Forest road tourEl Yunque National Forest: The Road 191 Corridor - Half Day
4.98 49 reviews 98% five stars
- 4.5 hours
- Up to 14
- English, Spanish
- Hotel pickup or meeting point
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
from $95 per person
La Mina Falls
La Mina Falls drops over 35 feet into a pool in El Yunque National Forest. Access depends on trail status; you cannot drive to the falls.
Closed
La Mina Trail and La Mina Falls are closed for construction. The Forest Service expects the project to finish by summer 2027. That is a project estimate, not a reopening date. Forest Service notice
Big Tree Trail is closed for repairs. Forest Service notice
35 ftDrop of the falls, or a little over
0.7 mileLa Mina Trail, each way
Summer 2027Project estimate, not a reopening date
La Mina Falls at a glance
- La Mina Trail
- 0.7 mile each way, 492 feet of elevation change, challenging
- Big Tree Trail
- 0.9 mile each way, 164 feet of elevation change, moderate
- Trailheads
- Palo Colorado at km 12.2 and Big Tree at km 10.4
- Water
- 60 to 65 °F, by the Forest Service
- Road access
- None: the falls are reached only on foot
- Fee
- A fee is proposed; no decision yet
How to get to La Mina Falls
From PR-191 beyond La Coca Falls at km 8.1, two trails reach La Mina Falls: La Mina Trail from Palo Colorado and Big Tree Trail. Your final approach is on foot.
On the road: La Mina Trail starts at Palo Colorado at km 12.2. Big Tree Trail starts at km 10.4. Both have paved lots and designated roadside parking. A parking space does not give you permission to use a trail.
Today in El YunqueSaturday, November 7
8–5PR-191 hours, entry free
80%Chance of rain
2.03 ftRío Mameyes, steady
La Mina Falls today
Closed Status as the Forest Service lists it, read on November 7, 2026.
If it rains: Heavy rain can bring flash flooding to the La Mina River. You should keep out of the pool during storms. A gauge reading cannot establish safe swimming conditions.
Why is La Mina Falls closed?
Damage from hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 led to the La Mina Falls reconstruction project. The reconstruction covers trail repairs and a rebuilt bridge.
The Forest Service fee proposal FAQ gives summer 2027 as the project completion estimate. The estimate does not guarantee trail access. Check the trail status before making travel plans.
La Mina Trail and Big Tree Trail
La Mina Trail descends 492 feet over 0.7 mile from Palo Colorado toward the falls. You climb back up on the return. Winding concrete stairs add to the effort on the uphill return.
Big Tree Trail has 164 feet of elevation change and some steep sections. The asphalt route includes rain shelters at points along the way. You reach the same falls from either trail.
What to see instead of La Mina Falls
Our pick: La Coca Falls at km 8.1 on PR-191 if you want a waterfall beside the road. The roadside cascade drops 85 feet onto a large rock formation. You can see the waterfall without a trail hike.
Juan Diego at km 9.6 offers a short path to a waterfall and pool. Parking has a 30 minute limit. You should read tours selling La Mina Falls carefully and compare their promised stops with current access.
El Yunque tours
We compared all 162 El Yunque tours and kept 71 on reviews and ratings. How we pick tours
Forest road tour
Forest road tourEl Yunque Rainforest Guided Day Tour from San Juan
4.80 527 reviews 89% five stars
- 5 hours
- Up to 14
- English
- Hotel pickup
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
from $75 per person
Forest road tourEl Yunque National Forest Guided Tour with Transport
4.78 538 reviews 86% five stars
- 5 hours
- Up to 14
- English, Spanish
- Hotel pickup or meeting point
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
from $80 per person
More stops in El Yunque
People also ask
Is La Mina Falls open?
The label at the top of this page shows the status of La Mina Falls for today, from Forest Service data refreshed every hour. Any dated closure notice appears beside it.
When will La Mina Falls open?
La Mina Falls has a summer 2027 project estimate, not a scheduled opening date. You should plan a visit only when the trail status permits access. The work includes trail repairs and bridge reconstruction. An estimated completion does not guarantee access for hiking or swimming.
How tall is La Mina Falls?
La Mina Falls drops over 35 feet into a pool. A visit depends on trail access because the waterfall has no road approach. The water runs through large rocks on the way down. The Forest Service describes pool temperatures of 60 to 65 °F.
Can you swim at La Mina Falls?
You can swim in the 60 to 65 °F pool at La Mina Falls when trail access and weather permit. You should stay out of the pool during storms because flash flooding can occur. A river gauge reading cannot establish safe swimming conditions.
How long is the hike to La Mina Falls?
The hike to La Mina Falls via La Mina Trail is 0.7 mile each way. Your hike depends on permitted trail access. The return hike climbs 492 feet on a route with winding concrete stairs. Big Tree Trail provides the other approach.
Will there be a fee for La Mina Falls?
The proposed La Mina Falls fee is $4 per person per day for the La Mina Recreation Area. No final decision has been made. The Federal Register proposal allows fees no earlier than March 8, 2027, if approved. You should treat the charge as a proposal when budgeting for your visit.