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.

1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 138 feet through Horsetail Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 7,670 feet.

The whole reach is steep: about 99 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 130 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Horsetail Falls near Twin Lakes, California, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Horsetail Falls near Twin Lakes, California, showing about 138 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing north

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 7,670 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 138 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: North; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

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

From US 395 in Bridgeport, turn west onto Twin Lakes Road (about half a mile west of the Highway 182 junction) and follow the paved road to Annett's Mono Village at its end beside Upper Twin Lake. The Horse Creek Trail starts from the resort area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Hikers park at Annett's Mono Village, a private resort. Older reports say parking is free for day hikers but paid for overnight stays, with unpaid cars subject to towing, so check with the resort when you arrive.

Elevation

7,664 feet above sea level

Coordinates

38.139364° N, -119.379884° W

Land Management

Toiyabe National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking shoes, as the trail can be rocky and uneven. Bring plenty of water, especially during warmer months. Arrive early to secure parking and avoid crowds. Be cautious near the falls, as rocks can be slippery.

This trail sits at 7,664 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 31% 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.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

With 3.0 miles and 600 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof

Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles

Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.

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

LOWER TWIN LAKES AT BRIDGEPORT

3.5 miles away · 15 sites

Reservable

Overview Lower Twin Lakes Campground is located just 10 miles from Bridgeport, California. The Twin Lakes area is close by, offering boating, fishing, hiking and horseback riding opportunities. Recreation Robinson Creek offers good rainbow trout fishing and can be easily accessed from within the campground. Numerous hiking trails are in the vicinity, including the popular Robinson Creek Trail.Facilities The campground contains several single-family sites with picnic tables, food storage lockers a

Book on Recreation.gov