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Eaton Creek plunges ~40 ft into a shaded grotto at the head of Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel front range. NOTE: the Eaton Canyon Natural Area and trail are closed through Dec 31, 2027, following the Jan 2025 Eaton Fire and debris flows.

Height
40 ft
Type
Plunge
Access
Moderate Hike
Trail
3.5 mi out-and-back
Elevation gain
375 ft
Best season
Winter to spring after rains (Jan-Apr)
Land manager
Eaton Canyon Natural Area / Angeles National Forest (USFS)
Watercourse
Eaton Creek

Before you go

Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Eaton Canyon Natural Area / Angeles National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Eaton Canyon Falls drops about 40 feet. That makes it the 466th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 31% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.

The Eaton Canyon Falls Trail reaches it about 3.5 miles (out-and-back) with roughly 375 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate. The nearest town is Altadena. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Eaton Canyon Natural Area / Angeles National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions.

Winter to spring after rains (Jan-Apr). Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.

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