If you want a party, go on a warm summer weekend.  The lower falls are beautiful.  They also resembled Palm Beach spring break with a 100 swimmers, people back flipping off the 36 ft waterfall into the pool below, sun tanning, beers...  Everyone friendly and happy. Not a quaint quiet waterfall hike. We parked among 40+ other cars on side of road at upper falls after scraping my Honda Accord bumper a dozen times on the roller coaster 90-min drive from Randall down (50% fewer swerves and potholes back out toward Cougar).  4 mi trail from upper to middle to lower falls is mostly easy but a few steep parts and a few scenic creeks.  If you want social distancing go elsewhere— If you want a beach party, enjoy, and take dry clothes for the car ride back. No cell service +/- 60 minutes of falls. Amazingly picturesque waterfalls worth seeing sometime sooner or later.  I’ll go again some time. 

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.