Phantom Falls, Seasonal waterfall at North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve in Oroville, California.
Phantom Falls is a seasonal waterfall in the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve near Oroville, California, where water pours over the basalt edge of Coal Canyon and drops about 160 feet (roughly 50 meters) into a pool below. At the base, a natural grotto cuts into the rock, making it possible to stand behind the curtain of water when the flow is strong enough.
During the California Gold Rush, miners dug a shaft directly behind the falls in search of deposits, leaving traces that are still visible in the rock today. The gold prospects turned out to be minimal, and the site was quickly abandoned.
The name Phantom comes from the way the falls appear and vanish with the rains, which locals find fitting for a place that only exists part of the year. Hikers who visit during the short window when water flows often describe the experience as catching something rare before it disappears again.
A CDFW Lands Pass is required to enter the reserve and should be arranged before arriving, since there is no on-site purchase option. The trail from the Cherokee Road trailhead covers rocky terrain, and the ground becomes very slippery after rain, so visiting during dry weather makes for a safer hike.
The natural grotto carved into the rock at the base of the falls is large enough to walk into, letting visitors stand behind the falling water and look out through it. This is only possible when the flow is strong, which ties the experience directly to the seasonal rains.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
