This document describes a day trip to see waterfalls along the Lewis River in Washington state. It details driving from Woodland along Highway 503 to viewpoints of Merwin, Yale and Swift reservoirs before reaching Eagle Cliff Park. From there the river remains undammed, passing Lower, Middle and Upper Lewis River Falls over 60 miles. Big Creek Falls is also accessible off Forest Road 90. Photos and directions are provided for finding and enjoying the scenic waterfalls.

1. Falls - LewisRiver.com http://lewisriver.com/falls.html
Photography by Noel Johnson - Click to enlarge.
If you would like to go for a day trip that you will never forget, try this one. From
Woodland, Washington (I-5 exit 21), drive east on 503. You will pass by the three dams
on the North Fork Lewis river. First is Merwin. There is a nice park here if you want to
take a little rest stop and view Lake Merwin. Driving on up the highway you will have
access to beautiful view points suitable for taking pictures or just looking out at the
amazing scenery. The next reservoir is Yale. Keep on driving and you will come to Swift
Dam and reservoir. On the Eastern end of Swift you arrive at Eagle Cliff Park and cross
over the river. From here on up the river is unaffected by any dams and is free flowing
all the way to Mt. Adams. It is 60 miles from Woodland to the Lower Lewis River Falls.
In some places, from Eagle Cliff Park to the Lower Lewis River Falls, (about 14 miles)
the road is a little rough where land slides have been repaired. Nothing to worry about.
For most of the way it is a nice black top road. You will see a sign for the Lower Lewis
River Falls. Drive in and park your car. It is just a short walk to the viewing area for the
falls. You can then take the short path right down to the falls. You won't be disappointed.
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2. Falls - LewisRiver.com http://lewisriver.com/falls.html
Be sure and remember your camera.
A little less than a mile further up the road and you come to the Middle Falls. The trail
down to this falls is steeper and not for everyone. It is worth the walk and not very
difficult for a person that hikes.
The next falls is the Upper Lewis River Falls. It is difficult to find the trail down to the
Upper Falls from Forest Road # 90. It is one and seven tenths miles from the Lower
Falls. The trail starts just before you drive over the Quartz Creek Bridge.
Big Creek Falls viewing area is easy to get to. From Eagle Cliff bridge, on Forest Road
90, it is 6 1/2 miles to Big Creek parking area. There is a 500 foot trail leading to the
viewpoint. The waterfall drops about 12o feet into the pool. The view from the viewpoint
is great and good pictures can be taken from there. Even kids can get to the viewpoint. I
climbed down to the bottom of the canyon to take more pictures. I even got behind the
water falls. I would not recommend that you try that unless you're in real good shape
and have someone with you. It is a long way from any help.
Lower Lewis River Falls
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3. Falls - LewisRiver.com http://lewisriver.com/falls.html
Click here for more pictures of the Lower Lewis River Falls
Middle Lewis River Falls
Click here for more pictures of the Middle Lewis River Falls
Upper Lewis River Falls
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4. Falls - LewisRiver.com http://lewisriver.com/falls.html
Click here for more pictures of the Upper Lewis River Falls
Big Creek Falls
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5. Falls - LewisRiver.com http://lewisriver.com/falls.html
Click here for information about Big Creek Falls on the Giffort Pinchot
Waterfalls Website
After viewing the Falls you can drive on all the way to Trout Lake and then come back
to Woodland by driving south to the Columbia River Gorge. Then drive west on either
side of the Columbia River to I-205 to I-5 and back to Woodland. There are still many
more Falls in the area that we have to look forward to on another day.
Click above to go to go to For One and All.
WashingtonTourist.com welcomes you to Washington State.
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6. Falls - LewisRiver.com http://lewisriver.com/falls.html
Click above to go to http://www.washingtontourist.com/
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