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    Frazier Falls Trail

    4.8 (27 reviews)

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    Beautiful waterfall.
    Jonelle T.

    This was a beautiful trail it was a short easy hike that had kids, dogs and people with physical challenges. Though the water fall was not raging. The scenic walk was well worth it. Everyone we passed was friendly on the trail.

    Beautiful Falls
    Polska K.

    We did it! Along with many other roads right now the Frazier Creek Road is mostly closed. We had to see the falls with water while in the area. So, we parked about a mile up until we could go no more due to the snow level. Yeah this was not an easy hike. Initially just had patches of snow. Then it began...hiking in all snow upward gaining in elevation. About 3 miles to the Trailhead. Then another 1/2 mile to the waterfall with the trail buried by many feet of snow. Thank You solo hiker we ran into on the way. We used his footsteps to help guide us. I regret not taking a pic of the bridge that crosses the river, and the picnic table buried in snow. The snow is melting, but not at some crazy rate on a 78 degree day. The news is nonsense. It will take some time to melt it's deep! If you dare right now, don't go late in the day. Hiking in the snow is a lot of work, and good hiking boots are best.

    Nichole R.

    Easy family friendly trail about a half a mile out from the parking lot. It's a favorite of ours, providing both excitement and ease for our kids. The path is completely paved and normally very well maintained, though this visit there were some downed trees but it's still real early in the season. It is a one way road in/out, one way in is paved while the other one is off road. Parking can be tight but there is often off road parking spots within walking distance.

    Spectacular views
    Dennis L.

    What a amazing little hike. With breathtaking views of a Frazier Falls. Nestled up really well maintained side road, which winds through the Sierras up to the most amazing trailhead and campgrounds. The waterfall is only about a half mile from the trailhead on paved paths, with the most quaint benches along the path. Just a spectacular campgrounds and waterfall. It reminded me of Yellowstone. This is a must see for the entire family. You absolutely want to pack a lunch and just linger and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. I will definitely be back and would highly recommend making a trip up to Frazier Falls. Hope to see you there

    The drive towards the falls
    Stephanie G.

    A short hike off Gold Lake Highway, about one mile round trip and paved the whole way with neat wooden benches lining the path, lies Frazier Falls. This beautiful scenic hike included mossy fallen logs and neat rock formations. The hike was easy for me...and I enjoy food more than working out!! My hubby is athletic and he found it to be extremely easy. Yet alas I found myself winded a few times going up! I said aloud, "I'm out of shape!" And my four year old says, "I'm out of a LOT of shapes mommy, I need a break!" The benches were a welcomed relief for us. At the end of the falls lies a huge metal fence and a look out towards the water falls... Which didn't have water, oops! We didn't know that the water only flows enough to make the falls in the Springtime, and we were too far into summer to see it. Therefore I suggest taking this hike early spring unless it's purely for the scenic value and not to see the water falls flowing! Nevertheless the walk was very refreshing and it felt good to get out and walk around before heading to the crystal clear water at Sand Pond! I think we may just try and come back in the spring to see the falls in all their glory.

    Jenny F.

    Easy hike is made challenging by the elevation! Pristine, gorgeous trail, with a lovely payoff. This is a few miles past the state park in Graeagle. When you see the sign for the Frazier Falls turnoff, you'll drive up, up, up. The first trailhead sign you'll see is Frazier Creek (which definitely is not a paved trail) and if your GPS says you're here and you're wondering if the whole thing was a mistake, just keep driving up another 3 miles and you'll arrive at the parking lot. It's a 1 mile total loop with natural beauty that's looks so good it almost seems landscaped. Nice thing about being paved is you can enjoy the surroundings without looking down at your feet while walking!

    Rawger C.

    WOW! What a nice trail. From the "Gold Lake Highway" turn off by Gold Lake it is 1 1/2 miles on gravel to the parking area/trailhead. There is a pair of restrooms there and some information signage as well. The trail is completely paved with smooth asphalt. The sign stated that the falls are 1/2 mile from the trailhead but it sure seemed shorter than that! The trail is built for foot traffic, and wheelchair access also. It is very flat and easy going. The scenery is beautiful! Granite rock, lots of greenery, and tall mountains. At one point you walk over a wonderfully built bridge. Underneath, in the spring time, I'm sure that the creek bed is flowing with lots of icy cold snow melt. Unfortunately for us, it's late in the season and there was no water at all.:( We continued to walk until we finally came to an area that opens up to a huge gorge! Like the rest of this trail, there are called guard rails set up so everyone is completely safe. There is a sign that explains about the falls, the terrain, and ancient glaciers. I could only imagine what the falls look like in early spring time when the creek is full! I certainly plan on coming back next spring, to see these majestic Falls! It's pretty amazing even when dry! Don't forget your camera!

