North Etiwanda Preserve

It's a great hiking trail towards the Etiwanda waterfalls. The trail has part that's rocky and rough. It's quite a climb so hiking stick and boots are useful. There are no shades during the hike only at the end either lots of trees surrounding the area. It's a beautiful view of San Bernardino Mountains and county. It's worthy. Bring water and wear sunscreen. No restrooms available . You need to pay for parking. No dogs allowed. Be careful there's really San Bernardino security checking for parking and dogs. You don't want to pay penalty.

I did this 4-mile moderate hike with a friend, and it took us about 2 hours at a comfortable pace. My friend took a few breaks along the way, which gave us time to enjoy the scenery and the peaceful sounds of nature. There are some hills, but the beautiful views and the waterfall at the end make every step worth it! We started around 6:30 AM, and it was nice and quiet with very few people on the trail. On our way back, the parking lot was already full, so I definitely recommend going early. Parking is $7.00 for the full day, and they don't accept adventure passes. I had such a wonderful time being outdoors, breathing in the fresh air, and taking in nature's beauty always fills my heart with gratitude.

Nice way to get out in nature close to home. There's a series of light to moderate hiking trails here, the most popular being the Etiwanda Falls hike. I've done that one many times and tend to venture out to other trails nowadays to avoid the crowds. Parking is not free and can be difficult to find. Be sure to stay in the lot or you most definitely will get towed. Fees are $3 for up to 4 hours and $5 for a full day/more than 4 hours. There's QR codes and payment can be made by phone if you're lucky enough to have a signal lol. There's a lot of development starting just south of the area, so I'm not sure what to think of that. It will just get more crowded, but will hopefully stay open and available.

3.5* This used to be my almost daily trail. Especially during the summer. Hadn't been here in a few years. Decided to check it out again today. To my surprise they now have paid parking. I understand why they have to charge now. I'm sure not everyone pays (ahem). QR codes throughout the lot. Unfortunately, no apple pay available. You need a physical card to input the info in the website. I travel very light (phone, headphones, sunglasses, running hat, and license stored in phone case) so I didn't have my wallet with me. In short bring a card with you or risk a ticket and a tow. One of the things that irked me before was that no dogs are supposed to be on the trail but almost every other hiker had their dogs with them. This lead to lots of dog poop on the trail. This time around I saw zero dogs. My favorite thing about this hike is the abundance of sage along the trail and the pleasant smell. It's like an aura cleanse while you get your steps in. Most people are friendly on the trail. While others will see you coming up the trail and not have any etiquette. Please move over to one side or another. If you're in a group try and single file it and give others an opportunity to pass. Views aren't epic but they're still very nice. Looking to enjoy some time outdoors this place will scratch your itch. Very limited shade to none at all on the trail though.

Awesome for hiking! Miss going here, use to go almost every day! Gets very crowded! Get there early so you can enjoy without crowds

What happened, why is it so crowded? I used to hike here when it wasn't crowded and the parking lot was empty. My last visit was on a Saturday morning, parking already full. I had to park at a nearby establishment and Uber there. There was little shade while hiking uphill. It's definitely a great workout but annoyed how many people blare their own music while hiking. Upon reaching the falls, I noticed so many rude people. It's not so pleasant anymore. The water streams were beautiful but not so relaxing.

Parking is no longer free , scan QR code at various locations throughout the car park or at the entrance to the trail . $3 for 4 hours or $5 for all day parking . . ( Don't even think about parking in the sidewalk , Seriously they will tow your car )

Moderate hike with decent views. The start of the hike was the easiest. Where it starts getting tricky is when you get closer to the waterfall. It gets rocky so make sure to bring appropriate shoes. There is a parking lot at the foot of the trail. We had no trouble finding a spot because we came around 7am. When we came back down there was a line of cars so it definitely gets packed the later you go.

Wonderful moderate hike. Good for kiddos and fur friends too. Amazing views of the southern valley. The sun rises and sunsets are cool. Hike up to the stream for a special treat. Do everyone a favor, pack-out what you bring in! Keep it clean and a great escape for everyone.

