Douglass Falls waterfall
Nearby gauge (Colville River) · 76 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Douglass Falls

Washington • 60 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Before you go

Washington DNR has posted a recreation alert that the park's foot bridge is closed to public access for the time being, so the full loop may not be passable; check DNR alerts before you go.

Photo Credits (5)
3.
UGArdener CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr
4.
UGArdener CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr
5.
UGArdener CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.5 miles

Trail Type

Loop

About Douglass Falls

Douglas Falls (also spelled Douglass) is a 60-foot waterfall on Mill Creek in Douglas Falls Grange Park, a 120-acre Washington DNR campground and day-use site north of Colville. The falls sit beside the campground and can be seen from a 1.5-mile nature loop trail through conifer forest and rocky bluffs. A Discover Pass is required to park.

The Setting

Douglass Falls sits at 1,804 feet in the hills of Washington. The falls drop 60 feet.

Height: 60 feet

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The Nature Loop Trail is about 1.5 miles round trip. It starts by crossing the creek toward the picnic area, splits into several spurs that rejoin before a suspension footbridge over Mill Creek, and climbs a short steep section from the base of the falls to the top. WTA notes a creekside spur that dead-ends at a barbed-wire fence marking the edge of public land, and reports downed trees across parts of the tread.

What to Expect

The falls drop 60 feet. 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 Douglass Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed in Little Pend Oreille State Forest DNR sites but must be kept on leash.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fees are required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Douglass Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to snowmelt and rainfall.

Seasonal Access

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

Safety Information

Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Check weather conditions before visiting, as the trail and access roads may become hazardous during heavy rain or snow.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Colville River, 7.6 miles away, not on Douglass Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

76 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Based on 104 years of record

5.33 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.

About This Gauge

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

USGS 12409000
7.6 miles from waterfall
Drainage: 1,007 sq mi
Altitude: 1,400 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge COLVILLE RIVER AT KETTLE FALLS, WA (12 km away).

Moderate confidence
Roaring right now
76 cfs
→ Holding steady
99959199100100100TodayTomorrowThuFriSatSunMon

Today

Roaring

82 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

77 cfs

8/10

Thu

Roaring

73 cfs

8/10

Fri

Roaring

78 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

81 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

84 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

84 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, areas of fog then partly sunny (trip score 8/10).

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

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

Is Douglass Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Douglass Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 46°F to 36°F.

Days below freezing
0 of the last 14
Current cold streak
0 days
Freezing days ahead
0 of the next 7
Flow
74 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 84 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The falls are listed at 60 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 1,820 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 40 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 27 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northwest, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Douglass Falls near Colville, Washington, for comparison with the lidar view LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Douglass Falls near Colville, Washington, showing about 84 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing northwest
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation
1,820 feet
Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls
About 84 feet
Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces
Northwest
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 northwest).

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

Location & Access

Getting There

From the junction of SR-20 and US 395 in Colville, go east on SR-20 for 1.1 miles to Aladdin Road. Go north on Aladdin Road for 2 miles, turn left on Douglas Falls Road, go 3 miles and turn left into Douglas Falls Grange Park.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Park in the Douglas Falls Grange Park day-use and campground area and display a Discover Pass. WTA reports no toilet at the trailhead.

Elevation

1,804 feet above sea level

Coordinates

48.613733° N, -117.899329° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Arrive early during weekends to secure parking. Wear sturdy footwear as the trail may be muddy, especially after rain. Check road conditions before visiting, as forest roads can be challenging during wet or snowy weather.

Where to Stay

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

KETTLE FALLS LOCUST GROVE GROUP SITE

10 miles away · 2 sites

Reservable

Overview Kettle Falls Locust Grove Group Site is on the northern section of Lake Roosevelt and convenient to the town of Kettle Falls. The facility is 0.25 miles away from the main Kettle Falls Campground, which has a multi-lane boat launch. It is popular for groups of boaters, fishermen and water sports enthusiasts. The Kettle Falls area is rich in history of American Indians as well as the fur trade; campers can learn more at a park visitor center less than 10 miles away. Lake Roosevelt is a 13

Book on Recreation.gov

Additional Information

Nearby Attractions

Rocky Lake Campground and other Little Pend Oreille State Forest sites are east of Colville.

Wildlife

The area is home to various wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of bears and carry bear spray if hiking in remote areas.

Nearby Waterfalls

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