Tenaja Falls (Large Waterfall In The Cleveland National Forest)

On Friday, January 29, 2010, Ashley and I finally got a chance to hike to Tenaja Falls. Tenaja Falls is a 150-foot-plus set of cascading waterfalls in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. It is one of the major highlights of the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness and is definitely worth the trip to see the falls for any Orange County Hiker. This is a good hike to do anytime Southern California has an above-average rainy season. We went to see this waterfall after the area got 8 plus inches of rain in one week, needless to say, there was plenty of water at Tenaja Falls a week after the rain storms moved through.

Directions to Trailhead: To reach the Tenaja Falls Trailhead in the Cleveland National Forest, go west on Clinton Keith Road from I-15. Turn north (right) to Tenaja Road, then right on Rancho California Road (FS 7501) for about 5 miles to the Tenaja Falls Trailhead. The road to the trailhead is lightly paved but does have some rough patches & potholes. Most cars should be fine reaching the trailhead on FS 7501, but a truck is a better option if you want to play it safe. It is a single-lane road to the trailhead, so drive slow and very carefully. The single-lane road meanders north to Tenaja Falls through some very scenic areas in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness. The Falls are visible from the trailhead parking area. A Forest Adventure Pass is needed to park at the trailhead.

Description of Hike: The hike to Tenaja Falls is 1.4 miles roundtrip and has 300 feet of elevation gain. The trail is normally in great shape as it is maintained by the US Forest Service. The only spot that can get a little hard to follow is the river crossing, especially after a major storm. The crossing is not far from the trailhead parking area. When a storm goes through Southern California, the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness receives more water than the coastal region because of its elevation. Crossing the river could potentially be dangerous if you go through this area a day or two right after a major storm or series of major storms because a lot of water collects in this section of the San Mateo River.

Ashley and I did this hike 6 - 7 days after a series of major storms and we found that the river crossing was easy to do. However, while crossing we could visibly see how much water moves through the area right after a big storm because of the debris along the river banks (Picture to left). The bottom line is always be careful when crossing any river. There is a designated cement walkway for the crossing or there are rocks you can use to cross. We took off our hiking shoes to go through the water on the cement walkway. During the dry months, the river dries up and the falls will only have a small amount of water. The trail from the trailhead to Tenaja Falls is a steady uphill climb, but the trail when we hiked was in great shape. For those who are interested in a longer hike, it is another 5.4 miles one way on the Tenaja Falls Trail until it meets with the Morgan Trail.

Further Thoughts: This is a must-do hike for any Southern California Hiker. It is a great hiking trail near Orange County and Riverside County which is in some of the most remote areas of the Trabuco District of the Cleveland National Forest. One of the great things about this hike to Tenaja Falls is that your destination is in plain view for the vast majority of the hike. Also, because of the water in the river, always be on the lookout for wildlife in the area.

Once you arrive at the falls, it is a great place to have lunch, relax, and take in the scenery. If you want to bring swim trunks you can, but I don't know how many sections of the falls are conducive to "real" swimming. If you are more on the adventurous side you can always climb down to the lower levels of Tenaja Falls. Just be safe because the rocks are very slippery when wet. The only negative of the hike was the visible graffiti on some of the rocks near Tenaja Falls. It was a shame to see graffiti in such a beautiful place.

Despite the graffiti, it is always amazing to see Southern California after it has received plenty of rain. The wilderness is a totally different experience than in the dry summer months. With ample rain comes the sounds of rushing streams filled to the brim with water, frogs, and other wildlife. The entire chaparral community comes alive when it receives rain.

This is a great hike and on the weekends you are likely to see other hikers out on the trail to hike to Tenaja Falls. To see the falls in action, this hike should be done during the winter months or sometime after the area has received significant rainfall. The area had just received 8 inches of rain the week before we went to see Tenaja Falls. Click Here, to see several videos that we took of Tenaja Falls on this hike. Tenaja Falls is the highlight of the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness and is a great day hike in Southern California.



