California · Hiking · San Mateo Canyon Wilderness · Near Fallbrook

Tenaja Falls

10.8 mi
round trip
1,603 ft
climb
2,830 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Oct–May
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 10 h ago

Is Tenaja Falls open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Cleveland National Forest. It doesn't name Tenaja Falls, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Cleveland National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Tenaja Falls is a hard hike in the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness, part of the Trabuco Ranger District of Cleveland National Forest in California. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is an out-and-back of about 10.8 miles, with a one-way climb of roughly 1,600 feet from a low point of about 1,293 feet to a high of about 2,830 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Elsinore show April highs around 76°F and November highs around 73°F, while July and August average in the upper 90s. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The trail is natural-surface and not accessible. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Several other hikes start close by, including Morgan and San Mateo Peak Trail, and Wildomar Campground is about 3.8 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Upper San Juan Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society

    Museum

    On your way back · 18 mi

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