Black Star Canyon

Hiking to Black Star Canyon Falls in Orange County

A hike to the roaring Black Star Canyon Falls in the heart of the Santa Ana Mountains is not for the faint of heart nor the weak of ankle. This waterfall in the Santa Ana River is flowing stronger than it has in years! And it’s reachable via a challenging and exciting 7-mile out-and-back hike. Don’t worry; you can do it! The first two miles are on a moderate, well-maintained dirt path. Expect to see other hikers and mountain bikers. When you reach a fork, follow the sign that points toward Black Star Falls and head right to enter the Black Star creek bed.

Now the hike becomes much more exciting. As you walk, jump, and climb, the water flows stronger and the boulders grow larger. Wear shoes with ample ankle support that you don’t mind getting wet. As you scramble toward the falls, keep your ears open for croaking frogs, and your eyes open for arboreal salamanders in the creek. Find your own way along the rocky path that follows the flowing creek and enjoy several smaller falls on your way to the dramatic behemoth at the end of the trail.

The waterfall itself is an incredible testament to the erosive power of flowing water as it streams down in two ribbons—one through a narrow crevice and the other through a cave lower on the rock face. After you admire the beauty of the place, simply turn around to return to the trailhead.

TIP: To avoid crowds and the midday heat, begin the hike as early in the morning as possible.

To get to Black Star Canyon trailhead, from CA-55 in the city of Orange, exit Chapman Ave. east, and after 5.2 miles stay left to stay on E. Santiago Canyon Rd. Turn left onto Silverado Canyon Rd., and then make a quick left onto Black Star Canyon Rd. Continue to the parking lot (free) at the end of the road. Dog-friendly, but not recommended—the terrain is very challenging for them.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Picnic and a Pedal

    West Marin has all the right stuff for an afternoon getaway: bike paths, babbling brooks, canopy forests, and secluded picnic spots. Combine a picnic and a pedal at Samuel P. Taylor State Park by biking the easygoing Cross Marin Trail.

    View
  2. Hike the Oursan Trail alongside Briones Reservoir in the East Bay

    Opt for Oursan

    Hike the trail less traveled in the East Bay's Briones Regional Park. The Oursan Trail is pure serenity on a wide hiking path skirting the northern shores of Briones Reservoir.

    View
  3. Most Peaceful Hike of All

    Is this the most peaceful one-hour hike in the Bay Area? It's got our vote! Lake Lagunitas is the smallest lake in a series of five found on the north side of Mount Tam, so it’s got that tiny but mighty charm. Do a 1.5-mile loop around the lake's shore-hugging trail.

    View
  4. Sebastopol Food & Wine Roll

    One apple farm, three charming towns, multiple wineries, and infinite natural beauty. Savor a perfect autumn day in Sonoma County by biking the West County Regional Trail from Sebastopol to Forestville via Graton. It’s a 17-mile (round-trip) adventure. 

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Wine Down, Dine Out in Lake Chelan

    The fertile soil around Washington State's Lake Chelan is ripe for more than just the amazing apples. Vineyards here yield high quality grapes, and some of the country’s best less-discovered wineries. Locals know it, and you will too when you start choosing from the more than 30 wineries in the region.

    View
  2. What's Up, Winthrop!

    It’s not just its location close to Washington State’s spectacular and less visited national park (North Cascades) that makes Winthrop such a winsome mountain town. This lively enclave in the Methow Valley bristles with a whimsical blend of Wild West charms, contemporary culture, and a mosaic of outdoor adventures—from river to lake to waterfalls, and beyond.

    View
  3. Hiker amid trees at Oak Glen Preserve in Yucaipa Southern California

    Apple of Your Eye

    That fall feeling is definitely in the air and on display at the Oak Glen Preserve. Apple orchards and colorful leaves are a bonus, as are the apple cider donuts and slushies you can enjoy post-hike.

    View
  4. Hike San Diego Volcan Mountain Wilderness

    Planet of the Oaks

    Let us count the number of oak tree species in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve near Julian: coast, scrub, canyon, black, and Engelmann. Five! The preserve’s Five Oaks Trail is a 3.2-mile hike that boasts all five.

    View