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Back when I wanted to go for my first ever solo hike, I asked my friend Molly, who went hiking by herself all the time, if she knew of a good, well-populated trail to try. She said something to the effect of, "Steven's Trail is a little hard, but I think you can handle it." This trail has since become one of my favorites, and I've hiked it several dozen times now, sometimes alone, and sometimes with friends. Most recently, I came hiking here with someone who I was dating last summer/fall. I asked him if he was sure he could handle a moderately difficult 8 miles-- 4 miles down to the river, and 4 miles back up. "You keep thinking I'm not going to be able to keep up with you," he said. We packed up some fig jam, honey, and almond butter sandwiches, some Lara bars, vegan jerky, a few cans of Truly, and some Mary Jane, and headed out to Colfax. If you are hiking this trail for the first time, I would recommend picking a cooler day, if possible. We came out in October, so it wasn't terribly hot. The downside was that none of the waterfalls were running. The nice thing was that the river flow was so low that we could practically wade across it. In Spring, in a good year, the river can be raging. People go white water rafting not far from here. Also in Spring, you can find all kinds of wildflowers on this trail. Some of the ones I've seen include monkey flower, irises, succulents, thistle, Indian paintbrush, innocence, Sierra Nevada checkerbloom, poppies, and lupine, just to name a few. The waterfall usually flows in early Spring, and in a good year, can flow as late as early fall. It looks like a slow flow from far away, but up close, the waterfall on the hiking trail can be such a challenge to cross that many people just turn around. When the waterfall has a stronger flow, I prefer crossing it on the bike trail, which takes you to the same place, at about the same distance. On four different solo trips last year, all during different months, I happened upon two ladybug blooms, and two butterfly blooms. I was sitting in the middle of the creek with thousands of tiny purple butterflies swarming all around me. Unreal. There is a decent amount of parking at the trail head, but it usually fills up by 9am or so on a busy spring weekend. People start to leave by 11, so either come early, or come late. There is a bathroom at the trailhead, although I'd recommend going to Taco Bell or the grocery store across the freeway instead, if you can. That way, you can recharge on snacks at the same time. Speaking of fuel, if you are planning on hiking the whole trail, I would recommend lugging along at least 2 liters of water per person, or even more on a hot day. Overall, this is a fantastic trail. This time of year, the waterfalls and creeks should all be flowing, and there should be plenty of wildflowers and butterflies to see.
A must visit hike couples time of the year to see how the season transform the trail ! Easy to park and locate off the freeway!
About a 50 minutes drive from sacramento. Very easy to get to. Get there early to get a parking spot. Note at the time I went (end of May), the bathroom was closed and taped off. There were some parts of the trail that were narrow and other requiring you to cross small streams. I would rate the hike intermediate to hard. There's plenty of shade and shelter but there's long stretches where you are exposed to direct sun. Weather forecast said 20 chance of precipitation so of course it poured. But the view was so worth it. Last time i went it snowed unexpectedly so be prepared for adventure!
Lots of trees/branches fell down. Take gloves and a change of clothes in the car with you. The trees/bushes grew out making part of a path harder to get thru. All thru paths: trees/branches fell down and may continue to fall during your hike, and shrubs have grown out towards the path deeper in the trail (1 to 1.5 hours hike towards waterfall). January: Our hike took us a little beyond the waterfall. We turned back at 1:30 to make it back before sun down. We always made a left turn at each fork. It was a good and hard hike due to fallen trees/branches (obstacle courses for us). It is a moderate or difficult hike at times (not for children who are novice hikers). Note: at a fork after the tee pee, the right fork with a moderate-difficult incline goes towards the shooting range area (there is no sign to note that). Don't go too far out! I don't know where the shooting range boundaries starts and ends. A friend heard shooting nearby the last time they took this route. One portable restroom at the parking lot. No trash bins, so people tend to leave some trash at the lot and along the trail before the tee pee. I agree with some yelpers on this site about the litter, please pick up after yourselves. Treat all places as you'd like others to treat your space.
