The Secret of Bear Canyon

Hiking Bear Canyon in the Angeles National Forest

{JANUARY 2023 NOTE: Stay safe. Wait until storms have passed before hiking any trails, and before heading out be sure to check official websites for updates on trail status, closures, hazards, etc. Expect muddy and slippery trails, and exercise caution and good judgement.}

Here's a cool secret: The best water holes on the Arroyo Seco River are past ever-popular Switzer Falls. To end at the 50-foot plunge is to miss the best of Bear Canyon. In other words, keep going!

This 7-mile out-and-back (round-trip) in the Angeles National Forest begins at the Switzer Picnic Area and follows the Arroyo Seco River under the shade of towering oaks and sycamores, summer homes for the strikingly yellow hooded oriole. After about a mile and multiple stream crossings, switchbacks lead you out of the shade and into the sun, but you’ll also be rewarded with panoramic vistas of the canyon and the surrounding San Gabriel Mountains.

After the trail descends to the canyon floor, a short side hike leads to Switzer Falls. Sure, have a look—but the real fun is still ahead! Continuing on Bear Canyon Trail, you’ll soon reach a progression of pools to bathe in, perfect to beat the heat and used far less than Switzer’s swimming hole. Then, for the next 1.5 miles, the going is a bit wild. You’ll be boulder-hopping and bushwhacking on a route almost certainly devoid of hikers. Your goal is Bear Canyon Trail Camp, a shady spot with picnic tables, fire rings, and stoves, and a great place for a midhike meal before the uphill return trip.

As you head back the way you came, you already know the secret of Bear Canyon—those perfectly placed water holes where you can cool off yet again during the climb out of the canyon before you reach your car and head back to civilization.

TIP: Go at sunrise to beat the heat and crowds and have a chance to see an elusive bobcat hydrating at the river.

To get to the Switzer Picnic Area parking lot, take the I-210 to the Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2) in La Cañada and follow it north for 10 miles, turning right after the sign for the Switzer Picnic Area. Head down to the canyon floor and park in one of the many spots there. Be sure to display your National Forest Adventure Pass. Note: If the bottom lot is full, opt for one of two overflow lots, or a space farther up the highway. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Let's Go to Paso!

    Paso Robles is a good idea in all seasons, but one season brings a special bounty: harvest season! Road-trip ready and teeming with fall colors and fun events, Paso Robles is the ultimate destination for unique autumn experiences.

    View
  3. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Can't Top This

    San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top. Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

    View
  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View