Beautiful place to watch the moonrise! Have not hiked here yet, but I heard it's beautiful after the rain and flowers blooming!

Husband had to go on a hike as a school requirement so a group of his classmates (& plus 1s) all went together. We got to the North Etiwanda Preserve around 7:30am and we're able to find parking quite easily. The second group arrived around 8:30am and they had to park further down because there was no parking! The views from here are absolutely breathtaking. It was a semi steep hike and we did have to stop for a few breaks going up. Once at the waterfalls/water, we took the views in, took photos, and even put out feet in the water. It was freezing, but absolutely amazing. There were about 10 or so other groups up there when we arrived. Everyone comes and goes so it wasn't completely saturated at any point. We finally made our way back down around 10am. There were still several people coming up at that time. We'd definitely come back!

Needed something to do while waiting and found this place nearby. I went around 8:00 am and there were only a few cars in the lot, so there was ample parking. I decided to download the AllTrails app, just so I could track how much further we had on our hike until we hit the waterfall. The trail is mostly rocky, but can be done in casual clothing (I only had my toms slip-ons since I didn't plan on hiking). Most of the trail isn't shaded, so be prepared with water. The trail headed to the waterfall was a lot of uphill walking, definitely made for great exercise. The waterfall and creek were flowing and that scenic area made for some great photos!

I wanted to share my thoughts on this trail. In summary this trail are both easy+hard. Easy part: It is one way up, no climbing, not slippery, no water, you can wear very casual clothes and be able to hike to the top. Hiking all the way up to the river takes about 1 hour nonstop. Hard part: I was horribly dehydrated because it was so hot, I was hiking under 95 degree, no shade, no view, rocks everywhere, and worst of all uphill ALL THE WAY. I think some people may say it's really easy because it's just cardio, you don't need a cane or hiking shoes, but I can imagine it would be hard for certain people. Hopefully you can have a good understanding and have a good hike :)

After coming here for 15 years, they are now charging to be here. I've always loved it here and this was my safe haven to get away from the rest of the world as I'd sit at the top at the tree and gazebo and look over the whole city. Always so peaceful. It should have stayed free. I'd make it 1 star if I could but I love the preserve too much.

This is such an amazingly beautiful slice of land here in Rancho Cucamonga. I hiked the trail to the waterfall and it was glorious! Unfortunately, I was painfully disappointed in seeing the graffiti up there. It's so disrespectful to bring your "artwork" up into nature. It's also contaminating our local water supply which saddens me. Anyway, there are two creeks that lead to the waterfall and as of January 10th there was quite a bit of water running through the creek beds. The hike up is pretty much all uphill and a great leg workout. It's also ROCKY! Hiking boots or thick soles shoes work best. You may be tempted to turn back around if your not in the best of shape, but DON'T! The reward is always at the end of the biggest struggle. You got this! As for the preserve, there is so much to learn and observe! There is an old ruin of a chimney and there are so many informative boards explaining the history, the how, when & why's the water is collected and transferred to the local community. It truly is a history lesson. While there is so much more of like to share in regards to this epic place, I'm going to remain silent as to not tempt people to explore abc possible ruin the surroundings for the rest of us. But I will say this- they patrol the preserve. They are watching you. Maybe not every minute but they are there. They have stories of idiots getting caught graffitiing and destroying what Mother Nature has given to us. Please respect this land and don't lit end up closed and off limits like Sapphire Falls.

Very busy and you take a risk in your car being broken into the further down you park. Please leave no valuables in your car and make sure the vehicle is locked and secure. Watch out for snakes- enjoy your hike. Don't wear light colored shoes they will get dirty, lots of rocks, Be Careful.

Simple and easy trail as far as distance goes, the difficult part would be the rocks. Sooo many Little Rock's it's easy to slip and trip. It's about 1.5-2miles to the little water fall. I must say we could definitely use some Rain because this waterfall was pretty weak. None the less it's a beautiful site Bering surrounded by nature and life. Now if your Covid scared I don't suggest coming here, 90% of people had no masks on at all. There's no accessible bathrooms and parking is scarce so I would avoid a weekend.

