Lower McCloud Falls pours over a basaltic ledge and drops 12 feet into into a deep, sparkling, emerald green pool. We walked through the tables to the railing and were greeted with an amazing view of the McCloud River and the Lower Falls. Next to the parking lot is a paved observation platform with benches and picnic tables. We wanted to hike the entire McCloud River Trail and see all three waterfalls so we parked at the Lower McCloud Falls Picnic Area. Lower McCloud Falls on the McCloud River is a 12-15 foot waterfall formed where the McCloud River pours over a large, flat basalt ledge into a deep pool. If you want to see the three waterfalls and aren’t into hiking or don’t have the ability to hike, there is an ADA accessible scenic overlook above each of the three waterfalls that you can drive to.

Our adventure traveled four miles and lasted a little more than four hours. We hiked the McCloud River Falls Trail from the Lower Falls Picnic Area, past the Middle Falls and Upper Falls to Lakin Dam, then turned around and hiked back. It traverses the high desert forest landscape along the McCloud River shaded by pines, redwoods, fir trees, hemlocks, alders, ferns, dogwoods, and more. Located six miles outside the town of McCloud, the McCloud River Falls Trail is a 3.8 mile round trip trail that links all three majestic waterfalls. Often referred to as the Falls of the McCloud River or McCloud Falls, the three waterfalls are Lower McCloud Falls, Middle McCloud Falls, and Upper McCloud Falls. Flowing east of and parallel to the Sacramento River for 77 miles across Siskiyou County and Shasta County, the river is famous for its spectacular trio of waterfalls that pour over varying shapes of basaltic lava flows.

The McCloud River is one of the most spectacular and well-known waterways in Northern California.

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