Cedar Creek Falls

This hike is not as difficult as everyone had told me. It’s a downhill walk for about an hour then an uphill walk for a little over an hour.
We had to buy a permit, which is done online. You show your confirmation to get in. Super simple!
I would recommend to take LOTS of water. It gets really hot really fast. If you’re taking your dog, make sure to take lots of stops for them to cool down. I have a German Shepherd and he did great! We just made sure to stop for water breaks and to wet his paws for a quick cool down.
Overall, great hike! And the waterfall looks lovely this time of year so make sure to check it out!

Me and my friend started to Hike off at about 7:30 a.m. because it does get pretty hot there! beautiful beautiful views Hiking pretty easy to moderate hike all the way down to the falls ! one thing to be aware of is you do have to have a permit in advance to hike! they usually get booked up every weekend! you can get a permit online! And there is limited permits given out so make sure you sign up early! Down by the falls it does get crowded! the earlier you go! the better chance you have of getting there with some piece of quiet!

Cedar Creek Falls is a really nice waterfall hike in SD (if you go after a rain). The trail to the waterfall is pretty straight forward with a couple for creek crossings, scenic and moderate in difficulty. The total hike is a little less than 6 miles and my friend and I were able to complete it in 2 hours and 15 minutes… including time spent taking pictures and hanging around the waterfall!
TIPS for a successful hike:
1. Buy your permit online — $ 6/​permit and can be used for a group of up to six people
2. Arrive early! My friend and I got to the the parking lot around 7:30am and there was plenty of parking
3. Bring your ID and check in with the park ranger — located under the canopy on the left side
4. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AT LEAST 24−32oz OF WATER (the trip back from the waterfall is ALL uphill and you will need to stay hydrated)
5. Enjoy hike

Can’t believe after all the hiking I’ve done around San Diego, it took me this long to find this beauty. I’ve heard about it, but also heard rumors that it was closed due to deaths from jumping the cliffs or heat exhaustion.
First, I’m glad I checked Unilocal first. You need a permit! It’s only $ 6 and covers up to 5 hikers. Made sure you bring a copy of you and all your hiker friends’ ID’s because you will have to check in upon arrival. A sweet lady got us taken care of and offered some nice advice before our trek to the falls. We went about a week after the big El Niño storms because we knew the falls would be flowing.
I’ve heard and read a lot of things that say this hike is difficult, but it wasn’t at all. You hike down to the falls, so the way back is uphill. But it’s not too steep. We also went on a weekday so it was nice it wasn’t too busy. Going in January was perfect but I can see how hiking this in summer could be hot as hell! So definitely pack your water and go early.
The falls were lovely! It took us 2.5 hours to complete, taking our time and enjoying a snack and taking pictures at the waterfall. The sweet lady met and congratulated us on our return.
Definitely a hike I recommend in the area, and not quite as busy as Cowles or Mt. Woodson.

Please read this before you go. Buy your parking permits. It’s 6 bucks. Besides that, there’s a refreshing waterfall at the end and some people actually swim in the water. I didn’t though. There’s no cell service. So put your phones away and enjoy this awesome trail. Take plenty of water, especially on a hotter day.

I’m so in love with the views through out the trial!
I think this is the best time to go hiking in SD. The weather was perfect (not too hot) which makes hiking back up at 1 pm so much easier. It is downhill all the way to the waterfall and there was actually water. People went jumping in the water but they were freezing cold. Hiking back up was super easy. People say this is one of the hardest hikes but I totally disagree. it’s so much easier than 3 sister falls and potato chip. I would definitely recommend doing this hike.
ALSO PERMITS ARE REQUIRED so make sure you buy yours. They are $ 6 each and they are good for 5 people. They are available to buy online and make sure you print it and bring your photo ID with you because they will check the names in the permit.

For hikers or people who enjoy the beauty of nature, you have to visit Cedar Creek Fall! Aka Devil’s Punchbowl! Hands down, one of the best hiking spots in San Diego!
Entrance/​Parking: There are two trailheads to the Cedar Creek Falls. One is from the east access located near Julian, CA off of the Eagle Peak Road. Another is from the west access located in Ramona, CA off of the Thornbush Road. Based on my friend’s experience, the east entrance is easier than the west. There are limited parking near each entrance. Make sure you park in designated area only to prevent being towed.
Trail Length/​Difficulty: ~3 miles one way and 6 miles around trip. Overall, moderately difficult for most of people. The direction toward the falls was mostly downhill so it was not too bad. However, the way back is uphill the entire way. In the hot summer days, it can be very strenuous and exhausting. Keep in mind how beautiful the waterfall is and it’s all worth it.
Activity/​Tips
1. Cedar Creek Falls is most of the areas regulated by U.S. Forest Services and is required permit for all visitors. Make sure you have proper permit before you visit. Check out this website to reserve your permit.
2. The best season to visit is early spring to have good mild weather and most amount of water. During the hot summer days, it can be very dangerous with high risk of heat stroke and dry waterfall. Highly recommend to bring TONS of water, especially you have pets/​children with you. Check out the website for more information:
3. Swimming is allowed at the pool under the waterfall; however, diving or jumping off the cliffs is prohibited. Make sure you read all the important information prior to leaving.

