8 STUNNING Waterfalls Near Vancouver, WA

If you’re looking for some awe-inspiring waterfalls near Vancouver, Washington, we have your ultimate list right here.

From misty cascades hidden among ancient forests to some of the country’s most iconic falls, you’ll be chasing waterfalls for days with this list

Pack your snacks and lace up your hiking boots, we’re ready to go!

Table of Contents

1. Moulton and Yacoult Waterfalls Near Vancouver
2. Lucia Falls Hike
3. Sunset Falls Hike
4. Panther Creek Falls Near Vancouver
5. Falls Creek Falls—Our Personal Fav Waterfall Near Vancouver!
6. Rodney/Hardy Falls & Pool of the Winds
7. Pothole Falls and Woodburn Falls in Lacamas Park
8. Wahkeena-Multnomah Loop
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1. Moulton and Yacoult Waterfalls Near Vancouver

Distance: 0.9 miles
Type of hike: Loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 127 ft.

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Tucked away in Moulton Falls Regional Park sits Moulton Falls, a picturesque spot that screams Pacific Northwest. The park has so much to offer, from hikes to swimming spots, to mountain biking.

Different cascades of Moulton Falls flowing down rocks in the forest. — Moulton Falls.

The gem of the park has to be the hike to Moulton Falls, which takes you through a thickly forested area next to the river via the Lewis River Trail. Head along a mossy cliff, frequently stopping to take in the views.

The quick and easy trail will also lead you to nearby Moulton Falls Bridge, which offers great views of people playing in the river below and pretty Yacolt Falls, giving you a 2-4-1 deal!

A long exposure overlooking Yacolt Falls cascading down rocks in the forest. — A sunny day at Yacolt Falls.

READ MORE: Exploring Moulton Falls

2. Lucia Falls Hike

Distance: 0.62 miles
Type of hike: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 26.3 ft.

Lucia Falls is located to the west of Moulton Falls and is a perfect area for getting some truly serene peace and quiet amongst nature.

Only a little over half a mile, this hike is super cruisy, and you’ll most likely find yourself alone on the trail!

The twin falls of Lucia Falls flowing down over black rocks with small green bushes around. — Lucia Falls.

The path is well-shaded by the abundance of trees, and you’ll feel like a little kid climbing all over the rocks. A word of caution: the rocks can be slippery, so just move slowly and enjoy the ambiance!

Unfortunately, you cannot swim at this waterfall since it is protected, but this doesn’t make the view any less worth it.

3. Sunset Falls Hike

Distance: 0.12 miles
Type of hike: Out & Back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 3.3 ft.

Hidden along the southeastern edge of Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Sunset Falls is a quick stroll along a scenic path.

Long exposure of Sunset Falls into the plunge pool and surrounded by bushes and trees of the Washington forest. — Sunset Falls is an easy trail!

This hike will suit your needs if you want somewhere to simply take in the views rather than a strenuous hike (or if you have children joining you!).

This is also a perfect spot for a dip in the warmer months!

4. Panther Creek Falls Near Vancouver

Distance: 0.3 miles
Type of Trail: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 114 feet

Panther Creek Falls is a bit hidden away in the forest but still accessible. It’s a stunning 130-foot tall waterfall, looking its best in late spring when it’s full of snowmelt.

Why’s it cool? It’s basically a stunning, mossy, cascading, jaw-dropping scene.

Nina in a yellow sweater standing by a wooden fence in a forest overlooking Panther Creek Falls. — Nina overlooking Panther Creek Falls.

Getting there is a piece of cake, with just a short walk to a viewing platform. It’s rated moderate as there’s a steep section, but it’s so short it’s really quite easy, so no sweat! (literally)

READ MORE: Panther Creek Falls Hike

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5. Falls Creek Falls—Our Personal Fav Waterfall Near Vancouver!

Distance: 3.4 miles- 6 miles depending
Type of Trail: Out and back/Loop (we recommend the loop)
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 800 feet

Falls Creek Falls cascades down three tiers, totaling about 335 feet of eye-popping beauty. Spring and early summer are prime times to see it in full force.

Golden hour light rays shining down over Falls Creek Falls which is framed by mossy cliffs and trees. — Sunset shining over Falls Creek Falls.

