Roads: passable by any vehicle

Permit: required for day use area and checked upon arrival

Parking: plenty of space in the day-use lot at the lower falls. Privy at trailhead clean and stocked.

Hike: started out at the day use parking lot and did and out and back to the Upper Falls. The trail is damaged near Middle Falls so hikers are routed through the middle falls parking area to continue on to Upper Falls. Other than that the trails are in excellent shape. Good, wide tread of primarily soft pine needles. Minimal rocks, roots, or steepness made for a very accessible hike with a major effort:payoff ratio - the lower and upper falls were incredible! There were very few hikers on the trail which goes to show the permitting system is working. Very enjoyable day!

This is a beautiful hike along a very scenic river with numerous falls. Permits for day hikes are not required at this time but will be in mid June. We camped at the Lower Falls campground (reservations only) and walked both up river to the Upper Falls and down river to the Cussed Hollow area. Many little spots along the river bank to just sit and watch the river flow. The forest is beautiful, and early season wild flowers ( trillium, yellow violets, vanilla leaf, calypso orchids) are blooming.  We met a couple of groups of cyclists, but please be cautious if you bike this trail. There are sharp drop offs and we met a group who were had one of their number hit an obstacle and tumble into the river.  Luckily, he was OK, but the water is swift, cold and full of rocks. 

If you can make it past the many blowdowns along the access road (one of which completely crosses the entire roadway), the Lewis River Falls hike is absolutely stunning. Amazing vantage points and interesting rocks, trees, and moss literally every dew steps.

My group parked at the Lower Falls trail entrance, and hiked to the Middle Falls. Much of the trail is covered in tree branches and debris, as well as some mud, snow and even ice in places. We were able to go just beyond the middle Falls without the use of microspikes or hiking poles, but any further towards the upper Falls will absolutely require these tools due to thick sheets of ice across the trail.

Weather conditions yesterday were cold but clear and bright. The lowers and middle Falls were frozen nearly completely and the ice formations were truly spectacular! I can't wait to return, although I will be happy to wait for slightly warmer weather!

The drive there was good, FR 90 has some pot holes, but they are mostly marked and can be avoided. I arrived the night before and camped at the Lower Falls Campground so parking wasn't an issue; this is a beautiful campground btw. I started at the Lower Falls and hiked to the Middle and Upper Falls. You can get right down to the Middle Falls and walk along the level area with waterproof shoes or sandals. The trail is nice and easy, nothing too challenging. Such a beautiful forest and the trail is mostly above the river the whole way. In the afternoon I returned to the Lower Falls to swim, there isn't an obvious access to the river but if you keep going to the right from the lower parking lot, you will find access to the river beyond the falls, then you can walk back towards the falls in the shallow areas. I recommend water shoes or good sandals for the walk, it's pretty slippery. The water is so cold but very refreshing for a quick dip! Truly a spectacular area to visit.

Google maps took us to the entrance of the Lewis Falls Recreation Area, keep going further on this road with some dips and large potholes and one section of gravel to the lower falls parking.  Northwest Forest Service pass required but day of pass not needed after September 6th. Hubby, dog and I were amazed at how much water was in the falls at this time of year.  We hiked from the lower falls to the middle falls and back.