Franklin Falls - Winter — Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025

We arrived at 12:20pm. Many people were leaving as we were arriving.

Distance: 2.6 miles roundtrip (1.22 miles to the Falls)
Time: 1 hour 33 minutes roundtrip

Parking:
There are two parking lots:

The 1st parking lot is the most obvious and where most people stop.

The 2nd parking lot is less visible. To find it, drive through the 1st parking lot to the very end. You’ll see people walking on the road you need to follow. Turn right, and the 2nd parking lot is just ahead.

Bathrooms:
Two bathrooms are available at the parking lot. They were clean but lacked hand sanitizer, so plan accordingly.

Parking Permit:
Highly recommend buying your parking permit online. At the bulletin board, you’ll find a small box with slips to write down your license plate number and permit reservation number (unless you printed it at home, in which case, no additional steps are needed).

Trail Conditions:
The trail was extremely slippery without proper gear. If you’re planning this hike, bring traction devices like Yaktrax or spikes for your boots. My husband and I used ones we purchased from Costco for $10, and they worked perfectly. We saw many people struggling in regular tennis shoes or rain boots with zero traction—don’t make the same mistake!

Overall:
This was a beautiful and manageable hike, but the icy trail conditions mean proper footwear is essential for safety and enjoyment. Franklin Falls is stunning and absolutely worth the trek!