Its approximately 7 to 8 miles round trip. One restroom at the parking lot, ZERO trash bins. The land management really need to address that. Important: you need to know that this is a hike DOWN to the river, which means you have to hike back UP. That being said, the hard part is coming back. I couldn't believe how many people were NOT carrying water going down. Which brings me to point number 2. You NEED to bring water for the way BACK, unless, you're gonna drink river water. Will you die without it? No, but it's gonna be very uncomfortable without it. It's pretty steep especially the last mile. I'd say about 30-40 % of this hike is in the shade depending on the time you go. Get their early...The very small parking lot only has about 19 parking spots then you need to park on the main road. We arrived at 0750 on a Sunday. Only 5 other vehicles there. When we got back to the car around 1045, not only was the lot full but there were at least, 50 cars parked on the road. This is a narrow trail and extremely narrow at some points so, passing can be annoying. There is plenty of poison oak so be mindful of that. I wouldn't TOUCH ANYONE'S DOG either, specifically due to the poison oak issue. Thousands of poppies and other wildflowers. Pretty views especially of the river. Looks like a great summer spot with rock jumps and plenty of places to hang out by the river. I'd never come here in the summer I can see it being a cluster f*ck. Already kinda was its the first week of April. When in doubt, stay left... until you get to the river. Not sure of a true ending to this hike.
STRENUOUS!!! Now I've gotten that out the way... did we have a great time? A-B-S-O-L-U-T-E-L-Y!!! Definitely NOT a Beginners hike! The trail was open but parking may be an issue if arrive after 7am. We got there about 630Am. And plenty of parking. Restroom is closed! - there is one dark cave which many others says that's a potty area if needed. We did not use it. WATER IS A MUST!!! Hiking poles(sticks) is preferable! Will help you on those steep inclines. The destination is the river. Takes about 4 miles in. When you see large rocks, that's it!!! Rest well, eat, drink h2o, capture the beauty because as the hike back you will cry for your mama! Ok maybe not you but I sure cried for someone! It was DEFINITELY LEG DAY!!! Amazing view of nature!!!
Worth. The. Miles. Take lots of water. 60° and felt like 80+. Nonetheless, one of my fav trails ever.
Unlike most of the reviewers of this trail, I am not super fit. I love to hike, but I am a big girl, 300 lbs yesterday morning per the scale when I left to do this hike. I am always looking for dog-friendly trails to take my little pup on and was excited to see Stevens trail allows dogs. When I read that it was a 9 mile round trip hike, I was a little worried but I have done 7 and 8 mile hikes before so I spent a few weeks walking every day before heading out to the trail to make sure I was ready..... I wasn't! I'm writing this review in the hopes that it will help YOU to be :) I read many Yelp reviews that the trail wasn't quite 9 miles, but I am here to say I walked until I couldn't walk any more and it is well over 9 miles if you do it all. There are lots of waterfalls and creeks to pass and once you reach "the end" you are literally just walking out on the rocks next to the river. I walked until swimming was the only other option and my app said 10.2 miles when I got back to my car. I think one of the great things about this hike is that it can be as long as you want it to be. I met many people on the trail who turned back after 2 miles or 3 miles and in hindsight, I wish I had as well. What I am saying is, this is YOUR hike, so make this trail the length you are comfortable with. I also read this was a dog friendly trail and that is true, for the most part. We met a dozen or so dogs on the first few miles of our hike but after the first narrow area of waterfall and cliffs, we only saw two more dogs and they were hiking together with a mother and her adult son. My girl is only 15 lbs but there were more 5 or 6 places throughout the hike where she had to be carried momentarily or we wouldn't have been able to continue. I was surprised how many narrow spots and quickly moving water areas she navigated on her own and maybe if I wasn't overprotective she could have done them all herself, but I just couldn't take the risk. I also spent more time then I would have liked worried she was going to fall off the narrow cliffside, so even though this trail is rated child and dog friendly, I won't bring her back and I certainly wouldn't bring small children. We saw one 10 year old boy with his father, but even they turned back at the first waterfall crossing where I had to pick up my dog. The people that did see her at the end of the hike kept calling her a "rockstar" and marvelled at what a trooper she was to have made it so far. Even after slathering myself with sunblock and insect repellant, I am absolutely covered in mosquito bites today. My count thus far is at 53 bites. My husband has dozens of bites as well and even our poor pup has bites on her tummy. Also, because I knew the temps would be in the 80's, I made sure to cover myself from neck to toes but those pesky buggers bit right through my clothes. By the end, we were being followed by swarms of mosquitos but to be fair, that was much later in the day, closer to 5 p.m. In the morning, we