Bonita Falls

San Bernardino National Forest / Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA

About Bonita Falls


Hiking Distance: 2-3 miles round trip
Suggested Time: 90 minutes

Date first visited: 2011-05-07
Date last visited: 2021-01-18

Waterfall Latitude: 34.23028
Waterfall Longitude: -117.50477

Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Bonita Falls was one of those waterfalls where you really had to look past its flaws in order to appreciate its true beauty as well as the fun from the experience of getting to it.

On one of our visits, we even managed to get a surprise visit from bighorn sheep right around the waterfall itself!

Bonita_Falls_136_06122020 - Bonita Falls
Bonita Falls

That said, most of the flaws were human-induced so there is hope for a rehabilitation of this hike if the authorities here care to implement measures striving for it.

Indeed, we got to experience both the good, the bad, and the ugly with the Bonita Falls, which we’ll share with you on this page.

As for some of the waterfall’s characteristics, it was one of the taller waterfalls in Southern California as it’s said to have a cumulative drop of some 400ft.

However, we were only able to see its final 150ft drop from its base (shown in the photo above).

Bonita_Falls_129_05072011 - Distant view of the hard-to-see upper tiers of Bonita Falls from a nearby campground
Distant view of the hard-to-see upper tiers of Bonita Falls from a nearby campground

Its hard-to-see upper tiers were only able to be seen from a distance nearby at a private campground turnoff.

Adding to the allure of the Bonita Falls was the adventure we had to go through.

This involved fording Lytle Creek in high flow, a rough boulder scramble in a wash, and then a little bit of some rock scrambling to get right in front of the falls.

In the Summer, we learned that the high flow of Lytle Creek made for a nice spot to play in the water, which kids really enjoyed.

Bonita_Falls_020_06122020 - People playing in Lytle Creek, which can be quite the water play spot in the Summer
People playing in Lytle Creek, which can be quite the water play spot in the Summer

So it wasn’t unusual to see many families setting up lawn chairs and easy-ups while enjoying a good time around Lytle Crek itself.

Indeed, Bonita Falls had all the makings of a waterfall that belonged on our Top 10 Best Southern California Waterfalls List if not for the urban blight and litter.

Urban Blight at Bonita Falls

The only real bummer with this falls was the presence of insane amounts of graffiti and litter all throughout the hike (which you might have guessed this already from looking at the photos on this page).

Although I’ve seen such poor displays of respect for Nature in places like Eaton Canyon Falls and Hermit Falls among others, I think this one by far took home the crown for the most trashed waterfall that we’ve been to so far in the Southland.

Bonita_Falls_15_035_12312015 - The unfortunate impact of urban blight afflicting the Bonita Falls adventure
The unfortunate impact of urban blight afflicting the Bonita Falls adventure

It’s really sad that such a beautiful place like this can degenerate into something you’d expect to see in the Hood.

However, I guess it goes to show you how fragile Nature can be, and how easy it is to ruin a good thing when you let it.

I personally hope the San Bernardino Forest Service can do something about it, but I wonder how resource-limited the National Forest Service is.

This is especially the case when it’s close enough to the foothill cities like Rancho Cucamonga.

Bonita_Falls_128_06122020 - Graffiti and litter were rampant throughout the Bonita Falls hike, including the hidden spots like in this photo where someone left a target bag full in the bottom of this photo
Graffiti and litter were rampant throughout the Bonita Falls hike, including the hidden spots like in this photo where someone left a target bag full in the bottom of this photo

Such proximity to developments invites urban blight to creep in and constantly put pressure on the resources necessary to enforce rules and clean up the resulting mess.

The Bonita Falls Adventure – Crossing Lytle Creek

The Bonita Falls Adventure started after parking the car in one of the pullouts in the area around the confluence of Middle Fork and South Fork of Lytle Creek (see directions below).

Once we got out of the car and scrambled down towards the banks of Lytle Creek, we then had to look for a place to cross that creek in order to access the wash on the other side.

On my first visit here, the creek had high flow that I thought it was treacherous enough to employ river crossing techniques seen in survival shows (or at least be willing to turn back if the creek was deeper than my thighs).