    We will try the other entrance...
    Emily A.

    We were visiting Nakoma Lodge Resort from Reno, and Frazier Falls was recommended to visit while we were up here. It was about 20 away from the lodge on a Thursday morning. There was a little construction. About 1 hour 8 minutes (GPS time) from center of Reno. ***something to note, there are at least two ways to get to Frazier Falls, we missed the first turn off coming SB 89 - you make a WB turn onto Gold Lake Hwy, and the turn off is pretty close. Since we missed it, GPS rerouted us to go another 6.8 miles and instead of trying to turn around on the thin shoulder, we just decided to continue on. Well this ended up being a mistake, because we got much higher in elevation and there was still snow along the entrance and on the path to get to the Falls that way. (June 1, but it was a heavy winter) We parked to see if we could walk it and decided that we were not going to walk 1.5 miles half snow half muddy dirt. We decided to turn back around and try to go in the first one. This worked much better, however the drive is a one lane road that has some scary drop offs and curves, so pay attention and go slow. 4 miles up the road takes a good 10-15 minutes with barely any other cars (thankfully) Once we got to the parking lot (which seemed just a dream at the beginning of the road) the entry to the trailhead is right in front of you. It is paved all the way to the falls, which perhaps was 1/2 a mile up in a back and forth windy path. Beautiful scenery along the way, lots of photo ops, but obviously the best part was getting to the view of the Falls. Very very pretty! Flowing very well due to the heavy winter. The best waterfall I have actually ever seen in my limited traveling to waterfall experiences. Oh it was so pretty! Good little place to visit if you enjoy nature for sure. and you Should. Life is short!

    Joel E.

    If you're looking for an easy hike with outstanding scenic views, this is the one for you. The Frazier Falls Trail is a PAVED 1 mile out and back trail (1/2 mile out + 1/2 mile back). As it is paved, it is even accessible by wheelchair. Elevation: ~6,200 ft. Difficulty: Easy Hiking Season: May to November Gold Lake Highway intersects with Highway 89 approximately 48 miles North of Truckee (1 1/2 miles South of Graeagle). Take the Gold Lake Highway for 1.6 miles and watch for a turnoff on the left which is marked "Frazier Falls 4". Turn here, and be aware that the next 4+ miles can be challenging in the early or late season when there may still be snow present at the higher elevations. Go 4.2 miles to a parking lot from which the trailhead is accessible.

    Information about the trail at the start of the path.
    Nicole B.

    Want a pretty view with a relatively short walk? This is the trail for you! I'm not really a hiker but this wasn't really a hike. The path is paved the entire way to the view of the falls. The trail is half a mile so you complete a full mile on a trip out and back. This will feel like nothing at all because there is so much to look at along the way. There are even benches along the trail to stop for a breather or to enjoy the scenery. A cute little bridge on the trail allows a good view of the water rushing by to the top of the falls. The view of the actual falls is breathtaking and I couldn't have picked better weather that day! There was a light breeze at the top of the trail that felt nice. I loved walking along taking pictures as I continued on the path both to and from the falls. This area is just so scenic! There are bathrooms at the very beginning of this trail but keep in mind you are in a national park, there is no running water! Be sure to pack your hand sanitizer. While there is a trail is it a bit narrow and I saw a couple struggling with a double stroller along the path. This is definitely more suited for a single stroller. You will also have to step to the side to let groups pass by you. Heads up: The road up to the trail head is narrow and pretty winding so keep an eye and ear out for other cars because some parts of this road are not wide enough to allow passing. It is only a single lane so be careful and observant!

    Chelsea C.

    Very accessible and easy trail as it was paved and only about half a mile. A little too easy for us but the falls were beautiful in late April. Seems like it was one of the only trails in the area that wasn't blocked off by snow. We wished the trail had continued down to the base of the falls.

    L C.

    The Frazier Falls Trial is beautiful vistas, clean air and easy access for a nice family outing. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. It's a geologic paradise. The trail is 1/2 mile easy hike. You will see the munificent Frazier Falls at the end of the trial. This is a must visit place of you're in the Portola area.

    Max checking out the Falls

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    4 days ago

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    4 months ago

    Our favorite hike in the whole area. It comes to mind every time we visit our relatives in Loyalton.

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    10 months ago

    Best to go in the spring/early summer to see the best waterfall. The walk up is fairly easy with many places to rest.

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    9 years ago

    It was beautiful. Even tho It didn't have water but it was a quick hike. Took lots of beautiful pictures and people there were friendly

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    14 years ago

    go there before you die, you will love & you won't regret it......my wife & i came back with new souls..... ;-)

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    Review Highlights - Frazier Falls Trail

    The sign stated that the falls are 1/2 mile from the trailhead but it sure seemed shorter than that!

