Hawk Creek Falls
Washington • 40 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
The NPS closed the Hawk Creek campground, boat launch and access road to all public use from April 16 to Oct. 6, 2026 for the Hawk Creek Road project, with a possible extension to Oct. 30, 2026. Check nps.gov/laro before visiting.
Photo Credits (4)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.1 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Hawk Creek Falls
Hawk Creek Falls drops about 40 feet through a narrow rock chute at the Hawk Creek Campground area of Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, north of Creston in Lincoln County. The falls are a few hundred feet from the parking area, just below the road near the campground. The National Park Service closed the Hawk Creek area for road work for the 2026 season.
The Setting
Hawk Creek Falls sits at 1,962 feet in the hills of Washington. The falls drop 40 feet.
Height: 40 feet
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
A short walk of about 300 feet from the parking area leads to views of the falls in a chasm below the road. There is no longer hike to the falls.
What to Expect
The falls drop 40 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Hawk Creek Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed pets are allowed in Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area campgrounds and day-use areas.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Hawk Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the water flow is typically strongest during these seasons.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Rocks near the falls are slippery, and rattlesnakes live in the area in warm months.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Chamokane Creek, 22 miles away, not on Hawk Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
26 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 46 years of record
7.25 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.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge CHAMOKANE CREEK BELOW FALLS NEAR LONG LAKE, WA (35 km away).
Today
Roaring
28 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
27 cfs
9/10Thu
Strong
26 cfs
9/10Fri
Roaring
29 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
30 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
29 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
29 cfs
6/10Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to mid May, peaking in March.
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 Creston hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Hawk Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Hawk Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 52°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
- 25 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 measures about 241 feet of descent through Hawk Creek Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 40 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 1,976 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 206 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 172 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and 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
- 1,976 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 241 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- 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 north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From US 2 near Creston, take Miles-Creston Road north about 3 miles and turn west onto Hawk Creek Road to the campground. From Davenport, take Highway 25 north toward Miles and turn onto Miles-Creston Road.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Hawk Creek Campground and boat launch area, which is run by the National Park Service.
Elevation
1,962 feet above sea level
Coordinates
47.800435° N, -118.322764° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit in spring for the highest flow. Combine the stop with Fort Spokane or other Lake Roosevelt sites.
Where to Stay
Unique Country Farmhouse Near Lake Roosevelt
The Willows Motel
Seven Bays Vacation Rental on Lake Roosevelt!
Eight Bar B Motel
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
Hawk Creek Campground
1.1 miles away · 20 sites
Overview Hawk Creek Campground is tucked back from the lake on Hawk Creek. The campground is popular, but small enough to feel private and secluded. A small waterfall adds ambiance to this beautiful and unique campground. Hawk Creek is close to Fort Spokane Visitor Center, but far enough away to avoid the hustle and bustle. A courtesy dock provides access to Lake Roosevelt. Recreation A small boat ramp provides access to the water. This is a popular place to fish, bird watch, kayak, canoe or simp
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Fort Spokane, and Grand Coulee Dam.
Wildlife
Watch for rattlesnakes in warm months, along with deer and birds along the creek.
Cities near Hawk Creek Falls
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