Right now
Right now as of Nov 3, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $35 per vehicle (park entry).
Status note (Nov 3, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell: on Nov 3, 2026 the NPS Current Conditions page (updated Oct 28, 2026) said "Lodgepole Campground is open." It listed no Tokopah Falls closure. NPS says the falls are inaccessible in winter, once Lodgepole Campground closes. What the status labels mean
The National Park Service (NPS) calls Tokopah Falls "a tall, 1,200-foot waterfall" on the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River in Sequoia National Park. NPS lists the trail as 3.4 miles round trip from Lodgepole Campground, with 600 feet of elevation change. It takes about 2 hours. Dogs are not allowed. The park entrance fee is $35 per private vehicle. NPS says the falls are inaccessible in winter, once Lodgepole Campground closes.
About Tokopah Falls
NPS calls Tokopah Falls "a tall, 1,200-foot waterfall." It is on the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, reached by a trail from Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park. NPS runs the park together with Kings Canyon as Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.
The trail starts just beyond the Marble Fork Bridge in Lodgepole Campground and ends at the falls. NPS ties the flow mainly to snowmelt in spring and early summer.
Access depends on Lodgepole. NPS says the falls are inaccessible in winter, when Lodgepole Campground closes. On Nov 3, 2026, NPS listed the campground as open.
Height and trail figures
NPS is our source for both the height and the trail length. Wikipedia gives a longer trail figure of 4.1 miles and calls the walk fairly flat. We lead with the NPS numbers: 3.4 miles round trip and 600 feet of elevation change.
Getting there and parking
Drive to Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park. NPS says to park in the large day-visitor lot near the campground entrance, then walk to the trailhead.
NPS places the trailhead "just beyond the Marble Fork Bridge in Lodgepole Campground." The map pin marks the falls, not the parking lot, so set your navigation to Lodgepole.
Park entry
You need a park entrance pass: $35 per private vehicle for 1 to 7 days, per NPS. NPS says entry reservations are not accepted or required. The full fee table is in the box above.
Road delays
The NPS Current Conditions page (updated Oct 28, 2026) warned of "traffic delays of up to 30 minutes on Generals Highway north of Giant Forest." That was the listing on Nov 3, 2026, so allow extra time for the drive.
Other Sierra Nevada falls in our guide include Yosemite Falls and Vernal Fall. Our California waterfalls guide lists more.
Map and nearby falls
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Tokopah Falls Trail from Lodgepole
NPS says: "This trail is 3.4 miles roundtrip," with "600 feet of elevation change." It estimates "about 2 hours to complete." That makes it about 1.7 miles each way.
NPS gives no difficulty rating. It notes that the climb can feel harder at this altitude, so set an easy pace and rest when you need to.
The trail begins just beyond the Marble Fork Bridge in Lodgepole Campground and runs to the falls. NPS does not describe the trail surface or whether it is accessible.
Pets are not allowed on the trail, NPS says. Plan to leave dogs at home.
Carry water and a layer, and check the Current Conditions page before you start. Winter ends access to the falls, so late-season trips need a fresh check.
When to visit
NPS ties Tokopah's flow mainly to spring and early-summer snowmelt. NPS also urges extra caution near the water in those months, so the biggest flow comes with the most risk.
On Nov 3, 2026, the NPS Current Conditions page (updated Oct 28, 2026) said "Lodgepole Campground is open," with reservations required. As listed then, the Lodgepole Grill closed for the winter on Nov 2, 2026.
