Diana Falls
Greeley Hill Road, Coulterville, CA
1.4 mi
Length
101ft
Elevation Gain
40min
Hiking Time
⟷
Out & Back
Google Maps(Coordinates): https://maps.app.goo.gl/M1DD3xKSohTaDn9Y6
Let’s start here: if you’re heading to Diana Falls from Manteca, CA with a 6-year-old and a dog named Willow, your trip is guaranteed to be a great time. The drive? Just under 2 hours, which sounds fine until you hit the upper hills. Welcome to switchback central—a winding stretch of road that may leave some of your passengers clutching their snacks in silent dread and kids asking if we’re almost there.
The last couple of miles are…. Bumpy. Not “a few potholes” bumpy—more like “pothole patchwork quilt” bumpy. It’s still totally drivable for cars, trucks, SUVs—just take it slow. Hats off to the unsung heroes out there patching up roads in the middle of nowhere. You’ll know you’re close when you hit a single-lane bridge. That’s your cue: slow down and park on the dirt shoulder to your left.
Full highlight video at the bottom!
The trailhead? Right across the road. Easy to find, even easier to fall in love with. The first part of the trail is spotty in shade but totally manageable. Our 6-year-old had a blast—and insisted on blowing every. single. dandelion. along the way. We weren’t on a timeline, so who are we to argue with a little girl full of joy? Kids remind us to slow down an enjoy whats around us.
As you walk along, you’ll pass some campsites off to the left. We’ve never camped there ourselves, but we’ve seen people in 2022 who had clearly been there for a few days. Im sure you’d need to get a permit online somewhere.
After the campsites, there’s a fallen tree across the trail. Don’t panic—it’s the wilderness, not a booby trap. Just walk around it. You’ll start hitting more sun here, but there are still shady spots if anyone’s overheating or protesting with dramatic flops onto the trail.
Eventually, the trail opens into a wildflower wonderland of a meadow. We saw thousands of ladybugs flitting about, and the ground was blanketed in small purple flowers with honeybees hard at work. We initially thought we were surrounded by mosquitoes—turns out it was just misunderstood bugs living their best lives.
Soon, things get a little spicy. You’ll hike along a steep hillside that definitely looks steeper than it probably is—but if you’ve got kids, now’s the time to say “slow and steady” about 74 times. Hold hands, take your time, and keep it fun. You’ll start seeing the creek on your left, which means you’re getting close!
Then comes a rocky section. Kiddos may need a hand, and let’s be honest, we’ll offer it mostly to reassure ourselves. After that, pause for a view just before the open cliffside. Here, our pup Willow started doing the “hot paws shuffle,” so we scooped her up like the pampered princess she is. She got carried the rest of the way in full VIP mode.
From there, it’s about a 7-minute walk to the trail split. Go LEFT. You’ll head under another fallen tree (yes, nature is dramatic), and climb down a rocky path to reach Diana Falls. From the trail, you can already see the waterfall and the pools—our daughter practically floated down the rocks like a little mountain goat.
🎉 You made it! Shoes off. Toes in. That water? Cold—but not painful. It’s so refreshing. I totally didn’t walk in and slide on the underwater slippery rocks and completely submerge myself. There were only a couple of other groups hanging around, so we let Willow off-leash for the first time. She took off like she was auditioning for a doggy action film.
Just below the main pool is a gentler area with slow-moving water and a little rocky beach—perfect for kids, dogs, or anyone who just wants to chill without the risk of belly-flopping into legend.

None of us jumped into the deep pool this time (despite rumors it may go straight to China), but we all swam and splashed around. I did get permission to record another hiker jumping into the pool though!
By the time the sun started to drop, the mosquitoes emerged from whatever haunted tree stump they live in. So pack the bug spray—and maybe a flamethrower for good measure (kidding… mostly. you need a permit for fires in this area lol).
What’re you waiting for? Get out there!! Go have some fun and make memories with your family!
Now, Check out the full video below!
If you’re based in Modesto, Stockton, Manteca, Turlock, or anywhere nearby, Diana Falls is the perfect day trip getaway. Just under two hours from the heart of the Central Valley, this hike offers waterfalls, swimming holes, wildflowers, and plenty of adventure for kids and dogs alike. Whether you’re planning a weekend outing or a quick nature escape, this hidden gem is well worth the drive.
Beautiful trail and waterfall! I want to take my son there. School is almost out!
How long did you guys stay for?
We stayed for about 2 hours!