Pennyweight Falls: A Waterfall Hike Near Colfax & Through ASRA

Pennyweight Falls is one of those Placer County waterfalls that’s often overlooked for other falls nearby. Yet, Pennyweight Falls is a wonderful addition to any Auburn State Recreation Area visit.

Tucked below Colfax, near Iowa Hill Road, Mineral Bar, and the North Fork American River, the trail gives you a quick dose of Gold Country canyon scenery without committing to an all-day hike.

The waterfall is seasonal, so timing matters. Visit after winter or spring rain and you may catch Pennyweight Falls spilling through a shaded ravine; visit later in the year and the bigger reward may be the river, the canyon road, and the old mining-country atmosphere surrounding the trail.

Quick Facts About Pennyweight Falls Trail

Location: Near Colfax, Placer County, California
Recreation Area: Auburn State Recreation Area
Trail: Pennyweight Trail
Distance: About 1.7 to 2.4 miles out and back
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Day-Use Fee: $10 vehicle day-use fee in Auburn SRA areas
Best Season: Spring for waterfall flow

Where Is Pennyweight Falls?

Pennyweight Falls is located near Colfax in Placer County, along the Iowa Hill Road corridor between town and the North Fork American River. The trail sits in the broader Auburn State Recreation Area landscape, a huge Gold Country recreation area managed by California State Parks along the North and Middle Forks of the American River.

Getting to Pennyweight Falls Trailhead

The most common way to reach Pennyweight Falls is from Colfax via Iowa Hill Road. From I-80, exit in Colfax and work your way toward Iowa Hill Road, then descend toward the North Fork American River and Mineral Bar area.

The trailhead is located off Iowa Hill Road before the road reaches the Iowa Hill Bridge and Mineral Bar area. The City of Colfax notes that visitors can also continue toward Mineral Bar for day-use parking and then return to the trailhead.

Directions from Sacramento:

Take I-80 east from Sacramento to Colfax
Take exit 133 off I-80 (Canyon Way) and head 1.1 miles
Turn right onto Iowa Hill Road
Drive for 2.7 miles to the sharp right turn in road before crossing American River
Trailhead is just north of the river bridge on east side of street
Park on east side (right side) of Iowa Hill Road, facing the direction you just came

Pennyweight Falls Trailhead: Parking, Fees, and Amenities

Pennyweight Trail is within Auburn State Recreation Area, so plan for a $10 day-use fee. Parking near the small trailhead can be limited, so Mineral Bar may be the better option if the roadside area is full or if you want easier access to river facilities. Restrooms and developed amenities are more likely around Mineral Bar than at the small trailhead itself. There’s no water available at the trailhead, so make sure to bring your own.

Pennyweight Falls Trailhead

Hiking Pennyweight Trail

Pennyweight Trail is short, but it has enough variety to make the outing memorable. The trail descends from Iowa Hill Road toward the North Fork American River area, with side options that can take you toward different views of the waterfall and ravine.

In fact, the trail splits with one path heading toward the upper portion of Pennyweight Falls, and the second path leading closer to the river and the lower portion of the falls. That split is one of the most interesting parts of the hike because it gives the options.

Expect uneven footing, brush, and seasonal trail conditions. In winter and spring, the setting can feel lush and alive, but the trail may also be muddy or slick. In summer, the waterfall may be weak or dry, and the heat can make the climb back out feel harder than expected.

What Is Pennyweight Falls Like?

Pennyweight Falls is a seasonal canyon waterfall, not a massive year-round roadside attraction.

Waterfalls West identifies it as a tall waterfall near the Iowa Hill Bridge area and notes that it may also be referred to as Robbers Ravine Falls or Lower Stevens Creek Falls. The same source says the falls are best visited during the winter rainy season.

That seasonal nature is important. If you visit expecting a roaring waterfall in late summer, you may be disappointed. But if you visit after consistent winter or spring rain, Pennyweight Falls can be a rewarding little surprise tucked into the canyon.

The waterfall itself is only part of the experience. The ravine, the river, the shaded canyon feel, and the drive down Iowa Hill Road all help make this hike memorable. It is the kind of place that fits perfectly into a Gold Country day trip: a little rough around the edges, a little hidden, and more interesting when you slow down and look around.

Best Time to Visit Pennyweight Falls

The best time to visit Pennyweight Falls is winter through spring, especially after a good stretch of rain. That is when the waterfall has the best chance of flowing.

Summer can still be a nice time to visit if you are mainly interested in the North Fork American River, but the waterfall may be reduced or dry. Auburn State Recreation Area also gets hot, so start early, bring water, and avoid hiking during the worst afternoon heat.