Bonita_Falls_135_05072011 - Traversing Lytle Creek in high flow during a visit in May on a wet year (2011)
Traversing Lytle Creek in high flow during a visit in May on a wet year (2011)

By river crossing techniques, I meant that I had to look for the widest part of the creek or river, unhook the waist belt of my pack, face upstream, and use a stick or trekking pole for added balance.

For added comfort, I actually crossed Lytle Creek in Keens and then changed back into hiking boots once I got past the creek crossing.

However, on a second visit four years later (in the midst of a multi-year drought throughout California), Lytle Creek was easily crossed by the whole family while staying relatively dry.

Only our daughter required a little bit of assistance to get across while remaining dry.

Bonita_Falls_15_011_12312015 - Julie and Tahia traversing Lytle Creek with the aid of some planks that someone had laid out here while the creek was in low flow
Julie and Tahia traversing Lytle Creek with the aid of some planks that someone had laid out here while the creek was in low flow

It even seemed like some folks placed fallen trees or logs (and even a plank) that traversed part of the creek to make the crossing easier.

Needless to say, on that second visit, there was no change of shoes necessary.

The Bonita Falls Adventure – Traversing the Bouldery Wash

Anyways, the ankle protection from hiking boots were definitely needed on this hike because the next phase of the adventure involved walking a wide and bouldery wash.

It was here that the thought of twisting an ankle did cross our minds, even though we were wearing proper footwear.

Bonita_Falls_015_05072011 - Context of the bouldery wash that we had to traverse on the way to Bonita Falls
Context of the bouldery wash that we had to traverse on the way to Bonita Falls

So while in the wash, we made a beeline for the south (left) wall of the South Fork of Lytle Creek.

We did this because the waterfall “trail” itself lacked any signage indicating its presence, and the south wall was the nearest wall after the creek crossing.

Thus, it served as sort of a trail guide for us since we knew that we had to leave the wash on this side at some point (roughly a half-mile or so from the creek crossing).

Without the wall serving as our trail guide, we potentially could have missed the part of the trail that left the very wide and bouldery wash and went up to the Bonita Falls.

Bonita_Falls_15_023_12312015 - Julie and Tahia making their way up the bouldery wash en route to the Bonita Falls
Julie and Tahia making their way up the bouldery wash en route to the Bonita Falls

Of course upon hugging the south wall of the wash, we experienced the mixed bag of uneven footing and some moments of relief of the trail being relatively flat.

The canyon wall also offered a good deal of shade during the Winter mornings, but less so in the Spring.

In the Summer, the shade was minimal or non-existent so it made for an even hotter hike.

That said, it turned out that there were more flatter and less rockier informal footpaths closer to the other side of the wash (closer to the campgrounds) then ultimately towards the middle of the wash.

Bonita_Falls_15_026_12312015 - Hugging the south wall of the wide bouldery wash on the way up to Bonita Falls
Hugging the south wall of the wide bouldery wash on the way up to Bonita Falls

Thus, we figured that on a first visit, hugging the south wall might be the easier thing to do even though the hiking might be slower going.

However, on the return hike, it made sense to hike in the flatter and more sun-exposed trails of use within the center or far end of the wash since we knew where we had to go in general to return to the parked car.

Anyways, once we reached the fairly easy-to-miss footpath about a half-mile from the creek crossing, we then climbed up a more conventional trail, which even passed by a reassuring sign a bit above the wash itself.

We could spot this turnoff because there were more trees and vegetation surrounding this escape from the wash, which hinted at the presence of water in this hidden canyon.

Bonita_Falls_15_044_12312015 - Julie and Tahia climbing up to the graffiti-laced sign as the trail now climbed above the wash towards Bonita Falls
Julie and Tahia climbing up to the graffiti-laced sign as the trail now climbed above the wash towards Bonita Falls

It was too bad the sign didn’t say anything and it was covered in graffiti, but that sign kind of mentally assured us that we were on the right path to Bonita Falls.

