LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Marietta Falls
Washington • 130 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
No trail. The falls are seen from Kalama River Road across the river or reached by boat; the cliff top above them is private residential land.
Difficulty
Drive Up
About Marietta Falls
Marietta Falls is a 130-foot plunge on Marietta Creek where it drops off a high cliff into the Kalama River, about four miles east of I-5 near Kalama. There is no trail. The falls are partly visible through trees from Kalama River Road, and the only way to get close is by boat from the river. The creek is seasonal and flows best in winter and early spring.
The Setting
Marietta Falls sits at 279 feet in the coastal lowlands of Washington. At 130 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Washington.
Height: 130 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Marietta Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 130 feet.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Marietta Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Marietta Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Winter and early spring. Marietta Creek is small and can be nearly or completely dry by July.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Only approach by water if you are experienced on the Kalama River and wear a life jacket. Watch for traffic if stopping along Kalama River Road.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Lewis River, 12.4 miles away, not on Marietta Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
4,280 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 103 years of record
3.52 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 nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge LEWIS RIVER AT ARIEL, WA (20 km away).
Today
Moderate
4622 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Moderate
4380 cfs
6/10Thu
Moderate
4241 cfs
6/10Fri
Moderate
4928 cfs
5/10Sat
Moderate
5669 cfs
6/10Sun
Moderate
5790 cfs
6/10Mon
Moderate
5822 cfs
6/10Best window: Tomorrow — moderate flow, cloudy (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late December 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 Kalama hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Marietta Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded big river, rarely freezes solid
Marietta Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 47°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 4300 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.
The laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 322 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 130 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 282 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 221 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 223 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest 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
- 282 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 322 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- 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 northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Take the Kalama River Road exit from I-5, about half a mile north of Kalama, and drive about four miles east on Kalama River Road. The falls are on the opposite (north) side of the river. A public boat launch about a quarter mile upstream gives partial side views and is the put-in for reaching the falls by water.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is little room to park on Kalama River Road directly across from the falls. The public boat launch about a quarter mile upstream has parking.
Elevation
279 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.042058° N, -122.786773° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit in winter or early spring, when the creek has water. Do not approach from the top of the cliff; the land above the falls is private residential property.
Where to Stay
Lewis River Inn
McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge
Cozy home for families with game room & playground
Comfort Inn & Suites Kelso - Longview
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 Attractions
The Kalama River corridor along Kalama River Road, popular for fishing and paddling.
Wildlife
The area is home to various bird species, deer, and small mammals. Visitors should be cautious of potential encounters with bears or other larger wildlife.
Cities near Marietta Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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