This is a nice hike in Ramona. But please do not make the same mistake as me and come here in 90+ degree weather with just a camelbak to share. It gets HOT!
My boyfriend and I hiked here last weekend. To enter, you have to get a permit online ($ 6 up to a group of 5). There was a nice lady at the entrance who gave you directions and warned you about the excruciating heat. At first, I thought she was being a tad bit over dramatic… She said that one camelbak wouldn’t suffice for the two of us, they’ve had a few helicopters fly down to retrieve people who were too dehydrated, and it’s going to feel like it’s around 110 degrees.
Boy, was she right. Don’t get me wrong, the scenery is beautiful. You see plenty of green mountains and you get a very calming feeling just taking in each breath. There just isn’t any shade! And you are going all downhill to get to the waterfall and you have to go all uphill to get back up… Man, that hike back up was a mission! But they offer free water at the parking lot area and a place to rinse off as well.
Sadly, there was no waterfall falling from the waterfall. Serious drought problems. And the water looked pretty murky. I wouldn’t suggest you swim in here lol. Overall, it’s not an intense hike. Just make sure you don’t come on a scorching hot day like I did.

One of my fav hikes so far!!!
Easy enough to trek down and up (yes, another reverse hike… Just under 3 miles each way) without stopping in between, but challenging enough that I had to push myself to keep on trudging. (Yes, trudging is the appropriate word I think.) We came in from the Ramona side.
There are extensive directions about how to obtain a $ 6 pass for the day. You can do it via your cellphone in the parking area but you have to wait 10 – 15 minutes to receive to confirmation email. If/​when we go again, we’ll be sure to do it beforehand. There were luxury pot-​a-​pots, shaded picnic tables, and a water station with drinking spouts and a shower by the parking area as well.
There’s a ranger tent set up at the trailhead and they sign you in and check your ids there (so be sure to have them with you!). It’s a very well maintained trail with mileage signs every ¼ mile. It starts off with some switchbacks and ends with a very brief walk over some rocky terrain closer to the falls.
Not much in the way of a fall when we went despite a few solid days of rain earlier in the week. It was pretty crowded by the pool, lots of people taking pics, jumping from the lower rocks on the left, and just relaxing in the (green) water or on the surrounding rocks before heading back up. Sounds like they limit the number of people on the trail at a time and they do check passes and ids at the falls.
The way back up was HOT (of course we got a later start than we wanted to!) but it was also around noon on a mid-​July day. Like I mentioned, we made it back up without stopping. About a mile to the end there was a ranger stationed on the lookout for heat-​stricken hikers and whatnot, offering water refills (it was cool too!). Basically, the $ 6 was well worth the impeccable state of the trail and the ranger support.
Loved it!

Hiked yesterday Thursday 7÷9÷2015
Mileage: 5.6 miles
Time: 3.5 hours, went around 3 pm
Permit needed: $ 6.00 (go to
to obtain online)
aka Devil’s Punchbowl, trail name: San Diego River Gorge Trail
Ramona trail head is open off Thornbush!
I got off work early yesterday and wanted to do a hike with the best friend, we were gonna do Mt Woodson again, but then decided to be a little more adventurous and venture out to Ramona for Cedar Creek Falls Hike. After doing a little research we were ready! We also brought a dog with us (if you read everywhere online, bringing a dog is not recommended, but we brought him with us anyways because I checked the weather, and it wasn’t going to be overwhelmingly hot, I think yesterday’s high was 80 degrees).
Preparation: we bought a permit online. I also bought a gallon of water to fill my Camelbak and I packed an extra liter of water in my backpack. People recommend bring snacks too! We forgot…
Directions and parking: We typed in Cedar Creek Falls Trail head into google maps and it lead us right to the trail head we wanted, off Thornbush in Ramona. You go through a neighborhood to get to the parking lot/​trail head. I left from Carlsbad, and it took me a little over an hour to reach. Parking is free. There’s a lot and some parallel parking spots too. I can imagine it getting full on the weekends
Trail head and trail: There are vault toilets at the trail head! And also fresh water you can fill your water bottles. It looks like there’s a check-​in right when you start the hike. We didn’t see any rangers while we started or were out, but it was a weekday. Trail is well marked, with markers that have American flags on them telling you how much further (I think it’s 2.8 miles one way). Just keep following the waterfall signs and you’ll get there. You hike down into the valley, then you hike back up. So it’s a reversed hike. Elevation gain isn’t bad on the way back. But I can see it getting tough if it’s hot out. There’s no shade on the trail.
Bring plenty of water, keep an eye on your dog’s water intake if hiking with one! Also make sure the trail’s not too hot for their paws. If you’re aware of your surroundings, and careful with your water intake, this hike is a piece of cake! But again, watch yourself and others for signs of heat stroke and dehydration. Giant signs when you start the hike stating canines and humans have died hiking this trail from heat stroke.