The Bonita Falls Adventure – The Final Stretch to the Waterfall’s Base

Next, we continued going uphill from that graffiti-laden sign as the trail went past more spray-painted boulders while weaving between shrubs and trees.

Then, we had to go up some more rocky climbs amidst more graffiti before regaining the trail of use essentially skirting alongside the creek responsible for Bonita Falls.

Probably after another 10 minutes or so, we were finally up the last of the rocky climbs leading us right to the base of the waterfall.

Bonita_Falls_082_06122020 - Tahia enjoying the water near the base of Bonita Falls
Tahia enjoying the water near the base of Bonita Falls

While the last 10 minutes of walking and scrambling got steeper with plenty of deadfall obstacles and slippery rocky sections, they were relatively tame enough that even our four-year-old daughter was able to do it mostly on her own.

At the base of the falls, it was possible to do a little more scrambling to get right up to the pool beneath the main tall drop of the Bonita Falls.

It seemed the intensity of the graffiti was maximized around the waterfall itself, which illustrated just how defiled this otherwise beautiful waterfall was.

That said, on one of our early-season visits, this was also the place where we saw icicles spreading out from the upper reaches of the falls while bighorn sheep were grazing high up on the cliffs nearby.

Bonita_Falls_15_084_12312015 - A bighorn sheep seen just as we were right by Bonita Falls
A bighorn sheep seen just as we were right by Bonita Falls

Given how steep the surrounding cliffs were, we had to be cognizant of the rockfall and icicle danger.

So we stayed as far away from the cliff walls as we could, and we didn’t linger longer than we needed to.

In fact, the bighorn sheep we saw were inadvertently kicking down rocks, which rapidly tumbled to the base of the falls.

Getting hit by one of these rocks would definitely cause injury, and it just illustrated the inherent dangers of a place as beautiful as this.

Bonita_Falls_088_05072011 - One of the small caves near the main drop of the Bonita Falls
One of the small caves near the main drop of the Bonita Falls

In addition to the falls (and the sheep), I also made a steep scramble up the south side of the canyon up to where there was a trio of tiny caves as well as the possibility of glimpsing the Bonita Falls’ main drop rising above the foliage.

I found this scramble before the final dead-end containing the waterfall itself.

Regardless, I only managed to scramble up to two of the three caves as the third cave involved scrambling onto a ledge, and it didn’t appear safe to do any further scrambling in pursuit of Bonita Falls’ upper tiers.

The view of Bonita Falls from this elevated vantage point made me realize that its main drop might be more like 150ft instead of the 90ft that I had originally thought.

Bonita_Falls_15_148_12312015 - Julie and Tahia making their way back across the bouldery wash en route to our parked car at the base of those mountains up ahead
Julie and Tahia making their way back across the bouldery wash en route to our parked car at the base of those mountains up ahead

That said, like the rest of this side canyon, these caves were also loaded with graffiti, and I even noticed toilet paper soiled with poop left right in front of one of the caves.

Clearly, wilderness ethics were not being adhered to here, and it kind of demonstrated the lack of respect and neglect that this place sees as a result.

Anyways, it took me roughly 30 to 45 minutes in each direction to cover the roughly 1.5- to 2-mile return hike and scramble.

When Julie, Tahia, and I did this hike as a family in 2015, we spent roughly 2.5 hours away from the car (a bit longer than the 90 minutes I had spent when I did this hike solo four years prior).

Bonita_Falls_018_06122020 - Throughout Lytle Creek during our June 2020 visit, there were lots of spots where people were playing in the water to beat the heat
Throughout Lytle Creek during our June 2020 visit, there were lots of spots where people were playing in the water to beat the heat

Finally, on our Summer visit in June 2020 when Bonita Falls was as busy as we had ever seen it, we spent 3 hours away from the car, which included the increased hiking due to parking as well as some play time in Lytle Creek and Bonita Falls.

Authorities

Bonita Falls resides in the San Bernardino National Forest near Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County, California. It is administered by the USDA Forest Service. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website or Facebook page.

