Lower Falls Creek Falls

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Region: Southwest Washington

Roundtrip Miles: 3.4 miles

Elevation Gain (feet): 600

Best Month(s): June or October

Hikeable: May-November

Trailhead Coordinates:  45.9080, -121.9475

Pass: none required as of 10/5/2019, USFS land

Features: waterfalls, old growth, river

Water: river access questionable, bring your own water

Time: Plan on spending 2 hours total for hiking and taking photos at the falls

Summary: According to the FS sign, this is a free trailhead at this time. It’s a really lovely hike. The trail is well-maintained and a very easy walk. The road, however, has some pretty bad potholes and one very large one the spans the entire width of the road and was full of water. We took a low-clearance vehicle and almost couldn’t make it past this, but my partner has some some superfly driving skills and we made it 🙂

Plan on spending about 2 hours on this hike, counting time at the falls for photos. We did not attempt to do any root climbing past the main viewpoint of the falls where the official trail ends. We left the trailhead about 9:30am on a Saturday and it took us about 45 minutes to reach the falls. There were only two other vehicles in the parking lot at that time. We caught up to them at the falls. The forest is so lush and gorgeous and moss-covered rocks look like some kind of fairyland. It’s a really nice, easy hike.

By the time we came back, the lot was full. Lots of off-leash dogs not responsive to voice control. If we had started an hour earlier we would have avoided most other people. I would definitely do this hike again, just on a weekday or much earlier in the morning.

There are two trails to Falls Creek Falls: 152 and 152A. 152A follows the creek while 152 takes you through the forest. We took 152A and it was lovely.

While the trail is hikeable year-round, the road in is closed December 1-April 30 so that may add several miles to the hike if you attempt it.

Since you’re in the area, take a quick 30 minute stop at Panther Creek Falls (0.2 miles roundtrip and definitely worth the detour for this amazing waterfall). Definitely don’t just stop at the first viewing platform either (you can only see half the falls from here), go down the trail to see the whole falls. The parking isn’t signed, just the old pit on the right hand side of the road with the trail on the left.

We stopped by Tommy O’s in Vancouver afterward for some lunch. The Oregon Roll was fresh and tasty.

Post-hike Food Stop:

  • *Feral Public House – Heathen Brewing (Vancouver): happy hour is all-day-long on Sundays w/ beverage purchase. Try the pulled pork tribal tacos or happy pizza.
  • NOT DOG FRIENDLY but it’s a must stop if you happen to be hiking on a cool, non-sunny day where your pup can safely stay in the car…Tommy O’s Pacific Rim Bistro (Vancouver): if you go on a weekend from 9-12 they serve brunch and the malasadas (Hawaiian beignets) are delightful! The Oregon Roll was fresh and tasty.

Other Vancouver Attractions:

  • Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
  • Vancouver Downtown Farmers Market
  • Waterfront Renaissance Trail
  • Ulysses S. Grant House

Note: The restaurants and breweries denoted with * are potentially dog-friendly for their outdoor seating. Their patio dining may only be open during summer, however. You should always check with each restaurant to see if outdoor space has a separate entrance and if they are willing to accommodate well-behaved dogs. I would never assume just because a place has allowed dogs in the past that this is still the case.