Further Education & Hiking Tools: For those looking for more reading on hikes or landmarks in the area, Amazon has several books that you can purchase (and yes, we do earn a small commission from any sale, but that is what funds this website so we appreciate any purchase using our links) Check out the following maps and books Cleveland National Forest MapCleveland National Forest (Images of America: California), or if you need a new insect repellant to use on your hikes that works well check out Sawyer Products SP564 Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin, Lotion or if you need bear spray to carry when hiking here you might want to check out SABRE Frontiersman 9.2 oz. Bear Spray, Maximum Strength 2.0% Major Capsaicinoids, Powerful 35 ft. Range Bear Deterrent or a new hiking head lamp LHKNL Headlamp Flashlight

Rating: Elevation Gain: 300 ft. (Easy), Distance: 1.4 Miles Roundtrip (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 1 - 1.5 hours.

View Tenaja Falls in a larger map

Comments

  1. Hi Brian, I'm using your site to pick my hike for this week (that means you're awesome at blogging b/c I'm a pretty avid hiker, and I am learning a lot from YOUR blog!!). I'm considering Tenaja, but it seems to be a pretty short hike. I'm taking a couple people who are very beginners but probably have good endurance (they are athletic). Would you recommend we bring a lunch to sit at the falls, and also, are there further trails to make it longer than 1.4 miles (you mentioned a 5.4 mile hike; is that a continuation past the falls or is it a separate trail)? Thanks for the info!

    ~Sara Flynn

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  2. Hi Sara, good to hear from you. It is a pretty short hike, and yes having lunch at the falls is spectacular. The same trail that takes you to the falls goes all they way back to the Morgon Trail, which another hike that we have done. We have not been on the 5.4 miles of trails past the falls and don't know about its condition. I am sure it is a good hike as it is in the heart of the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.

    You can also follow the other section of the trail near the trailhead, following the river as well. Those are two options from the same trail. Let us know if the falls still has water in it when you go.

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  3. hello brian and sara,
    i took my campfire boys on this hike this weekend. they loved it.. and so did i. its beautiful. they were diving in the water and found salamanders... which i might add i didnt enjoy... but they did. the mountains surrounding the area are gorgeous and the ride there was breath taking... the hike was enjoyable... thank you so much for posting the info... we are planning our next hike... :)

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  4. Hi Brian, I also saw your other post on the San Mateo Canyon trip and I was hoping to do a combine trip of a backpacking trip on the San Mateo Wilderness and a hike to this Tenaja Falls. This is going to be the first time that my husband, 2 dogs and I go on a backpacking trip. Any suggestions? Is this possible?

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  5. There are many trails in the wilderness and it is possible. Make sure to get your free permit from the forest service for the over night trip. If you are just wanting to camp in the wilderness and do the falls, a good place might be near fishermans camp off of the tenja trail which is close to the falls.

    If you are looking to traverse the wilderness you have several options like hiking all of Tenja Falls trail to the Morgan Trail. I would recommend getting the forest service map of the wilderness, as it has all the trails. There is a link to the Forest Maps under the Helpful hiking information section.

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  6. Hi Brian,
    I have decided to start "getting back to nature" with my family. Meaning, we are starting to get out there and hike, explore and see all the beauty Southern California has to offer. Is this hike to the falls o.k. for children ranging from 4-10?? Also, should they bring their suits??
    I would appreciate any feedback!

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  7. This hike is a short one that most of the time would be fine for kids under supervision, the only iffy section might be the first part of the hike any time after heavy rains, because you cross the stream/river. I am guessing it is probably fine since the last big rain was last weekend,but I have not been out there on this trail recently and don't know the level of the water at the crossing. People do bring their trunks to this spot, but most of the time the water is pretty chilly. If you want to send us an email from our contact section I can send you a picture of what the crossing looks like.

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  8. Hi Brian/Ashley -
    I'm a pretty avid hiker and have been trying to hit up the waterfalls in this area lately since we had some good rainfall. Just did blackstar and Harding.

    I wanted to know if there is a pool at this waterfall (looks like there is) and if it's swimmable?
    Also, if I keep on going on the trail to the Morgan trail for the 5.4 mile hike, where does that come out at? Is that a 5.4 mile hike total from the beginning of the Tenaja Falls trail, or in addition?
    thanks so much for all the help!

