Bear River Falls
Bear River Falls
Nevada/Placer County, California
Description
Click to view photo(s)
Location
This is a small but pretty waterfall located near Lake Spaulding. The easy, paved Sierra Discovery Trail shows the way to a viewpoint for the falls. There are also interpretive signs along the way to inform visitors of the surroundings. The Upper Falls are even smaller but also even easier to reach. Simply drive up the Bowman Road a little further to the bridge over the river. Don't go out of your way to see this waterfall, but if you're in the area give it a try.
Bear River Falls: 39.3081 N, 120.6687 W
Upper Bear River Falls: 39.3098 N, 120.6650 W
USGS Topo: Blue Canyon
Directions
From I-80 take the CA-20 exit near Lake Spaulding and turn right onto Bowman Road after ~3.9 miles. Follow Bowman Rd for ~0.5 miles to the parking lot on the left side of the road. The trail starts off of the western end of the parking lot, crosses the Bear River just upstream of the falls and reaches a viewpoint of the falls in less than 1,000 ft from the parking lot. Upper Bear River Falls can be seen from the Bowman Rd bridge over the river just northeast of the parking lot.