Cedar Creek Falls is one of San Diego County's most spectacular natural wonders — an 80-foot waterfall that plunges into a large, deep pool nicknamed the “Devil's Punchbowl,” hidden in the rugged backcountry hills east of Ramona. Tucked into the chaparral-covered canyons of the Cleveland National Forest, it's a stunning reward at the end of a challenging desert hike and a magnet for hikers looking to cool off in the pool below.

Plan ahead: a permit is required, and the safety rules here are serious and strictly enforced. Only 75 permits are issued per day through Recreation.gov (about $6, for up to five people) — they're not sold on-site, and there's little cell signal at the trailhead, so buy yours in advance. All cliffs above and around the falls are closed to climbing, jumping, and diving. That rule exists because people have died here — a teenager's fatal fall in 2011 led to the closures and the permit system. Alcohol is prohibited throughout the area.

The hike itself demands respect. The trail to the falls (via either the San Diego River Gorge route from the Ramona side or the Saddleback approach) is steep and fully exposed, dropping into the canyon on the way in — which means a hot, strenuous climb back out. Heat is the real danger: most of the fatalities and the many rescues here are heat-related. Hike early in the morning, carry far more water than you think you'll need (plus snacks and electrolytes), wear sun protection, and avoid the trail entirely on hot summer days.

The cooler months, roughly October through May, are by far the best and safest time to visit, and the falls run fullest after winter and spring rains (the flow can slow to a trickle by late summer). Respect the permit system, the cliff closures, and the desert heat, and Cedar Creek Falls rewards you with one of Southern California's most dramatic backcountry waterfalls.