The trail to get there? It’s got enough ups and downs to keep things interesting but won’t totally wear you out. It looks like something out of a fantasy movie and is truly one of the spots where pictures do little justice.

The trail takes you right up to the base for an up-close-and-personal view. Make sure to do the loop back to avoid the traffic coming to the falls!

READ MORE: Falls Creek Falls Trail

6. Rodney/Hardy Falls & Pool of the Winds

Distance: 2.3 miles – 5.4 miles depending
Type of Trail: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate – Hard
Elevation Gain: 520 feet – 2,000 feet!

Heading up the Hamilton Mountain trail, you’ll find Rodney Falls/Hardy Falls, and the mystically named Pool of the Winds.

A long exposure of Rodney Falls appearing from a viewing platform on the cliffs and cascading to the trees below. — Rodney Falls.

This is a confusing waterfall near Vancouver simply because these are all kind of the same thing. I don’t know why there are so many names, but there’s really just the one waterfall here that’s kinda split up!

The main point is that this is a well-worth-it hike in Washington, where you’ll find a cool waterfall and epic views over The Gorge. If you’re just interested in the falls, you can do a quick out-and-back hike.

Nina walking along a wooden bridge on the Hamilton Mountain trail which leads through the Washington forest right beside Rodney Falls. — Nina along the hiking trail beside Rodney Falls.

However, you’re already halfway to the top of Hamilton Mountain, so why not push yourself a bit more and get some great views?! It was a bit of a hard slog on a hot day, but we pushed on, and we were glad we did.

7. Pothole Falls and Woodburn Falls in Lacamas Park

Distance: 3.1 miles
Type of Trail: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 344 feet

Inside Lacamas Park, Pothole Falls and Woodburn Falls offer a double dose of waterfall fun without too much footwork. With its unique rock formations, Pothole Falls looks like nature decided to go abstract, while Woodburn Falls is more about that classic cascade beauty.

View of Pothole Falls flowing through yellow rocks in Lacamas Park framed by trees and leaves. — Pothole Falls really does look like a bunch of… well potholes.

Peak flow in late winter to spring makes the park a great spot for a leisurely adventure. We got lost on the trails here, happily too! They all intersect at some point so we weren’t worried.

Nina climbing up a dirt hill over tree roots beside Woodburn Falls in Lacamas Park. — Nina climbing up the side of Woodburn Falls.

Plus, Lacamas Park is a sweet spot for picnics, so pack some treats! You could even just simply chill out on the lakes here if hiking isn’t in the cards.

READ MORE: Your Guide to Lacamas Park: Trails, Lakes, and Waterfalls!

8. Wahkeena-Multnomah Loop

Distance: 5 miles
Type of hike: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 1640 ft.

Why not hop over to the Oregon side of thing to experience tons more waterfalls near Vancouver?! Honestly, this is where the majority live and it’s only a 30 minute drive over the state border to get to them!

The two-tiered Wahkeena Falls appearing from a gap in a rock which is covered in vibrant green leaves and moss. — The mystical Wahkeena Falls.

The Wahkeena-Multnomah Loop is a hike of verdant forest flanked with basalt cliffsides and the sounds of waterfalls in every direction, and it’s potentially the most epic hike with waterfalls near Portland.

If you only have a day chasing waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge and are up for a challenge, THIS is your hike. It’s one of our favorites in the area.

The hike not only features an incredible adventure through thick ferns, mossy volcanic cliffs, and vegetation but also numerous gorgeous waterfalls along the way.

A beautifully symmetric view of Fairy Falls cascading over black rocks and framed by vibrant green foliage, — Don’t miss out on Fairy Falls along the same trail!

On this hike, you’ll come across Ecola, Weisendanger, Dutchman, and Fairy.

In addition to these lesser-known falls, you’ll also hike past the main features, Wahkeena Falls, and the most famous waterfall near Vancouver, Multnomah Falls.

Nina standing on the concrete Benson Bridge that spans the gap of two hills bordering Multnomah Falls. — Get the famous shot of Benson Bridge at Multnomah!

This is a long one, the elevation gain is around 1600 feet, and there will be some muddy spots, switchbacks, and mist from the waterfall. Wear the right clothing and shoes for this one!