Bonita_Falls_001_01182021 - On a very warm mid-January 2021 visit, we had to park at about the same spot as our June 2020 visit, which probably added another half-mile in each direction. Unfortunately, most of the people we encountered didn't bother masking up despite the pandemic situation in Southern California
Bonita_Falls_011_01182021 - During our January 2021 visit to Bonita Falls, we noticed that there were a lot of barricades set up to prevent people parking closer to Bonita Falls.  That was when we started to wonder if these barricades were COVID-19 related
Bonita_Falls_012_01182021 - While looking down towards Lytle Creek, I was quite surprised at how much flow existed even though we were in mid-January. It was almost as if Spring had already arrived two months early!
Bonita_Falls_015_01182021 - During our January 2021 visit, we assumed that Lytle Creek would flow low given the dry and warm Winter we had. Therefore, we came unprepared and didn't have a change of shoes to easily get by this crossing of Lytle Creek
Bonita_Falls_018_01182021 - Julie and Tahia hiking in the South Fork of Lytle Creek wash in pursuit of Bonita Falls under the surprisingly warm sun in mid-January 2021
Bonita_Falls_034_01182021 - I definitely didn't expect to see water this far downstream of Bonita Falls in the South Fork Lytle Creek wash during our January 2021 visit (a dry and warm Winter likely due to Global Warming)
Bonita_Falls_038_01182021 - Back at the graffiti-laced sign at the mouth of the side canyon containing Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_045_01182021 - Tahia and Julie going up the path leading to Bonita Falls while trying not to mind the urban blight
Bonita_Falls_049_01182021 - Approaching Bonita Falls with surprisingly good Winter flow in mid-January 2021
Bonita_Falls_054_01182021 - While scrambling back up to the caves and an elevated view of Bonita Falls, someone left a trash bin here among the heavily-tagged rocks
Bonita_Falls_063_01182021 - Elevated view looking down at Bonita Falls with some heavily-tagged rock and lots of unmasked individuals at the base
Bonita_Falls_023_iPhone_01182021 - Tahia sitting before Bonita Falls in January 2021
Bonita_Falls_080_01182021 - In addition to a lot of people not wearing masks, they were also not socially distancing given the limited real estate at the base of Bonita Falls, which made chilling out here more dangerous than pre-pandemic days
Bonita_Falls_107_01182021 - Back in the wash of South Fork Lytle Creek, where we could breathe easier again as we made our way back to the Lytle Creek Road
Bonita_Falls_115_01182021 - Tahia finding it easier to just wade across Lytle Creek barefoot as we headed back from Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_132_01182021 - Making it back towards our parked car (near that speed limit sign), which was quite a ways from the spot where we crossed Lytle Creek as part of the Bonita Falls hike
Bonita_Falls_001_06122020 - When we visited Bonita Falls in June 2020, we had to park quite a ways further down the Lytle Creek Road due to overcrowding, which Julie suspected was a direct result of COVID-19 closures at theme parks and water parks along with social media bringing more attention to waterfalls. By the way, this photo and the next several photos took place during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_014_06122020 - During our June 2020 visit, we noticed that the Green Mountain Ranch now became Hidden Acres. This goes to show you how far down Lytle Creek Road that we had to park in order to reach the familiar scrambling spots for Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_023_06122020 - Apparently, someone had built this rock 'bridge' which allowed me to get across Lytle Creek without ruining my Goretex hiking boots, but Julie and Tahia preferred changing into water sandals or Crocs to feel the cool creek to offset the Summertime heat in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_025_06122020 - Tahia and Julie back in the wide open boulder field wash en route to Bonita Falls after crossing Lytle Creek during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_038_06122020 - It was definitely easier for us to social distance while hiking in the boulder field during our Bonita Falls hike in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_041_06122020 - Julie and Tahia hiking on the less bouldery fringes of the wash though we also had to deal with the graffiti-laced walls during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_045_06122020 - During our June 2020 visit to Bonita Falls, I noticed this side mini-canyon where it looked like there would be a seasonal waterfall, but this secluded spot was totally trashed as you can see here
Bonita_Falls_047_06122020 - Looking across the wash from the mouth of that hidden side canyon en route to Bonita Falls during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_048_06122020 - In our June 2020 visit, there wasn't much shade along the canyon walls like before so it made the Bonita Falls hike even hotter than we were used to