hardly noticed the bugs. You really need: - a hat to keep the sun off you in the long sections without shade, - good shoes with thick soles so that when you're stepping down of sharp rocks you don't bruise your feet and something that is anti-slip would be ideal because you will be crossing watery sections with slippery rocks. Your feet will get wet! - Sunblock and bug-spray are a must! - And LOTS of water. We brought 4 bottles of water per person and it wasn't enough. Many of the reviews make it clear that since you are heading down to the river gradually, you must be aware that while the first portion of the trek is downhill, the way back is uphill, so you must be prepared for the hardest part of the hike to be the end. Even with that in mind as I set out, I was really not prepared for the steep incline I would be facing. I won't lie; I died. It was only once, but it happened. I laid on a rock for about 15 minutes and my poor hubby and pup sat patiently waiting for me. I am more sore today than I have been in a long time, but hey, I made it and I am proud of myself! If I can do it, you can do it! All of that being said, this is a beautiful hike. The views are gorgeous. There were wildflowers and butterflies everywhere. We saw lots of lizards (which my doggie loved to chase) and multiple snakes. There were tons of birds and interesting insects. The river was clear and cool and great for soaking our feet. I know it seems like this review has been somewhat negative but for me this is a 4 star hike, even with all its challenges. I just wish I had been more prepared. I genuinely hope this information will help someone else to be. Happy Hiking everyone!
Gorgeous hike with lots of little side trails to hike down to get into the water. I would recommend going earlier in the morning since the weather is warming up and getting hot in the afternoons, and bring enough water and a light lunch. Went on a Monday during quarantine and the trail was pretty empty, not sure how it is on the weekends but would definitely recommend
Great hike! It's dog friendly and parking is free. The trail is about 7 min and is well shaded with varying scenery. You start under the trees then you overlook the American river and later you get to the bottom where you can sit, take a break, enjoy dipping your feet in the cool water and then backtrack. I recommend bringing a hat, good shoes (there are water streams you can slip on), lots of water and some snacks. Happy hiking!
Easy??? Not quite. Easy, is what my Hiking App rated Stevens Trail. With so many upgrades and downgrades, I consider this trail to be more moderate. We got here and hiked about six miles round trip. It's about four and a half miles to the river but we didn't get there. Although we didn't get to the river, there were so many different things to catch your attention. It was my second time here and the first time I tried this trail, I ran across a huge rattlesnake. That was the end of that trip. This time, I ran across several snakes but no rattlesnakes! This is an easy to find hiking area, right off the highway. There's a small, free parking lot which gets filled quickly. I hike often and I have to say this was a strenuous hike, with different types of terrain, from dirt trails, to rocky ones. Some parts of the trail is for one person to get by and I found myself hugging the earth so a hiker could go by. Hubs helped a group of ladies cross the trail which went directly through the gushing fall. Hence, this is not an easy hike. I think this trail should be considered moderate in difficulty. I'm no couch potato, maybe I'm a Prima Donna, but I found myself short winded in some parts. Although it's challenging, the views are surely worth every step!
Stevens Trail is such an amazing hike once you get to the very end of the trail with all the rocks to climb and the river running. I have to admit, I thought it was never going to end! I kept asking to myself, "How much longer?" " Is this the end?" Luckily with the reception we had we were able to see where we were at the trail with our little red dot on the map. The longest and seemingly never ending trail is when we were on the side of the mountain looking down at the cliff of rocks and trees. We went on this trail in March and there were many bright blue butterflies flying everywhere. While walking the trail there are a few spots with shade and coolness, take advantage of the shade when approaching it to take a break on some water and snacks. I read quiet a few reviews where people said to be aware of poison ivy, so i wore thick leggings and long sleeves to just be safe. I also wore minimus running shoes so that it would have good traction when walking up rocks. I would not suggest Nike Rosches as those don't have any grip. There is an old miners cave that some people go in to but i did not because i was too afraid. The cave is short in height where one woul dhave to hunch down and walk in to it. It is pretty dark. I suggest this hike because it is not a continuous incline or decline, it is a mixture of incline and decline the entire way. I also suggest to go early in the morning so that it won't get too hot. Many people bring their dogs along this hike. It took us 5 hrs to finish the hike roundtrip and it is about 8 miles. We only stop for maybe a total of 20 minutes to rest in total. Everyone has to go at least once if one wants to go on a good hike!