First things first, if you are a beginner when it comes to hiking then this is the place for you. But, if you aren't fond of big crowds. Especially during COVID. Then you should probably steer clear. Unless you come when it first opens or right before the preserve closes. If not, be prepared to see A LOT of folks! And I guess that makes sense because hey, what else could we possibly do anymore besides exercise our little hearts out. With so many people at this preserve this Saturday it made it a little hard to enjoy the peacefulness that a hike can usually bring. But, there were bits and pieces that managed to creep into our trip up the mountain. Especially because the preserve provides quite a bit of shade and level ground to give you enough time to take a second, catch your breath and check out the beauty of nature. There are a few different paths you can take. But of course we decided the one more traveled. That's the one that gets you to the pretty little stream! The end of the adventure, and it is worth the hike. If there aren't to many people you might have a chance to even enjoy it. Take a seat and a quick rest before you head back down. All in all, it isn't a bad place to get a quick morning hike in. I just wish people would follow the rules about no dogs! And be mindful of others coming and going down the trail.

Beautiful views but good luck with parking. Do not park in the neighborhood below. There are signs everywhere that you need a parking permit. I have seen the ranger and police driving around to give tickets and tow cars. The park ranger told me that they actually do not want people going to the trail in order to preserve it which is why they enforced the parking permits in the surrounding neighborhood. People come and have no respect for nature. They leave their trash ex: beer cans, juice pouches and snack wrappers everywhere including on the residential sidewalks. Do better people!

Finally got to check this place out! Great local hike that's not too far away. I love hikes with waterfalls! It's about a 4 mile round trip hike that takes less than 2 hours to complete (including time hanging out by the falls). Most of the trail is very sandy and rocky, so please wear shoes with good treads! No shade until you get to the waterfalls either, so wear a hat! Perfect hike to do in overcast weather so you don't feel like the sun is beating down on you. Great views too! Tip: if you're hiking straight to the falls, when you reach the three-way division in the trail, take the center trail! Parking: free parking in the dirt lot in front of the trailhead. Restrooms: two porta-potties at the trailhead Will definitely be back!

I went here and there is no waterfall, even though there's a picture of one on the page. There was no waterfall on the map we saw either. It was an enjoyable hike with very friendly people who say hi to you and a nice little incline. The view is of Rialto mainly and you can see the 15 freeway, it's nice though I've seen better. Rocky for sure--small-medium type rocks that aren't difficult to walk on, just a bit annoying. There are a few forks and side trails so be ready to make a few decisions. Overall an enjoyable walk with a decent view of surrounding cities.

Parking There's a parking lot at the foot of the trail. Had no issues finding a parking spot. However, as we were returning to our car in the afternoon, there was a huge line of cars waiting for parking. There's been a few break-ins so I suggest bringing all of your valuables. Trail Easy/Moderate! Around 3.5-4 miles, round trip. At the start of the trail, take the middle fork, and then follow the trail as it curves to the left. The path is mainly rock and dirt. I would recommend wearing hiking boots if you have them, just for extra ankle support. It's an incline to the falls. I've been a potato for the past 6 months so this hike had me winded. Other hikers seemed to do okay, with minimal breaks. Maybe I should exercise more. The trail is mainly hills and shrubs - but don't give up, there's a waterfall at the end (it's hidden behind the mountain.. I almost lost all hope lol) There's little to no shade, which isn't an issue in the winter. I would bring a hat for the hotter months though. Covid Precautions The trail is wider than other hikes in the area (like Mt. Baldy/Ice House Canyon) So it's easier to socially distance. There wasn't too much of a crowd, but I did notice that about half of the hikers were not wearing masks. There are some narrow parts in the trail, though. I recommend wearing a mask/waiting for others to pass through at the narrow parts.

Parking wasn't really an issue, got there around 8:30 and was able to get a spot right away. Trail wasn't that bad at all, had a couple of steep hills but if your in any kind of shape you won't have any issues. It's about 1.5 miles to the waterfall, so not that far up. Wear sunscreen because there really isn't any shade until you get to the waterfall. Also make sure you spray yourself with insect repellent because bugs are an abundance.

