Multnomah Falls
Washington • 80 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
Before you go
The falls are on Colville Reservation land. View them from BIA Route 10 only; do not climb into the canyon, as the only route down crosses a private home.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Drive Up
About Multnomah Falls
This Multnomah Falls is a different waterfall from the famous one in Oregon. It is a set of three tiered drops totaling about 80 feet on the Nespelem River, south of Nespelem on the Colville Indian Reservation in Okanogan County. The falls are seen from above, looking down from a sharp bend on BIA Route 10, and there is no trail.
The Setting
Multnomah Falls sits at 1,168 feet within Colville Reservation, in the foothills of Washington. The falls drop 80 feet.
Height: 80 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Multnomah Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 80 feet.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Multnomah Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
This is a roadside view on tribal land; keep dogs leashed and in the car or on the road shoulder.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
Permit required
A timed entry permit is required during peak seasons (typically May through September). Permits can be obtained online in advance.
🏊 Is There Swimming at Multnomah Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring, when snowmelt raises the Nespelem River.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Water temperature is currently 44°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.
The canyon is steep and dangerous. Watch for traffic while walking along BIA Route 10.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Sanpoil River, 15.4 miles away, not on Multnomah Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
27 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 20 years of record
2.17 ft
Water depth at gauge
44°F
Very coldExpect numbness within minutes
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle. Water temperature is very cold at 44 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.
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 SANPOIL RIVER ABOVE JACK CREEK AT KELLER, WA (25 km away).
Today
Roaring
28 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Roaring
26 cfs
8/10Thu
Roaring
25 cfs
8/10Fri
Roaring
27 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
27 cfs
6/10Sun
Roaring
28 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
28 cfs
6/10Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early March to early June, peaking in April.
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 Nespelem Community hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Multnomah Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Multnomah Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 53°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
- 26 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
Location & Access
Getting There
From the Highway 155 bridge over the Columbia River below Grand Coulee Dam, drive about 14 miles north on Highway 155 to the Colville Indian Agency. At the north end of the agency, turn left on a paved road signed as BIA Route 10. Drive about 2.5 miles to a sharp left turn as the road descends the canyon; the falls are below the road on the left.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking at the bend is scarce. Park well off the road where it is safe and legal, and walk along the shoulder to the viewpoint.
Elevation
1,168 feet above sea level
Coordinates
48.126870° N, -119.019518° W
Land Management
Managed by TRIB Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Respect tribal land and enjoy the falls from the road. Spring brings the highest flow.
Where to Stay
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
SPRING CANYON GROUP SITE
13.9 miles away · 2 sites
Overview Spring Canyon Group Site is perfect for large families and groups of boaters or fishermen. Located on the shoreline of Lake Roosevelt, it offers ample opportunity to get out on the water or relax on the beach and take in the gorgeous lakeside scenery. The 130-mile long lake is a feature of the Columbia River created by the nearby Grand Coulee Dam. The lake is named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt and is part of the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, managed by the National Pa
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Spray Falls on the Nespelem River, the town of Nespelem, and Grand Coulee Dam.
Cities near Multnomah Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Multnomah Falls
1 other waterfall shares this name across the U.S.
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