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

18 of 33 waterfalls near Kelso are flowing strongly today

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

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Sunday

Mostly Sunny · 66°F

Tod 59°F Showers And Thunderstorms
Sat 63°F Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Sun 66°F Mostly Sunny Best
Mon 65°F Partly Sunny
Tue 63°F Chance Light Rain
Wed 65°F Slight Chance Light Rain
Thu 63°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 Upper Falls Roaring · 114 cfs 100th percentile
  2. 2 Willapa Falls Roaring · 41 cfs 100th percentile
  3. 3 Paradise Falls Roaring · 114 cfs 100th percentile
  4. 4 Middle Falls Roaring · 114 cfs 100th percentile
  5. 5 Lower Falls Roaring · 114 cfs 100th percentile
  6. 6 Fisk Falls Roaring · 41 cfs 100th 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

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Kelso (20 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.

Beaver Falls waterfall

Beaver Falls

10.7 miles away
Oregon
Easy
0.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Lower Kalama River Falls in Washington, about 257 feet of drop LiDAR

Lower Kalama River Falls

11.7 miles away
Washington
Easy
1.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Washboard Falls in Washington, about 90 feet of drop LiDAR

Washboard Falls

16.8 miles away
Washington
Drive Up
Unknown Unknown
Bonnie Falls waterfall

Bonnie Falls

17.6 miles away
Oregon
Easy
0.5 miles Unknown
Cedar Creek Falls waterfall

Cedar Creek Falls

20.8 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.

LiDAR terrain view around Marietta Falls in Washington, about 322 feet of drop LiDAR

Marietta Falls

8.4 miles away
Washington
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft

All 34 Waterfalls Near Kelso

Paradise Falls waterfall

Paradise Falls

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

Willapa Falls

43.1 miles away
Washington
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Lower Falls waterfall

Lower Falls

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

Middle Falls

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

Upper Falls

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

Little Falls

46.6 miles away
Oregon
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Mima Falls waterfall

Mima Falls

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

University Falls

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

Little Niagara Falls

47.9 miles away
Washington
Easy
2.5 miles Unknown
Fern Rock Falls waterfall

Fern Rock Falls

48.3 miles away
Oregon
Easy
0.5 miles Unknown
LiDAR terrain view around Little Lee Falls in Oregon, about 133 feet of drop LiDAR

Little Lee Falls

48.6 miles away
Oregon
Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Lee Falls waterfall

Lee Falls

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

Willamette Falls

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

Cowlitz Falls

49.9 miles away
Washington
Unknown
Unknown Unknown

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 20 easy waterfall hikes near Kelso, including Barth 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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