Getting to the top is a long walk up a gradual incline. Arduous if you are not so inclined. For me, getting to the top makes it totally worthwhile. It took someone a long time and a lot of work to carry up all the rocks that line the wide, long, winding path. But everyone can handle the rocks. I saw families with school age children--some loving it, some like they just left Bataan. Some with dogs (not supposed to!) and some like they were on Everest. I would return to run up the hill for exercise. Around SoCal there's better trails more scenic than just the top 1%. But what a 1% it is!

Great spot but 4 stars because it gets crowded and you have to park down the street and risk getting towed.

Pro's: - It's a trail - It's outside - Maybe a waterfall at the end, depending on time of year Neg's: - Gnats like crazy - Graffiti everywhere - Inaccessible to park - No dogs allowed :C

Steady uphill. Not recommended for a beginner but more like a beginner/intermediate hiker. But once you arrive at the creek is pleasantly calming , fresh and beautiful. The Parking is small and be careful when parking in the residential areas. No restrooms :( Otherwise a great hike/workout.

Great home for the family, we decided to go in the afternoon and we were able to get 5miles in.

This is short trail to a California water fall near Rancho cucamonga... the hike is fairly easy with small incline that anyone can do. It is 3.5 miles round trip. You will first hike through tall grass areas into the woods... There are multiple trails to this place so make sure you plan your way before going... and please stay on trails due to damage done by those who wants to be adventurous... the water fall is short but beautiful... so let's keep it that way for other people.. The parking is small but free but make sure you park in right place or get a ticket.

Great hiking trail for beginners. The incline can get a little tough but with a few breaks anyone can handle it. It doesn't take long and it's mostly pretty even grounds. And who doesn't like to see a water fall and crystal clear water that you are tempted to take a sip from lol ! Great place to hike if you got two hours to spare. I've never seen any animals (thank God). Definitely recommend this hiking trail !

What a hike. First off this hike had a lot of flies so bring bug spray. There was no shade during the whole hike until you get to the waterfall. Lastly, the hike is very rocky so be careful and bring sturdy shoes. There was free parking available when I stopped by in the evening to hike. It's about a 3.3 mile trail and was very challenging for me because it was so rocky. We also saw a small snake on the side of the trail, so be careful where you step at. There is a beautiful and rewarding waterfall at the end. The trail was easy to find and everything was clearly marked. At the end of the hike while I was walking back to my car I saw the a girl had her back window smashed and was contacting the police to file a report. Please make sure to not leave valuables in your car.

Holy crap, this hike is marked "easy" in the "all trails" app. It's a LIE I tell you a LIE. I was freaking huffing and puffing and hallucinating most of the hike going uphill. With that been said, the hike it's beautiful. We went on a hot summer morning, starting out around 10am. The day was predicted to be at 104 at noon so we were trying to get there in and out before that. Super easy directions and plenty of parking. No dogs allowed but found plenty of doggie poop on trail... No water and very little shade, until you get to the stream at the end of the hike. The mountains present a beautiful backdrop that may distract your burning lungs on your way up. Persevere, uphill is just on the way to the fall. On your way back it's all down hill and I got a little breeze even. I would love to do this in the winter time and find some snow.

3.5 Stars Etiwanda Preserve is a decent trail with a water feature which is cool. Parking is free which is also a plus! The lot is mostly gravel and the parking spaces are unmarked. Please remember that DOGS are NOT ALLOWED on the trail although I see people taking their dogs here all the time. Sometimes there are park rangers there and will inform you that you cannot take your dog. This trail has A LOT of loose rocks especially at the beginning. Even if you had good ankle support with your boots, you can still easily twist your ankle so be careful. Obviously, taking a stroller here is out of the question as well. There's not a lot of shade so sunblock is a must on sunny days. The trail does not get shady until you are closer to the waterfall. Depending on the time of day, the trail can get a bit crowded too. Overall, since it's local I do see myself coming back, but is not one of my favorite trails and feels kind of short. I'd rather drive a bit to Claremont which is dog friendly. 35/100 Reviews for 2016