Bonita_Falls_056_06122020 - Julie and Tahia approaching a part of the wash where Bonita Creek was still above the surface during our June 2020 visit, and this got Tahia wanting to hike in the creek itself
Bonita_Falls_058_06122020 - Tahia walking within Bonita Creek near where we had to leave the boulder field and head up into the canyon going to Bonita Falls on our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_059_06122020 - As you can see, social distancing was quite the issue when we were heading into the side canyon containing Bonita Falls during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_062_06122020 - Julie hiking past the familiar defaced sign at the mouth of the side canyon containing Bonita Falls. There was a couple in the clearing we were approaching where one guy was playing a boombox or his iPhone during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_064_06122020 - Julie and Tahia continuing on the final stretch leading up to Bonita Falls but we had to try not minding the graffiti and also trying not to touch anything during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_066_06122020 - Tahia and Julie mistakenly climbing up this part of Bonita Creek when I backtracked and found a better way en route to Bonita Falls in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_069_06122020 - More graffiti on the path leading up to Bonita Falls during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_072_06122020 - Tahia and Julie approaching Bonita Falls in pretty good flow on our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_076_06122020 - Looking up past an intermediate waterfall on Bonita Creek towards the base of Bonita Falls on our June 2020 hike
Bonita_Falls_079_06122020 - Broad look at Bonita Falls with graffiti and lots of people near its base where social distancing was a bit of a challenge during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_089_06122020 - Context of people enjoying the plunge pool at the base of Bonita Falls in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_106_06122020 - Looking down at the plunge pool at the base of Bonita Falls with people chilling out in its waters during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_111_06122020 - Profile look up at Bonita Falls as seen during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_113_06122020 - Looking up towards the top of Bonita Falls on our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_118_06122020 - The longer we lingered at Bonita Falls during our June 2020 visit, the more people that showed up and added further social distancing pressure
Bonita_Falls_122_06122020 - I couldn't help but notice how nobody went up this scrambling path to get up to the caves during our June 2020 visit to Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_129_06122020 - Back at the first of the caves near Bonita Falls during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_130_06122020 - The cave wasn't deep as you can see daylight still penetrating the dead-end in that first cave near Bonita Falls as seen in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_133_06122020 - This was the second cave near Bonita Falls, which seemed to have a lot more graffiti on this June 2020 visit than when I first came here in May 2011
Bonita_Falls_134_06122020 - Inside the second cave, there were two little shallow chambers, which were also laced with lots of graffiti during my Bonita Falls visit in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_139_06122020 - Broad elevated look towards the upper part of the main drop of Bonita Falls as seen from near the caves during my June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_143_06122020 - Looking down at the context of the base of Bonita Falls as seen from a graffiti-laced rock near the caves during my June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_157_06122020 - Contextual look at Bonita Falls and the people below as seen from the ridge by the caves during my June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_165_06122020 - On my way back down to the main trail, I noticed that there was this ledge containing the third cave during my Bonita Falls June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_168_06122020 - Looking right into the harder-to-reach third cave near Bonita Falls on our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_170_06122020 - The third cave was harder to reach because of this dropoff fronting the mouth of the cave. But you can tell from the presence of graffiti there that ingrates have accessed and tagged the area as seen on our June 2020 visit to Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_173_06122020 - On the hike back down from Bonita Falls, we had to wait out this large group that was going up to Bonita Falls since it was a social distancing challenge during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_189_06122020 - Tahia walking in Bonita Creek while in the wash to still enjoy the feeling of