Lower Lewis River Falls is a 43-foot block waterfall on the Lewis River in Skamania County, Washington.
The falls
The river drops 43 feet over a curved crest in a single block, averaging 275 feet wide and widening into a broad curtain of water at high flow. The Forest Service describes a 60-foot cliff at the falls, well above the surveyed height.
Getting there
Drivers reach the falls by heading east from Cougar on Forest Road 90 to the Lower Falls Recreation Area, in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. From the parking area, a viewpoint path runs under 500 feet one way. A vehicle reservation, made through Recreation.gov and printed in advance, is required from June 15 through Labor Day; it costs $2 and does not cover day-use parking. Parking itself is $5 by cash or check, or covered by a Northwest Forest or America the Beautiful pass; a Washington Discover Pass is not needed.
When to go
April through August is the recommended season, when the glacier-fed river runs highest.
On site
On September 29, 2021, a 25-year-old man died after being swept over the falls.
History and name
The falls are also known as Lower Falls, Lower Lewis Falls and Lower Falls of the Lewis River.
Nearby
Chickoon Creek Falls is about 0.4 mile away. Lower Copper Creek Falls and Copper Creek Falls are each about 1.1 miles away, and Middle Lewis River Falls, also on the Lewis River, about 1.2 miles.
Distances are straight-line.