Cedar Crk Fls Trl
Trailhead
0.9 mi
California 92065
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
FallsCA
Cedar Creek Falls
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Cedar Creek Falls near Ramona with required permits, dated heat-closure guidance, the uphill return hike, water needs and seasonal waterfall conditions.
Swimming temporarily closed
Do not plan a swim while this recorded closure remains in effect. Check the managing authority for reopening; other park activities may have different rules.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Falls
Swimming status
Swimming temporarily closed
Fee
Recreation.gov lists a $6 visitor-use permit covering the holder and up to four additional named people. It is normally nonrefundable; the booking page describes refunds when extreme heat causes a closure. A permit does not override a closure.
Best season
Cooler fall, winter or spring days when the area is confirmed open. Hiking is strongly discouraged above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat can trigger closures regardless of permit availability
Nearby towns
San Diego, Ramona
Water body
Cedar Creek
Status summarizes our reviewed record, not today's opening or safety. Check current rules, swimming boundaries and notices before visiting.
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
San Diego, Ramona
Access location not verified
32.9898, -116.730
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Cedar Creek Falls
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Check the closure before planning Cedar Creek Falls
At our October 8, 2026 review, the Forest Service trail page marked the route temporarily closed and listed an extreme-heat closure for October 2-8, 2026. Do not enter the closure area. Recheck the current trail notice before traveling; a scheduled end date does not confirm reopening.
Book the right permit when access resumes
Recreation.gov requires a visitor-use permit for the falls area. The listed $6 permit covers the holder and up to four additional named people. Carry identification as required and download the permit beforehand because cell reception near the waterfall is unreliable. A reservation is not permission to ignore a closure.
Budget energy for the climb out
The outward descent can make the approach seem easier than the return. Official sources describe roughly 5.5-6 miles round trip, and the Forest Service lists about 1,800 feet of elevation gain on the return. Allow up to six hours. Carry at least one gallon of water per person, food and appropriate footwear. Hiking is strongly discouraged above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and dogs are not advised in hot conditions.
Know what a waterfall photo cannot tell you
The falls are seasonal and typically dry in summer, when the remaining pool can become stagnant with algae. Do not infer current depth, water quality or safe swimming from a saved photo. Cliff jumping, diving and climbing around the falls are prohibited. Alcohol and fires are also prohibited in the permit area.
Use the correct trailhead
The San Diego River Gorge approach uses the paved Thornbush Road trailhead near Ramona. Respect residential parking signs. The manager lists vault toilets and potable water at the trailhead, not at the waterfall. Use the official route rather than a ranger-office mailing address or the retained historical map point.
Getting There
For the San Diego River Gorge approach, follow the manager's route through San Diego Country Estates near Ramona to the paved trailhead on Thornbush Road. Follow neighborhood parking signs. Do not substitute the ranger-office mailing address for the trailhead. The retained historical map pin is not a verified access point.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
A visitor-use permit is required for the permit area. List every person and carry photo identification, with the stated exception for dependent minors accompanied by a parent. Download the permit ahead of time because reception near the falls is unreliable. October 8, 2026 review found an active October 2-8 heat-closure notice; recheck before traveling.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Cedar Creek Falls Trailhead
Hiking area
1.6 mi
4.7 (516)
15519 Thornbush Rd, Ramona, CA 92065
Ramona Oaks RV Park
Campground
7.2 mi
4.1 (189)
24340 CA-78, Ramona, CA 92065
Picnic tablesPublic restroomPublic showerRestroom
Palomar Ranger District Headquarters
Forestry service
8.8 mi
2.7 (3)
1634 Black Canyon Rd, Ramona, CA 92065
Wildwood Ranch Camp
Campground
11.5 mi
4.8 (23)
14488 Mussey Grade Rd, Ramona, CA 92065
Public restroomRestroomTent sites
Dos Picos County Park
Park
12.2 mi
4.6 (1023)
17953 Dos Picos Park Rd, Ramona, CA 92065
Peaceful, 78-acre retreat featuring campgrounds, hiking trails, shady picnic areas & a fishing pond.
Barbecue grillCycling lanesPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Laguna Mountain Visitor Information Center
Tourist information center
19.9 mi
4.6 (134)
Los Huecos Rd, Mt Laguna, CA 91948
Restroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Creek Falls
Is Cedar Creek Falls open?
Our October 8, 2026 review found a temporary October 2-8 heat-closure notice. Do not enter while closed. Check the current Forest Service alert for actual reopening rather than relying on the scheduled end date.
Do I need a Cedar Creek Falls permit?
Yes, the visitor-use permit is required for the falls permit area. Recreation.gov lists $6 for the holder and up to four additional named people. Permits do not override closures.
How hard is the hike?
Official sources describe about 5.5-6 miles round trip. The Forest Service lists approximately 1,800 feet of elevation gain on the return, so plan for a strenuous uphill exit and up to six hours.
Does the waterfall always flow?
No. Flow is seasonal and the booking page says it typically dries in summer. The remaining pool can become stagnant with algae. Historical photos do not establish today's conditions.
Highlights
Seasonal canyon waterfall
Permit-controlled hiking access
Steep uphill return that needs advance planning
Unique Features
A downhill outward hike can conceal the difficulty of the return climb
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Carry at least one gallon, about four liters, of water per person and adequate food
- The hot uphill return can cause serious heat illness
- Dogs are not advised in hot conditions
- Cliff jumping, diving and climbing around the falls are prohibited
- Do not assume the pool is safe, clean or supervised
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
The area around Cedar Creek Falls was historically inhabited by the Kumeyaay people, who considered the land sacred. Today, it remains a cherished natural landmark in Southern California.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
The reviewed gallery shows historical waterfall, canyon and trail views without identifiable visitor faces. Flow and trail access can differ substantially on the date of a visit. Photograph only from permitted routes when open.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
No alcohol in the permit area or on the access trails and trailheads. Fires are prohibited. Stay on the route, pack out all litter and follow closure orders. Do not enter just because another visitor or an old photo suggests access is possible.
Explore More Nearby Swimming Guides
More California swimming holes
Browse every listed natural swimming spot in California.
Swimming holes near San Diego
Compare nearby options around San Diego before you choose a route.
Waterfalls swimming holes
Find similar waterfalls destinations across the directory.
Hidden gems in California
See under-the-radar places and local favorites in the same state.
Family-friendly spots in California
Compare easier-access destinations and safer planning options.
California waterfall swimming spots
Explore waterfall-focused swimming destinations in California.
You Might Also Like
At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Cooler fall, winter or spring days when the area is confirmed open. Hiking is strongly discouraged above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat can trigger closures regardless of permit availability.
Difficulty Level
Moderate to strenuous. The Forest Service describes 5.5 miles round trip and about 1,800 feet of elevation gain on the return; Recreation.gov describes a six-mile out-and-back. Allow up to six hours and do not treat this as a short beginner swim walk.
Fee
Recreation.gov lists a $6 visitor-use permit covering the holder and up to four additional named people. It is normally nonrefundable; the booking page describes refunds when extreme heat causes a closure. A permit does not override a closure.
Facilities
A paved trailhead is not a step-free route to the falls. The canyon hike and steep uphill return require fitness and appropriate footwear.
Activities
Waterfall viewing and canyon hiking when the permit area is open; no cliff jumping or diving
Phone
760-788-0250
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Treat this as a permitted day hike, not an established waterfall campsite. Check separate national forest camping regulations and current orders before arranging an overnight trip.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
Explore More Swimming Holes
Discover other amazing natural swimming destinations across America