Cedar Falls is a 90-foot two-tier waterfall on Cedar Creek in the Methow Valley near Mazama, Okanogan County, Washington. It is the destination of the Cedar Creek Trail in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, an easy hike off the North Cascades Highway.
The falls
The World Waterfall Database, which surveyed the falls in person, measures two successive plunges of 40 and 50 feet, about 20 feet wide. A grove of trees keeps both tiers from being seen at once. Lidar shows two smaller drops close by, one of 12 to 15 feet upstream and one of 20 to 25 feet downstream. Earlier surveys listed 95 feet. The creek runs all year and drains to the Methow River.
Getting there
The Cedar Creek trailhead is about 17 miles west of Winthrop: turn south off Highway 20 onto Forest Road 200 and follow it 0.8 mile. The gravel road is bumpy but passable for passenger cars. The trailhead has ample parking, including room for horse trailers, a vault toilet and a picnic table, but no drinking water. Parking requires a Northwest Forest Pass ($5 per vehicle per day, paid digitally through the Recreation.gov app) or an America the Beautiful pass.
The hike is 3.5 miles round trip with 500 feet of gain, rated easy to moderate, topping out around 3,500 feet. The trail continues past the falls to Abernathy Pass and the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, 9.2 miles from the trailhead; bikes are allowed only up to the wilderness boundary. In June 2026 trail crews reported the spring washouts repaired and the route clear of logs.
When to go
The falls are at their best after spring snowmelt, when the creek runs high and wildflowers line the trail. In winter the trail becomes a snowshoe route of 3.6 to 9.6 miles round trip, depending on how far the road is plowed, and by January ice can hide the falls.
On site
The ground around the falls is steep, with drop-offs and no fences or barriers; stay back from the edges. Dogs are allowed on leash, and the hike is suitable for children. Along the way there are views of Goat Peak and its fire lookout.
Nearby
West Fork Cedar Falls is about 4.3 miles away, Snagtooth Ridge Falls about 4.2 miles, and Goat Wall Falls and Early Winters Creek Falls about 5 miles.
Distances are straight-line.