Green Valley Falls

Flowing in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, the Green valley falls is located off of Highway 79 which is midway between Julian and Descanso. Surrounded by the manzanita trees sheltering numerous species of birds, the Sweetwater river spills over large sarsens to mould a series of small cascades and swimming pits along the trails beginning from the campsite of the Green Valley Campground which is open from May to October. The closed campground adds another 2 miles to the hike as you take an alternate trail to first reach the campground on foot and hike from there to reach the falls.

With a year-round flow in the river, the falls remain a typical hiking spot but it transforms into a gorgeous white cascade in the spring and winters. The trail also offers a huge picnic ground with stone benches shaded with majestic oak trees for the hikers to relax. The cascade is divided into Upper and Lower Green Valley Falls. The upper Green Valley Falls drops along the boulders from a height of about 10 ft. The lower falls, located downstream of the main trail, on the other hand, flows through a wide stretch of rocks positioned in layers. Both promising different and beautiful sights to behold. You can choose to make your way back through the same trails or take the road leading to the Fire Road, signs of which can be seen around the lower falls. Choosing the latter will take you on a looped trail leading to the picnic area through a different path promising newer viewpoints, wildflowers and trees and from there you can take the same way back to reach the parking lot.