McCloud Falls and the Three Falls Trail
A twenty-five-minute drive from the Inn brings you to McCloud Falls, an easy-to-moderate trek that stands as the one absolute must-see destination in the region. The McCloud River Trail beautifully connects three distinct waterfalls along a scenic three-and-a-half-mile out-and-back path, allowing you to experience three entirely different personalities of the river in a single afternoon.
Your journey begins at Lower McCloud Falls, which features a pristine natural pool at its base that serves as one of the region’s best-kept secrets for a refreshing swim on a hot summer day. Moving along the path brings you to Middle Falls, a wide, powerful, thunderous cascade that inevitably stops hikers mid-stride to take in its sheer scale. Finally, Upper Falls rewards those who walk the extra mile with a deep sense of quiet canyon solitude that the lower tiers rarely offer. If you are planning a summer visit, we highly recommend arriving early in the morning because the swimming hole attracts crowds quickly and the canyon’s natural shade completely disappears by midday.
Hedge Creek Falls
Just twelve minutes south of the Inn in the historic town of Dunsmuir, Hedge Creek Falls offers an exceptionally quick and easy outing that is perfect for families or a brisk morning walk before breakfast. A gentle, well-maintained trail leads down into a shaded canyon to reveal a spectacular thirty-foot waterfall. The true magic of this spot is that the trail safely loops entirely behind the curtain of falling water, giving you a unique perspective and some of the best photo opportunities in the area.
The entire hike takes only about twenty minutes round trip, leaving you with plenty of daytime left to explore the rest of Dunsmuir. The town itself is well worth a visit for its excellent independent restaurants and charming, historic downtown strip. This area is also home to our sister property, The Angler Lodge, which sits moments from the highway and just steps from the world-class fishing waters of the Upper Sacramento River.
Mossbrae Falls
Also located twelve minutes away from the Inn is Mossbrae Falls, a destination that is entirely unlike any other waterfall you are likely to see in California. Rather than a single river dropping over a cliff, pure spring water seeps directly through a massive, fifty-foot moss-covered stone wall, spilling straight into the Sacramento River to create an ethereal, continuous curtain of water.
Because of its unique location along a canyon riverbank, trail access conditions can change significantly depending on the season and local regulations. We always ask that you check in with our front desk team to get an update on current safety and access conditions before you map out your trip. When the conditions align, it remains one of the most genuinely magical and photographed spots in Northern California.
Faery Falls
Situated twenty minutes from our front doors and tucked quietly into the Ney Springs area, Faery Falls is a delicate, elegant cascade completely surrounded by vibrant green moss and lush ferns. The trail itself is relatively short and considered an easy-to-moderate walk, but the canyon terrain near the water can get quite damp and slippery. We always advise wearing sturdy footwear with dependable grip for this trek.
Faery Falls is significantly quieter and less crowded than the high-traffic destinations along the McCloud River, carrying a peaceful, secluded atmosphere that completely lives up to its mystical name. While it flows year-round, visiting in the spring rewards you with the absolute strongest water volume and the most vivid mountain greenery.
Root Creek Falls
Located twenty minutes away inside Castle Crags State Park, the Root Creek Trail offers a spectacular, lesser-known experience that our team fondly describes as a mini-Yosemite walk. The first mile of this trail is wide, gentle, heavily shaded, and entirely flat, making it one of the few local wilderness paths that is perfectly suitable for strollers. As you stroll toward the creek, the dramatic, soaring granite face of Castle Dome is fully visible, towering directly above the tree canopy.
For the more adventurous hikers, a short, rustic scramble extending beyond the official end of the maintained path reveals a magnificent, multi-tiered, five00-foot seasonal waterfall. This hidden upper cascade is at its most impressive during the peak of the spring snowmelt before it gradually dries up for the late summer season. Please keep in mind that if you are traveling with pets, dogs are strictly prohibited on all trails within Castle Crags State Park, so you will want to plan your day accordingly. This trail is also exceptionally close to The Angler Lodge, making it a natural pairing for a full day of exploring south of the mountain.
Plan Your Waterfall Tour
Our front desk team lives here in the valley, hikes these canyon trails regularly, and knows these falls inside and out. We keep constant tabs on changing seasonal water levels, trail conditions, and the best times of day to avoid the crowds. Stop by to chat with us in the lobby when you arrive, or feel free to call or text us at any time at (530) 918-9292 to get real-time recommendations before you head out.
