Open Year-round
No
Reservations possible?
Yes
RV Hookups
No
Potable water
Yes
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The upper stretches of the Lewis River offers some of the most remote and scenic terrain in Western Washington. Roughly 2 hours from the closest town of any significant size, this reach of the Lewis River is home to some of the most impressive stands of old-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar anywhere in the Pacific Northwest.

Most notably, however, Lower Falls Campground is located alongside Lewis River Falls, a series of impressive and broad waterfalls, composed of Upper, Middle and Lower Lewis River Falls. All of the falls are accessible by a hiking trail that leaves directly from the campground.

Lower Falls Campground itself boasts 43 spacious and private car/tent campsites, potable water, vault toilets and numerous group/‘double’ sites.

Note: Lower Falls Campground is open from May to October and busiest in July and August. The only potable water is located at the entrance of the Upper Loop.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Access to Lewis River Trail. Spacious and private sites.

Cons

Heavily shaded and often damp campsites.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Managed by

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Reservation phone number

509395340

Features

Vault toilet
Potable water

Recommended Campsites Without Photos

35 (double site)

Location

Nearby Adventures

Southwest Washington/Mount St. Helens, Washington
Washington, Southwest Washington/Mount St. Helens
Indian Heaven Wilderness

Comments

Quick note: I just spent a few lovely days at Lower Falls Campground! As some mentioned in terms of the water, while it's technically potable (I'm assuming), it's a great idea to bring your own. The pump at the upper loop requires a good amount of arm work to fill a bottle, and generally it's pretty nasty/metallic tasting at the moment. I think it would be pretty darn tough to pump enough water out of that thing for an entire family :)
08/08/2016
Josh and Sarah,
Thank you for your comments and notification that reservations are available for the campground. We have updated the page with this information and a link to the reservation portal on recreation.gov.
08/08/2016
As mentioned elsewhere, reservations are certainly possible via reserveamerica.com. Furthermore, if you're looking at a weekend in July-August a reservation would probably be advisable since "rarely full" is perhaps a bit overly optimistic. It's possible to snag a site while somebody is departing in the morning if you get there early, but you shouldn't depend on that eventuality.

Potable water was unavailable during the 2014 season, and while the pumps appear to have been restored, there was what appeared to be metallic residue in the water we collected. Probably not a significant concern, but it wouldn't be a terrible idea to bring at least a strainer or perhaps your own filter to collect water from the Lewis River.

Lastly, NF-90 leading to the campground is unpaved for approximately half a mile or so and is beset with sudden dips. If you have a low clearance vehicle, then be forewarned that it's possible to bottom out in spots.

All in all a great spot, and Lower Falls itself is impressive. Just a few things to keep in mind before heading out.
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