Lower Falls Picnic Area

Description: Located on the Upper McCloud River about ½ mile below Fowlers Camp. There are nine picnic sites with tables and vault toilet. Drinking water available. No fee. Day use only. Parking suitable for larger vehicles. ADA accessible. Features: This scenic picnic area overlooks Lower Falls on the McCloud River. It is a great destination for a lunch break, and is also the trailhead for adventuresome hikers exploring the McCloud River Trail. A half mile upstream from the picnic area, hikers will pass Fowlers Camp and another 1.3 miles will bring them to the base of Middle Falls, the highest of the three waterfalls. From here, the trail leaves the river and climbs via a short series of switchbacks and stairs to the rim of the canyon. An observation platform offers panoramic views from above the Middle Falls. For non-hikers, this viewpoint is accessible by vehicle and ADA trail from the nearby parking area just north of the falls. The rim trail continues upriver for another half mile to the Upper Falls Overlook and day use area, then eventually all the way to Algoma (15 miles). Round trip to see all three falls and return to the picnic area is approximately three and a half miles.