Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
250.00 ft (76.20 m)
Trail type
Shuttle
Distance
2.50 mi (4.02 km)
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The Lewis River Falls hike definitely delivers on the waterfalls.  Glacial melt from Mount Adams feeds the Lewis River and leads to stunning waterfall drops at Lower, Middle and Upper Lewis River Falls. Photographers, fisherman and those looking to take a (chilly) dip in the river will be presented with dozens if not hundreds of options.

Driving into Lower Lewis River Falls from NF-90, you’ll find a large campground and toilet facilities. From this parking area for Lower Lewis River Falls it is a short, 500-foot trek to a vista overlooking the 43-foot tall, 200-foot wide Lower Falls. Once you’ve taken in the views and taken some good photographs, continue following the trail up along the Lewis River.

Just before you hit the Middle Falls you’ll see a path that forks off along the trail to Copper Creek Falls. This quarter mile hike off the main path is strongly recommended, as Copper Creek Falls is surrounded by a lush landscape and can be directly seen from a bridge crossing.

Returning to the main path and heading up river you’ll reach the dramatic, 300-foot wide Middle Falls that drops 33 feet over multiple tiers.

Continuing up along the river, you’ll have yet another great destination to reach. Upper Lewis Falls looks remarkably similar to Lower Lewis River Falls, but it is even larger. With a 58-foot drop and a 175-foot span, Upper Lewis River Falls is the tallest of the four major falls on this section of the river.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

NW Forest Pass

Pros

Multiple large waterfalls. Old-growth forest. Wild flowers and fishing.

Cons

Shaded hiking most of the way.

Trailhead Elevation

1,500.00 ft (457.20 m)

Features

Backcountry camping
Waterfalls
Big vistas
Old-growth forest
Wildflowers
Shelters
Fishing

Typically multi-day

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Mt. Adams/Indian Heaven Wilderness/Goat Rocks, Washington
Washington, Southwest Washington/Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Comments

06/30/2018
Stay at Lower Falls Campground, site #13 was close to the river to afford the white noise of the river, located across from the bathrooms and giving you access to trail #31 by your own leg of the trail. Hike Lewis River trail #31 that leaves right from your campsite on a well maintained trail that includes views of Lower, Middle and Upper Lewis falls as well as 3 others.
05/04/2018
Road is open to the falls however use caution lots of downed tree limbs and the road has a few washouts on it. The campground and park are also open. Enjoy!
11/24/2017
#optoutside hike on Black Friday, River was absolutely RAGING, 5070 cfs on USGS 14216000 LEWIS RIVER ABOVE MUDDY RIVER GAUGE (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv/?site_no=14216000&agency_cd=USGS) which is just above Swift Reservior - Median flow for this date is 1350 cfs for comparison. Many Waterfalls, too numerous to count, tumbling into the river and feeding the flow. Parts of the trail were underwater, thank god for Gore Tex Boots! A quintessential PNW Hike thru deep forest, ferns and moss everywhere. An absolute gem! Note that the main trail just before Middle Falls is closed off (presumably due to landslide) so you have to switchback up to the Middle Falls Trailhead and then back down to the falls, but you do get to cross Copper Creek Falls (see pic) which is pretty impressive in it's own right
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