Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $12 parking.
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Open. MRCA's park page and press list show only Red Flag closure notices; the most recent closed MRCA parks October 15-17, 2026. MRCA says closures are decided daily and announced the day before when possible. The upper falls are permanently off-limits. What the status labels mean
Escondido Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall of about 150 feet in Escondido Canyon Park, Malibu. The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) calls it the highest waterfall in the Santa Monica Mountains. You walk about 2 miles each way from the $12 Winding Way lot to the base of the lower tier, which is where public land ends. The park is open except on Red Flag days, and MRCA's latest closure ran October 15-17, 2026.
About Escondido Falls
MRCA describes Escondido Falls as a multi-tiered falls of about 150 feet, the highest in the Santa Monica Mountains. Escondido Falls is in Escondido Canyon Park, on Escondido Creek above Malibu.
Why the upper falls are off-limits
Only the lower tier is on public parkland. MRCA says the public parkland ends at the base of the lower falls, and that the upper falls are not open to the public. It asks hikers not to climb, so treat the lower falls as the end of the hike.
Fire and Red Flag closures
Fire closed this park in 2025. After the January 2025 Palisades Fire, MRCA closed all of its parks in and next to the City of Malibu, including Escondido Canyon Park, until further notice. By June 16, 2025, it had reopened most parks, and Escondido doesn't appear on later closure lists.
MRCA now closes its parks during Red Flag Warnings. The most recent of those closures ran from October 15 to 17, 2026. The map pin is approximate, so use the parking lot address for directions.
Getting there and parking
Park at the Winding Way lot, 27200 Winding Way in Malibu, just off Pacific Coast Highway. MRCA lists the parking fee at $12, and we found no separate fee to use the trail.
Restrooms are only at this lot, MRCA says. There are none along the trail, so use them before you start walking.
MRCA parks are open from sunrise to sunset, according to its June 2025 reopening release. The agency can close the park on short notice for a Red Flag Warning, so check its park page or coastal access page on the day you go.
Public access along Winding Way rests on trail easements held by MRCA and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. On September 1, 2026, a Los Angeles court dismissed the City of Malibu's suit claiming those easements, MRCA said. The ruling didn't change access.
Map and nearby falls
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Hiking to Escondido Falls
MRCA describes the route in two parts, each about a mile, which works out to roughly 4 miles round trip.
Winding Way road walk
From the lot, follow the trail along paved Winding Way for about a mile. MRCA warns that it's a winding road with multiple blind curves, so stay on the trail and watch for cars.
Edward Albert Trail to the lower falls
The Edward Albert Trail then leads about 1 more mile to the base of the lower falls. MRCA notes that the trail crosses the creek several times. The whole Edward Albert Trail is 4.2 miles long, and you only need part of it.
We found no official difficulty rating, elevation gain or hiking time for this walk. Dogs are welcome on a leash, per MRCA. Turn around at the lower tier.
When to visit
Escondido Canyon Park is open year-round except during Red Flag closures. MRCA posts these closures on its website, often the day before, so make that your last check before you leave.
Best season after rain
MRCA says the waterfall depends on rainfall and is minimal or non-existent during dry weather. Plan your visit for the days after winter rain, and expect a trickle or a dry wall in late summer and fall.
For another falls in the region, Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks has free parking and short hikes. Inland, Sturtevant Falls in the Angeles National Forest needs a forest parking pass.
| Height | 150 ftNote: total over several tiers, per MRCA; only the lower tier is on public parkland |
|---|---|
| Trail | About 1 mi up paved Winding Way, then about 1 mi on the Edward Albert Trail to the base of the lower falls (MRCA). Roughly 4 mi round trip |
| Difficulty | No MRCA rating; mostly gentle, with several creek crossings |
| Entry fee | $12 parking at the Winding Way lot (MRCA); no separate trail fee listed |
| Permit / reservation | No permit; paid parking at the lot |
| Parking | Winding Way lot, $12 |
| Hours / season | Sunrise to sunset (MRCA, 2025); closed during Red Flag Warnings |
| Dogs | Allowed on leash (MRCA) |
| Swimming | No official swimming rule found |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | Only at the parking lot near Pacific Coast Highway; none on the trail (MRCA) |
| Best time to visit | After winter rain; MRCA says the falls are minimal or non-existent in dry weather |
| Managed by | Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) |
Safety and swimming
MRCA asks hikers not to climb past the lower tier. Do not scramble up the rock toward the upper falls; that area is closed to the public.
Walk on the trail beside Winding Way, not in the road, because of its blind curves. The canyon is a high fire risk zone, and MRCA prohibits smoking and open fires.
We could not find an official swimming rule for the pool at the base. Expect wet, slippery rock at the creek crossings and near the falls, and keep children within reach.
There are no restrooms on the trail. Carry enough water for a round trip of about 4 miles, and plan to be out before sunset.
For general tips, see our waterfall safety page.
Where to stay near Escondido Falls
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Escondido Falls FAQ
Is Escondido Falls open after the fires?
Yes. MRCA shows no closure except on Red Flag days; the latest closed its parks October 15-17, 2026. The park was closed after the January 2025 Palisades Fire, and MRCA reopened most of its parks by June 2025.
How long is the Escondido Falls hike?
About 4 miles round trip. MRCA describes about a mile up paved Winding Way, then about a mile on the Edward Albert Trail to the lower falls. You return the same way.
Is Escondido Falls an easy hike?
MRCA gives no rating. The route is mostly a gentle road walk and canyon trail, but it crosses the creek several times. Allow for about 4 miles in total.
Do you need a ticket or parking pass for Escondido Falls?
We found no ticket or trail fee. You pay only to park at the Winding Way lot, 27200 Winding Way, Malibu, off Pacific Coast Highway, where MRCA lists a $12 fee. The lot has the only restrooms.
When is the best time to see Escondido Falls?
After winter rain. MRCA says the waterfall depends on rainfall and is minimal or non-existent during dry weather.
Can you hike to the upper Escondido Falls?
No. MRCA says the upper falls aren't open to the public, and it asks hikers not to climb past the lower tier.
How tall is Escondido Falls?
MRCA puts the multi-tiered falls at about 150 feet, which makes it the highest waterfall in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Are dogs allowed at Escondido Falls?
Yes, on a leash, according to MRCA.
Nearby waterfalls
Paradise Falls14 mi straight-lineClosed40FT
Switzer Falls39 mi straight-lineOpen50FT
Eaton Canyon Falls40 mi straight-lineClosed50FT
Sturtevant Falls45 mi straight-lineOpen55FT
Bonita Falls74 mi straight-lineOpen400FT
City guides: Waterfalls near Los Angeles, CA
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls
Sources
- MRCA: Escondido Canyon Park (read Oct 28, 2026)
- MRCA: Parks closed after Palisades Fire (Feb 2025)
- MRCA: More parks reopen after the Palisades Fire (June 16, 2025)
- MRCA: Coastal access / Red Flag notice (Oct 2026)
- OpenStreetMap: Escondido Falls map location
- MRCA: Press releases, including the Oct 15-17, 2026 Red Flag closure
- MRCA: Court rejects City of Malibu's claim to Winding Way trail easements (Sept 2026)
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.