Hike-in Required
Yes
Open Year-round
Yes
ADA accessible
No
Guided tours
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

West Fork Falls are located just a short walk from the Trading Post in Indian Canyons that serves as a visitor center and a gift shop. For those who are hiking on the Palm Canyon Trail or any of the many other trails leaving from near the Trading Post, West Fork Falls is an easy walk to a most unexpected sight: a gushing cascade tucked away between massive boulders. Here the West Fork Creek seems to emerge out of nowhere, surrounded by arid desert cacti and dust. It shouldn’t be considered a main attraction, but if you are already exploring Andreas, Murray, or Palm Canyon, West Fork Falls shouldn’t be missed.

The trail leaves just behind the Trading Post and dips down before diving into tighter brush and boulder terrain. You’ll walk back on this path for a few hundred yards before it runs into West Fork Creek, and from there visitors are on their own as they scramble up among the rocks for views of the falls. The walk is short and easy, but some agility is required to get the best views of the falls. Children should be watched closely; the temptation to climb on the rocks is understandable, but during high flows any fall would be dangerous.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Park entrance

Pros

Short walk. Unusual falls. Near other hikes. Near the visitor center.

Cons

Exposure. Some tricky terrain. Crowds. Potentially low flows.

Pets allowed

Not Allowed

Features

Waterfalls
Family friendly
Vault toilet

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Santa Rosa + San Jacinto National Monument
Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park, California

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