Feather Falls

Feather Falls is a spectacular 410-foot free-falling plunge waterfall on the Fall River, a tributary of the Middle Fork of the Feather River. It is the sixth tallest year-round waterfall in the United States and the third tallest in California, plummeting off a sheer granite cliff into a forested canyon. The volume of water can be enormous during spring runoff, when the entire cliff face seems to disappear behind a thundering white curtain. A cantilevered viewing platform at the end of the trail juts out over the canyon, providing a vertigo-inducing perspective of the full drop.

The Feather Falls Loop Trail covers 8.7 miles with about 1,100 feet of elevation gain through mixed conifer and oak forest in the Plumas National Forest. The upper trail is slightly longer at 4.5 miles but more gradual, while the lower trail is 3.5 miles with steeper sections. Most hikers loop up one way and down the other. The trail passes through beautiful wildflower meadows in spring, with views of the Middle Fork canyon and Bald Rock Dome along the way. The final stretch traverses a narrow ridge before reaching the observation deck.

The best time to visit is April through June when spring runoff is at its peak. The waterfall flows year-round but is significantly reduced by late summer. The full loop takes 4-5 hours for most hikers. Bring plenty of water as the trail can be hot and exposed in sections. The last few miles of the access road are unpaved but passable for most vehicles.