Out of the dozens of hikes I've been on, this is the only hike I've been to twice. The earlier you arrive the more parking will be available. It gets busy around 9am, but the trail is wide enough for big parties. If you're out of shape, you'll feel it. If you're in shape, it won't be too bad. Notice the calming musical sounds of nature as you make your way up to the waterfall... it'll help ease the pain because it's a constant uphill battle. My friend and I took several breaks because we haven't gon' hiking in a while. We also hung out at the falls for a few minutes. With that said, it took about two and a half hours. Bring water and snacks! It's a beautiful area to have a little picnic.

Good excercise and nice hike....free parking in the lot. Distance is about 3.3 miles round trip from the parking lot. If you come to see the falls only, you don't have to do the loop hike. You can just hike straight from the parking lot all the way to the falls. You will have to pass through BOTH METAL GATE ad go UP UP UP...nice incline...dont turn right or left or follow the arrow they provided. The arrow is for the loop trail. The trail is rocky....imagine walking on a rocky treadmill with nunber 6 incline for 1.6 miles. But if u decided to do the loop trail like i did, it's a slightly longer walk but the incline is not too bad and you get more distance and city view to your hike....it's all up to you. If you decide to hike further along the creek after you see the falls, there's nothing much out there really....just more shade and more creek but there's no more waterfall. Bring water.

After going through lots of dry rocky land, you will soon end up at a gorgeous refreshing area where there's a waterfall. How strange that there's a waterfall in the middle of nowhere! It's not a long tedious hike, so it's suitable for many. The incline is not crazily steep, I'd say it's pretty mild to low middle range compared to other places I have gone. It seems pretty clean, people are good about not throwing trash around, or leaving dog poopie. Be careful though, because with the amount of stones and rocks here, it can be slippery as the rocks move & shift under your feet as u come down faster. Along the side, there are usually areas with dirt for you to step on rather than just purely rocks. People here have been quite friendly, greeting one another with a smile & good mornings.

This is a nice enough offers a bit of a challenge.Though definitely doable offers a bit of a workout. It turns into a complete 180 as you reach a certain point in the mountain from a desert waste land to a forestry oasis . Would recommend this medium sized hike.

Nice "workout/cardio" hike up to the "waterfall". The hike up to the waterfall is a bit tiring, but it's not terribly hard either. I'm not in the best of shape & I did take a few breather breaks a long the way, but it was worth it. It's peaceful when you get to the water. The water itself is so clean and fresh! I highly recommend this hike. I saw tons of young children, to grandparents, to more traditional/cultural people walking up their in their semi-high heeled sandals. SO, you can do it too!

Was a fantastic way to appreciate and connect with nature. I say "was" because they have radically altered the parking and now forbid any nighttime parking at the top of the street. Gone are the days where you can drive up and get a fantastic view of the valley. Gone the nights of stargazing and astrophotography for those of us who want to share the universe with our kids. In the desire to preserve nature, it's management has severed a critical connection for the soul. What a waste of what could be a transcendent place.

3 miles up, follow trails leading upwards & on the right. Rocks & dirt paths then viola.. A tiny stream & waterfall (small) no one wading in this area. Bring walking stick for balance & help uphill. Fresh air & friendly people who seem like regulars here... I guess that means I'm becoming one too... I only live 2 miles away-- so happy to have found this gem. A gazebo with park placards is on the trail -- sometimes garbage is left there-- ETOH debris -- so I'm don't think this place is safe towards dusk. I hike it in the am -- 0600-0700 due to heat factor.

This place is a nice moderate hike! There is a bit of uphill work, but it just makes coming downhill much more fun. The sad part of this is that it is an absolutely beautiful place with a nice waterfall, but just poorly maintained. There is graffiti everywhere as well as trash throughout the hike. It is a bit of a rocky path, so I would bear that in mind when deciding to bring dogs and children. The falls are really nice too and make the hike all the more worth it! I would get there either really early or around 10/10:30 to find parking. A lot of people were parked on the side of the road, and I am not sure if I would recommend this. They have been known to ticket and tow people in the past and I saw a cop come in when I parked in the designated lot and begin to issue tickets. It just does not seem worth the trouble.

