It may be hard to believe, but one of the best waterfalls in northern California is just a short detour off Highway 49. Finding a waterfall can typically entail traversing rugged backroads and hiking trails, not to mention lots of internet searches. That’s why it’s always nice to come across an easy-access waterfall such as this one. Loves Falls is located right off the highway and can be seen after a quick jaunt on the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s certainly worth a brief stop when driving through the area, so read on to check it out!
Located just a mile north of Sierra City, Loves Falls is a unique and charming waterfall hike in NorCal. And it’s undoubtedly worth stopping for. The route is just off Highway 49, right along the famous Pacific Crest Trail.
Lily S/Google
Loves Falls is actually composed of three cascades: an upper, middle, and lower drop on the North Yuba River. Today we’ll be focusing on the upper cascade, where Loves Falls gets its name.
Tamie Tattics/AllTrails
To access the waterfall, visitors can park right where the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) intersects with Highway 49. From here simply follow the PCT for a quarter of a mile. Of course, be sure to keep an eye out for the signs that will point you toward the falls.
Megan Allen/AllTrails
After making your way through the woods, you’ll come out across a large concrete bridge that spans the North Yuba River. The bridge boasts a spectacular view of the river and surrounding scenery. But, it’s what’s right beneath the bridge that you really want to see!
Brad Bloesser/Google
Underneath the bridge is the gorgeous cascade known as Loves Falls. Named for the large heart-shaped boulder that splits the river’s flow, it’s a downright picturesque sight—especially with the bridge in the background.
Brad Bloesser/Google
For a lengthier adventure, you can continue along the PCT and enjoy the rich scenery of pine and dogwood trees. Then, simply turn back towards the bridge once you’ve had your fill. Some visitors opt to hike down to the falls and enjoy the swimming hole beneath it, though we urge you to use caution if you choose to do this.
Kayla Myers/AllTrails
Who knew such a beautiful waterfall was hiding right along the highway this whole time? For a leisurely waterfall hike in NorCal that certainly definitely pays off, plan a visit to Loves Falls!
Mary Tober/Google
Have you visited charming Loves Falls? If so, share stories about your experience in the comments. If you have any tips and tricks we’d love to read them! Additionally, do you know of another easy-access waterfall worth mentioning? We’re always on the lookout for the best waterfalls in northern California. Share with us in the comments below to make it easier for others to explore the region.
Lily S/Google
Tamie Tattics/AllTrails
Megan Allen/AllTrails
Brad Bloesser/Google
Kayla Myers/AllTrails
Mary Tober/Google
If you love waterfalls as much as we do, you might want to consider this 3-hour road trip around Redding’s “Waterfall Loop.” It’s got plenty to see, offering one of the most fun adventures you can have without a ton of effort and planning.
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Address: Loves Falls, California 96125, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me March 15, 2022 Spencer Schneider What are the best waterfall hikes in California? California is well known for having some of the best hikes in the United States, if not the world! With national parks like Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park, there are no shortages of hikes or waterfalls in the state. If you are looking for some of the best, it can be difficult to decide. However, we’re here to help. Perhaps the best waterfall hike in California is the Vernal and Nevada Falls hike in Yosemite National Park. This hike is difficult and winds up the Mist Trail, but is well worth the effort. The Mist Trail gets its name because you can feel the mist from the waterfalls as you hike up. Totaling 6 miles, this hike will give you incredible views of some of the most famous waterfalls in the state, making for some great picture opportunities of these picturesque falls. If you are looking for an even longer waterfall hike, The Alamere Falls hike from the Palomarin Trailhead is a 13-mile hike that brings you to the incredible Alamere Falls. These falls flow down from the rocky cliffs, straight into the Pacific Ocean, and is unlike any waterfall you’ve ever seen before! What is the tallest waterfall in California? You’ve probably heard of the tallest waterfall in California, which also happens to be the tallest waterfall in all of North America. Located in the famous Yosemite National park, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in California, coming in at over 2,400 feet! To hike to the top of Yosemite Falls, it is about 3.6 miles each way and is a strenuous hike. However, the Yosemite Falls trail is one of the oldest trails in Yosemite National Park and was built in 1873, so walking this trail will bring you along the same path that people have walked for generations.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me
March 15, 2022
Spencer Schneider
What are the best waterfall hikes in California? California is well known for having some of the best hikes in the United States, if not the world! With national parks like Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park, there are no shortages of hikes or waterfalls in the state. If you are looking for some of the best, it can be difficult to decide. However, we’re here to help. Perhaps the best waterfall hike in California is the Vernal and Nevada Falls hike in Yosemite National Park. This hike is difficult and winds up the Mist Trail, but is well worth the effort. The Mist Trail gets its name because you can feel the mist from the waterfalls as you hike up. Totaling 6 miles, this hike will give you incredible views of some of the most famous waterfalls in the state, making for some great picture opportunities of these picturesque falls. If you are looking for an even longer waterfall hike, The Alamere Falls hike from the Palomarin Trailhead is a 13-mile hike that brings you to the incredible Alamere Falls. These falls flow down from the rocky cliffs, straight into the Pacific Ocean, and is unlike any waterfall you’ve ever seen before! What is the tallest waterfall in California? You’ve probably heard of the tallest waterfall in California, which also happens to be the tallest waterfall in all of North America. Located in the famous Yosemite National park, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in California, coming in at over 2,400 feet! To hike to the top of Yosemite Falls, it is about 3.6 miles each way and is a strenuous hike. However, the Yosemite Falls trail is one of the oldest trails in Yosemite National Park and was built in 1873, so walking this trail will bring you along the same path that people have walked for generations.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
California is well known for having some of the best hikes in the United States, if not the world! With national parks like Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park, there are no shortages of hikes or waterfalls in the state. If you are looking for some of the best, it can be difficult to decide. However, we’re here to help.
Perhaps the best waterfall hike in California is the Vernal and Nevada Falls hike in Yosemite National Park. This hike is difficult and winds up the Mist Trail, but is well worth the effort. The Mist Trail gets its name because you can feel the mist from the waterfalls as you hike up. Totaling 6 miles, this hike will give you incredible views of some of the most famous waterfalls in the state, making for some great picture opportunities of these picturesque falls.
If you are looking for an even longer waterfall hike, The Alamere Falls hike from the Palomarin Trailhead is a 13-mile hike that brings you to the incredible Alamere Falls. These falls flow down from the rocky cliffs, straight into the Pacific Ocean, and is unlike any waterfall you’ve ever seen before!
What is the tallest waterfall in California?
You’ve probably heard of the tallest waterfall in California, which also happens to be the tallest waterfall in all of North America. Located in the famous Yosemite National park, Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in California, coming in at over 2,400 feet! To hike to the top of Yosemite Falls, it is about 3.6 miles each way and is a strenuous hike. However, the Yosemite Falls trail is one of the oldest trails in Yosemite National Park and was built in 1873, so walking this trail will bring you along the same path that people have walked for generations.
