Everything You Need to Know to Hike Switzer Falls Trail
Last Updated: April 8, 2024
After a year of exploring trails in Los Angeles, Switzer Falls is definitely our favorite so far! The trail to Switzer Falls offers the perfect combination of shaded walks along brooks & streams, exposed ridge walks with mountain views, and a lovely waterfall at the end where you can swim. Plus, your dog can come too as Switzer Falls is dog-friendly. Just be sure to bring dog waste bags as those are not provided.
Complete Guide to Switzer Falls Trail
- How long is Switzer Falls Trail?
- Is there parking at Switzer Falls?
- Do you have to pay for parking at Switzer Falls?
- Are there bathrooms at Switzer Falls?
- How difficult is the Switzer Falls Trail?
- What are the different parts of the Switzer Falls Trail?
- Do you need hiking boots to hike to Switzer Falls?
- Can you swim at Switzer Falls?
- Is Switzer Falls dog friendly?
- Can you take a guided hike through Switzer Falls?
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How long is Switzer Falls Trail?
AllTrails will tell you that Switzer Falls is a 3.7-mile out and back trail. However, for us it ended up being about 5.5 miles round trip. Why? Well, the parking lot at the trailhead was full (more on this below), so we had to park on the road (Highway 2). The parking on Highway 2 is at least .5 miles from the Switzer Falls trailhead. This means that walking to and from your car will add at least 1 mile to your trip.
All in all, our Apple Watch calculated that the total trip for Switzer Falls was about 5.5 miles, starting from our car, to the waterfall, and back.
Is there parking at Switzer Falls?
There are four parking lots for Switzer Falls:
- The main parking lot right at the trailhead, about .5 miles down Switzer Truck Trail Road from Highway 2 (i.e. Angeles Crest Highway, the main road you take to get to Switzer Falls)
- A parking lot about halfway down Switzer Truck Trail off Highway 2,
- A small parking lot on Highway 2 right at the Switzer Picnic Area turnoff for Switzer Falls, and
- Another small parking lot on Highway 2 just past the Switzer Picnic Area turnoff, which is where we parked.
If you want to park in the lots closest to the trailhead on a Saturday, you need to get to the trail by 8:00am to find a spot. We got there around 10:00am on a Saturday in July, and all the first three lots were completely full. Thankfully, there was still plenty of space to park along the side of Highway 2.
Do you have to pay for parking at Switzer Falls?
Yes and no. For the main parking lot right at the Switzer Falls trailhead and the second lot midway down from Highway 2, you need a paid California Adventure Pass. Unfortunately, there is no way to buy an Adventure Pass onsite, so you must purchase an Adventure Pass in advance to park at Switzer Falls. You can check out the U.S. Forest Service’s list of authorized vendors to buy your California Adventure Pass. You can get a day pass for $5 or a $30 annual pass. The closest Adventure Pass vendor to Switzer Falls is the La Cañada Shell.
Thankfully, all the parking at the top on Highway 2 is free and doesn’t require an Adventure Pass. But, as we mentioned above, parking on Highway 2 will add about 1 mile round trip to your hike. Also, the turnoff road down to the Switzer Falls trailhead is quite steep, so be prepared for an extra workout!
Are there bathrooms at Switzer Falls Trail?
Yes, there are multiple vault bathrooms at the parking lot by the trailhead for Switzer Falls Trail. There are also vault toilets several yards past the start of the trail, near the picnic area.
Additionally, there is one more vault toilet at the turnoff from Highway 2, where you’ll see the sign for the “Switzer Picnic Area” and the road down to the trailhead. Make sure you use the bathroom before beginning as you won’t seen any more toilets long the trail.
How difficult is the Switzer Falls Trail?
The Switzer Falls Trail is rated moderate, and we found this rating to be accurate in our experience. We were able to get through the trail with only breaking a sweat a few times, but we were quite tired by the end.
In fact, after completing the official trail, walking up the inclined road to our car was honestly one of the most challenging aspects of the trip, especially since we were tired from completing the trail.
What are the different parts of the Switzer Falls Trail?
Thankfully, the first mile or so of the Switzer Falls trail is completely shaded and relatively flat. Then the trail inclines somewhat steeply and brings you out to an exposed mountain ridge trail, which offers beautiful views of the Los Angeles National Forest.
After about .5 miles on the ridge, you descend down into the canyon for another .5 miles, where the trail is shaded and flat again. You travel about .5 miles along the stream in the canyon until you arrive at Switzer Falls.
One potentially challenging aspect of the Switzer Falls Trail is the multiple stream crossings. We lost count, but there were at least 10 water crossings one way on the trail, and then you repeat them all on the way back. But thankfully the stream was fairly narrow in July and there were plenty of sturdy rocks and logs to cross on. We also didn’t mind getting our sneakers wet because it was a great way to cool our feet down in the middle of summer!
Additionally, though much of the trail is shaded, don’t underestimate the possibility of dehydration! Bring lots of water when hiking Switzer Falls Trail, especially in the summer. We used a 1-Liter Platypus Bottle of water, and a 2-Liter Camelbak Water Bladder. Both of us drank all our water by the end of the hike, and we were glad we had left an extra water bottle in the car. Especially if you plan on sharing it with your pup! 🐶
Do you need hiking boots to hike to Switzer Falls?
Hiking boots are not necessary, but are not a bad idea. We both hiked in our running sneakers, and we were able to complete the hike without any issues. Although the trail is quite rocky at points, those parts were all relatively flat. The incline section of the trail is mostly clear from rocks and is not too gravelly.
We even saw multiple people hiking the Switzer Falls Trail in Crocs, though we wouldn’t recommend that. That being said, if you need extra ankle support or are prone to slipping, hiking boots are never a bad idea!
Can you swim at Switzer Falls?
Yes! Being able to swim in the waterfall at Switzer Falls was another highlight of this trail for us. When you’re hiking in the summer in California, jumping into the water at the end of the trail is the perfect way to cool off. You’ll see plenty of people wading into the water and some even ducking under the waterfall. But it never felt overly crowded at the falls. We went on a Saturday in July, and though there were lots of people on the trail, it did not feel too crowded to swim.
Is Switzer Falls dog friendly?
Yes! Another upside of Switzer Falls Trail is that it is dog friendly. 
This meant we brought along little Juni and she had a blast! As we mentioned, do bring dog waste bags as Switzer Falls does not provide them. Also, for non-dog owners, the Switzer Falls Trail was remarkably clean, unlike many other dog-friendly trails and parks.
Juni was quite tired on the return trip, and we had to carry her for part of the way back because she kept laying down from exhaustion. So, if you bring a small dog, they may need some assistance to make it through Switzer Falls Trail.
And be sure to bring water and snacks for your dog, because they risk dehydration on hot trails as well.
Can you take a guided hike through Switzer Falls?
Yes, if you would like to book a guided hike of Switzer Falls, you can do so. If you’re new to hiking and would like some guidance before venturing out on your own, choosing a highly rated guided hiking tour of Switzer Falls can be a great way to dip your toes (literally and figuratively) into a great waterfall hike in Southern California
Conclusion: Switzer Falls is the best hike Los Angeles
All in all, Switzer Falls Trail was a great way to spend a Saturday in the summer in LA. Without driving more than an hour from the heart of LA, you can experience a true escape from the bustle of the city with beautiful mountain views and a refreshing waterfall swim. As you can tell from the photo below, Juni had a blast at Switzer Falls, and she recommends you give it a try too. 😉
