Are there fees or permits required for Salmon Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Salmon Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Salmon Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Salmon Falls.

Nearby gauge (East Fork Lewis River) · 346 ft³/s · About average

Salmon Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Salmon Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Salmon Falls.

Washington

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 5 other waterfalls also named Salmon Falls, see below

Before you go

No public trail or access point to this falls is documented. Do not enter private property without permission.

Photo Credits (5)

Tjflex2 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

jd_hiker CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Tjflex2 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Jaykhuang CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

About Salmon Falls

Salmon Falls is a small drop on Salmon Creek in rural Clark County, Washington, about 3 to 4 miles from Venersborg and Hockinson. The Northwest Waterfall Survey lists it as unconfirmed, with lidar data suggesting a drop of about 15 feet. No public trail or access point is documented, so check land ownership before trying to visit.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Horseshoe Falls (22 ft) lies 7.0 miles to the northeast.

Horseshoe Falls

Trail & Hike Details

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a peaceful natural setting with a small waterfall surrounded by forested areas. The falls are part of Salmon Creek, which may have varying water flow depending on the season.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not available. The area may not be suitable for visitors with mobility challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Salmon Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Salmon Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

The falls can be visited year-round, but spring and early summer may offer the best water flow. Fall provides beautiful foliage, and winter may bring a quieter experience.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Safety Information

Visitors should be cautious of slippery rocks, uneven terrain, and changing water levels. Always prioritize safety and avoid risky areas near the falls.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on East Fork Lewis River, 5.8 miles away, not on Salmon Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

346 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

178 299 999 1.9k

Based on 97 years of record

11.78 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.

EAST FORK LEWIS RIVER NEAR HEISSON, WA

USGS 14222500

5.8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 125 sq mi

Altitude: 357 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge EAST FORK LEWIS RIVER NEAR HEISSON, WA (9 km away).

High confidence

Roaring right now

346 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Roaring

374 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

354 cfs

8/10

Thu

Roaring

343 cfs

8/10

Fri

Roaring

384 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

455 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

471 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

539 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late November to late January, peaking in December.

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

Is Salmon Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Salmon Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 56°F to 49°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 268 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 106 feet through Salmon Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 493 feet.

The ground changes about 51 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 28 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northwest, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Salmon Falls near Venersborg, Washington, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Salmon Falls near Venersborg, Washington, showing about 106 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing northwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 493 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 106 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northwest; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

Salmon Falls is located approximately 3.4 miles from Venersborg, 3.8 miles from Hockinson, and 5.9 miles from Battle Ground. The coordinates for the falls are 45.7578, -122.4245. Access to the falls may require navigating local roads, and visitors should check for specific directions before heading out.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking availability is unclear, but visitors may need to park along nearby roads or designated areas if available. It is recommended to plan ahead and verify parking options.

Elevation

492 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.757805° N, -122.424519° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Check local conditions and access information before visiting. Bring sturdy footwear and be prepared for uneven terrain if hiking is required. Cell service may be limited in the area.

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

Sunset Falls Campground

9.4 miles away · 18 sites

Reservable

Overview Sunset Campground is located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Visitors enjoy scenic views of the river and a waterfall within the campground. The campground is open all year. Recreation There are several hiking trails nearby, including the Silver Star trail which offers excellent views of Portland, Oregon. The area is also popular with kayakers that visit the East Fork Lewis River.Facilities Sunset Campground offers 18 standard sites that accommodate tents and RVs (22 feet), but n

Book on Recreation.gov