Panther Creek Falls is a Washington waterfall in the middle of the Columbia River Gorge that has two tiers and many streams of water that drop up to 130 feet.
Tired of fighting the crowds to see Multnomah Falls or Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge? Introducing... Panther Creek Falls! One of the Gorge's most beautiful and less-visited waterfalls. It's on the Washington side of the river and about 6 miles from Carson, Washington. It's very easy to access (once you get up the road!).
Panther Creek Falls Facts
Location: Carson, Washington - Columbia River Gorge. Between Carson and Trout Lake.
Access Trail Name: Panther Creek Falls Trail #137
Hike Length: 0.3 miles
Total Height: 130 feet
Tiers: 2
Tier Height: 50-70 feet
Facilities: No facilities
Where is Panther Creek Falls?
Panther Creek Falls is in the Columbia River Gorge and just north of Carson, Washington. The falls are part of a long stretch of waterfalls that are on either side of the river. They include the tallest waterfall in Oregon, Multnomah Falls, and more than 90 others.
The "Gorge," as locals refer to it, offers miles and miles of incredible hiking trails, drive-up viewpoints, campgrounds, and more.
Getting to the Falls
The waterfall is only 1 hour and 15 minutes from Portland on the Washington side of the Columbia River. To access the waterfall, you'll take Panther Creek Falls Trail 137, only 0.3 miles from the trailhead.
The trailhead is about 6 miles up Panther Creek Road after turning off Highway 14. Turn off of the highway at Carson onto Wind River Highway and take a right on Panther Creek Road. The trailhead is not super well marked, so keep your eyes open for a dirt pullout on the side of the road (probably on the right as most people approach from the south).
The best time to visit is between June and October when the water is flowing well, but it isn't too cold!
Visiting Panther Creek Falls
This is, without a doubt, one of the most unique waterfalls in Washington or in the entirety of the Columbia River Gorge. It's in Skamania County and is divided into multiple tears, each between 50 and 70 feet tall. All of the tiers empty into the same large basin.
Distance | Elevation Gain | Time Required | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
0.3 miles | 120 feet | 15 minutes | 1/10 |
Hiking into Panther Creek Falls is easy! It's only 0.3 miles from the parking lot and should take you less than 15 minutes to complete the entire trail, out and back.
When walking into the falls, make sure to stay on the trail and behind the guard rails. Especially in the winter, the waterfall area can be very wet and even freeze over, posing a danger for those who veer off the trail or aren't paying super close attention.
Keep in mind, there are no facilities are the waterfall.
Once you get there, there is a large observation deck that you can stand on to get the best view of the waterfall from above. But, if you hike a little further, there is a lower observation area where most of the pictures of the waterfall are from. The trail is super close to the falls, and you're likely to be splashed by the falls throughout the year.
Nearby Waterfalls
In the Columbia River Gorge and throughout Washington and Oregon, there are more than a few beautiful waterfalls that you can explore near Panther Creek Falls. Whether you're on the Oregon or the Washington side, you're going to be spoiled for choice.
Dog Creek Falls is a smaller, 33-foot waterfall that's easily accessible from Highway 14 in Washington on the north side of the Columbia River. It may not be the tallest waterfall in the gorge, but it's certainly very beautiful.
National Creek Falls is an Oregon waterfall that drops 40 feet in two different channels. It's in a secluded, very scenic area of Prospect. It's a good, brief stop if you're traveling on Highway 230 in Central Oregon.
Lucia Falls is home to a small waterfall that's easy to see and enjoy while hiking around the park. It's located in Yacolt, Washington, and is not far from Moulton and Yacolt Falls.
This incredible waterfall is an impressive landmark in Washington. It's especially beautiful in winter! The waterfall is Washington's official waterfall and is part of Palouse Falls State Park.
Tamanawas Falls is a stunning waterfall on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. It drops 110 feet and is open throughout the year. You can even snowshoe there in winter!
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