We headed out at 5am to do this hike. We also made sure to bring a lot of fluids because this trail is known to be a hot one that drains your hydration. There is little to no shade. This is a long trail so be prepared. It was suppose to be a 9 mile hike but we had to cut our hike short to 7 miles because we kind of went off the trail then we had to deal with a dingleberry of a woman who had her dog off the leash and the poor dog took off running so we decided to return her dog to her which was 30 to 40 minutes of chaos....smh...not the poor dog's fault. This trail is very narrow and steep at various point of the hike. So people who are afraid of heights be prepared. This trail also has a ton of mosquitoes so bring bug repellent. For the most part this trail has beautiful breathtaking views! We will definitely be back to finish what we started.
9 years ago
I love this trail! Very convenient easy access from the freeway but 3 minutes in you can't hear a thing. So many wild flowers in the spring. Waterfalls and little streams all along the trail leading down to the river. read more
6 years ago
Beautiful hike , it's pretty easy just watch you're footing . But it's sad that the trail is covered in face masks, trash , water bottles , and old camping gear. It's to much for one person to clean up by themselves, multiple piles of trash . read more
COVID-19 got everyone stuck at home or out searching for hiking trails and other outdoor activities. I say its one of the better trails within an hour drive from Sacramento. We arrived at approx. 9:30am on a Saturday morning, the designated parking lot was full but we were a few vehicles parked along the street right before the main parking lot. But when we left close to 2pm, wholly begezzes tons of cars parked along both sides of the road leading to the main parking lot! All trails rated this trail as difficult. It starts off with a shady trail but a little muddy, the trail gradually declines, so keep in mind when you come back out the same way, it gradually inclines. It is out and back. Maybe 1.5-2 miles in, you'll see the cave. After the cave, there's minimal shade and can get pretty warm. Wear good traction hiking shoes, the rocks can get pretty slippery near the waterfall. Right before the waterfall, there's another trail that goes down to avoid going over the water. We chose to skip rocks, be careful as the waterfall is pretty heavy and strong at this time. But do stop and take in the sound and view of the waterfall! About 4.1 miles down, take the trail that leads you down to the water. There's plenty of rocks for you to keep your distance from other people. Bring a light lunch and take in the views and enjoy the sound of cascading water flow. Don't forget the climb back up to the trail head. read more
7 years ago
This is one of our favorite hikes. We will pack a light lunch & don't forget to bring some mosquito repellent the hike is pretty mellow for Regular hikers. The scenery is beautiful. I love when we make it to the bottom by the river . Nice areas for lunch. read more
10 years ago
9 years ago
If you're a beginner at hiking I don't recommend coming here. Exciting, dangerous, breath taking. Don't bring your kids. Crossing through waterfalls on logs with no balance is hard I almost had to turn around and call it quits. read more
10 years ago
8 years ago
Amazing hike! You get such great views of the American river and such a great workout. The trail is narrow at parts and the waterfall crossing can be sketchy after lots of rain, but luckily there is another path that leads you to a lower part of the waterfall to cross!. read more
7 years ago
9 years ago
12 years ago
Great hike! When the river is high enough there are natural water slides at the bottom (about 4 1/2 miles down). We also saw a UFO when snapping some pictures, pretty exciting! Bring plenty of water, the hike back up can be brutal in the heat. read more
11 years ago
One of my favorite local hikes!!! I think the views are breath taking and absolutely lovely. I was surprised that this was situated within an hour's drive from Sacramento. It's definitely a hidden gem. I hiked this trail twice - two weekends in a row. My husband and I decided to scout out the trail before taking a group of our friends there. Our first hike was on a Sunday, May 17, 2015 (just the two of us) and our second hike was on Monday, May 25, 2015 (12 of us). We live in Elk Grove, CA so the drive from our house to the trail head parking lot was about 1 hour. My review will be mainly based on our first hike (5/17/15). TRAILHEAD The trailhead wasn't hard to find. If you use Google maps, you should find your way there easily. The parking lot isn't that big, but there is a bathroom so that was a plus (it was non-flush though). If you want a parking space, make sure you get there before 8AM. Otherwise, you'll have to park on the side of the road. THE TRAIL We