Is swimming allowed at Cedar Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Cedar Falls.

Cedar Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Cedar Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Cedar Falls. Leashed dogs are allowed on Cedar Creek Trail #476.

Washington

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 8 other waterfalls also named Cedar Falls, see below

Okanogan National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

WSDOT CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Rob Ketcherside CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

3.5 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

500 ft

About Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls is a two-tier waterfall on Cedar Creek in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, reached by Cedar Creek Trail #476 off the North Cascades Highway west of Mazama. The falls are about 1.7 miles in, making a 3.5-mile round trip with about 500 feet of gain. Flow is strongest during spring snowmelt.

The Setting

Cedar Falls sits at 3,510 feet within Okanogan National Forest, in the mountains of Washington.

Trail & Hike Details

3.5 mi distance 500 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy hike follows Cedar Creek (#476), a 3.5-mile out-and-back trail over n/a. Expect 500 feet of elevation gain with grades of N/A.

USFS Trail

CEDAR CREEK #476

Trail Class

Class 0

Surface

N/A

Avg Grade

N/A

USFS Segment

9.33 mi

Trail Description

Cedar Creek Trail #476 climbs gently through forest for about 1.7 miles to the falls, about 3.5 miles round trip with roughly 500 feet of elevation gain. The trail continues well beyond the falls, entering the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness at about 9.2 miles and reaching Abernathy Pass. There are steep drop-offs near the edges at the falls.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Cedar Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed dogs are allowed on Cedar Creek Trail #476.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fees are required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Cedar Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit Cedar Falls, as the water flow is usually at its peak during these seasons.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Check with Okanogan National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Stay back from the steep, unfenced drop-offs above the falls and the slippery rock near the creek.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 40 minutes ago

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Methow River, 4.5 miles away, not on Cedar Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

11.62 ft

Water depth at gauge

About This Gauge

METHOW RIVER ABOVE GOAT CREEK NEAR MAZAMA, WA

USGS 12447383

4.5 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 373 sq mi

Altitude: 2,040 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge METHOW RIVER ABOVE GOAT CREEK NEAR MAZAMA, WA (7 km away).

High confidence

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid April to mid July, peaking in June.

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 Winthrop hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Cedar Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Cedar Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 39°F to 33°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: no gauge

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.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 162 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 3,425 feet.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 174 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 116 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing northeast, the falls catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Cedar Falls near Winthrop, Washington, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Cedar Falls near Winthrop, Washington, showing about 162 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 3,425 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 162 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

From Winthrop, drive about 17 miles west on State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway). At the Cedar Creek trailhead sign, turn south onto Forest Road 200 and drive 0.8 mile to the trailhead.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Park at the Cedar Creek trailhead at the end of Forest Road 200. A Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass is required.

Elevation

3,510 feet above sea level

Coordinates

48.558515° N, -120.480404° W

Land Management

Okanogan National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Download directions before you go, since cell service is unreliable along Highway 20. Combine the hike with a stop in Mazama or Winthrop.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy 3.5 miles hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

Kahtoola MICROspikes

Cult-favorite traction cleats that grip ice and wet rock — essential for winter waterfall hikes.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

The backcountry standard — filters 99.9% of bacteria and weighs just 3 oz.

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

Methow Valley Ranger District

14.4 miles away · 0 sites

With its big valleys, open wildspaces, high ridges and beautiful rivers, the Methow Valley Ranger District's 1.3 million acres extends from near the town of Twisp Washington to the crest of the Cascade Mountains in the Pasayten Wilderness. Alpine lakes are a hideaway for anglers while diverse wilderness awaits explorers of all types. There are bassalt formations for rock climbers and winter sports opportunities abound. The highest peak is Jack Mountain at 9,066 feet, with many other peaks above

Book on Recreation.gov