Trail Guide
Towsley Canyon: SCV's Seasonal Waterfall Hike
A 5.1-mile loop through the oak woodland of Ed Davis Park in Towsley Canyon, with ridge views, curious rock formations, and a real waterfall on Towsley Creek after the rains. One of the Santa Clarita Valley's most popular trails, and a fall favorite once the color turns.
September 18, 2026 Sam Silver 6 min read
Distance
5.1 mi
Towsley View Loop
Difficulty
Moderate
switchbacks & elevation
Parking
$7
trailhead lot, free lots too
Best Season
Fall-Winter
waterfall after rain
The Hike
What to Expect on the Trail
Towsley Canyon sits on the north side of the Santa Susana Mountains, just west of I-5 between the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, and it is part of the much larger Santa Clarita Woodlands Park. The classic outing is the roughly 5.1-mile Towsley View Loop, a full loop with steady switchbacks that earn you panoramic ridgeline views over the valley on both sides of the crest.
Along the way you will pass curious sandstone rock formations, a small tar-pit seep where oil oozes up through the canyon floor (a fascinating piece of Southern California geology, and definitely not something to touch), and, after the winter rains, a seasonal waterfall on Towsley Creek. In a wet year the falls really flow and are best within a week or two of heavy rain; in dry months the creek can slow to a trickle, so time your visit after a good storm.
The park itself is named for Ed Davis, the former state senator and LAPD chief who championed preserving this canyon for the public, and it has a green picnic area along a stream too, which makes it an easy spot to turn a hike into a full morning or afternoon out. Hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails all share the lower canyon road, so keep an ear open on the paved start.
Sam's Towsley Quick Facts
- Address commonly listed as 24255 The Old Road, Newhall, CA 91381
- Trailhead starts on a wide paved road (Towsley Canyon Road) heading into the hills
- $7 parking at the trailhead, plus free lots at the park entrance and a $7 overflow lot deeper in
- Oak woodland, sycamores along the creek, and the first clear autumn color in the valley
- Multi-use park: hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians share lower trails
- Seasonal waterfall on Towsley Creek, best shortly after heavy rain
The Drive
Getting There
From anywhere in the Santa Clarita Valley, take I-5 to the Calgrove Boulevard exit (exit 166), head southwest on Calgrove for about a quarter mile, then turn left onto Towsley Canyon Road. The park entrance is on the right. The Old Road address (24255 The Old Road) is the commonly listed park location, so plug either that or "Ed Davis Park in Towsley Canyon" into your maps app.
Weekend mornings fill up fast, especially once the fall color and any post-storm waterfall news spread. If the trailhead lot is full, use the free entrance lots and walk or bike the short stretch in, or try an afternoon start when the crowds thin and the light goes golden on the ridges.
The Season
When to Go
Fall through spring is prime time. October brings the first sycamore and oak color to the canyon, plus reliably comfortable temperatures even as the valley floor stays warm. Winter is the season for the waterfall, so chase the trails in the days after a good storm and you can catch Towsley Creek genuinely running.
Mid-summer the loop is hot and exposed on the upper ridges, with the lower canyon heating up by late morning. If you do go in summer, start at first light, carry more water than you think you need, and save the return ridge for the shade side.
Sam's Towsley Packing List
- At least 1 liter of water per person; more on hot days
- Trail shoes with real tread for the loose upper switchbacks
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen year-round
- Camera for the ridge views and the seasonal falls
- Cash or card for the $7 trailhead parking fee
- Leashed dogs welcome on the trails, water and bags for them too
Know Before You Go
- Stay on trail and keep a respectful distance from the tar seep and any wildlife
- The park is managed by the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority; check for closures after heavy storm damage
- Yield to horses and downhill mountain bikers on the shared lower canyon road
- Give yourself 2.5 to 3.5 hours for the full loop at a relaxed pace
More SCV Trails Worth Hiking
Towsley is one of the valley's great canyon loops. Here are more of Sam's favorites nearby.