started our hike by running (carefully) down to the river and then we hiked back up. Running was a bit of a challenge because the trail was rocky at some sections. We also had to climb these big rock boulders. Because we ran downhill, when it was time to hike back uphill, our legs were burning up and our heart rates skyrocketed. I would rate this trail moderate due to the incline back up, although the hike down to the river was fairly easy. Because we started so early in the morning, it was extremely quiet and serene. It was overcast with a cool breeze. I'm glad it was overcast because majority of the hike is out in the open. (For our 2nd hike, it was a sunny day and the heat was unbearable). There was no one else with us on the trail when we ran down to the river, however, on our way back, we met several other hikers along the way. (On our 2nd hike, we started late so on our return hike back to the car, there were a ton of other hikers, which made the hike back a little distracting due to all the foot traffic). We hiked/ran a total of about 7+ miles round-trip. Those that are afraid of heights may want to think twice before taking on this trail. A good portion of the trail is set right along the edge of the hill. Some parts are barely wide enough for two people to pass by each other. Most of the time, one person would need to step to the side and hug the wall of the hill so that the other can pass by. To me, this was the best part though as it adds a little bit of excitement to the hike. Also, because the trail is set on the edge, there is nothing blocking the beautiful panoramic view of the hills and river below. I couldn't stop staring. There were parts of the trail that were less interesting and dull, but luckily those parts were short and didn't last long. And there was an old mine cave, which makes you realize how old this trail is (gave me a bit of chills hiking it so early in the morning). THE RIVER It didn't take us long to get down to the river. Since we started our hike so early (6AM), we got down to the river before 8AM. The water was super icy as it always is (American River). We didn't trek further up north. We ate our snacks and just soaked in the beauty of mother nature. It was very peaceful and quiet down by the river. The water was crystal clear. (On our second trip, the sun was out so we dipped our feet in the water and hung out by the river for a much longer time. There were other hikers taking a dip in the water.) TIPS: -I recommend getting there early. Our 6AM hike was much more peaceful than our 8AM hike. -I would NOT recommend for small children as the trail is on the edge and you have to climb some boulders to continue onto the trail (we did bring our 15-year old). -Bring plenty of water and snacks. It's only 7 miles, but the incline will extend your hike time. Bring plenty to drink and eat. We had ice cold watermelon waiting for us in a cooler in our car. Best idea ever!!! -Wear appropriate hiking/walking shoes. The uphill hike back is no joke. -Do your research before you go so you know what to expect (distance of hike, altitude info, elevation +/-, weather, etc). read more
11 years ago
The best trail I've been on, it was a killer, but worth it for the view. I would not suggest this for beginners , and make sure to bring lots of water, good hiking shoes, sunscreen, and food for energy. read more
9 years ago
11 years ago
If you're looking for a semi difficult hiking spot, you've come to the right place. The hike down is easy and there is a spot to view the mountains half way through the hike. If you keep going 15-20 minutes down, you'll find a small cave which the first time went didn't go to far. And last time I went, there was a different way to go. It seemed like it would go further but my friends and I were a bit iffy about exploring it. There is a big rock blocking half of the way and support pillars on the sides. The next spot to stop is about 20-30 minutes down where you can go swimming and jump off the rocks. At the end, there is also a swimming spot and a pretty open space full of rocks to set up a tent or a little bonfire. Going back is the toughest part because it's mostly incline and it's tough. You need to bring a lot of water with you and FOOD! Have fun:) read more
11 years ago
Crazy beautiful hike that is currently littered with a ton of wild flowers (May 23rd)! The hike is 9 miles round trip. It takes about 4.5 miles to get to the North Fork American River where the river is running quite strong. The hike back is a lot more uphill than expected but was still a breeze for me! Arrive early for the best parking. We arrived at 8am and there was 3 cars in the lot. We finished at Noon and the lot was full along with people having to park on the sides of the road before the parking lot. There is also a well kept bathroom in the parking lot and parking is free!! Happy Hiking!! read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
