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Feather Falls Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 150 Google reviews · Running trail in Oroville, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 7 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Feather Falls Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Kid-friendly hiking area featuring a waterfall, observation deck, and snacks.
What runners say about Feather Falls Trailhead
“The bathroom at the parking lot is the only facility and it was not clean.”
“Either one you take is a beautiful experience, make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks.”
“Due to the fire scars there's not much shade so pack accordingly, and best of all Winter is ladybug migration season and they're all here!”
Feather Falls Trails Feather Falls National Recreation Trail offers incredible views of Bald Rock Dome, Bald Rock Canyon, and the 640-foot Feather Falls. There are two options to reach the overlook at Feather Falls. At 1/3 mile past the trailhead, the trail diverges. A 3.3 mile path to the west and a gently sloping 4.
fun fact: this is the 6th highest waterfall in the world at 680 feet! Excellent views, moderate difficulty hike through a lush area. Worth the long, out of the way drive required to access the trailhead.
Loved this hike! Amazing view of feather falls halfway through the loop. Some incline but not too strenuous. Lots of shade under the trees. Dog friendly but beware of ticks (see photo)!
Amazing place to come hiking, just come prepared. The hike has 2 routes: a 4.5 mile and a 3.3 mile option. We did the 4.5 mile in and out for a total of 9 miles, totally worth it! The Feather falls are breathtaking in a perfect setting. If you hike up behind the falls there is a place to swim.
Trail conditions & character
“Feather Falls Trails Feather Falls National Recreation Trail offers incredible views of Bald Rock Dome, Bald Rock Canyon, and the 640-foot Feather Falls.”
“We went up on the upper loop and went down on the lower loop, the switch backs at the end were killer!”
“I recommend this approach to anyone not prepared for the steep climb out if you take the switchback traiThere.”
“Its a little scorched at the turn to the trailhead off Lumpkin Rd but the area itself and around waterfall are untouched by the recent fires, I recommend this to all!”
“Due to the fire scars there's not much shade so pack accordingly, and best of all Winter is ladybug migration season and they're all here!”
“Before starting the hike make sure to use the restroom since the trails don’t have one available.”
“5 mile path to the east is best for the inexperienced hiker.”
Plan your run at Feather Falls Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- Loop distance7 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitetrailspotting.com
- Social Facebook
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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