Jennings Falls
Washington • 162 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
No trail. Jennings Falls is only partly visible from Johnson Creek Road, and the base is blocked by landslides and fallen trees.
About Jennings Falls
Jennings Falls is a 162-foot, three-tier waterfall on Jennings Creek, hidden in a wooded ravine on the side of the Johnson Creek valley near Packwood in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Its tallest drop is about 93 feet. There is no trail. The falls are partly visible from Johnson Creek Road, and getting closer means a steep bushwhack.
The Setting
Jennings Falls sits at 2,224 feet within Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in the hills of Washington. At 162 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Washington.
Height: 162 feet
Trail & Hike Details
USFS Trail
GLACIER LAKE #89
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.78 miWhat to Expect
The falls plunge 162 feet.
Accessibility
There is no trail; the falls are seen only partly from the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Jennings Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Jennings Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring, during snowmelt. Flow is usually low by late June and often a trickle by August.
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 ravine slopes are steep and crumbly, and logs block the creek. Scrambling toward the falls is dangerous.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Cowlitz River, 4.5 miles away, not on Jennings Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
739 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 97 years of record
1.46 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 COWLITZ RIVER AT PACKWOOD, WA (7 km away).
Today
Roaring
798 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
790 cfs
8/10Thu
Roaring
887 cfs
8/10Fri
Roaring
932 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
1003 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
1048 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
1064 cfs
6/10Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, 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 Packwood hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Jennings Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing
Jennings Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 41°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 495 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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 352 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 162 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 2,213 feet.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 324 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 265 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing southwest, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 2,213 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 351 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southwest
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The falls are on the side of the Johnson Creek valley near Packwood and can be partly seen from Johnson Creek Road. There is no trailhead or developed access.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
2,224 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.556224° N, -121.633142° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Plan to view the falls from the road. Visit in spring, since the creek runs low by late June.
Where to Stay
Tiny Timber
Packwood Lodge & Cabins
Rainier View | Mt Rainier, White Pass
Tall Timber
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
La Wis Wis Campground
8.4 miles away · 113 sites
Overview Situated at the confluence of three waterways near Mount Rainier, La Wis Wis is nestled under a canopy of towering Douglas firs and red cedars. The handful of sites that dot the riverbank enjoy the most sunshine. With an abundance of activities nearby, La Wis Wis is a popular destination for long-stay camping. Its proximity to Mount Rainier National Park makes it an excellent base for exploring all of the area's natural wonders. Recreation Hikers can easily access the Blue Hole Trail and
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Wildlife
The area is home to typical Pacific Northwest wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be aware of the possibility of encountering bears or other larger animals.
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