Is swimming allowed at Harmony Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Harmony Falls.

Live Conditions · 2,260 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Harmony Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Harmony Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Harmony Falls.

Q: Are there fees or permits required for Harmony Falls?

Yes, there is a fee of $5.00. A permit is also required. Permits may be required to access restricted areas near Spirit Lake, including Harmony Falls. Contact the U.S. Forest Service for details.

Washington

By Armen Suny · Last verified Mar 2026

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Harmony Falls, see below

Gifford Pinchot National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

rocbolt CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

daveynin CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

2.4 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

350 ft

About Harmony Falls

Harmony Falls is a scenic waterfall located on the northeastern shore of Spirit Lake in Washington, within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The waterfall is notable for its proximity to the site of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption, which drastically altered the surrounding landscape.

The Setting

Harmony Falls sits at 3,848 feet within Gifford Pinchot National Forest, fed by the Cowlitz River, in the mountains of Washington.

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

The moderate hike follows Harmony (#224), a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 350 feet of elevation gain with grades of 12-20%. The trail is developed (Class 3).

USFS Trail

HARMONY #224

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Nat Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

1.05 mi

Trail Description

There is limited information about a formal trail leading to Harmony Falls. The area around Spirit Lake is heavily regulated due to ecological recovery and safety concerns, and access may be restricted.

What to Expect

Visitors to Harmony Falls should expect a remote and potentially inaccessible location. The waterfall is surrounded by the unique volcanic landscape created by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, offering a glimpse into the area's natural recovery.

Accessibility

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

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Harmony Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $5.00
Permit required
Permits may be required to access restricted areas near Spirit Lake, including Harmony Falls. Contact the U.S. Forest Service for details.

🏊 Is There Swimming at Harmony Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and summer are the best times to visit the Mount St. Helens area, as weather conditions are more favorable and access to nearby trails is typically better.

Seasonal Access

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

Safety Information

The area around Spirit Lake is remote and may have unstable terrain. Visitors should exercise caution and be aware of potential hazards such as loose rocks, steep slopes, and restricted access zones.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Low

2,260 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

2.7k 3.7k 7.3k 9.0k

Based on 78 years of record

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.

COWLITZ RIVER NEAR KOSMOS, WA

USGS 14233500

12.7 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 1,040 sq mi

Altitude: 759 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge COWLITZ RIVER NEAR KOSMOS, WA (20 km away).

Moderate confidence

Low right now

2260 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

2576 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

2713 cfs

4/10

Sun

Moderate

2518 cfs

5/10

Mon

Moderate

2373 cfs

5/10

Tue

Moderate

2245 cfs

5/10

Wed

Moderate

2195 cfs

5/10

Thu

Moderate

2185 cfs

5/10

Best window: Sun — moderate flow, rain showers likely (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to late June, 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 Cougar hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

Location & Access

Getting There

Access to Harmony Falls is challenging due to its location near Spirit Lake, which is within a restricted area of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The area is not easily accessible by road or trail, and visitors may need special permits or guided tours to approach the site.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is no designated parking area for Harmony Falls due to its remote location. Visitors may need to park at nearby trailheads or visitor centers and plan for alternative access.

Elevation

3,848 feet above sea level

Coordinates

46.282333° N, -122.102872° W

Land Management

Gifford Pinchot National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Check with the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument or the U.S. Forest Service for the latest information on access and permits. Be prepared for rugged terrain and limited facilities in the area.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

With 2.4 miles and 350 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

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

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

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

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.

Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof

Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles

Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.

Where to Stay

Seasons Motel

8.3 288 reviews

Luxe Lake Cabin Hot tub Grill Firepit EV charger

9.6 12 reviews

Explore Mt St Helens A-Frame Chalet with Deck!

Rustic Cougar Cabin with Wood-Burning Fire Pit!

8.7 3 reviews

See all hotels near Cougar

Cabins & Rentals VRBO

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

Iron Creek Campground

11.6 miles away · 99 sites

Reservable

Overview Iron Creek Campground sits near the confluence of Iron Creek and the Cispus River. This large campground winds through a forest of old-growth Douglas firs, cedars and hemlock. Lush vegetation and ample space between sites offers excellent privacy. Recreation Iron Creek provides great fishing for cutthroat trout, whitefish and rainbow trout. Visitors can stroll along the .3-mile Iron Creek Old Growth Trail and weave through the forest and along the Cispus River, or continue on a longer wa

Book on Recreation.gov

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Additional Information

Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include the Johnston Ridge Observatory, Windy Ridge Viewpoint, and other trails within the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.