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    Bear Lakes & Long Lake Loop Trail

    Bear Lakes & Long Lake Loop Trail

    (14 reviews)

    Absolutely breathtakingly, beautiful day hike in Graeagle Lakes Basin Area that is not quite 2…read morehours from the Carson City area. Easy directions that has signs that will guide you right to the trailhead with as the other reviewers noted very limited parking but this hike is WELL worth it. With your choice of going to fish at Long Lake or hiking on several different hiking options from the Bear Lakes & Long Lake Loop Trail or take in a more moderate to difficult hike up to Mt. Elwell or Pacific Crest Trail you will not be disappointed by the beautiful nature views plus the four alpine lakes that on this trip in November we weren't brave enough to take a dip in but our Hobey doggy thoroughly enjoyed and we found to be of temperature similar to Lake Tahoe. Big Bear, Little Bear, Cub and Long Lake were exactly what we needed to put us back in touch with the serene vibes of the peacefulness of being outside with nature. Weather, views were stunningly gorgeous, we and our furry companions HIGHLY recommend getting out here to enjoy this easy to moderate hike/loop trail. Enjoy and #moveyourbody !!

    I feel like nothing I write will adequately describe the beauty of this place, so I'll let the…read morepictures do the talking for that part. The trailhead is easy to find and off the main road. The road to get to the trailhead is doable in a small car, but take it slow as there are potholes and lots of blind corners. There's a well-maintained bathroom at the start of the trail and good signage. Parking is pretty good, there were plenty of spaces when I went but i could see it getting crowded during the summer months. The trail to long lake is relatively easy, but I wouldn't suggest it for someone with limited mobility. It's also a short hike with almost immediate payoff once you get to long lake, which is BEAUTIFUL. My dog and I elected to keep going past long lake toward the dam, and passed several small pretty lakes and streams on the way there. The trail was a little icy when I went in early December, but nothing too crazy.

    Eureka Lake - Peace,Quiet, and Fresh air !

    Eureka Lake

    (3 reviews)

    Eureka lake is located within the Plumas-Eureka State Park. We initially did not know what to…read moreexpect when we saw the sign for it and had not planned anything around it. The directional sign at the beginning of the gravel road states it is 1.3 miles to the lake and my wife said let's go for it and check it out, so off we went! The rock and dirt one lane road to the lake is narrow and rough. There a few turnouts but it gets narrower as you approach the lake. We would recommend 4wd but smaller vehicles would also be better because of the width of the road. We made it easily with a 2015 Toyota Tundra but had to do some rearranging with other vehicles we encountered going the opposite direction. At the top, the parking lot is big enough for about 15 cars and the views are amazing!!! There were several people wading and swimming in the lake and we also saw a small kayak. We personally thought to ourselves "wow that water must be cold this early in the summer!". There is also a trailhead which begins just off the parking area with a directional sign indicating information about hiking to Eureka Peak but we were not prepared and when my wife saw the sign explaining what wildlife was in the area and saw a rubber boa on the list there was no way she was going to proceed any further. We are very glad we decided to explore the area!

    Be prepared for a rough dirt road going up. Some may feel they need to be in 4 wheel drive, but…read more hubby felt it not necessary. When you get to the top you experience... what did I hear? SERENITY. Peace! Great place to just experience some outdoor clean air. You can park and go for a hike, or throw a pole in the lake to see what you can catch. Unlike a couple years ago there were only some smaller trout at this lake. If not fishing, you can certainly let the dog(s) play in the water.

    Feather Falls Trail - Collage of sights along the trail

    Feather Falls Trail

    (55 reviews)