11 years ago
One of my favorite day hikes ever! There is a great waterfall and amazingly deep mining shaft/cave that goes back at least 20 feet into the rock. Scenic views of the American River right around from the corner of this cave about a 30 minute hike in. It is a gentle grade downhill until you spot the The trail crosses a few dirt roads so it's handy that you still have cell phone/GPS coverage in case you missed the signs, and to get off trail, which I did once. Definitely two thumbs up! read more
11 years ago
THE BEST HIKE OF MY LIFE HAPPENED HERE ! OMG , I always wanted to do something like this but I never had a chance till I moved to Roseville and met new friends who took me with them . I had to wake up at 4:30 two days ago and go on this crazy hike but it was so worth it . I mean the whole way down to the river was kind of easy but then the hike back was hard but if you do it once in a week, after a while you will get used to it and you will be fine . The river was clear , I even went down the river for some more adventure . I mean the place was magical .. It was a great experience ! read more
8 years ago
This hike is amazing if you come prepared. The views are so beautiful and the colorful flowers were gorgeous along the trail. The views when looking down at the river from so high up were breathtaking You can swim in the river at the bottom but coming back to the car is uphill and strenuous. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen and bring lots of water. read more
6 years ago
The hike overall was a pretty good one, nothing ever comes easy but I really wish that there would just be an easier access to the water lol. I forgot my pair of grey Roshe runs with orange specks on the soles in the parking lot...upset with myself but all good. Once we reached the water it was really rewarding and I finally got the chance to enjoy my Subway sandwich. (: read more
11 years ago
10 years ago
We had a great time on this hike with our two dogs. 4.5 miles to the river from the trailhead. Toward the end it does get a little tense because you are hiking along the edge of the mountain with the river down below. There is one spot where there is a rocky spot that has a cliff right on it. Just watch your step and you will be fine. The river spot at the end is pretty sweet. Bring lots of water. read more
8 years ago
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12 years ago
9 years ago
8 years ago
Definitely not for a beginner, but definitely a must do!! The trail is adventurous both directions and just a great way to spend your day hiking. Family and pet oriented. read more
10 years ago
13 years ago
11 years ago
9 years ago
Lovely trail! The first .7 mi is a gentle descent under pleasant shade trees. Then there's a .25 mi stretch in the sun with slight incline. Then it's back into broken shade until you reach the waterfall (at about 1.35mi). Just another .5 mile or so and you're enjoying the beautiful unbroken vistas of the river and canyon as the trail skirts the side of the mountain. Then for the next 2 miles the trail basically parallels the river as it slowly descends to meet it. Never any super strenuous drop or climb as the grade is so gradual. You can keep up a good conversation or enjoy the lovely views while you walk. Very, very pleasant. I don't know that we actually made it to the official end of the trail. We kept taking the highest trail whenever it would fork, and stayed on it until we had descended to within 20 yards of the river. Then we crossed a tributary and followed a trail for 15 yards or so to the river's edge where the trail petered out. My watch said we had gone 3.7 miles. My wife's phone said we had gone 4.0 miles. So not sure which was accurate. I heard that the trail was 4.5 miles one way, but couldn't figure where it would go from there. After enjoying the (ice cold) water for a while we started back. It was when we got back to the tributary that we saw another trail heading away from the river parallel to the tributary stream. I assume that must be the rest of the trail and it must go on for another .5 to .8 miles or so if the trail is truly 4.5 mi one way. Don't know, though, as we didn't have time to follow it to find out. An adventure for another time! read more
12 years ago
Wonderful hike! Seriously a must for anyone in the area. Just be aware that the trail has plenty of poison oak and pricker bushes along the sides. read more
11 years ago
9 years ago
10 years ago
More info about Stevens Trail
I - 80 E
Colfax, CA 95713
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Where is the trailhead?
DIRECTIONS: Follow I-80 East towards the town of Colfax and exit at North Canyon Way. Travel along North Canyon Way for about a mile. Go past the Colfax cemetery to the…
Review Highlights - Stevens Trail
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