Rose Valley Falls

This is a nice short hike in Ojai. There is a nice waterfall at the end and plenty of spots to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.A good hike for families not much more than a mile round trip and very little incline. We went in February and it actually snowed a tiny bit. It seems to almost have its own little micro climate. Wonderful views driving to Rose Valley too. Tips: park outside the campground for free parking and remember to bring layers the weather can be cooler or warmer.

This trail has officially taken the #1 spot on my list of faves - seriously my all time fave trail EVER! Even though it's a very short trail - the scenery is just pure beauty on a whole other level! This trail is in the Los Padres National Forest near Ojai. The trailhead is inside the Rose Valley Campground. It's pretty short and doesn't have much incline - we did 1.5 miles total with only 220 feet of elevation gain. The trail is mostly soft dirt and is well maintained and obvious - but there are some rocky areas and you'll have to cross a couple of little streams - but it's totally easy and doable.The area is still recovering from the massive Thomas Fire a few years ago - the vegetation and skeletons of burned trees made for an eerily beautiful hike! It was almost alien looking - red, pink, and yellow spindly bushes covering the ground, surrounding the twisted, charred remains of tall tree trunks, all amongst healthy green new growth that seems to be flourishing! Then there's the waterfall - well actually there are two really gorgeous falls along this part of the trail! There's one smaller one along the path, maybe about 2/3rds of the way in - it's shorter but big enough to be worth clamoring down the steep path and grabbing some pics! It's got a little tiering going on and empties into a large pool, so it looks really cool! The main falls are like something out of a Victorian gothic garden of sorts! Absolutely breathtaking- my fave waterfall EVER!! It's about 100 feet tall, the rock is all covered in vibrant green moss, and there are all these fern-fringed little caverns and holes - just amazing! The waterfall isn't a huge flow, but more like a wispy thin stream gliding down the moss with lots of outlets dripping out of the ferns all around. Rock scrambling is required to get up close and for any decent pics - but it's very manageable- be aware you'll get a little wet, mostly on your shoes but not too bad. We didn't need any poles but definitely recommend good hiking shoes.Apparently there's a third, even taller part - the "upper falls" that is around 200 feet tall - I didn't know until afterwards. But the route up is very strenuous, unmarked, unmaintained, and supposedly dangerous with a history of people falling and even a tragic death from a fall back in 2015! Shame - the pics of it look even more incredible, if that's possible lol!On the way out of the parking area, we noticed a lovely little lake that had tons of birds and waterfowl!! We stopped and walked around and grabbed some pics of course - just gorgeous!! The road around it is in pretty bad shape - but the walk around it was only 1/2 mile so it's small. The road into the forest and to the trail is well maintained- but you do go quite a bit far into the National Forest and there's no cell signal so be prepared. We parked outside of the gate to the campgrounds along the side of the road (free) - online it says you can pay $10 for day-use parking inside the campground. But there's a huge puddle you'll have to drive over and we didn't want to take a chance on it lol.There are several bathrooms but they were absolutely disgusting- all of them- when we were there - so bad we wouldn't even go in! There were more bathrooms near the lake outside the campgrounds that were in better shape and usable.

If it weren't for the distance, I'd be here once a week! My type of hike = Little work with a big payoff. 0.8 miles out and back flat, well-maintained trail (only 150 foot elevation gain) in exchange for a 300 foot waterfall. For California standards, that's pretty DAMN tall (pun intended)! Note: Access to the lower falls is easy and most popular with a 100 foot cascade; the upper tier is for advanced hikers with no marked trail.Rose Valley Falls is particularly gorgeous in the winter and spring when it flows the most and has spring flowers along the trail's creek. Since it is tucked in the forested nook of a mountain, there is a fair amount of ferns and moss growing on the black rock. I once came here and it was filled with little toads EVERYWHERE which was a spectacular, fun addition.Get Here:Rose Valley Falls is easily found on Google Maps or with the GPS coordinates of 34.5261184,-119.1880306. Hidden deep within Los Padres National Forest via Route 33 inland, past the hip town of Ojai by about a 35 minute drive, continue until you reach Rose Valley Road, then simply follow the signs to the falls trailhead. The views along the road are quite worth the trip alone. There is also the Rose Valley Campground which is free and first-come, first-serve to campers.

Decided on a whim to do a hike and ended up checking out this trail. It's not too far from downtown Ojai. I would probably say about a 40 min drive. There weren't too many cars going up, so there weren't a lot of people there. We practically had the trail to ourselves.The morning was cloudy, so it made for a pleasant hike. Along the trail, there is like a mini waterfall and body of water. Was able to take a couple pics with no one there.We continued on, and there was the main fall at the end of the trail. It was really nice to enjoy the fall by ourselves for about 20 minutes. By the way, we parked right outside of the campground gates and just walked through. When walking in, stay on the left and there is a sign that says trail. A little after that, veer to the left and there should be an opening before one of the camping spaces. That is the start of the trail.This was a relatively easy hike and is about a mile round trip. There were some areas that you cross over logs and streams of water, but not too bad.I would totally come back!

This is a great short hike that you can enjoy. The inclines are not as much so you can have a leisure walk or hike. The falls are at the end of the hike and well worth it. The views and the falls are enjoyable. This is great for kids or your dogs.

The falls are located next to Rose Valley Campground. If not staying at the campground, park a few hundred feet outside the campground to avoid driving through a water-filled ditch inside the campground gate and the $10 day use fee. The free roadside parking area has another benefit - it's next to a blue lake filled with ducks. Not visible from the road and plenty of people likely miss it, Upper Rose Valley Lake is over a berm to the left of the parking area.The hike starts at the backside of the campground. The trail had two easy stream crossings. At 0.66 miles roundtrip with 200' elevation gain, the difficulty is between a nature walk and easy hike. Only the lower half of the 2-tier 300' fall was visible up-close. The flow was a trickle and can go dry. Although a pretty mossy green, the falls were uneventful.

Short & sweet! Beautiful drive to get there & hike is lovely as well. Perfect easy hike.

Absolutely love this hike, it's the most gorgeous spot ever! Watch out for the one way roads going up, sometimes it takes 15 mins but it's well worth it!

Short easy hike (0.8 mi) to the falls. Trailhead next to site 3. Restrooms available prior to the trailhead.

My favorite waters falls in Ventura County. Been going here for 10+ years and today was my favorite time. Water is pouring, reservoirs are full, and weather is perfect.