    This hike was a blessing and a curse combined; stunningly beautiful views and an amazing waterfall…read moremixed with treacherous inclines, a mass amount of poison oak, and very aggressive bugs. I hiked this trail with my group in early June, and needless to say, this was one of the most beautiful and also one of the most challenging hikes that I've done. The entire loop measures about 8 miles, but you should add another mile if you plan to hike to the top of the falls. We started on the Upper Trail which is about 4.5 miles long. We took this trail to the top of the falls, then to the falls Overlook, and then to the Lower Falls trail which looped us back to the beginning of the trailhead. But be forewarned; if you take the Lower Falls trail back, the hike is very strenuous and not very well maintained. Right from the gate, you can see that this trail was filled with tons and tons of poison oak. If you don't know what poison oak looks like, you should look it up before you decide to come here. It's a beautiful plant, but you definitely don't want it touching you. And trust me, it's everywhere. All over the trails! I would recommend that you wear long pants and sleeves, especially if you're allergic. Also, there are tons of bugs! Lots of mosquitos and even ticks. Spray yourself with bug spray before you hit the trail. We sprayed and we still got bitten up pretty badly. Luckily, I didn't find any ticks on myself though. We also spotted a rattlesnake on the trail and you should also note that there have been bear sightings in the past. Just be aware of your surroundings. Okay, so now that I've gotten the scary stuff out of the way, let's focus on the actual hike. The hike through the Upper Trail is really pretty! It starts out flat and inclines gradually. It's full of greenery and mostly shaded. You'll pass over a small bridge that overlooks a baby waterfall that flows into a beautiful creek. There are ferns and flowers all throughout the trail. You'll see giant ants crawling on the ground. You'll also get a wonderful view of Bald Rock Dome which looks likes a mini Half Dome (Yosemite), and a sweeping view of the Middle Fork Feather River. The Overlook point to Feather Falls will be down some stairs and to the left. There are signs that will help to guide you. The view of Feather Falls is just simply breathtaking! The images are stunning but even they can't do it justice. You will truly have to just experience it for yourself. If you're up for some fun, I would highly recommend hiking to the top of the falls. It's seriously unbelievable up there. Storybook views, crystal clear water, and vivid greenery. It'll make you feel like you just walked into an enchanted forest. Like, is this really real? On the way back from the falls, we took the Lower Falls Trail back. This trail is a mile shorter than the Upper Falls Trail, but 10 times more strenuous. If you're looking for a less strenuous hike, either take the Lower to Upper Trail Loop or take the Upper Falls Trail there and back. Otherwise, you'll be in for a steep climb. Not only is this trail all uphill until the very end, it's also not well maintained. It's super rocky with lots of trees blocking the trail that you'll have to climb under and over. Parts of the trail are narrow and slippery. You should also make sure that you bring waaay more water than you think that you'll need because you WILL need it. After 9 miles of hiking, we were tired but felt extremely accomplished. The restrooms aren't the cleanest and the parking lot is pretty small, so I'd advise that you get there early. Would I do this hike again? Definitely! I would just take a different route and bring a stronger bug repellent. In the end, this hike is worth it for the views of one of the tallest waterfalls in California.

    First off, if you cannot have the decency to carry out your trash, don't hike…read more People leave trash EVERYWHERE on this trail. Literally, the most trash I've ever seen on a trail. People were leaving trash within hours of places we passed earlier. Unbelievable. Snack wrapper, water bottles and I even saw a dirty diaper. WTF?! Falls are awesome. Totally blew passed the turn for the loop on the way down so it was more of an out and back for us. Approximately 3.41 miles to the falls. Didn't have a problem with bugs but bring bug spray.

    Madora Lake Loop Trail

    Madora Lake Loop Trail

    (2 reviews)

    After being frustrated in the lack of access for our sedan to many of the lakes in the Lakes Basin,…read morewe looked forward to the easy access and hike to Madora Lake. The trailhead is marked by a sign on the Graeagle-Johnston Road (A-14), and is hard to miss if you are coming from Blairsden in the East. But if you are coming from the main part of the park, the sign faces the opposite way, and it's easy to miss (the trailhead sign is on the north side of the road, about 2 miles east of Park headquarters). There is a short, paved road to the trailhead, and we appreciated the lack of potholes after struggling through many of the forest service's access roads. No formal parking lot, but lots of room to park on the side of the road near the trailhead. A vault toilet is at the trailhead. The trail is 1.5 miles long, a loop around the lake. They are in the process of converting the trail to make it ADA accessible, and in the summer of 2017 parts of the trail could be closed depending upon construction. The whole trail was open when we were there in late August, parts of the trail now flattened and hardened, other parts still the original dusty dirt. Much of the trail goes through pine forest, a beautiful, peaceful setting. A small creek and an unexpected abundance of ferns can be found a small ways past the trailhead. However, if like us, you were expecting to see a beautiful mountain lake, this trail can be a bit of a disappointment. For most of the hike you can't see the lake at all, you are separated from it by the forest. But it turns out you aren't missing much: the lake is more like a large pond, and is rapidly being subsumed by an explosion of water-loving plants. A large number of willows along the lake edge shield the hiker from many lake views, and most views of the lake yield more plants than water. The best views of the lake are halfway through the trail along the north bank. A decent hike, and a good choice for those not prepared for anything strenuous - just maintain modest expectations for the "lake".

    The Madora Lake Trail is a very accessible 1.5 mile loop that can be found just off the…read moreGraeagle-Johnsville Road (County Road A-14). Elevation is ~5,025 ft. Difficulty: Easy Hiking season: May to November, with wildflowers best in early to mid summer.

    Frazier Falls Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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