cool water against the Summer heat as we were returning from Bonita Falls in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_211_06122020 - Going back across the makeshift rock 'bridge' on Lytle Creek so I could make the traverse without ruining the Gore-tex hiking boots during our visit to Bonita Falls in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_224_06122020 - Tahia enjoying herself in Lytle Creek after having returned from Bonita Falls during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_028_iPhone_06122020 - Context of Tahia playing in Lytle Creek near the 'rock bridge' while we waited for Julie to change shoes at the end of our Bonita Falls hike in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_235_06122020 - Julie and Tahia ascending back up to Lytle Creek Road as we decided to walk along the road back to our car to end our Bonita Falls visit in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_238_06122020 - Julie and Tahia walking along Lytle Creek Road as we sought to recover our parked car at the end of our Bonita Falls visit in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_243_06122020 - Looking across the context of Lytle Creek and the bouldery wash we had just hiked on as seen from Lytle Creek Road at the end of our Bonita Falls June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_251_06122020 - Julie and Tahia continuing to walk back along the shoulder of Lytle Creek Road to recover our parked car at the end of our Bonita Falls hike in June 2020
Bonita_Falls_255_06122020 - Looking down across Lytle Creek from the road at another couple looking for a different way to get back during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_256_06122020 - You can tell from this photo that we had to park quite a bit away from the closest trailhead to Bonita Falls during our June 2020 visit
Bonita_Falls_258_06122020 - Looking towards a forest service sign by Lytle Creek that was tagged with graffiti on our June 2020 visit to Bonita Falls. Clearly, no one was enforcing the pay and display passes, which probably further resulted in the urban blight on the landscape here
Bonita_Falls_260_06122020 - On our June 2020 visit to Bonita Falls, I noticed lots of hand-written and printed signs throughout the parking area along Lytle Creek as the people cleaning up here probably didn't appreciate having to deal with all the litter
Bonita_Falls_15_001_12312015 - The informal parking area by the bear-proof trash can at the start of our Lytle Creek adventure to Bonita Falls as seen during our New Year's Eve hike in late December 2015. This photo and the next several shots were taken on this day
Bonita_Falls_15_008_12312015 - Julie and Tahia descending towards Lytle Creek in lower flow on our second visit here in late December 2015
Bonita_Falls_15_013_12312015 - Julie and Tahia finishing their traverse of Lytle Creek in low flow without getting their socks wet during our New Year's Eve 2015 visit to Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_15_014_12312015 - Looking downstream from the spot where we crossed Lytle Creek during our second visit here, which happened in late 2015 (and it was also a dry year)
Bonita_Falls_15_017_12312015 - Julie and Tahia getting through this small opening in the bush before getting onto the extensive bouldery wash on the way to Bonita Falls in late December 2015
Bonita_Falls_15_022_12312015 - There was no escaping the prevalent graffiti even on these trees at the start of the wash en route to Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_15_031_12312015 - Julie and Tahia traversing the bouldery wash as we headed to the shady south wall, which also acted as our trail guide for much of the time we were in the wash itself en route to Bonita Falls in late December 2015
Bonita_Falls_15_037_12312015 - To give you a little sense of context, this look back at a pair of hikers dwarfed by the mountains and the width of the wash should provide a good sense of the scale of the wash on the way to Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_15_053_12312015 - Julie and Tahia going past some more graffiti in the final stretch of our adventure to Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_15_059_12312015 - Julie and Tahia approaching the base of Bonita Falls while passing by more spray-painted rocks on our New Year's Eve 2015 visit
Bonita_Falls_15_064_12312015 - Partial view of Bonita Falls through mostly bare trees as we were just about at the end of the hike on our New Year's Eve 2015 visit
Bonita_Falls_15_066_12312015 - Direct look at Bonita Falls in low flow with an intermediate lower drop as seen during our pleasantly quiet and naturesque New Year's Eve experience in 2015
Bonita_Falls_15_069_12312015 - Looking up from the base of Bonita Falls flanked by icicles on New Year's Eve 2015
Bonita_Falls_15_075_12312015 - A polarized view from the base of Bonita Falls providing more contrast between the water and the underlying rock wall as seen in late December 2015