    - Jon

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  9. Jon,

    Thanks for the comment. Certain pools are, what I would call loungeable, I don't know if you would be able to really swim in them because of their size, but there is enough space to relax in them. The Morgan trail is 5.4 miles from the falls, which out and back will add 10.8 miles to the Tenaja Falls Hike for a total of 12.2 miles. That hike is an out and back to make the hike longer. Another option would be to park a car at the Morgan Trail trailhead and hike the Tenaja Falls trail to the Morgan trail and make a right on the Morgan trail which would lead back to the Morgan Trail trailhead and then drive back to the Tenaja Falls trailhead. How was the flow of water at Blackstar and Harding?

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  10. Thanks for the advice, Brian! That sounds like a good plan to hike the Morgan Trail to end at the Tenaja Falls...then go to the Tenaja falls trailhead and take another car back. That should be roughly 6 miles.
    Blackstar was alright, it's a good amount of bouldering but if you enjoy that then you'll have a good time. The water itself was middling (compared to the picture above) but it made it possible to access a cave that's 15 feet up or so if you are very careful.
    Harding Falls was much better, there are some pretty beautiful clear pools along the way and the falls themselves were great to look at and get into if you like. If you've never done it before it's a brutal hike though, the first couple miles are loose gravel, then it gets to fairly precarious bouldering. There's tons of poison oak and you will definitely get wet. All in all, it was a roundtrip 10 mile hike, a lot of fun and I came back with great pictures. I'm also still recovering a week later.
    It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I may try to do Tenaja next weekend. Thanks again!

    - Jon

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  11. Hi there,

    I was thinking of visiting these falls this weekend as part of an overnight backpacking trip. Is there a way to get from these falls to Fisherman's camp? I have done the longer hike into Fisherman's camp from the other side, but was wondering if it is accessible via the falls. Thanks!

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  12. You can get from the Falls to Fishermans camp by using the San Mateo Trail which connects the two points. Enjoy the hike!

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  13. hey a really good hike that you'd probably enjoy (if you haven't already been on) is to Blackstar Canyon Waterfall. I went recently and it's a fun hike with a tad bit of rock climbing. (no ropes necessary though) It's a really neat, breathtaking hike.. both figuratively and literally :) I'm really looking forward to going on this Teneja Falls hike as well as the hike up to Santiago Peak this upcoming week :D

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  14. My husband and I attempted to make this hike today with our two young boys, and unfortunately never made it. We'd had knowledge of the road conditions as far as single lane and winding with patches of poor pavement, so to take extra care. But as we were driving to the falls we found ourselves driving on the side of a very steep cliff, and panic set it. How extremely dangerous, especially with no posted notifications or such. And if you run into another vehicle that is heading your way, you have nowhere to go! I could never drive safely in reverse to avoid another vehicle on such a narrow path, on the side of a cliff!! It was gorgeous out there, and I wish I could've made it out, and my husband would still like to try, but wow! Thankfully I came to a turn out and was able to head back. Chicken, I know, but dang. Continue to enjoy it everyone, and be safe!! :-)

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  15. Im think of going out to Tenaja this week, do you think the water will be OK to swim in this time of year?

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  16. As far as current goes the water should be safe, but you will likely have a different problem this time a year, as to whether there is enough water. Hopefully, there is enough water and hopefully someone can help out who has been there recently.

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  17. Hi, could someone recommend a couple hikes not too far from the San Diego area, good for bringing dogs? We're looking for mostly wooded trails, so the dogs don't get too hot. Thanks!

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  18. what is that tall cement looking watch tower thing near the falls???

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  19. When is the best time to go? Where you are able to water in the fall?

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  20. Thanks so much for your awesome blog! We are going to try this trail today with the kiddos! :) Thanks for the pictures and insight.

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  21. There is another hike if you turn lest at the Tenaja Falls trailhead. It goes for 2 miles to Fisherman's camp. I then return the same way, mostly flat. The falls hike has a wrecked maybe old 50" spickup truck, just past the falls. I went past the falls about 3 miles, towards Morgan tail. The trail was in fair condition. A little overgrown, but little poison oak. I would recommend starting at the Morgan trailhead, then continue to Tenaja Falls. Have fun, the kids will love any of these hikes.

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Ashley and I encourage and welcome our readers to submit comments about their experiences on the trails we have posted on our blog or about their own hiking experiences in general.