Are there fees or permits required for Clear Creek Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Clear Creek Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Clear Creek Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Clear Creek Falls.

Live Conditions · 358 ft³/s · About average

Clear Creek Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Clear Creek Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Clear Creek Falls.

Washington • 300 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Clear Creek Falls, see below

Snoqualmie National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

takenji1989 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Drive Up

Trail Length

0.1 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Clear Creek Falls

Clear Creek Falls is a dramatic 300-foot cascade that plunges into a deep canyon near Rimrock Lake, offering a spectacular scene for photographers and day hikers. Nestled within the Snoqualmie National Forest and managed by the U.S. Forest Service, the falls present a rugged, photogenic vista framed by classic Pacific Northwest forest and basalt walls. The viewpoint delivers sweeping views that make the short trip well worth the effort for anyone exploring the area. Access to the falls is most commonly made via the USFS Dark Meadows Trail (Trail #1107), which leads to the main overlook and several photo-friendly vantage points. The route also pairs nicely with camping nearby—White Pass Lake (Leech Lake) Campground is approximately 2.85 km from the falls—making Clear Creek Falls a convenient stop for an overnight trip or a longer loop through the Snoqualmie National Forest.

The Setting

Clear Creek Falls sits at 3,976 feet within Snoqualmie National Forest, fed by the Cowlitz River, in the mountains of Washington. At 300 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Washington.

Height: 300 feet

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

No hiking required. Clear Creek Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.

USFS Trail

DARK MEADOWS #1107

Trail Class

Class 0

Surface

N/A

Avg Grade

N/A

USFS Segment

1.73 mi

Trail Description

The hike to Clear Creek Falls is typically done as a moderate, out-and-back route of about 2.4 miles total with roughly 350 feet of elevation gain. Expect a moderate difficulty level and a short climb to reach the primary viewpoint of the 300-foot waterfall; the route is popular for day hikes and photography stops. Official USFS records list the approach as DARK MEADOWS, Trail #1107 (Class: N). The Forest Service entry records a GIS length of 1.73 miles for Trail #1107; surface and typical grade are not recorded (Surface: N/A, Typical grade: N/A), so trail conditions can vary and hikers should be prepared for unrecorded tread conditions. The route is out-and-back in type; plan accordingly and consider the nearby White Pass Lake (Leech Lake) Campground if you intend to overnight close to the trailhead.

What to Expect

The falls plunge 300 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Clear Creek Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Clear Creek Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is most impressive during periods of high water flow.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Snoqualmie National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Stay on designated paths and avoid getting too close to the edge of the canyon. The area can be slippery, especially during wet or icy conditions.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Moderate

Based on a USGS gauge 15.9 miles away

358 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

1.04 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.

COWLITZ RIVER AT PACKWOOD, WA

USGS 14226500

15.9 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 287 sq mi

Altitude: 1,051 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge COWLITZ RIVER AT PACKWOOD, WA (26 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

358 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

358 cfs

9/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

352 cfs

9/10

Mon

Moderate

357 cfs

9/10

Tue

Strong

381 cfs

8/10

Wed

Strong

361 cfs

10/10

Thu

Strong

381 cfs

8/10

Fri

Strong

363 cfs

10/10

Best window: Wed — strong flow, partly sunny (trip score 10/10).

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

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 laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 481 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 300 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 3,792 feet.

The ground changes about 420 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 54 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Clear Creek Falls near Packwood, Washington, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Clear Creek Falls near Packwood, Washington, showing about 481 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 3,792 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 481 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Clear Creek Falls is located off U.S. Highway 12 near Rimrock Lake, approximately 40 miles west of Yakima, Washington. The falls can be accessed via a short drive from the highway.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a designated parking area near the Clear Creek Falls viewpoint, which is easily accessible from the highway.

Elevation

3,976 feet above sea level

Coordinates

46.656197° N, -121.350625° W

Land Management

Snoqualmie National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit during the spring or early summer when water flow is at its peak. Bring a camera to capture the stunning views. Be cautious near the edges of the viewpoint, as the canyon is steep.