Black Star Canyon Falls (Cleveland National Forest)

Black Star Canyon Falls, also known as Black Star Falls, is truly a great hike in Orange County.  This Orange County hike offers great scenery, a great work out, and a hint of mystery. Additionally, you can make this hike longer and visit a former native american village. The hike to Black Star Canyon Falls is truly a fun Orange County hike. For more pictures make sure to check out our Facebook Page.

Directions to Trailhead: From Southern Orange County exit the 5 freeway at El Toro Road and head east toward the Santa Ana Mountains for approximately 14 miles. El Toro Road eventually turns into Santiago Canyon Road. You are going to turn right onto Silverado Canyon Road and then will make your first left onto Black Star Canyon Road. Follow Black Star Canyon Road until you come to a gate where there is plenty of parking. The gate is approximately a mile after you make the turn onto Black Star Canyon Road. Currently there is no cost for parking at the trailhead.

Description of Trail:  The first portion of the hike to Black Stay Canyon Falls is on a dirt fire road, with sections of pavement. At roughly about a half a mile it makes a sharp right-turn and begins a slow ascent uphill into Black Star Canyon and the Cleveland National Forest.  You will notice from the signs along the trail that much of land along the beginning portion of the hike is managed by Orange County Parks as well as the Edwards Ranch. There is heightened security and fencing along sections of the first portion of the hike to protect against potential trespassers. Some of the fences in the area are even electrified and have motion sensor cameras.  Despite the fencing and rumors or past harassment by local property owners in the canyon, during our hike we encountered no problems.  Actually the trail was warm and inviting as there were numerous other hikers and mountain bikers utilizing the trail.  If you hike here on the weekend you will not be alone.

Continue up the trail and eventually you will pass an old overturned school bus in the creek below you in addition to several homes in the canyon. Once you make the right where the trail passes a rusted out water tank and pass the home with the miniature golf course and koi pond you are very close to the point where you exit the trail to head down towards the stream bed to get to Black Star Canyon Falls.  At the sharp turn where the trail begins a steady uphill climb (Roughly 2.5 miles from the trailhead) you will notice a trail that heads down to the creek.  Take the trail going down to the creek.

The trail going down to the creek bed is narrow and once you come to the creek bed the next portion of the hike, a little over three quarters of a mile, is following the creek bed. This portion of the hike is strenuous.  At times there is a formal trail, while other times you are bouldering over very large boulders in the creek bed. The hike continues to get more strenuous the closer you get to the falls due to the ever increasing size of the boulders. This section of the hike to Black Star Canyon Falls will take you a lot longer to hike than you would normally think it would.

Once you reach Black Star Canyon Falls, you will notice it cascades from the top of the canyon wall into a mine shaft. The falls are roughly 50 feet high and are truly a neat sight to see. Additionally, there is an informal trail that goes to the top of the falls. It is not a maintained trail and portions of it are extremely steep.  The hike to Black Star Canyon Falls and back to the trailhead is 6.7 miles rountrip with less than 800 feet of elevation gain. If you want a longer hike you can also hike to the former Native American Village in Black Star Canyon. From Black Star Canyon Falls, hike back to the sharp turn and continue up the fire road. The next section of the trail is a steady uphill climb and is very exposed with little shade.  Make sure you have plenty of water and use sunscreen.

Once you reach the crest of the hill, in just over 2 miles from the sharp turn, there is a gradual descent in the trail. It is at this point, you will eventually see a meadow in a valley with a couple out of place palm trees. This is the area of the former Tongva Village. In the out cropping of rocks in the turns before you descend to the meadow you can see bedrock mortars that native american used. The total hike to the village and back is 10.2 miles roundtrip with 1,250 feet of elevation gain.

Further Thoughts: The hike to Black Star Falls and the former Native American Village is a great Orange County hike. Ashley was unable to go on this hike because of school work, but I went with a buddy from work and his two brothers. When you are on the hike to the falls, be on the watch for black belly newts and California newts. If you are not paying attention to where you place your foot you might accidentally step on one. We saw probably 10 - 20 black belly newts and/or California newts while on this hike. Also, on the hike up the creek bed there is a high possibility that you will get a little wet while zig-zaging your way across the stream on your way to Black Star Canyon Falls. Note: this hike can be dangerous after large rain storms as the water in the creek can get quite high. This hike would not recommend immediately after a major rain storm.

Black Star Canyon is an area that is surrounded in mystery and folklore.  Every hiker has heard stories about how the canyon is haunted or was a former meeting place for the Ku Klux Klan. What is true, and is reported in 50 Hikes in Orange County, is that in 1831 there was an armed conflict between trappers and Native Americans in the canyon. The Native Americans were not believed to have been from the local tribes in the area, but from an outside tribe. The Native Americans were believed to have stolen the trappers horses which resulted in a gun fight where most of the Indians were killed. Additionally, the murder of James M. Gregg to place in the canyon in 1899.

Regardless of  the folklore associated with Black Star Canyon, in our opinion Black Star Canyon, with all its mystery, is a warm and inviting place that offer great hiking in Orange County.

Rating: To Black Star Falls: Elevation Gain: Less than 800 ft. (Moderate), Distance: 6.7 Miles Roundtrip (Moderate - Strenuous); To Black Star Falls & Native American Village:  Elevation Gain: Less than 1,250 ft. (Moderate - Strenuous), Distance: 10.2 Miles Roundtrip (Moderate - Strenuous).

Time to Complete Hike: To Black Star Falls: 4.5 - 5.5 hours.  To Black Star Falls and Native American Village: 6.5 - 7.5 hours.


View Black Star Canyon Water Falls in a larger map