Franklin Falls, an unofficial name for a nearly continuous chain of small falls and cascades on Franklin Creek, drops about 330 feet in all in the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park, Tulare County, California.
The falls
A lidar-based estimate puts the cumulative drop at about 330 feet, with no single drop taller than 60 feet and most under 30 feet. The creek descends into Mineral King at about 8,704 feet in elevation. The feature remains unconfirmed and the name is unofficial.
Getting there
Mineral King Road is 28 miles long, narrow and winding, takes more than an hour to drive, and is partly unpaved near the end; RVs and trailers are not recommended. Day hiking requires no reservation, while overnight wilderness travel needs a permit. Sequoia National Park's entrance fee is $35 per vehicle or $20 per person on foot or bicycle. As of September 25, 2026, the road is open but has weekday construction delays, with work scheduled through 2027. No developed trail, trailhead, or accessible route specific to Franklin Falls has been published.
When to go
The Mineral King season generally runs from late May to the last Wednesday in October, depending on snow and road conditions.
Nearby
Crystal Creek Falls is about 0.8 mile away, Tufa Falls about 1.5 miles, and Black Wolf Falls about 1.9 miles.
Distances are straight-line.