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Black Star Canyon Trail
🥾 Trail
7 mi trail
hard

Black Star Canyon Trail

Silverado Canyon
Dog Friendly
Hiking
🏞️ Wilderness
📸 Scenic
💎 Hidden Gem

A long fire-road hike from Silverado Canyon to a hidden seasonal waterfall — one of OC's classic backcountry routes.

Black Star Canyon is one of OC's iconic backcountry hikes — a long, rocky route up a closed-to-vehicles fire road, with a side scramble to a hidden seasonal waterfall deep in the canyon. The full out-and-back is roughly 7 miles, with the last portion involving boulder-hopping along the creek. The canyon sits inside the Cleveland National Forest boundary; the trailhead and lower section are accessed via a road through private property where parking and access rules are strictly enforced.

🌟 Why Locals Go Here

It's the OC 'real hike' — long, rocky, and ends with an actual waterfall (when there's been enough rain).

What to Expect

Wide fire road for most of the route, then a creek-bottom scramble to the falls. Out-and-back is about 7 miles.

💡 Good to Know Before You Go

Trailhead access can be confusing and parking is limited and enforced — read current OC trail community notes before you go. Falls only run after good winter rain.

📍 Local Tip

Go after a wet stretch in winter or early spring — that's when the falls actually flow. Dry summer hikes here are mostly the road.

Best Time to Visit

January through April after winter rain.

Practical Info

Black Star Canyon Trailhead, Silverado, CA 92676
7 miles
Daylight only
Limited free trailhead parking; pay attention to posted access restrictions

Amenities

Trails
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