Are there fees or permits required for Ladder Creek Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Ladder Creek Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Ladder Creek Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Ladder Creek Falls.

Nearby gauge (Skagit River) · 2,980 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Ladder Creek Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Ladder Creek Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Ladder Creek Falls. Leashed pets are allowed in Ross Lake National Recreation Area, but not in the adjoining North Cascades National Park except on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Washington • North Cascades National Park

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Ross Lake National Recreation Area NRA · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

Adventures with E&L CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

palbion CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

jimculp@live.com CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.5 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Ladder Creek Falls

Ladder Creek Falls tumbles just outside Newhalem, Washington, within the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and the broader North Cascades National Park Complex. Managed by the National Park Service, the falls spill from Ladder Creek — a tributary of the Skagit River — into a series of picturesque cascades and viewing platforms. The site is especially famous for its nighttime illumination, when colorful lights bathe the falls and create a magical, almost theatrical atmosphere for evening visitors. The approach is short and rewarding, making Ladder Creek Falls a popular stop for families and day-hikers exploring the North Cascades. The maintained trail and a suspension bridge offer scenic river crossings and multiple viewpoints of the falls. If you want to camp nearby, the Lower Goodell Group Campground sits only about 1.23 km away, making an overnight stay convenient for those who want to enjoy the park beyond the day visit.

The Setting

Ladder Creek Falls sits at 495 feet within North Cascades National Park, in the coastal lowlands of Washington.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Gorge Creek Falls (242 ft) lies 2.8 miles to the northeast. Also nearby: John Pierce Waterfall (66 ft, 8.9 mi).

Gorge Creek Falls John Pierce Waterfall

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The path is well-maintained and begins near the Gorge Powerhouse, taking hikers across a suspension bridge over the Skagit River and up a series of steps to established viewpoints of the falls. The trail is graded for moderate hiking effort (steady inclines but no technical scrambling) and is lit at night, enhancing the falls’ famed colorful illumination and making evening visits accessible for those prepared with proper footwear and lighting.

What to Expect

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 Ladder Creek Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed pets are allowed in Ross Lake National Recreation Area, but not in the adjoining North Cascades National Park except on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Ladder Creek Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit is during the evening in spring, summer, or fall to experience the illuminated waterfall. However, the falls can also be enjoyed during the day year-round.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with North Cascades National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

The trail may be slippery, especially after rain. Use caution when crossing the suspension bridge and walking near the falls. Stay on designated paths to avoid accidents.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Skagit River, 0.2 miles away, not on Ladder Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

2,980 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

2.0k 3.4k 5.7k 7.4k

Based on 66 years of record

83.48 ft

Water depth at gauge

50°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 50 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.

About This Gauge

SKAGIT RIVER AT NEWHALEM, WA

USGS 12178000

0.2 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 1,175 sq mi

Altitude: 406 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SKAGIT RIVER AT NEWHALEM, WA (0 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

2980 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

2980 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

3352 cfs

6/10

Sat

Moderate

3506 cfs

6/10

Sun

Moderate

3468 cfs

6/10

Mon

Moderate

3253 cfs

6/10

Tue

Moderate

3042 cfs

9/10

Wed

Moderate

2964 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tue — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early January to mid February, peaking in January.

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

Is Ladder Creek Falls Frozen?

Updated about 5 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded big river, rarely freezes solid

Ladder Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 65°F to 57°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 3290 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 shows the creek losing roughly 32 feet through Ladder Creek Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 497 feet.

The ground changes about 70 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 23 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Ladder Creek Falls near Marblemount, Washington, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Ladder Creek Falls near Marblemount, Washington, showing about 32 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing north

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 497 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 32 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: North; 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 north).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Ladder Creek Falls is located behind the Gorge Powerhouse in Newhalem, Washington. Visitors can access the falls by crossing a suspension bridge over the Skagit River from the parking area near the powerhouse.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking is available near the Gorge Powerhouse in Newhalem. The parking area is free and typically has ample space.

Elevation

495 feet above sea level

Coordinates

48.670126° N, -121.249846° W

Land Management

Ross Lake National Recreation Area NRA

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit during the evening to enjoy the illuminated waterfall display. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be slippery, especially after rain. Bring a flashlight if visiting at night, as some areas may be dimly lit.

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

LOWER GOODELL GROUP CAMPGROUND

0.8 miles away · 2 sites

Walking distance Reservable

Overview Lower Goodell Group Campground requires reservations when the campground is open from late May to early September each year. Reservations can be made 12 months in advance. Lower Goodell Group Campground is comprised of 2 group sites, each with 5 individual areas for tents or small RVs, near the town of Newhalem, along the Skagit River. It is surrounded by forest and is situated on the banks of Goodell Creek. It is private and secluded, yet the town of Newhalem, North Cascades Visitor Cen

Book on Recreation.gov