Waterfall Hikes in Auburn, CA
TLC made looking for waterfalls even more fun, didn’t they? Here are the year round waterfalls you can hike to in Auburn, California when you need to go chasing.
Clementine Dam
Name: Clementine Trail
Distance: 4.5 miles, out and back
Elevation Gain: 682 ft
Closest Parking: There are a lot of paid parking options near this trailhead, but parking in the Confluence Area can be challenging on the weekends, so consider using Auburn’s On Demand Shuttle.
The most popular waterfall in Auburn is not a waterfall at all, it is the Lake Clementine Dam. But the fact that it is a dam does not take away from how Instagram-worthy the “falls” are. Most locals have been here a ton of times and avoid it on the weekends. With that said it is a beautiful trail that lines the river, takes you under the tallest bridge in California (and third highest bridge in the United States at 730 ft tall), and is totally worthwhile.
This is a heavily populated trail on the weekends, so if there is any chance you can get out there on a weekday I definitely recommend it.
Calcutta Falls
Name: (Black Hole of) Calcutta Falls
Distance: 2.2 miles, out and back
Elevation Gain: 269 Feet
Closest Parking Spot: Parallel parking is free if you’re on the El Dorado County side. You can also park at the Quarry Parking area (fee required) and use the trail directly across from the entrance to start on a slightly different part of the loop. Parking in the Confluence Area can be an issue on the weekends, so consider using Auburn’s On Demand Shuttle
This is an easy out and back Trail with beautiful views. The waterfall is a trickle in the late summer and fall but gets pretty majestic (for Auburn at least) in the winter and spring after we’ve had plenty of rainfall.
If you take a left off of the main trail and go down to the river you can see all three Bridges from the water’s edge.
Hidden Falls
Name: Hidden Falls
Distance: 3 miles, out and back
Elevation Gain: 515 feet
Closest Parking Spot: You have to park at the Hidden Falls parking lot which does require reservations in advance on weekends. You can make half-day or full-day reservations click here to reserve your parking. Or view the Hidden Trails website for more information!
Hidden Falls Regional Park has 30 miles of trails, but the trail leading from the parking lot to the falls is another heavily trafficked but beautiful trail. In the winter it can be very buggy so bring your bug spray. You end up at a cute little deck that overlooks the falls. If you go a little further you’ll come across a bridge and can go to an upper deck for a better vantage point of the canyon.
So there you have it! Which waterfall you chase first is up to you! Let me know which was/is your favorite in the comments below. Looking for other hikes in Auburn? Check out my favorite hiking loops!
