You’ll Fall In Love With The Tiny Waterfall Hiding Along This Breathtaking Southern California Trail

For those of us who have grown up in Southern California, Orange County has always been known for a few major things like Disneyland, incredible beaches, a historic mission, etc... but not waterfalls. So, you may be as surprised as I was to learn that there are waterfalls here, and one of the most amazing is hidden in a secluded canyon that is just begging to be explored. If you are up for a bit of an adventure, this waterfall trail in Lake Elsinore, CA, should be on your hiking bucket list.

The Chiquito Falls Trail is an 8.7-mile loop just outside of Lake Elsinore. Meaning “small” or “tiny” in Spanish, Chiquito aptly describes the waterfall on this trail. Although smaller than other popular falls in SoCal, it - and the surrounding area - is quite beautiful.

You will find a pretty good-sized parking area along Ortega Highway that is also used for a couple of other trails. Just FYI, you’ll need to purchase and display an Adventure Pass or National Parks Pass to explore the area.

This is considered a challenging backcountry trail, one with varied terrain and a rewarding payoff. It is also less crowded than the more popular trails, even those close by.

Hiking this trail involves a pretty good climb and descent, as well as rocky and uneven terrain, so you will want good hiking shoes or boots, and probably trekking poles (we love these lightweight, adjustable-height poles from Backcountry!)

It is the climb that actually brings rewards before you even reach the falls. The views from the trail are pretty spectacular.

There is not much shade on the trail (bring water and sunscreen!), but after a good rainy season, you will find pretty, lush greenery.

Chiquito Falls is seasonal so it is recommended to come during winter and spring months to really enjoy it. As with most waterfall hikes, you can expect some stream crossings which vary in depth depending on the time of year.

Despite its size and not flowing all year, this is still a stunning waterfall over beautiful rock formations and one worth the effort to reach.

Have you ever made the trek to Chiquito Falls, a waterfall trail in Lake Elsinore, CA? We would love to hear about your experience on this incredible waterfall trail. If you love chasing waterfalls, be sure to check out more of the amazing falls in Southern California.