Mill Creek Falls
California • 75 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.7 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
150 ft
About Mill Creek Falls
Mill Creek Falls is a waterfall on Mill Creek at the edge of the South Warner Wilderness in Modoc National Forest, above Jess Valley at the south end of the Warner Mountains. A short trail from the back of Mill Creek Falls Campground leads to an overlook of the falls. Flow is strongest in late spring and early summer with snowmelt.
The Setting
Mill Creek Falls sits at 5,768 feet within Modoc National Forest, in the high mountains of California. The falls drop 75 feet.
Height: 75 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy hike follows Mill Creek Falls Trail (#15E34-09), a 0.7-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 150 feet of elevation gain with grades of 8-10%. The trail is moderately developed (Class 2).
USFS Trail
MILL CREEK FALLS TRAIL #15E34-09
Trail Class
Moderately Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.11 miTrail Description
From the signed trailhead at the back of Mill Creek Falls Campground, follow the Poison Flat Trail a short way to a signed turnoff for the falls. The out-and-back walk to the overlook is about 0.7 mile round trip with roughly 150 feet of elevation change. Steep terrain prevents access to the base.
What to Expect
The falls drop 75 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 Mill Creek Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed and must be leashed at Mill Creek Falls Campground; owners must clean up after them.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Mill Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is most impressive with higher water flow from snowmelt.
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 Modoc National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Stay at the overlook; the slopes around the falls are steep and loose.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on South Fork Pit River, 8.5 miles away, not on Mill Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
6 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 98 years of record
1.64 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
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge SF PIT R NR LIKELY CA (14 km away).
Today
Low
6 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Low
6 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
7 cfs
5/10Sun
Low
7 cfs
4/10Mon
Low
8 cfs
4/10Tue
Low
6 cfs
6/10Wed
Low
7 cfs
4/10Best window: Today — low flow, sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to late June, peaking in May.
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 Eagleville hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Mill Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 5 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Mill Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 65°F to 44°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 6 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.
The ground through the falls loses about 145 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The falls are listed at 75 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 5,790 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 88 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 127 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
- 5,790 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 134 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 Alturas, drive about 18 miles south on US 395 to Likely. Turn east on County Road 64 (Jess Valley Road) for 3.2 miles, turn left on West Warner Road for 2.5 miles, then turn right on Mill Creek Road and follow signs to Mill Creek Falls Campground.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Use the hiker and backpacker parking area at Mill Creek Falls Campground.
Elevation
5,768 feet above sea level
Coordinates
41.278784° N, -120.285779° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes as the trail can be uneven in places. Bring water and snacks, especially during warmer months. Check weather conditions before your visit, as snow can make the trail inaccessible in winter.
This trail sits at 5,768 ft above sea level
Elevated TrailUV radiation is roughly 23% 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 0.7 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
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
Patterson Guard Station
7.5 miles away · 1 sites
Overview *Altitude is 7,080 feet above sea level* Set on the edge of a meadow surrounded by Aspen, Fir and Pine trees, Patterson Guard Station has stood since 1921. It served the Modoc National Forest as a fully staffed fire office and guard station until 1981. Just a few footsteps from the Summit Trail and one-quarter mile from the wilderness boundary, Patterson Guard Station can be your basecamp for trips into the South Warner Wilderness or the perfect place to disconnect and relax. The cabi
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Nearby Attractions
Clear Lake and the trails of the South Warner Wilderness, and Blue Lake in Jess Valley.
Other waterfalls named Mill Creek Falls
6 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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