We camped in the campground and explored these falls multiple days in a row since we'd come all the way out. It was a pretty soggy couple days which may have kept some folks away. Few bugs around but not bad although I was already covered up pretty good with the rain.... We overlapped the new reservation system opening and did see rangers on 90 on our way out that many have been checking folks entering the area had the reservation (on top of the nw forest pass you need).  Only saw a handful of people over a couple days in the trails beyond the lower falls day area.  We did lower to upper falls trail multiple days. There's a ton of water and the roar of the falls can be heard from some distance.  The trail is pretty muddy from the middle to upper falls although we tried to stay in trail to minimize impact. The dog lost a few pawz shoes in the process....   Its also quite muddy at the lower falls viewpoints. Tons of little trail branches to explore too. We did luck out and get some full sun on our last day to appreciate those aqua colors of the lower falls. The entire trail has additional falls (Copper falls especially right now) cool trees and a bunch of fungi to appreciate as well as an overwhelming rush of green and that evergreen forest smell. We saw a few flowers in spots although again with the rain others were closed up. Its a long drive out there and the road has a few big bumps for a paved one-especially in a car loaded for camping so we went a little slow but its still way better than nearly any gravel road I've taken to numerous other trailheads. 

End of general trail review.

Swimming note!#!%*

As we were getting ready to leave we saw one pair of guys preparing to swim along the river possibly in wetsuits (I tried to watch but kept mistaking logs for bopping heads) and a large family with multiple small children asking where the swimming area was for their floats. Hopefully they didn't attempt it due to scramble down to the water past the viewing platform area (doable and people have tied ropes to help get down but not easy for a full family with lots of gear and small children expecting a beach or something?) as there is SO MUCH WATER now that the spots I've seen folks swimming and floating in the past are currently underwater/swift current. Plus it wasn't that warm out for the frigid water. I think I've heard that this area has gotten popular from social media (and it is breathtakingly beautiful) which explains the reservation etc. Anyways I hope my vague explanation of "its kinda down here but there isn't really a spot" and " but I'm not sure its safe right now for that.. " encouraged them to just look or hike (despite my significant others grumbles I should let them decide for themselves- they had also asked us for driving directions entering the area so were clearly not very informed of what to expect). And that those just wanting a beach and float can find another spot. There are river access points above the lower falls via stairs that I've descended in the past and waded out to the area above the falls in lower water level times (still several feet under water and a ways from the current shoreline with tons of water rushing through). Worth enjoying later in the summer perhaps.

Hopefully the reservation system will help preserve this magical area for many more folks in the future. 

As previous reported some new parking permit process starts 6/15. Parked below the lower falls after bridge crossing where trail down stream crosses RD 90. Saw no one and hiked up to falls. Many nice sandy beaches to enjoy and the woods were carpeted in flowers- inside out flowers, pathfinders,vanilla leaf, windflowers, false lily of the valley and even honeysuckle plus more. Some great old trees in this stretch too. Saw no one on this lower section though many campers at the lower falls. Falls are raging right now! Well worth the drive!

Hiked here on Saturday 6/5 and I think the rain in the forecast made it a good day to come here! There are indications on the trailhead signs but there is a new Day Use ticketing system starting 6/15 so if you are going after the 15th make sure to look into that! We did arrive early, maybe 8:30am. We parked in the Lower Falls Day Use Area, next to the campground, and there were only maybe two other cars at that time.

We hiked from the lower falls to the upper falls. There is a small detour near the middle falls, to the middle falls parking lot that means you go uphill and then down kind of steeply. The forest here is full of many kinds of ferns and we saw lots of big banana slugs. It felt like a classic Pacific Northwest hike. We got a few patches of rain on our hike but mostly ended up being cloudy which was much better than the forecast was going to be! The parking lot was more full when we got back, and while we were eating lunch a Forest Service employee was going around the parking lot checking passes.

We drove all the way down to the lower lewis falls parking area, which set us up in the perfect position to start with the breathtaking view of the falls and continue to walk as far as we liked along the river! Parking area was PACKED and there was quite a bit of trash (lots of broken glass-be careful!), but once you get onto the trails it was much cleaner. Trails were well kept and there were ropes in place to gain access to the river. Since you are right near the water there were a few places with mud, but nothing too bad. Overall absolutely breathtaking and would definitely go again!

My wife and I plus pup Buddy hiked this beautiful trail on May 4th and the falls were full and beautiful. Surprised how full the river was since the trail was so dry. We started at the Wright Meadow TH just a little south of the Lower Falls Parking area. Trail was in great condition with just a few rocky areas, no obstacles at all. We hiked to the Lower, Middle and Upper falls as well as a short walk on Copper Creek falls.

At the start you walk through a low wetland area for about a mile, thought this was Wright Meadow but it's not. There appears to have been a few buildings on this route and maybe an old orchard. The aroma along the trail was like perfume with the hot sun bringing the needle aromas out. It was a warm day, unusual for this early, and only saw 10 people, all very friendly and smiling at our luck to catch such a nice day in early May. There are a number of stairways leading to the river from the trail plus a number of short paths for riverside enjoyment.