Waterfall Hikes Near Kelso, WA

12,661 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
34 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Kelso is where I-5 crosses the Cowlitz, so most of these falls begin with a short highway hop. The Kalama exits reach Lower Kalama River Falls, an easy 1.5 miles, and Kalama Falls at 2.5 miles with 200 feet of gain. Cedar Creek Falls near Woodland runs 2.2 miles. Across the Columbia, Beaver Falls drops 48 feet close to the road and Gnat Creek stretches 4.4 miles into the coast range. Bring the dog, every hike here allows one. The count comes to thirty-four.

Located at 46.1236°N, -122.8909°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Kelso

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

33 of 34 gauged

33 waterfalls near Kelso have live flow data today

Barth Falls Barely Flowing Fishhawk Falls Barely Flowing Gnat Creek Falls Barely Flowing Youngs River Falls Barely Flowing Beaver Falls Low Bonnie Falls Low Jackson Falls Low Cedar Creek Falls Low Cowlitz Falls Moderate Harmony Falls Moderate Curly Creek Falls Barely Flowing Fisk Falls Moderate Willapa Falls Moderate Horseshoe Falls Low Lucia Falls Low Moulton Falls Low Salmon Falls Low Kalama Falls Barely Flowing Washboard Falls Barely Flowing Lee Falls Low Little Falls Barely Flowing Little Lee Falls Moderate Little Niagara Falls Barely Flowing Loowit Falls Barely Flowing Lower Falls Barely Flowing Middle Falls Barely Flowing Paradise Falls Barely Flowing Upper Falls Barely Flowing Lower Kalama River Falls Moderate Marietta Falls Moderate Mima Falls Barely Flowing Willamette Falls Low University Falls Moderate

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny · 80°F

Tue 80°F Mostly Sunny Best
Wed 76°F Partly Sunny
Thu 81°F Mostly Sunny
Fri 82°F Mostly Sunny
Sat 83°F Partly Sunny
Sun 82°F Partly Sunny
Mon 79°F Slight Chance Light Rain

Flowing best right now near Kelso

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Little Lee Falls Moderate · 3 cfs 39th percentile
  2. 2 Marietta Falls Moderate · 1270 cfs 35th percentile
  3. 3 Lower Kalama River Falls Moderate · 1270 cfs 35th percentile
  4. 4 Cowlitz Falls Moderate · 1060 cfs 31st percentile
  5. 5 Harmony Falls Moderate · 1060 cfs 31st percentile
  6. 6 University Falls Moderate · 7 cfs 30th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Kelso hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Kelso

Have your own travel site? Embed these waterfalls for free.

🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Kelso (11 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Cedar Creek Falls waterfall

Cedar Creek Falls

28.4 miles away
Washington
Easy
2.2 miles 300 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Kelso (24 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Marietta Falls

12.4 miles away
Washington
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Beaver Falls waterfall

Beaver Falls

19.8 miles away
Oregon
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Lower Kalama River Falls

9.2 miles away
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Washboard Falls

41.7 miles away
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Bonnie Falls waterfall

Bonnie Falls

10 miles away
Oregon
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

All 34 Waterfalls Near Kelso

Paradise Falls waterfall

Paradise Falls

32.8 miles away
Washington
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Willapa Falls waterfall

Willapa Falls

28.1 miles away
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Lower Falls waterfall

Lower Falls

23.1 miles away
Washington
Easy
1.5 miles 100 ft
Middle Falls waterfall

Middle Falls

47.4 miles away
Washington
Moderate
5.6 miles 1,300 ft
Upper Falls waterfall

Upper Falls

2.2 miles away
Washington
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft
Little Falls waterfall

Little Falls

25.9 miles away
Oregon
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Mima Falls waterfall

Mima Falls

9.6 miles away
Washington
Moderate
6.5 miles 500 ft
University Falls waterfall

University Falls

29.3 miles away
Oregon
Easy
1.6 miles 200 ft
Little Niagara Falls waterfall

Little Niagara Falls

3.6 miles away
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Fern Rock Falls waterfall

Fern Rock Falls

27.8 miles away
Oregon
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Little Lee Falls

41.1 miles away
Oregon
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Lee Falls waterfall

Lee Falls

20.5 miles away
Oregon
Easy
2.4 miles 200 ft
Willamette Falls waterfall

Willamette Falls

31 miles away
Oregon
Easy
0.4 miles 50 ft
Cowlitz Falls waterfall

Cowlitz Falls

39.1 miles away
Washington
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Kelso

Are there free waterfalls near Kelso?

There are 19 free waterfalls near Kelso, including Barth Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Kelso?

There are 11 easy waterfall hikes near Kelso, including Cedar Creek Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Kelso?

There are 24 dog-friendly waterfalls near Kelso, including Barth Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Kelso?

There are 25 kid-friendly waterfalls near Kelso, including Barth Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Kelso?

There is 1 waterfall that allows swimming near Kelso, including Youngs River Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Kelso?

The shortest waterfall hike near Kelso is Barth Falls at 0.4 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Kelso?

The tallest waterfall near Kelso is Middle Falls at 265 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Kelso require permits?

Yes, 6 waterfalls near Kelso require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Kelso?

Yes, 19 waterfalls near Kelso have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Kelso?

The closest waterfall to Kelso is Marietta Falls, approximately 8.4 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Kelso, Washington

Mt St Helens Fumaroles

Mt St Helens Fumaroles

33.0 mi 190°F

Mount St. Helens fumaroles reach 190 degrees at 6,906 feet elevation on the crater rim, emerging 159.1 degrees above ambient in...

Green River Soda Spring

38.9 mi 86°F

Green River Soda Spring produces 86-degree carbonated water at 1,644 feet elevation, flowing 37.5 degrees above ambient tempera...

Rock Creek Hot Springs

60.4 mi

Rock Creek Hot Springs emerges in the Columbia River Gorge in Skamania County, Washington, with water documented as 'hot' witho...
Moffetts (Bonneville) Hot Springs

Moffetts (Bonneville) Hot Springs

62.1 mi 97°F

Moffetts Hot Springs, also called Bonneville Hot Springs, flows at 97 degrees in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest at just 75...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Kelso, Washington on SoakingSprings.

Explore Washington springs

Where to Stay

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