NPS says Tokopah Falls is inaccessible in winter, when Lodgepole Campground closes. We did not find a 2026 closing date on an NPS page, so check Current Conditions before you go.
| Height | 1,200 ftNote: per NPS, which calls it "a tall, 1,200-foot waterfall" |
|---|---|
| Trail | 3.4 mi round trip from Lodgepole Campground, with 600 ft of elevation change (NPS). Wikipedia lists 4.1 mi |
| Difficulty | No NPS rating; 600 ft of elevation change, which NPS notes can feel harder at this altitude |
| Time needed | About 2 hours (NPS) |
| Entry fee | Park entrance pass: $35 per private vehicle or $20 per person for 1 to 7 days; $30 per motorcycle for 7 days; $70 park annual pass (NPS). Non-US residents 16 and older pay an extra $100 per person unless they hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass |
| Permit / reservation | No permit or entry reservation; a park entrance pass is required |
| Parking | Lodgepole day-visitor lot |
| Hours / season | No trail hours listed; NPS says the falls are inaccessible in winter, when Lodgepole Campground closes |
| Dogs | Not allowed on the trail (NPS) |
| Swimming | No swim rule on the NPS Tokopah Falls page; NPS warns that powerful undercurrents have swept visitors downstream and that snowmelt can cause hypothermia |
| Wheelchair / stroller | Not confirmed: NPS does not describe the trail surface or accessibility |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Best time to visit | Spring and early summer, when snowmelt feeds the falls (NPS); no access in winter |
| Managed by | National Park Service, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks |
Safety and swimming
NPS asks visitors to use caution near the water, especially in spring and early summer. It warns that powerful undercurrents have swept visitors downstream. Cold snowmelt can also cause hypothermia.
The Tokopah Falls page has no specific swim rule. Given those warnings, stay out of fast water and keep off wet rock near the falls.
The trail has 600 feet of elevation change at altitude, per NPS. Turn back if you feel unwell, and give yourself more time than you would at lower elevations.
Our waterfall safety guide covers swift water and cold-water risks in more detail.
Conditions change: confirm with NPS Sequoia & Kings Canyon before you go.
Where to stay near Tokopah Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Lodgepole (Sequoia National Park).
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Photos
Tokopah Falls FAQ
How long does it take to hike to Tokopah Falls?
About 2 hours for the 3.4-mile round trip, per NPS. The trail has 600 feet of elevation change.
Can you swim at Tokopah Falls?
NPS posts no swim rule on its Tokopah Falls page, but it warns that powerful undercurrents have swept visitors downstream. Snowmelt can also cause hypothermia. Take extra care in spring and early summer.
How difficult is the Tokopah Falls hike?
NPS gives no rating. It is 3.4 miles round trip with 600 feet of elevation change, and NPS notes the gain can feel harder at this altitude.
Where do you park for Tokopah Falls?
In the large day-visitor lot near the Lodgepole Campground entrance, NPS says. Then walk to the trailhead just beyond the Marble Fork Bridge in the campground.
Are dogs allowed on the Tokopah Falls Trail?
No. NPS says pets are not allowed on the trail.
Is there a fee for Tokopah Falls?
There is no separate trail fee, but you need a park entrance pass. NPS charges $35 per private vehicle for 1 to 7 days. No entry reservation is required.
Can you visit Tokopah Falls in winter?
NPS says the falls are inaccessible in winter, when Lodgepole Campground closes. On Nov 3, 2026 the campground was listed as open (Current Conditions, updated Oct 28, 2026). Check that page before you go.
What are the best waterfalls in Sequoia National Park?
This page covers Tokopah Falls, which NPS calls "a tall, 1,200-foot waterfall," 3.4 miles round trip from Lodgepole Campground. Our California waterfalls guide lists more Sierra Nevada falls.
Nearby waterfalls
No other waterfalls within 75 miles are on the site yet.
More waterfalls to explore
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Sources
- NPS Sequoia & Kings Canyon: Tokopah Falls (updated Aug 30, 2025; read Nov 3, 2026)
- NPS Sequoia & Kings Canyon: Current Conditions (updated Oct 28, 2026; read Nov 3, 2026)
- NPS Sequoia & Kings Canyon: Fees & Passes (updated Apr 17, 2026; read Nov 3, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Tokopah Falls (coordinates, Tulare County category, 4.1-mile trail figure)
Last verified Nov 3, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with National Park Service, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.