Overview
Gray Falls occupies a quiet corner of Shasta-Trinity National Forest well south of the Trinity Alps and Mount Shasta visitor concentrations, which means most visitors to the forest never encounter it. The falls drop roughly 35 feet over a dark basalt face into a large pool on the South Fork Trinity River, surrounded by some of the finest old-growth Douglas fir forest in the southern Trinity Range. The 3-mile round trip is flat enough that most visitors find it easier than expected and the falls more impressive than the modest distance suggests.
The South Fork Trinity corridor is an important salmon and steelhead stream. In fall, salmon runs bring the river back to life and the lower section of the trail offers good wildlife watching. The old-growth Douglas fir in this section includes trees with diameters of several feet, a reminder that much of this forest escaped the timber operations that characterized the region through the mid-twentieth century.
This is a trail for visitors who want something beyond the marquee destinations. It rewards the instinct to explore less-signed roads on a map rather than following the crowd to predictable spots. Before visiting, check current conditions and verify road access through the relevant ranger district. Leave No Trace principles cover practices for riparian environments where vegetation is sensitive.
The Route
Miles 0 to 0.75: Old-Growth Forest Approach
From the gravel pullout, the trail descends gently into the Douglas fir forest along the South Fork Trinity River corridor. The trees in this section are genuinely large: old-growth specimens with heavy bark furrowed into deep orange-red ridges and canopies that block most direct sunlight. The forest floor is open and carpeted in ferns and sorrel. Creek sounds increase as the trail approaches the falls.
Miles 0.75 to 1.5: Falls Viewpoint and Pool
The trail reaches the falls viewpoint on a rocky bench above the main pool. Gray Falls drops in a single curtain off the basalt lip into the pool, which is large enough for swimming in summer when flows diminish from peak spring runoff. The basalt walls around the pool are dark green with moss and wet lichen. This is the turnaround for most visitors. The return trip offers different light angles into the old-growth canopy.
When to Visit
Year-round access is possible when road conditions allow. Spring (March-May) brings the highest waterfall flow and carpets of trillium and other wildflowers in the forest understory. Summer is the swimming season. Fall brings salmon runs to the river and quieter trail conditions. Winter visits are possible but check road conditions first.
What to Bring
- Layers: the old-growth forest stays cool even in summer.
- Swimwear if swimming in summer.
- Camera: old-growth forest light and the falls reward photography.
- Many hikers carry a water bottle; treat river water before drinking.
Practical Details
No permit or fee as of 2026. No restrooms at the trailhead. The trail is a day hike; no overnight camping at the falls. Dogs are allowed on leash. The Leave No Trace guide applies throughout.
Getting There
From Red Bluff, drive west on Highway 36 approximately 50 miles toward Ruth Lake. Look for forest road signs to the Gray Falls Trailhead south of the highway. The exact access point requires a current USFS map; the Shasta-Trinity NF visitor map available at ranger district offices shows the trailhead location. The access road is unpaved for the final mile. Cell service is absent in this area.
From Weaverville, drive south on Highway 3 and connect to Highway 36 east toward Red Bluff. The trailhead is approximately 40 miles from Weaverville.