Are there fees or permits required for Leavitt Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Leavitt Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Leavitt Falls.

Live Conditions · 293 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Leavitt Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Leavitt Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Leavitt Falls.

California

By Armen Suny · Last verified Mar 2026

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Leavitt Falls, see below

Bridgeport MIL · DESG

Photo Credits (5)

jlevinger CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Chris Mayer CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

dogplusplus CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

renedrivers CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.4 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

75 ft

About Leavitt Falls

Leavitt Falls is a dramatic 200-foot (61 m), multi-tiered cascade tucked into the Sierra Nevada of Mono County, where Leavitt Creek plunges off a hanging valley into Leavitt Meadow. The falls and meadow are visible from a roadside turnout on Sonora Pass (Highway 108), offering sweeping views of the drop and the surrounding high-country basin. Because the creek is a tributary of the West Walker River and the falls descend into a steep, narrow box canyon, the waterfall itself sits below the rim and cannot be safely reached by trail. The land around Leavitt Falls lies within the Bridgeport military land unit and is managed by the U.S. Department of Defense, so visitors should enjoy the scene from the designated highway overlook rather than attempting cross-country approaches. The turnout at Highway 108 makes Leavitt Falls an easy, highly rewarding stop for photographers and travelers exploring the Eastern Sierra, combining big mountain scenery with a very accessible roadside viewpoint.

The Setting

Leavitt Falls sits at 7,769 feet within Bridgeport, in the high mountains of California.

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

The easy 0.4-mile out-and-back trail gains 75 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

From the Highway 108 turnout, a short 0.4-mile out-and-back walk (about 0.4 mi round trip listed; verify signage) gains roughly 75 feet and is rated easy. There is no maintained trail that descends into the canyon to the base of the falls—the safest and most reliable view is from the highway overlook. Trail type: out-and-back; length: 0.4 miles; elevation gain: ~75 ft; difficulty: easy. Note: the falls lie in a steep, narrow box canyon and are not accessible by trail.

What to Expect

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 Leavitt Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Leavitt 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 at its fullest due to snowmelt. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warm weather and clear skies.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow.

Safety Information

Be cautious near the edge of the viewing platform and stay on designated trails. Weather can change quickly in the mountains, so be prepared for sudden temperature drops or storms.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

293 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

151 321 1.2k 1.8k

Based on 88 years of record

2.24 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

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

W WALKER RV BLW L WALKER RV NR COLEVILLE, CA

USGS 10296000

7.4 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 181 sq mi

Altitude: 6,591 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge W WALKER RV BLW L WALKER RV NR COLEVILLE, CA (12 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

293 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

293 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

297 cfs

5/10

Sun

Barely Flowing

308 cfs

5/10

Mon

Barely Flowing

306 cfs

5/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

302 cfs

5/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

262 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

244 cfs

5/10

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

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid April to mid July, 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 Walker hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

Location & Access

Getting There

Leavitt Falls is located off Highway 108 (Sonora Pass) in Mono County, California. The falls can be accessed via a short walk from the Leavitt Falls Vista Point parking area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a designated parking area at the Leavitt Falls Vista Point, which is free of charge. Parking is limited and may fill up during peak seasons.

Elevation

7,769 feet above sea level

Coordinates

38.319262° N, -119.562938° W

Land Management

Bridgeport MIL

Managed by DOD

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit in the morning or late afternoon for the best lighting for photography. Bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens to get a closer view of the falls. Be prepared for cooler temperatures, especially at higher elevations.

This trail sits at 7,769 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.

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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.

For this easy 0.4 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. 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.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.

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

Obsidian Campground

6.3 miles away · 0 sites

Obsidian Campground offers opportunity to get away from crowds amidst shade of aspens and pines. Campground is close to Molybdenite Creek and Little Walker River. The river is stocked with trout. Area trailheads offer several interesting hikes. The trail from Molybdenite Creek trailhead splits, with one branch heading south into the Hoover Wilderness, and one looping north along Wheeler Creek to connect with the trail along the Little Walker River. This can be hiked as a loop from Burt Canyon tra

Book on Recreation.gov