The Columbia Experience

The Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge holds large creeks and a more manageable amount of whitewater for the adventurous paddler. Waterfall seakers can still find some amazing views!

 

                                                                (east to west)

Husum Falls
Directions: Head up hwy 141 off of 14, up the White Salmon River. Continue until you reach Husum, WA. There are pull outs above and below the falls. The falls is located just upstream of the bride on the main road.

 

Spirit Falls
Directions: tough access and private property.

 

Photo by

Lana Young

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dog Creek Falls
Directions: continue west on hwy 14 past the Little White Salmon fish hatchery to a small, unmarked pull out on the right side of the road. The falls is within viewing distance of the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shipherd Falls
Directions: located on the lower Wind River upstream of Carson hotsprings.

 

Sweeney Falls
Diretions: heading west on hwy 14, just before Stevenson, WA on the right is Sweeney Falls pouring out of a small drainage just within view from the road.

 

Nelson Creek Falls
Directions: Just Before Stevenson, turn right on Nelson Creek Rd. continue up until the road levels out, there is a pull off on the left side of the road. Get out and pier over the canyon rim.

 

Rock Creek Falls – Money Drop
Directions: Located in a very unstable section of the lower canyon on Rock Creek, just outside of Stevenson, WA

 

 

 

Photo by

Keel Brightman

 

 

 

 

 

Steep Creek Falls

Rodney Falls
Directions: From hwy 14 turn into the picnic area of Beacon Rock State Park. Begin at Hamilton Mountain Trail and hike about 1.25 miles you will reach a split, the high road leads the Upper tier and the lower leads to the bottom tier.

Hardy Falls
Directions: Continue past Rodney Falls on the Upper Trail and Hardy Falls is just upstream.

Salmon Falls (Columbia Gorge)
Directions: Located on the Washougal River, turn up Salmon Falls Road and continue up to a bride that crosses this man-made feature.

Dougan Falls
Directions: Take a right on Washougal River road and continue for about 7.2 miles where the road crosses the river for the second time. The falls is just upstream.

Naked Falls
Directions: just past Dougan Falls, take a right and continue up river.

Docs Drop Falls
Directions: continue up river past Naked Falls.

 

Reeder Falls

Stebbins Creek Falls
Directions: Known to paddlers as Mad Dog Falls or the last rapid on Stebbins creek, this falls can be viewed just downstream of Doc’s Drop as you drive up the Washougal River on the right side of the road as you cross the bridge.

The Potholes on Lacamas Creek
Directions: Lacamas Creek is located in the town of Camas, WA flowing out of Lacamas Lake and into the Columbia. There are two falls on Lacamas Creek listed as potholes and lower falls. The description refers to low water when the geology reveals the pothole lined creek bed. Start at Lacamas lake and proceed down the trail past the dam. To get to the lower falls continue another .6 miles past the potholes.

 

 

Photo by

Ryan Scott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by

Ryan Scott

 

 

 

Photo by

Lana Young

 

 

Click Here for an impressive list of waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge

Click here for a list of the hydroelectric projects on the Snake River, ID

Click Here for History of the Dams and other structures on the Columbia River