Devil Creek Falls
Washington • 76 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
There is no maintained trail to these falls. The nearest developed access, Boulder Cave Day Use Area, needs a parking pass and a timed-entry ticket and closes in winter.
Photo Credits (4)
About Devil Creek Falls
Devil Creek Falls is a 76-foot series of drops on Devil Creek in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest near Cliffdell, about half a mile upstream of Boulder Cave. A narrow slide over three small ledges ends in a 57-foot plunge into a boulder-framed grotto with a deep pool. There is no developed trail to the falls, and they see few visitors compared with Boulder Cave just downstream.
The Setting
Devil Creek Falls sits at 2,930 feet within Snoqualmie National Forest, in the hills of Washington. The falls drop 76 feet.
Height: 76 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
West Quartz Creek Falls (126 ft) lies 4.2 miles to the northwest.
Trail & Hike Details
USFS Trail
SWAMP CREEK SNOWMOBILE #SNO-1706
Trail Class
Class 0
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
8.88 miWhat to Expect
The falls cascade 76 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and natural obstacles.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Devil Creek Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Devil Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
April through June. The creek loses much of its flow by the end of June.
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
Exercise caution near the waterfall, as rocks can be slippery. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, especially in the mountains. Carry a map or GPS device if exploring further into the area.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on American River, 3.3 miles away, not on Devil Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
125 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 87 years of record
72.59 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
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge AMERICAN RIVER NEAR NILE, WA (5 km away).
Today
Roaring
112 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Roaring
113 cfs
8/10Fri
Roaring
147 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
158 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
155 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
157 cfs
6/10Tue
Roaring
155 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — roaring flow, patchy fog then mostly cloudy (trip score 8/10).
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 Cliffdell hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Devil Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 4 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Devil Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 50°F to 37°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 83 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.
1-meter lidar shows Devil Creek Falls dropping about 160 feet in a single sheer step. That is more than the listed 76 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 2,927 feet above sea level.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 63 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 112 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing northeast, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 2,927 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 160 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
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
The nearest developed access is the Boulder Cave Day Use Area off SR 410 near Cliffdell, reached by Forest Road 1704 about 26 miles east of Chinook Pass. The falls are upstream of the cave and are not on a maintained trail.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
The Boulder Cave Day Use Area requires a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass, plus a timed-entry ticket from Recreation.gov.
Elevation
2,930 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.956924° N, -121.105032° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit in spring for the best flow. Boulder Cave closes seasonally in winter.
Where to Stay
4008 Cozy ONE Bedroom in Suncadia with Heated Pool Access
Suncadia Resort Luxury Suite with Amazing Mountain Views
Secluded Greenwater Cabin with Loft Near Rainier
The Cabin
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
SAWMILL FLAT CAMPGROUND
1.3 miles away · 24 sites
Overview Sawmill Flat Campground is located along the Naches River in the Northern Cascade Range of Washington. The campground provides and ideal setting for both individual and family camping excursions.Recreation Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offers a multitude of recreational activities for its visitors. In addition to being a prime location for hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and mountain biking in summer and early fall, the area provides excellent skiing and snowshoeing in th
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Yakima, Washington
Ohanapecosh Hot Springs
Ohanapecosh Hot Springs flows at 122 degrees within Mount Rainier National Park at 1,920 feet elevation, emerging 74.5 degrees ...
Lester Hot Springs
This 120-degree spring sits within the City of Tacoma Watershed at 1,582 feet elevation, emerging 72.3 degrees above ambient in...
Simcoe Soda Springs
Simcoe Soda Springs flows at 90 degrees Fahrenheit on Yakama Nation Reservation tribal land in Yakima County near Tieton, with ...
Mt Rainier Fumaroles
Mount Rainier fumaroles reach 162 degrees at 14,217 feet elevation, emerging 154.8 degrees above ambient at Washington's highes...
Goldmeyer Hot Springs
Goldmeyer Hot Springs emerges at 127 degrees in the central Cascades, producing water 78.9 degrees above ambient temperature at...
Longmire Mineral Springs
Longmire Mineral Springs flows at 77 degrees within Mount Rainier National Park at 2,758 feet elevation, emerging 31.9 degrees ...
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Yakima, Washington on SoakingSprings.
Explore Washington springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Boulder Cave, the Naches River, and campgrounds along SR 410 such as Sawmill Flat.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of bears and other larger animals in the region.
Cities near Devil Creek Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
Writing about Devil Creek Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.