Is swimming allowed at Imnaha Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Imnaha Falls.

Nearby gauge (East Fork Wallowa River) · 7 ft³/s · About average

Imnaha Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Imnaha Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Imnaha Falls.

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

Yes, there is a fee of $5.00. A permit is also required. A Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent is required for parking at the trailhead.

Oregon

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Whitman National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Before you go

A free, self-issued Eagle Cap Wilderness permit is required; fill one out at the trailhead registration box (one per group).

Photo Credits (5)

Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Conspiracy.of.Cartographers CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Length

11.5 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Imnaha Falls

Imnaha Falls is on the upper Imnaha River in the Eagle Cap Wilderness of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, in the southern Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon. It is reached on the Imnaha River Trail (#1816) from Indian Crossing Campground at the end of Forest Road 3960. It is a long day hike or backpacking trip of about 11.5 miles round trip.

The Setting

Imnaha Falls sits at 5,220 feet within Whitman National Forest, in the high mountains of Oregon.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

East Fork Falls (10 ft) lies 5.6 miles to the southwest.

East Fork Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Trail #1816 starts at Indian Crossing Campground (about 4,633 feet) and follows the Imnaha River upstream. It crosses the Eagle Cap Wilderness boundary at about 1.3 miles and reaches the Blue Hole, a deep pool among rock outcrops, at about 2 miles. Imnaha Falls is roughly 5.75 miles from the trailhead, about 11.5 miles round trip.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Imnaha Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $5.00
Permit required
A Northwest Forest Pass or equivalent is required for parking at the trailhead.

🏊 Is There Swimming at Imnaha 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. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warmer weather for hiking.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with Whitman National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 40°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

Be prepared for changing weather conditions and carry the 10 essentials for hiking. Watch for slippery rocks near the falls and be cautious of wildlife encounters.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 36 minutes ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on East Fork Wallowa River, 12.4 miles away, not on Imnaha Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

7 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

2 3 8 9

Based on 53 years of record

4.60 ft

Water depth at gauge

40°F

Warm

Very comfortable

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is dangerously cold at 40 degrees F, avoid prolonged contact.

About This Gauge

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

EAST FORK WALLOWA RIVER NEAR JOSEPH, OR

USGS 13325000

12.4 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 10 sq mi

Altitude: 4,540 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge EAST FORK WALLOWA RIVER NEAR JOSEPH, OR (20 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

7 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Low

8 cfs

4/10

Tue

Low

8 cfs

4/10

Wed

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Thu

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Fri

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Sat

Low

7 cfs

4/10

Best window: Today — low flow, rain and snow (trip score 4/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early May to early August, peaking in July.

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

Is Imnaha Falls Frozen?

Updated about 17 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Imnaha Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 49°F to 38°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 6 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 Oregon.

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.

Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 51 feet of drop through Imnaha Falls, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 5,201 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 182 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 47 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Imnaha Falls near Halfway, Oregon, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Imnaha Falls near Halfway, Oregon, showing about 51 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 5,201 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 51 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

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

From Joseph, take OR 350 east about 8 miles, turn right on Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (Forest Road 39) and follow it about 30 miles; before the Imnaha River bridge turn right on Forest Road 3960 and drive 9 miles to Indian Crossing Campground. From Halfway, take Highway 86 east to Forest Road 39, follow it about 23 miles north, then turn left on Forest Road 3960 for 9 miles.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Park at Indian Crossing Trailhead on the north side of the Imnaha River, or at the overflow area on the south side. A Northwest Forest Pass or $5 day pass is required; a self-service pay station is on site.

Elevation

5,220 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.107102° N, -117.107389° W

Land Management

Whitman National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. Check trail conditions before heading out, especially in spring when snowmelt can make the trail muddy or slippery. Cell service is limited, so plan accordingly.

Where to Stay

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

Hells Canyon - Oregon/Wallowa Valley

13.3 miles away · 0 sites

The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) straddles both sides of the Snake River in both Oregon and Idaho. The recreation sites and trails in this section are all found away from the Wild and Scenic Snake River in the Oregon uplands, and in other forest lands near the Wallowa Valley. All other upland sites and all trails in the Hells Canyon NRA - Snake River, or Hells Canyon NRA - Idaho are found in those recreation area sections.Popular recreation areas include the Hells Canyon Wilderne

Book on Recreation.gov