Are there fees or permits required for Beaver Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Beaver Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Beaver Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Beaver Falls.

Nearby gauge (Calawah River) · 1,180 ft³/s · About average

Beaver Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Beaver Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Beaver Falls. Pets are allowed on Washington DNR-managed land; state rules require a leash in developed or posted recreation areas and require owners to keep pets from harassing wildlife.

Washington • 25 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 6 other waterfalls also named Beaver Falls, see below

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) State Resource Management Area SRMA · SDNR

Photo Credits (5)

Essex Explorations CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

LDELD CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.1 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Beaver Falls

Beaver Falls is a 25-foot waterfall where Beaver Creek drops over a ledge of bedrock about 70 feet wide, just off State Route 113 north of Sappho in Clallam County. It is outside Olympic National Park, on state Department of Natural Resources land. In the rainy season the creek covers the whole ledge; later in the year it splits into two or three channels, and the water is often stained brown by tannins from upstream wetlands.

The Setting

Beaver Falls sits at 587 feet within Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) State Resource Management Area, in the foothills of Washington. The falls drop 25 feet.

Height: 25 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Hoko Falls (4 ft) lies 10.6 miles to the northwest.

Hoko Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

A short, well-trodden path follows the highway guardrail from the pullout and descends to the creek below the falls. The last step down to the creek is large, so children and shorter hikers may need a hand.

What to Expect

The falls drop a gentle 25 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Beaver Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Pets are allowed on Washington DNR-managed land; state rules require a leash in developed or posted recreation areas and require owners to keep pets from harassing wildlife.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Beaver Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall flow is typically stronger due to seasonal rainfall.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 48°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

Exercise caution near the waterfall, as rocks may be slippery. Be aware of changing weather conditions, especially during the rainy season.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 40 minutes ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Calawah River, 11 miles away, not on Beaver Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

1,180 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

284 560 1.8k 3.6k

Based on 51 years of record

4.84 ft

Water depth at gauge

48°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 48 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

CALAWAH RIVER NEAR FORKS, WA

USGS 12043000

11 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 129 sq mi

Altitude: 205 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge CALAWAH RIVER NEAR FORKS, WA (18 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

1080 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Moderate

1231 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Strong

1421 cfs

8/10

Thu

Moderate

1613 cfs

6/10

Fri

Moderate

2339 cfs

6/10

Sat

Moderate

2137 cfs

6/10

Sun

Strong

1643 cfs

7/10

Mon

Strong

1711 cfs

8/10

Best window: Tomorrow — strong flow, rain (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid November to late December, peaking in November.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

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

Is Beaver Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid

Beaver Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 54°F to 43°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 1210 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Washington.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

The bare-earth surface loses about 133 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The falls are listed at 25 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 577 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 37 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 73 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Beaver Falls near Clallam Bay, Washington, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Beaver Falls near Clallam Bay, Washington, showing about 133 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 577 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 133 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Take US 101 west from Port Angeles to Sappho, then turn right onto State Route 113 toward Clallam Bay and Neah Bay. Drive just over 2 miles to a large pullout on the right, shortly after crossing Beaver Creek.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Park in the large pullout on the right side of State Route 113 just past the Beaver Creek crossing.

Elevation

587 feet above sea level

Coordinates

48.094801° N, -124.265768° W

Land Management

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) State Resource Management Area SRMA

Managed by SDNR

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be muddy, especially after rain. Arrive early to secure parking and enjoy the falls without crowds. Bring a camera to capture the scenic beauty.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

Klahowya Campground

7.4 miles away · 0 sites

Adjacent to the south shore of the Sol Duc River, the rain forest setting hosts an accessible interpretive nature trail, fishing, picnicking, and trails to explore the natural beauty. During the summer when the river is low water, there is tubing or float run between the 'Day Use' areas next to Sites 9 and 45.Interpretive programs are presented in the amphitheater during the summer.

Book on Recreation.gov