Parking
Parking lot
0.1 mi
4 (3)
California
FallsCA
Switzer Falls
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Preview Switzer Falls and canyon scenery with reviewed photos. Check today's route, parking and closures before a hike; swimming permission remains unverified.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Confirm water recreation with the Forest Service. A waterfall photograph and a picnic-area description do not establish swimming permission. Do not scramble beside the falls to reach an upper pool, jump or dive.
Water type
Falls
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Confirm today's parking pass requirement and accepted passes with the Forest Service. No current price or fee-free status was established by this review.
Best season
Choose daylight with enough time for the return hike after confirming current gate hours. Older schedules should not be used as today's closing time
Nearby towns
Pasadena, Altadena
Water body
The Upper Arroyo Seco River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Pasadena, Altadena
Access location not verified
34.26640, -118.14483
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Switzer 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
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- 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.
Preview the canyon, then confirm the route
Switzer Falls can be considered as a canyon-walking and photography destination, but the visit needs current access checks. The gallery shows the landscape without pretending to establish today's trail status or swimming permission.
Separate the picnic area from the falls
Ask the Forest Service about the starting area, parking and the exact onward trail section. Permission to use one facility does not confirm that the whole waterfall route is available. Current site and closure documents were unavailable to this review, so no reopening claim is made.
Use historical accounts as context
The Arroyo Seco Foundation hosts an older canyon-walking account. Treat it as background, not a current itinerary. The photographed trail sign is useful visual context, but do not turn its mileage into a guaranteed trip length without checking your actual route.
Stay away from waterfall-edge shortcuts
A historical account specifically cautions against climbing down to the falls. Do not follow the previous guide's suggestion of scrambling to an upper pool or jumping from rocks. Choose permitted viewpoints and turn around when a crossing or trail section is unsuitable.
Pack for the return hike
Carry drinking water, suitable footwear and enough daylight for the walk back. Confirm services at the starting area instead of assuming toilets or water are available at the falls. Keep food secured, take rubbish home and plan another authorized activity if access cannot be confirmed.
Getting There
Ask the Forest Service for current Switzer picnic-area access and the authorized route to your chosen canyon destination. Confirm Angeles Crest Highway conditions and gate operation before departure. The retained coordinate is not independently verified as parking or a waterfall entrance.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Reviewed October 8, 2026: current Forest Service site and closure documents could not be fetched in this session. Neither an open-route claim nor a current blanket closure was verified. Confirm the picnic area and onward waterfall route separately 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
Confirm water recreation with the Forest Service. A waterfall photograph and a picnic-area description do not establish swimming permission. Do not scramble beside the falls to reach an upper pool, jump or dive. 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
Switzer Falls Trail
Tourist attraction
0.1 mi
4.7 (947)
701 Angeles Crest Hwy, Tujunga, CA 91042
Popular path through a national forest & ruined wilderness resort to a waterfall at a a deep gorge.
Bear Canyon Campground
Campground
1.5 mi
4.5 (31)
Bear Canyon Campground, Altadena, CA 91001
Public restroomRunning waterTent sites
Millard Falls Trailhead
Hiking area
3.4 mi
4.8 (264)
Brown Mountain Fire Rd, Altadena, CA 91001
Gould Mesa Trail Camp
Campground
3.6 mi
4.3 (109)
Gould Mesa, Arroyo Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Unfussy, hike-in tent campsite offering basic facilities, including a vault toilet & picnic tables.
Public restroomRunning waterTent sites
Gabrielino Trail Western Trailhead
Hiking area
5.2 mi
4.7 (151)
915 Ventura St, Altadena, CA 91001
Public Restroom
Public bathroom
7.8 mi
5 (2)
578-676 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103
Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District Office
National forest
12.5 mi
4.5 (91)
12371 Little Tujunga Canyon Rd, Sylmar, CA 91342
Mountainous national forest covering 700,000-acres with chaparral, pine & fir trees & hiking trails.
Picnic tablesRestroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Switzer Falls
Is the Switzer Falls route confirmed open?
Not by this review. Confirm current picnic-area and onward trail access with the Forest Service before departure.
Is swimming permission verified?
No. Ask the Forest Service about water recreation and current restrictions.
Should I scramble to an upper pool?
No. Do not use waterfall-edge shortcuts or jump from rocks. Stay on authorized routes.
Does the photographed sign guarantee today's hike distance?
No. Confirm your actual starting point, destination and available trail sections.
Highlights
Waterfall landscape preview
Wooded creek scenery
Canyon-walk planning
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not climb down waterfall edges or scramble to upper pools
- Turn back at unsafe crossings, carry water and keep food secured
- Photos cannot establish current depth, footing or an exit
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historically significant due to its connection to the Tongva people and Gaspar de Portolà’s exploration.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Three reviewed photos show a waterfall, a wooded creek with boulders and a Gabrielino Trail sign. The sign is historical visual context, not a current trail-status or distance guarantee.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow Leave No Trace principles to protect local wildlife and habitats. Adventure Pass required for parking.
Explore More Nearby Swimming Guides
More California swimming holes
Browse every listed natural swimming spot in California.
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.
Check water quality before swimming
Use this safety guide before entering any natural water.
You Might Also Like
At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Choose daylight with enough time for the return hike after confirming current gate hours. Older schedules should not be used as today's closing time.
Difficulty Level
Confirm the current trail distance, crossings and elevation change for your chosen destination. A picnic area and photographed sign do not prove a short or easy waterfall route.
Fee
Confirm today's parking pass requirement and accepted passes with the Forest Service. No current price or fee-free status was established by this review.
Facilities
Picnic tables and toilets available at the trailhead. No camping permitted. Crowded on weekends.
Activities
Authorized canyon walking and photography after confirming current access; swimming unverified
Phone
626-574-1613 (Angeles National Forest supervisor's office)
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
The falls are not a verified campsite. Choose an authorized campground and confirm its access and any permit separately; trail-camp names on a sign do not establish current operation.
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