There’s An Emerald Waterfall Hiding In Washington That’s Too Beautiful For Words

Have you ever asked yourself, "what are some beautiful waterfalls near me in Washington"? If so, you'll be glad to hear that there are countless beautiful waterfalls in Washington. Today's destination, Lewis River Falls is one that belongs at the top of your itinerary, although it's hardly the only one worth exploring.

From the stunning Snoqualmie Falls to our official state waterfall, Palouse Falls, Washington is definitely the perfect state for waterfall lovers. And our famous natural wonders aren't the only ones worth seeing -- we've got plenty of hidden cascades worth exploring. Lewis River Falls is just one of them; however, you'll quickly discover that exploring this emerald waterfall is a bit like entering a new world.

The Lewis River Falls Trail is an eight-mile loop located in Southwest Washington, near the town of Cougar.

Hiking the lower section of the river feels like stepping into a different world, surrounded by old-growth fir and cedar.

A few miles into the hike, you'll reach Lewis River Falls, and underrated natural treasure.

This is one of the premier waterfalls in the area, but it's not as well-known as some of the others.

The water cascades into a beautiful emerald pool below.

On a clear, sunny day, you won't believe how colorful it looks here.

Depending on which route you take, you can go all the way to the bottom of the falls.

The Lower Lewis River Falls are spectacular. At 43 feet high and 200 feet wide, they're larger in person than they look in photos.

There are multiple access points to the trail. It just depends on how long of a hike you'd like.

To reach the trailhead, take Exit 21 from I-5 and turn right on to Lewis River Road. Drive east through the town of Cougar, past where the road changes to Forest Road 90 at the Skamania County Line. Turn right to stay on FR 90, crossing the North Fork of the Lewis River. Eventually, you'll see signs for the trail.

Lewis River Falls is certainly the highlight of the hike, but it's far from the only stunning scenery you'll see...

... so take your time and enjoy every step.

Look for vanilla leaf, wildflowers, old-growth forest, and even other, smaller waterfalls along your way.

The Lewis River Falls Trail is a wonderful hike for waterfall lovers. But if you're short on time and asking yourself "what are the closest waterfalls in Washington near me?" check out our waterfalls road trip.