One easy trail near Mount Shasta strings together three waterfalls, and the middle one is 80 feet wide

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Most waterfall hikes make you earn one payoff. The McCloud River hands you three on a single trail, and the hardest part is deciding which one gets most of your camera roll.

Lower, Middle, and Upper McCloud Falls sit a few minutes apart along the same stretch of river outside Mount Shasta. Here’s what each one looks like, what the walk is really like, and why a crisp fall day might be the best way to see them.

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Three waterfalls, one river, almost zero suffering

The whole out-and-back runs just under 4 miles round trip with about 330 feet of climbing, and it’s rated easy. That’s three waterfalls for less effort than most single-waterfall hikes ask of you.

The stretch between Lower Falls and Fowlers Camp is paved and ADA-accessible, so even the first part works for strollers and wheelchairs. Past that, a wooden staircase climbs the canyon rim near Middle Falls, and the path turns to dirt past old-growth Douglas firs on the way to Upper Falls.

Lower Falls: the warm-up act

Lower Falls is the shortest of the three at about 15 feet, but it’s the one you can get closest to. A stone staircase drops right down to the water’s edge, and the river pours over a rock ledge into a deep pool.

In summer, this is where people jump. The Mount Shasta Trail Association warns that newly submerged boulders have made the popular jumping spots here extremely dangerous, so check Shasta-Trinity National Forest’s current alerts and don’t assume the water is deep enough to dive.

Middle Falls: the showstopper

This is the one. Middle Falls drops roughly 50 feet over a ledge about 80 feet wide, a full curtain of white water framed by dark basalt walls.

Here’s my one strong opinion: if you only have time for one of the three, make it this one. Once you’ve soaked it in, climb the wooden stairs to the rim, where the view drops straight down onto the falls. It’s the clear standout on any list of Mount Shasta waterfalls.

Keep an eye on the canyon walls, too. The columnar basalt here looks like someone stacked giant pencils on end, and it’s a good reminder that this whole region was built by volcanoes.

Upper Falls: the quiet finale

Upper Falls feels completely different from the other two. Instead of spilling over a wide ledge, the river pours straight out of a basalt cliff face into a plunge pool below.

You take it in from viewpoints along the canyon rim, looking down on the whole scene. This is the natural turnaround point, but the trail keeps going upstream for miles if your legs are still feeling chatty.

Why fall is a sneaky-good time to go

Summer is when everyone shows up to swim, but the Mount Shasta Trail Association lists fall foliage as one of this trail’s seasonal highlights. Cooler air also makes the walk between falls a lot more pleasant than a hot August afternoon in the canyon.

The river itself starts at springs on the McCloud Flats and picks up creeks draining off Mount Shasta on its way here. Just know your window: once winter arrives, the trail association notes you’ll need snowshoes or skis to reach the falls.

Fall is still fire season in Northern California, so check the forest’s alerts page and current conditions before you make the drive.

How to get there

From I-5, take exit 736 toward McCloud and follow Highway 89 east about five miles past the town of McCloud, then turn onto the McCloud River Loop Road. Park at the Lower Falls picnic area and start walking upstream.

The Forest Service lists no fee for the Lower Falls picnic area, which is open for day use from sunrise to sunset and has picnic tables, vault toilets, and drinking water. Dogs are welcome on a leash of six feet or less in developed areas.

Want to stay close? Fowlers Camp campground sits right along the trail between Lower and Middle Falls, though dispersed camping is restricted along the falls themselves.

Turn it into a full weekend with our favorite Mount Shasta hikes and things to do in Mount Shasta, or keep chasing water with these Northern California waterfalls.

So, which one’s your pick: the wide curtain of Middle Falls or the cliff-face pour of Upper Falls? Tell us in the comments, and tag whoever owes you a road trip.

Trip tips: grab a rental car to get out here, lock in your hotel before the good rooms are gone, or skip both and book a camper van instead.

Rules and fees change — always confirm current requirements before you go.

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