Fall is quieter and more pleasant for hiking, but it is usually not the best season for waterfall flow unless early storms have moved through.

Lower portion of Pennyweight Falls

Safety Tips for Pennyweight Trail

Pennyweight Trail is short, but it still deserves real trail awareness. Auburn State Recreation Area has steep canyon terrain, hot summer weather, wildlife, poison oak, ticks, and river hazards. The North Fork American River can also be dangerous depending on flow, temperature, and upstream releases.

Keep these tips in mind:

Bring more water than you think you need.
Wear shoes with good traction.
Watch for poison oak along the trail.
Check for ticks after your hike.
Be careful on wet rocks near the falls.
Do not enter fast, cold, or high water.
Avoid hiking during extreme heat.
Use caution on Iowa Hill Road.
Let someone know where you are going if hiking alone.
Do not count on cell service in the canyon.

Gold Country History Around Pennyweight Falls

Part of what makes Pennyweight Falls interesting is the landscape around it. This is classic Placer County Gold Country, where the North Fork American River and its surrounding canyons were tied to mining, river travel, rough roads, and small settlements.

Even if the hike itself is short, the setting has that old Gold Country feeling. Iowa Hill Road, Mineral Bar, Colfax, and the American River canyon all carry traces of the region’s mining past. You can feel it in the steep road, the river access, the old place names, and the way the trail drops quickly from modern pavement into a much older-feeling canyon.

Things to Do Near Pennyweight Falls

Pennyweight Falls works best as part of a fuller day in Colfax or Auburn State Recreation Area. You can keep it simple with the short hike and a river stop, or build it into a Gold Country route with old bridges, mining roads, waterfalls, and canyon viewpoints.

Mineral Bar: A nearby river access and campground area along the North Fork American River.

Iowa Hill Bridge: A scenic canyon crossing that leads to the ghost town of Iowa Hill.

Stevens Trail: One of the best-known Colfax hikes, with river views and Gold Rush history.

Codfish Falls Trail: Another Placer County waterfall hike, Codfish Falls Trail can be added to a day of visiting ASRA waterfalls.

Yankee Jims Bridge: A historic-style canyon bridge and great Gold Country backroad stop. The Yankee Jims bridge is like something out of a movie.

Auburn State Recreation Area: A larger outing into the broader recreation area for hiking, rafting, camping, fishing, and river access.

Hidden Falls Regional Park: A regional park that features waterfalls, developed trails, and multiple scenic areas. Hidden Falls gives you a different experience than the ASRA.

Is Pennyweight Falls Worth Visiting?

Pennyweight Falls is worth visiting if you enjoy short hikes, seasonal waterfalls, river canyons, and out-of-the-way Gold Country stops. It is not the biggest or most dramatic waterfall in the region, but that is not really the point.

With that in mind, the best way to approach this waterfall is by pairing it with more Auburn State Recreation Area points of interest. Most notably, the Iowa Hill bridges are nearby along with Mineral Bar. You could add the waterfall to a camping trip at Mineral Bar or make it the first stop before heading up to the ghost town of Iowa Hill.

Timing is key for this waterfall. I’ve seen it as a trickle in the summer time and I’ve seen it pouring down during late spring. So, keep that in mind when you are planning your visit.

FAQ: Pennyweight Falls Trail

How long is Pennyweight Trail?

Pennyweight Trail is usually described as a short out-and-back hike at roughly 1.7 to 2.4 miles depending on your exact route and starting point.

Where is Pennyweight Falls located?

Pennyweight Falls is located near Colfax in Placer County, off Iowa Hill Road near Mineral Bar and the North Fork American River. It is part of the broader Auburn State Recreation Area landscape.

Is there a fee to hike Pennyweight Trail?

Yes, plan for a $10 vehicle day-use fee in Auburn State Recreation Area.

When is the best time to see Pennyweight Falls?

The best time to see Pennyweight Falls flowing is winter through spring, especially after steady rain. In summer and fall, the waterfall may be much lighter or dry.

Is Pennyweight Falls good for kids?

Pennyweight Trail can be a good short hike for older kids who are comfortable on uneven dirt trails. However, the narrow road, canyon terrain, poison oak, river hazards, and climb back out may make it less ideal for very young children.

Can you swim near Pennyweight Falls?

There is river access nearby, but swimming conditions depend on season, flow, water temperature, and safety conditions. The North Fork American River can be cold, swift, and dangerous, especially after storms or during high-flow periods.

Are dogs allowed on Pennyweight Trail?

Dogs are generally allowed in Auburn State Recreation Area when leashed and controlled, but always check current California State Parks rules and posted signs before bringing a dog.