Clean trail, green, beautiful. First time my daughters and i experienced the trail. We made it!

Commonly known to the locals as Etiwanda Falls, the North Etiwanda Preserve is not a bad trail to hike. Upon searches, you will see that people often confuse this North Etiwanda Preserve with the Etiwanda Falls. Note this is the one that is in Rancho Cucamonga (north of the 210) accessed from the Day Creek exit. Let's be honest people, Etiwanda is not a city, it is still Rancho Cucamonga, as is Alta Loma. There are no trees that provide shade on this trail, until you reach the end, so be sure to bring your sunblock or you will get burned. The reward is at the end, where you see streams, and some small waterfalls. There are no restrooms here, for the exception of the dogs who relieve themselves on the trail, and the irresponsible owners who do not pick up after them. You will occasionally see dog poop on the trail, so watch your step. Something to consider before visiting: The parking here is very, very limited, so get here early. If you do not get here early, you will find yourself frustrated waiting for a parking spot. There is a very small parking lot here, I would guesstimate can hold 20 or so cars. There could be plenty more street parking, however you are bombarded with an array of NO PARKING TOW AWAY signs that are not welcoming. Being that the locals, and the city or Rancho Cucamonga are very aware this place is popular, they should either remove the NO PARKING signs, or perhaps expand the parking lot. My guess is the nearby tract homes don't want to promote more traffic here.

The hike was ok, not a lot of shaded areas but still a good workout and you end it with a nice surprise when you finally see some running water and shaded areas. The downside was when we returned to our car and we noticed someone tried to break in. The key area was completely removed and they broke part of the driver door lock and handle. Whoever broke in must be familiar with the area and knows it would be awhile before someone returns they might be keeping an eye on when you arrive it gives them 2 hours to cause havoc. Be careful

Love this hike! It's about an hour and half round trip without taking any breaks/stopping so pack lots of water! It's pretty much straight up the whole way and then down the whole time on the way back. The hike is worth to see the beautiful waterfall and views of the city below. Nature at its finest! Very busy during the weekends and the evenings. Sometimes there will be a ton of flies so wear bug spray or wear netting over your face. Last but not least, ITS FREE!!

Beautiful hike. Pretty large incline on the way up but the way down is easy since it's all downhill. I don't recommend trying to leave later than the posted times as they WILL lock the gate on you.

Doesn't look like much when you first get there but the views get better as you get higher and the shaded falls at the end of the trail is very enjoyable. My daughter who is 17, my wife and I are beginners when it comes to hiking. There were reviews that said this was an easy hike. Trust me its not as easy as it looks. Here are some suggestions I would give anyone planning to visit. 1. Parking. Come early or you will be forced to wait for a parking space or park in the residential area about half a mile away. 2. Water. Bring extra water and some snacks to enjoy when you get to the falls. 3. Shoes. Wear hiking shoes or boots. Wear the right shoes as the terrain is very rocky. 4. Sun block / Bug spray. Again I visited on a hot day and got there around 1:30pm, no shade until you get to the falls. Finally, take your time getting up there and enjoy your time when you make it to the top. Have fun and let me know how you liked it!! The only things keeping me from giving a 5 is: Parking is limited Portable restrooms were a mess

Oh my I went to this piece of crap mountain hike hills and I hated it far away to walk like 15 miles an hour no creek of water and to makes things worse it was hot 100 degrees you have to scan an app to pay parking dont waste your time here.

Great place if you like to hike. The parking is bad and if you park on the empty lot on Etiwanda your car will get towed, residents in the area do not like people parking there. The Rancho Police does monitor the area especially on the weekends and 99% of the time cars are being towed. There are many "no parking" signs along Etiwanda so that's something to consider when going to the Preserve