Kalispell Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (2)
About Kalispell Falls
Kalispell Falls is a waterfall on Kalispell Creek in Pend Oreille County, Washington, just west of the Idaho line and the Priest Lake basin. It sits at the edge of Kaniksu National Forest land in the Priest Lake Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. No maintained trail to the falls was found, and the Kalispell Rock Trail (#370) does not reach it.
The Setting
Kalispell Falls sits at 3,399 feet within Kaniksu National Forest, in the mountains of Washington.
Trail & Hike Details
USFS Trail
KALISPELL ROCK #370
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
2.35 miFrequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Kalispell Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Kalispell Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal 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. Check with Kaniksu National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Visitors should be cautious of slippery rocks near the falls and avoid venturing too close to the water. Cell service may be limited in the area, so plan accordingly.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Pend Oreille River, 18 miles away, not on Kalispell Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
21,900 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 74 years of record
90.36 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 PEND OREILLE RIVER BELOW BOX CANYON NEAR IONE, WA (29 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
23652 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
22677 cfs
4/10Thu
Barely Flowing
20281 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
21493 cfs
3/10Sat
Low
21862 cfs
4/10Sun
Low
21542 cfs
4/10Mon
Low
20582 cfs
4/10Best window: Thu — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).
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 Coolin hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Kalispell Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
Kalispell Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 44°F to 31°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 23600 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 128 feet of descent through Kalispell Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 3,414 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 78 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 106 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 3,414 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 128 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Catches soft morning light.
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
Forest Road 308 (Kalispell LeClerc Creek Road), rated for passenger cars, runs up the Kalispell Creek drainage and passes within about a mile of the falls. No signed trail or trailhead for the falls was found, so ask the Priest Lake Ranger District about routes and road conditions.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
3,399 feet above sea level
Coordinates
48.614694° N, -117.111237° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Check with the Priest Lake Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests for current road conditions before going.
Where to Stay
Beautiful Bungalow and Bunk House, Close to Lake
Unique Nordman Retreat 1 Mi to Priest Lake!
Beautiful Priest Lake Home on the Golf Course
Scenic Priest Lake Vacation Rental: Deck + Views!
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
Priest Lake Area
9.4 miles away · 0 sites
Priest Lake was originally called Roothaan Lake by Father Desmet in 1846 in honor of his Jesuit Superior in Rome. One of the prominent peaks in the Selkirk Range still bears the name Roothaan. In 1865, Captain John Mullan designated this same lake as Kaniksu Lake on one of his maps. It is believed that "Kaniksu" was the Indian name of Black Robe, although this has never been authenticated. The name was gradually changed in the early 1900's from Kaniksu Lake to its present name of Priest Lake, whi
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Priest Lake and the Kalispell Rock Trail (#370).
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and occasionally black bears. Visitors should practice proper wildlife safety.
Cities near Kalispell Falls
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