Seven Teacups
California · 200-foot drop · Sequoia National Forest · Last verified 2026-06-26
Today at Seven Teacups: clear, 57°F.
Right now
Overnight
57°F
Clear
Friday
99°F
Sunny
Today's daylight
Sunrise 5:45 AM · Sunset 8:12 PM · 14h 28m
Snapshot built 6m ago. Sources: NWS HNX.
No verified photo yet
The Seven Teacups is a series of seven cylindrical pothole pools carved into the granite of Dry Meadow Creek, just before it joins the Kern River in Sequoia National Forest. Each pool is connected by a short waterfall — descending the chain requires technical canyoneering with ropes and helmets. The 4.4-mile round-trip hike to the top is hot and unshaded but moderate. The descent is not. Multiple fatalities, including at the deadly Carson Falls Class V rapid at the bottom. View from above only unless you are a trained canyoneer.
The trail
4.4 miles each way, rated hard with 1500 feet of elevation gain. Trailhead pullout off Mountain Highway 99 (Sherman Pass Road / SR-99) near the Lloyd Meadow Road junction, ~24 mi north of Kernville. Free.
Why the waterfall is there
The pothole pools formed over thousands of years from sediment-laden water swirling against granite, drilling perfectly cylindrical basins.
- Rock type
- granite
- Formation age
- Cretaceous Sierra Nevada batholith
Source: USGS
Compare to nearby falls
If this one isn't the right fit, here's how it stacks up against the closest documented falls. Every column is filterable on the site — not buried in 13,000 reviews.
| Waterfall | Distance | Height | Trail | Dogs | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Teacups (this page) | — | 200 ft | hard · 4.4 mi | Y | Free |
| South Creek Falls | 2 mi | — | — | — | — |
| Alder Creek Slides | 4 mi | — | — | — | — |
| Nobe Young Falls | 5 mi | — | — | — | — |
| Peppermint Creek Falls | 5 mi | 150 ft | — | — | — |
| Salmon Creek Falls | 6 mi | — | — | — | — |
Related waterfalls
Similar height (~200 ft)
- Bent Mountain Falls200 ft
- Calypso Cascades200 ft
- Fairy Falls200 ft
- Schirmer Cascade200 ft
- Sydney Falls200 ft
Same best season in California
- Illilouette Fall370 ft
- Potem Falls70 ft
- Carlon Falls35 ft
Questions visitors ask about Seven Teacups
Answers built from our structured data. If a question isn't here, the fact is unverified — we'd rather omit than guess.
How tall is Seven Teacups?
Seven Teacups is 200 feet (61 m) tall. Height is sourced from USFS Sequoia.
Is Seven Teacups in a national or state park?
Yes — Seven Teacups is inside Sequoia National Forest. See the park page for fees, hours, and current conditions.
Can I bring my dog to Seven Teacups?
Yes — dogs are allowed (Sequoia National Forest permits leashed dogs in most areas). Always leash and pack out waste.
Can you swim at Seven Teacups?
No — swimming is not safe or not allowed at Seven Teacups. This is not a wading destination — descending through the pools requires technical canyoneering with ropes, helmets, and swiftwater training. People have died here.
When is the best time to visit Seven Teacups?
Peak flow is typically July, August, September, October. Season-wise: summer, fall. Snowmelt and recent rain affect day-to-day volume.
Is there a fee to visit Seven Teacups?
No entrance fee. Sequoia National Forest is free to access. Some trailheads may charge a parking fee separately.
How far is Seven Teacups from a major city?
Seven Teacups is 35 miles from Kernville (about 75 minutes' drive).
More waterfalls in California
Where it is
35.9931, -118.4842
Sources and live status
Where we got the data, and where to check current conditions before you drive.
Last verified by Fallspots: 2026-06-26
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