Overview
Sturtevant Falls is one of the closest genuine waterfalls to downtown Los Angeles, and the hike to reach it is short enough that calling it a full-day outing feels like an exaggeration. From Chantry Flat, a parking area at the end of a winding mountain road above Arcadia, the trail drops into Big Santa Anita Canyon and follows the creek upstream through a riparian forest to a 50-foot waterfall that runs from December through April.
What makes this hike interesting beyond the falls is the canyon itself. Big Santa Anita Canyon is dotted with private backcountry cabins built in the 1910s and 1920s, when the Forest Service offered long-term leases to Angelenos who wanted mountain retreats without roads. The cabins have no vehicular access. Everything goes in and out on foot or by pack mule. Some are still used regularly and kept in good repair. Walking through the colony is like stepping into a different version of Southern California that most people don't know exists.
The Route
Chantry Flat to the canyon floor (0 to 0.4 miles): The trail starts paved and switchbacks steeply down the canyon wall, dropping about 200 feet into the creek drainage. The pavement is slippery when wet.
Canyon floor to the cabin colony (0.4 to 1.2 miles): Once you reach the creek, the trail flattens into a forested walk along the water. Alders and big-leaf maples form a canopy, and the understory is thick with ferns and wildflowers in spring. The creek crossings here are minor, usually rock-hoppable. The first cabins appear around mile 0.8. Some have names, most have porches, and a few have smoke coming from the chimneys on winter weekends.
Cabin colony to Sturtevant Falls (1.2 to 1.8 miles): Past the main cabin cluster, the trail continues upstream, crossing the creek a few more times. The canyon narrows slightly. The falls announce themselves with sound before you see them: a deep, rushing roar when water is high, or a quieter trickle in the drier months. The waterfall drops 50 feet down a dark rock face into a pool at the base.
When to Visit
December through March is the prime window. Water flow is highest after winter rains, the maples turn orange and yellow (best in November and December), and temperatures in the canyon stay cool. The falls can be genuinely impressive after a wet storm cycle.
April and May work well, especially for wildflowers on the canyon slopes. Water flow starts to drop but the falls are usually still running.
June through October: The falls are often reduced to a trickle or dry entirely. The canyon remains shaded and cooler than open trails, but it loses much of its appeal without the waterfall. Heat in the parking lot can be significant in summer.
Practical Details
Parking: The Chantry Flat lot holds about 100 cars but fills fast on weekend mornings. An Adventure Pass is required. Arrive by 8 AM on any weekend between December and April, or plan for overflow parking on Santa Anita Canyon Road and add a walk. Restrooms with flush toilets are available at the trailhead.
Dogs: Not allowed in Big Santa Anita Canyon. The Forest Service enforces this.
The paved section at the start: The switchbacks down to the canyon floor are paved but can be slick with leaf debris or ice in cold weather. The return climb is the hardest part of the hike.
Cabins: The private cabins are private. Don't wander onto porches or into yards. The cabin owners are part of an association with long-standing leases, and many take a dim view of hikers treating their property as a curiosity.
Trail continuation: The trail continues past Sturtevant Falls to Spruce Grove Trail Camp (another 0.5 miles) and eventually climbs to Chantry Flat via the Upper Winter Creek Trail, forming a 5-mile loop. This extension adds significant elevation gain and is best for hikers who want more than the out-and-back.
No water: Don't rely on the creek for drinking water without treatment. The canyon has human use both from hikers and cabin residents.
Getting There
From the 210 Freeway in Arcadia, take the Santa Anita Avenue exit and head north. Santa Anita Avenue becomes Santa Anita Canyon Road and winds up the mountain for about 7 miles to the Chantry Flat parking area. The road has tight switchbacks at the top. The drive takes about 20 to 25 minutes from the freeway. From downtown LA, plan for 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
The Bottom Line
Sturtevant Falls is a reliable half-day hike close to the city. It doesn't have the drama of the Bridge to Nowhere or the physical challenge of Mt. Baldy, but it offers something those hikes don't: a glimpse into the quiet life of the San Gabriel canyon settlements, plus a legitimate 50-foot waterfall within arm's reach of millions of people who have no idea it exists. Come on a weekday in January or February after a week of rain. You'll have the canyon mostly to yourself and the falls will be running hard.
Other waterfall hikes in Angeles National Forest worth comparing: Eaton Canyon Falls near Pasadena is free and closer to the city but significantly more crowded; Trail Canyon Falls near Sunland-Tujunga is a 4-mile moderate option with fewer visitors than either Eaton or Sturtevant. For summit hikes to pair with the Big Santa Anita Canyon area, San Gabriel Peak and Josephine Peak are both accessible on the same day trip. The full best hikes near Los Angeles guide is a useful resource for planning a multi-day visit.