Are dogs allowed on Eaton Canyon Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Eaton Canyon Trail but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Eaton Canyon Trail?

No, Eaton Canyon Trail does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Eaton Canyon Trail?

Eaton Canyon Trail is rated moderate. It is 3.5 miles long with 915 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See California trail conditions

ModerateOut and Back

California

Eaton Canyon Trail

Pasadena, California

3.5 mi

Distance

915 ft

Elev. Gain

1h 23m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Moderate

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

Eaton Canyon Trail is a relatively easy hike to a 40-foot waterfall with views of the San Gabriel Mountains and Santa Monica Mountains. Its proximity to Pasadena, Altadena, and Santa Monica make this a very popular trail for casual hikers in Los Angeles. The trailhead can get very crowded on the weekends and those hot California summer days - but it's worth a visit even if you have to fight through crowds - especially when spring wildflowers carpet the lower portions of the canyon floor of the Eaton Canyon natural area. There is also an excellent nature center at Eaton Canyon Park near the trailhead, with great exhibits and many free presentations for those who are interested. This family-friendly Southern California trail will be easy for most, although it gets more rugged the closer you get to the beautiful waterfall. The trail only has a few hundred feet of elevation gain, but there are several stream crossings and areas of boulder-hopping and rock climbing on the way to Eaton Canyon Falls. Nevertheless, this trail is manageable for most people.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:296 ft

Max:450 ft

279 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.

Hunt context