Bonita_Falls_15_089_12312015 - On our second visit to Bonita Falls in late December 2015, we saw quite a few bighorn sheep grazing high up on the cliffs nearby
Bonita_Falls_15_092_12312015 - Looking way up at the profile of another one of the bighorn sheep grazing near the Bonita Falls on New Year's Eve 2015
Bonita_Falls_15_095_12312015 - Angled look back towards Bonita Falls flanked by icicles during our late December 2015 visit.  Note the couple near the waterfall's base for a sense of scale
Bonita_Falls_15_104_12312015 - Scrambling right up to the base of Bonita Falls for this profile view of its sloping drop flanked by icicles in late December 2015
Bonita_Falls_15_113_12312015 - Another look at the desert bighorn sheep perched high up on the cliffs near the Bonita Falls in late December 2015
Bonita_Falls_15_124_12312015 - Another one of the desert bighorn sheep perched high up on the cliffs near the Bonita Falls in late December 2015
Bonita_Falls_15_129_12312015 - Julie and Tahia starting to head back after having our fill of the Bonita Falls during our late December 2015 visit
Bonita_Falls_15_133_12312015 - It was a real shame that there was so much urban blight at the Bonita Falls because this place had the makings of something really special in the Southland
Bonita_Falls_15_154_12312015 - Julie and Tahia making their way back across the boundery wash on the way back to the Lytle Creek Road, where we were parked
Bonita_Falls_15_168_12312015 - Final ascent up the banks of the Lytle Creek Road to end our Bonita Falls Adventure on New Year's Eve in 2015
Bonita_Falls_001_05072011 - We spotted this waterfall while looking for the right pullout to start the Bonita Falls hike and scramble during our May 2011 visit. Don't make the mistake of thinking this is Bonita Falls (as we almost did)!
Bonita_Falls_128_05072011 - If you see this sign, you went too far for the start of the scramble to Bonita Falls. However, this was where I was able to see the upper tiers of Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_132_05072011 - The unsigned pullout we were looking for was not far past the Green Mountain Ranch as seen in May 2011
Bonita_Falls_005_05072011 - Looking towards Lytle Creek from the Lytle Creek Road during our first adventure to Bonita Falls back in May 2011
Bonita_Falls_012_05072011 - Julie scoping out where was the best spot to cross Lytle Creek during our May 2011 visit to Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_014_05072011 - We identified this was the best spot to cross Lytle Creek when it was flowing high on our visit to Bonita Falls in May 2011
Bonita_Falls_137_05072011 - Me on the other side of Lytle Creek after having done the semi-deep crossing
Bonita_Falls_018_05072011 - Graffiti on a tree near the south wall of the South Fork's wash in May 2011
Bonita_Falls_020_05072011 - Hugging the graffiti-laden south wall of the wash en route to Bonita Falls on our May 2011 visit
Bonita_Falls_121_05072011 - The use trail leaving the wash on the way up to Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_022_05072011 - A reassuring graffiti-laden sign once I left the wash and started the final stretch to Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_025_05072011 - Rock steps during the last ten minutes of the hike/scramble to Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_029_05072011 - Some more graffiti next to a lower cascade downstream of the Bonita Falls as seen during our visit in May 2011
Bonita_Falls_030_05072011 - Looking up at a fairly full-flowing Bonita Falls during our visit in May 2011
Bonita_Falls_043_05072011 - Looking up towards one of the graffiti-laden walls adjacent to the Bonita Falls as seen during our visit in May 2011
Bonita_Falls_044_05072011 - Looking up towards the top of Bonita Falls against the sun from its left side
Bonita_Falls_055_05072011 - Looking away from the base of Bonita Falls towards the heaps of graffiti on a nearby wall
Bonita_Falls_059_05072011 - Looking straight up to the top of the Bonita Falls from its base
Bonita_Falls_082_05072011 - View of Bonita Falls from the steep climb up to the caves
Bonita_Falls_083_05072011 - View of Bonita Falls from just in front of one of the caves
Bonita_Falls_086_05072011 - One of the caves I checked out near Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_091_05072011 - This shameful scene was just in front of the second cave I saw around Bonita Falls. In this photo was a heavily-spray-painted rock wall and toilet paper soiled with poop right at its base
Bonita_Falls_092_05072011 - Context of another family showing up and trying to climb to get closer to the Bonita Falls
Bonita_Falls_106_05072011 - NO CAPTION
Bonita_Falls_109_05072011 - NO CAPTION
Bonita_Falls_123_05072011 - That family up ahead took what appeared to be an easier path in the middle of the wash. We managed to do the same thing on the way out since we knew where our car was as we headed back
Bonita_Falls_126_05072011 - Looking ahead towards the pullouts along Lytle Creek Road as we approached Lytle Creek itself towards the end of our May 2011 visit


