Cataract Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Cataract Falls is a waterfall in Marin County, California, about 3.3 miles east of Bolinas. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Marin County, CA

Nearest town

Bolinas (3.3 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.7 from 34 reviews

Crowds

Quieter

Coordinates

37.92437, -122.62943

USGS topo

Bolinas quad

Getting there

Cataract Falls sits about 3.3 miles east of Bolinas in Marin County. Navigate to the coordinates 37.92437, -122.62943, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Cataract Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

California's falls are spread across national parks, national forests, state parks and county or regional open space, with a few on tribal land. In Yosemite and other heavily visited parks, the National Park Service has used vehicle reservation systems during busy periods in recent years, so checking current entry requirements before travel is wise. Many trailheads in Southern California fill early on weekends. The most serious hazards are swift, cold snowmelt and slick granite: people regularly die after slipping into rivers above waterfalls in the Sierra, especially in late spring. In the southern mountains and deserts, sudden storms can produce flash floods in narrow canyons, and summer heat makes midday hiking risky. Wildfire closures can also affect forest access in late summer and autumn.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Cataract Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of California. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 37.92437, -122.62943 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Timing depends on elevation. Low-elevation coastal and Southern California falls peak during and just after winter storms, typically January through April, and often fade by June. Sierra Nevada falls follow the snowpack: in Yosemite, flows usually build in April, peak in May and June, and decline through July, with some falls dry by late summer in an average year. Big snow years extend the season; drought years shorten it sharply. Spring-fed falls in Shasta and Siskiyou counties are the exception and are worthwhile in any season. High Sierra roads such as the Tioga Road and those to the eastern trailheads usually remain closed into late spring, and summer weekends bring heavy crowds to Yosemite Valley and other well-known sites. With 34 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Cataract Falls holds a 4.7-star average across 34 Google reviews, and 79% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the number 2 waterfall by review count in Marin County. Visitors have shared 79 photos.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Cataract Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on March 15, 1999, and it appears on the USGS Bolinas 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Barths Creek (stream, 0.2 mi), Twin Knolls (summit, 0.3 mi), Cataract Creek (stream, 0.7 mi), and East Fork Cataract Creek (stream, 0.8 mi).

Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains. Along the coast and in the southern mountains, falls are smaller and highly seasonal. McWay Falls in Big Sur drops onto a cove beach and is viewed from an overlook, while Alamere Falls in Point Reyes spills off a coastal bluff onto the sand. The Santa Cruz Mountains around Boulder Creek hold redwood-shaded cascades. In Southern California, Sturtevant Falls in the San Gabriel Mountains and Bonita Falls in Lytle Creek are local favorites, and Tahquitz Falls lies in a canyon above Palm Springs. Most of these creeks depend on winter storms, and many dwindle to a trickle by early summer.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Cataract Falls about 3.3 miles east of Bolinas is rated 4.7 out of 5 by 34 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Cataract Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.