Are there fees or permits required for Kent Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Kent Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Kent Falls.

Nearby gauge (Redwood C A Hwy 1 Bridge A Muir Beach Ca) · 0 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Kent Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Kent Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Kent Falls.

California

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 2 other waterfalls also named Kent Falls, see below

Golden Gate National Recreation Area MPA · DESG

Photo Credits (5)

IceNineJon CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

www78 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

IceNineJon CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

About Kent Falls

Kent Falls is a lesser-known waterfall located on land managed by the National Park Service within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The parcel is owned by DESG and carries an MPA designation, so visitors should be mindful that the site sits inside a protected area overseen by NPS. Because multiple waterfalls share the Kent Falls name, this placement inside GGNRA helps confirm you are planning for the California location rather than other namesakes. The approach is an approachable outing for day hikers and campers—Haypress Campground lies about 3.9 km away for those who want to make an overnight loop of it. As always in NPS-managed places, check current conditions and any seasonal access notes before you go, and follow Leave No Trace principles to protect the sensitive MPA resources.

The Setting

Kent Falls sits at 102 feet within Golden Gate National Recreation Area, in the coastal lowlands of California.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

There is no USFS trail name or number provided in the available data, and specific surface, grade, or class ratings were not supplied. Nearby camping: Haypress Campground, ~3.9 km away.

What to Expect

Due to limited information, it is unclear what visitors can expect at Kent Falls in California. The area may feature natural beauty typical of waterfalls, but specifics are unknown.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not available. Visitors with mobility concerns should research further or contact local authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Kent Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Kent Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

The best time to visit is uncertain due to limited information. Generally, spring and early summer are good times to visit waterfalls due to higher water flow.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Safety Information

Due to limited information, visitors should exercise caution and prepare for potential hazards such as uneven terrain, slippery rocks, or sudden changes in weather.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Redwood C A Hwy 1 Bridge A Muir Beach Ca, 1.3 miles away, not on Kent Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

0 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

0.96 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.

About This Gauge

REDWOOD C A HWY 1 BRIDGE A MUIR BEACH CA

USGS 11460151

1.3 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 7 sq mi

Altitude: 15 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge REDWOOD C A HWY 1 BRIDGE A MUIR BEACH CA (2 km away).

High confidence

Barely Flowing right now

0 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Barely Flowing

0 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Low

0 cfs

3/10

Sat

Low

0 cfs

4/10

Sun

Low

0 cfs

4/10

Mon

Low

0 cfs

4/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

0 cfs

5/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

0 cfs

3/10

Best window: Tue — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid December to late January, peaking in January.

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

Is Kent Falls Frozen?

Updated about 6 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Kent Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 76°F to 53°F.

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

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 94 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 103 feet.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 174 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 151 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Kent Falls near Muir Beach, California, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Kent Falls near Muir Beach, California, showing about 94 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing west

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 103 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 94 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

Getting There

Details about accessing Kent Falls in California are unclear. It is recommended to consult local resources or maps for accurate directions.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking information is not available. Visitors should check local resources or contact nearby park services for guidance.

Elevation

102 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.884649° N, -122.578311° W

Land Management

Golden Gate National Recreation Area MPA

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Verify the location and details of Kent Falls in California before visiting. Bring appropriate gear and check for any local regulations or restrictions.

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

Haypress Campground

2.4 miles away · 6 sites

Reservable

Overview Haypress Campground is nestled within the coastal scrub of Tennessee Valley, near Mill Valley. The hike to this campground is 1 mile from the Tennessee Valley Trail head parking lot, which means car or RV camping is not allowed. Typical Haypress campers enjoy hiking to Tennessee Cove, where they can admire the dramatic geology and colorful sand of this unique beach. Recreation Tennessee Valley and the Marin Headlands are noted for great hiking, and trails are often populated with hikers

Book on Recreation.gov