THE FOREST SERVICE HAS CLOSED LOWER FALLS TO DAY USE DURING COVID-19 AND ONLY OPEN TO RESERVATION CAMPING. PLEASE RESPECT THESE CLOSURES! YOU MAY THINK YOURE JUST ONE PERSON OR GROUP AND IT WONT HURT ANYONE, BUT LITERALLY HUNDREDS ARE THINKING THE SAME THING.

I’ve camped and hiked at Lower Falls for over 20 years. I’m deeply saddened to see how newcomers are treating this sacred and beautiful place. I understand the forests belong to all of us, but folks are destroying the roads, flora, and falls and leaving trash everywhere they can. This makes year three that me and my family have picked up the falls after day trippers left trash all over the place, which has included trash placed specially in places to be “funny” (i.e., hanging beer cans and bottles from tree branches, dog poop with makeshift flags sticking out of it). If you’re going to begin enjoying this area pack out your junk and leave it better than you found it!!!

Got up at 4am to make a 4 hour drive. 

Get there early for parking! Since lower lewis is closed parking is limited. We parked about a mile further at middle lewis falls 9am and barely got a spot.

There are pot holes BUT I would say its a lot easier to navigate than Oyster Dome and Talupus Lake. One because this road is wider and two because they marked the big ones with chalk. 

If you have hiked rattlesnake I think you will be able to handle the hike all the way from upper lewis falls to lower. We did take breaks though at each waterfall! 

I will say getting down to the actual waterfall is very tricky. You will want to wear shoes with grip. Also bring water shoes they’re extremely helpful if you’re getting in the water! 

I went to the Middle Lewis River Falls and spent the day there with my boyfriend. It was an easy hike and the waterfall was gorgeous! I highly recommend doing this hike :))

The parking lot is closed but we parked a little up the road where they have a small parking area and hiked down to the falls - about 3 miles out and back. You can also park at middle falls. DO NOT park illegally on sides of the road - you'll get a citation for blocking the road. The trail was in good condition and followed along the river up to the falls. The falls were stunning and grander than we expected - so so beautiful. Got there around sunset, so it wasn't crowded. However, the campground near the falls was open and full.

We hiked the full length of the Lewis River Trail from Curly Creek Falls Trailhead to the Quartz Creek Trailhead and back over 4 days, three nights. Total length was ~30 miles. Trail was actively being cleared from minor winter blowdown by a couple of volunteers from Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. The Lower Falls Recreation Area parking was closed this weekend, significantly reducing the number of people on the trail (outside of the Lewis River Falls area, the trail had very few hikers/mountain bikers). Mosquitoes were an annoyance one of three nights. Overall though, this is a great time to hike this trail. The forest is overpoweringly green, the last dogwoods are blooming, and the waterfalls are full right now!