LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Shoestring Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainDifficulty
Drive Up
About Shoestring Falls
Shoestring Falls is a series of falls and cascades beside US Highway 12 along the Lochsa River corridor in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, downstream of Wilderness Gateway Campground. Lidar mapping suggests about 210 feet of total drop over five steps. A highway sign marks the falls, but forest growth largely hides them from the road, and no trail to the base is documented.
The Setting
Shoestring Falls sits at 1,913 feet within Clearwater National Forest, in the hills of Idaho.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Shoestring Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
Trail Description
There is no developed trail. The falls are marked by a sign along US Highway 12; views from the road are limited by trees.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Shoestring Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest land but must be leashed in developed recreation sites.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Shoestring Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall flow is strongest during this period.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Clearwater National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
US Highway 12 is narrow and winding with truck traffic. Stay well off the roadway when stopped and watch for vehicles when on foot.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Lochsa River, 12.9 miles away, not on Shoestring Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
517 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 99 years of record
2.07 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual 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 LOCHSA RIVER NR LOWELL ID (21 km away).
Today
Moderate
510 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Moderate
586 cfs
6/10Tue
Moderate
608 cfs
6/10Wed
Moderate
650 cfs
6/10Thu
Moderate
576 cfs
6/10Fri
Moderate
549 cfs
6/10Sat
Moderate
541 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, mostly cloudy (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to early July, peaking in May.
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 Elk City hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Shoestring Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing
Shoestring Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 66°F to 43°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 504 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 Idaho.
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 Shoestring Falls dropping about 408 feet in a single sheer step. The brink sits at about 1,937 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 487 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 155 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 1,937 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 408 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
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
Drive US Highway 12 along the Lochsa River. The falls are southwest (downstream) of Wilderness Gateway Campground and are marked by a highway sign.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
No developed parking area is documented. If you stop, pull fully off US Highway 12 at a wide, safe pullout.
Elevation
1,913 feet above sea level
Coordinates
46.278471° N, -115.390351° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit in spring or early summer for the most water. Bring binoculars or a telephoto lens, since the falls are partly hidden by trees. Cell service along this stretch of US 12 is limited.
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
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
WILDERNESS GATEWAY
5.8 miles away · 71 sites
Overview Wilderness Gateway Campground provides direct access to the Wild and Scenic Lochsa River. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities, including world famous whitewater rafting. Hiking and horseback riding trails abound in the nearby Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area, which is the 3rd-largest in the lower 48 United States. This large and unique campground offers respite for a variety of campers, including those with horses, horse trailers and RVs.Recreation The Lochsa River is
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
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Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Shoestring Falls, Idaho on SoakingSprings.
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Nearby Attractions
Other nearby attractions may include hiking trails and scenic viewpoints in the surrounding forest area.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Be cautious of potential encounters with bears or other large animals.
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