We’ll describe how we drove to Bonita Falls from the Los Angeles basin.

We started by driving east on any of the eastbound Freeways (e.g. the 10 Freeway, 60 Freeway, or the 91 Freeway) until it reaches the I-15 going north (kind of like how we would be driving to Vegas).

Bonita_Falls_009_05072011 - Context of the pullout area by a bear-proof trash can, which was where we started our adventure for Bonita Falls (note how uncrowded it was here in May 2011)
Context of the pullout area by a bear-proof trash can, which was where we started our adventure for Bonita Falls (note how uncrowded it was here in May 2011)

However, as we drove along the I-15 just north of the 210 freeway near Rancho Cucamonga, we took the Sierra Ave exit then turned left to go deeper into the mountains.

Eventually, Sierra Ave became Lytle Creek Road.

We continued taking Lytle Creek Road for a little over 6 miles from the I-15.

Once we’ve gone past the Lytle Creek Ranger Station (where we can also buy Forest Adventure Passes), we then started looking for a pullout (not signposted) with a bear-proof trash bin.

Bonita_Falls_010_06122020 - On a visit in June 2020, we had to contend with lots of people so we had to park around a quarter-mile away or so. Julie suspected the overcrowding was a direct result of COVID-19 closures at water parks and theme parks thereby causing people to flock to more natural places
On a visit in June 2020, we had to contend with lots of people so we had to park around a quarter-mile away or so. Julie suspected the overcrowding was a direct result of COVID-19 closures at water parks and theme parks thereby causing people to flock to more natural places

This was between the Hidden Acres (formerly Green Mountain Ranch) sign and the Bonita Ranch RV & Campground sign.

The adventure described above on this write-up began from this pullout.

Overall, the drive from downtown LA would be about 59 miles (or roughly 90 minutes drive).

Now if you’re curious about getting a distant (but unsatisfactory) view of one of the upper tiers of the Bonita Falls, you might be able to spot it once you turnoff towards the private Bonita Ranch Campground.

Bonita_Falls_249_06122020 - Looking down at the context of Lytle Creek and the bouldery wash leading to Bonita Falls as seen from Lytle Creek Road
Looking down at the context of Lytle Creek and the bouldery wash leading to Bonita Falls as seen from Lytle Creek Road

This turnoff was just a short distance west of the unsigned pullout described earlier to start the hike.

However, we had to be cognizant that the owners and guests do not appreciate us blocking traffic in order to catch this view.

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Downstream to upstream sweep of Bonita Falls accompanied by many unmasked individuals during this January 2021 visit


Comprehensive sweep of Bonita Falls from an angle before scrambling in front of an intermediate tier with a direct look at it


360 degree sweep from atop a rock in front of Bonita Falls


Checking out Bonita Falls from a steep ridge just beyond the furthest of the caves sweeping up and down the falls along with all the people crowded at the base


Up and down sweep following Bonita Falls from an elevated viewpoint above the furthest of the caves


Checking out a bighorn sheep with pronounced rounded horns before panning over to the Bonita Falls and the graffiti-laced walls


Bottom up sweep of the falls with some people crossing stream for scale


Top down sweep of the falls from an angle as I stood towards its left


Top down sweep from right at its base ending at the graffiti as I was looking downstream

Tagged with: san bernardino, rancho cucamonga, national forest, lytle creek, southern california, inland empire, california, waterfall, graffiti



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Lytle Creek Bonita Falls and unnamed falls April 24, 2011 11:46 pm by David Doyel - Hiked to Bonita Falls in Lytle creek with my son. There are also 3 small caves there. If you climb up to the left of the falls you can see part of the upper falls which are 190'. Bonita is supposedly 160'. I have heard that Hummingbirds are present when the flowers bloom on the… ...Read More

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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.