We really enjoyed exploring Middle Mashell Falls. We learned a lot by reading previous posts…read more Nicely maintained. Pet friendly. Next time we will pack a picnic & stay longer!! There is a bit of an incline before you get to the falls. Signage is very small & easy to miss on your first visit. We parked at Bud Blancher Trailhead

This is a great hike in the area. Trails are nicely maintained. There are many options for making…read moreyour hike, shorter or longer as you wish. There are a few different trailheads you can start at for example, and you can choose to visit just one or 3+ falls. Each fall is beautiful and a lot of fun to explore!

Just went to visit this hike, I've done it before and the expierence was amazing. Went last week…read moreand the bridge was close so it cut out hike short but the view was beautiful and worth it

A very unique and beautiful area to visit!…read more The trailhead has a nice parking area, with bathrooms. The trail to the winding, aqua blue stream is wide and well maintained. You can view the main attraction from trails on both sides, as well as looking down from the bridge. We took the trails on both sides of the water. The trail across the bridge is much easier to traverse, and winds down to the (closed down) suspension bridge. The opposite side leads down beyond the suspension to the waters edge, but even to get down to that point isn't for the faint of heart. It includes a narrow, steep downhill trek...including a section over running water (with a wire handrail for support). Once you arrive at the water at the bottom you can view the suspension bridge above, and if you dare, the waterfall below. We did attempt to continue on a little ways down the trail from there, but as reviews describe, the next section is even steeper with a very loose and dangerous footing. I got vertigo trying to look over the edge at the falls right before that section, so continuing on was a huge no. I'm sure that many people without height woes have no issues moving on, but if you're like me, the trail ends there. This area is stunning. The waters and canyon are a site that pictures simply cannot do justice. Highly recommend!!

This place is a hidden gem! It has a very isolated feeling to it. The falls flow steadily into a…read morebeautiful oasis of crystal clear water that outlets into a peaceful creek. The hike to the falls is less than a mile from the trailhead with a 200ft elevation gain. Bringing your whole family to appreciate its beauty shouldn't be much of an issue. I'm almost hesitant to write this review based on some of the disrespect I've seen for the nature in surrounding areas ie; Trash left behind by visitors and people engraving their Initials and other things on the trees/earth. Im hoping my review brings people to want to visit this great spot that our national parks/Forests have to offer! Map: Green Trails Grisdale No. 198 GPS GRID: N 47 21.227 W 123 33.912 Directions: - travel north on Forrest Road 22 "Wynoochee Road" -Turn right on Forrest Road 23 and take for 17 miles - the trailhead sign "spoon creek falls" will be on your right. PLEASE Practice "LEAVE NO TRACE"

Great place to clear your mind with all the beautiful natural landscape. I would recommend wearing…read morea long sleeve/pants while doing the hike down due to overgrown bushes and maybe water shoes. Today I didn't get my feet wet but previously we went during rainy times and we had to cross path in water to reach the waterfall. Kinda hard to find since not a lot of signs but my phone navigation got me there. Not much or no cell service. So if needed print it out. Just past the entrance to the waterfall is a fire pit area for possible day camp. Today someone had a tent in this location.Beautiful waterfall with such clear water. Very peaceful and quite.

What a wonderful under the radar waterfall this is...Beaver Falls!…read more Located 6 miles east of Clatskanie, Oregon, this area near the Columbia River is beautiful. Let's get straight to the heart of what Beaver Falls is all about... If you plug "Beaver Falls Trailhead" into Google Maps, you'll have no problem finding it. Then just park along the side of Highway 30 and hike 1/3rd of a mile through the forest to the base of the falls. It's that easy. When I visited on a Thursday in early afternoon of July, there was hardly anyone around which was good for taking quality photos. Best of all, you can swim in the waters. So definitely bring a bathing suit, towel and a pair of water shoes so the rocks won't hurt your feet while entering the pool beneath Beaver Falls. The water is cold but once you jump in and get comfortable, it's a terrific setting. There's also a long rope where you can swing across and splash down below. It's great for kids (and adults too, lol) to have playful times. For me, I was content soaking in the pool and appreciating the surroundings. More info... - It's free to visit. - Cell phone reception works fine. - You can walk underneath the falls! This is a Must-Do. You can capture some amazing moments standing beside Beaver Falls. It's not hard or dangerous and offers a unique perspective. - Beaver Falls is just one of many outstanding waterfalls situated around Oregon and especially near the Columbia River. There's also Lower Lewis River Falls, Panther Creek Falls and Spirit Falls, to name a few. - You can spend a few hours hanging out or as little as 30 - 40 minutes. It depends on your time horizon. But overall, it's really pleasant to be here that I'd suggest bringing snacks, lunch and maybe having a picnic. This Beaver Falls is absolutely so much fun to hang out at. When you can swim in the waters, swing from a rope and even walk underneath the falls, It makes for a worthwhile summer visit.

Warning: !!! No signal/Very spotty. Download offline maps before going…read more If you're planning a trip to Lower Falls in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, come prepared. This is one of the most beautiful swimming holes I've visited in Washington, but it's also one of those places where respecting nature--and the journey to get there--is essential. The first thing I want to mention is the drive in, because it's something I wish I had known beforehand. If you have a small or low-clearance car, take your time. The last 1 1/2 to 2 miles are on an unpaved dirt road with potholes, dips, loose gravel, and no guardrails in some sections. The road is narrow enough that it almost feels like a one-lane road, even though traffic travels both directions. There are no center lines, so be mindful of oncoming vehicles and share the road carefully. I highly recommend driving 10 mph or less. There are signs warning about some of the larger dips, and they're there for a reason. If you hit them going 15 mph or faster--especially in a smaller car--your suspension and axles are going to feel it. It's not a difficult drive if you take it slow, but patience is definitely rewarded here. I brought my dog with me, and because of that, I'd personally rate this hike as hard. The trail itself isn't especially long, but getting down to the falls requires navigating steep, uneven terrain, and the final descent can be slippery. When you arrive at the trailhead, make a right and follow the well-worn paths. Eventually you'll come across ropes that help you descend the steeper sections. They're there for a reason--use them. They'll lead you all the way down to the falls. The waterfall itself is stunning. The water is shallow when you first step in, but don't let that fool you. As you move closer to the falls, there's a sudden drop-off. The right side tends to stay a bit shallower, but the rocks throughout the area are incredibly slippery. Water shoes with good grip are an absolute must. Even with them, take your time. I saw people cliff jumping, tubing, swimming, and even fishing (although I didn't notice any fish myself). If you're planning to float, I highly recommend bringing a life jacket. Before you even reach the trail, there's a large warning sign explaining that someone lost their life here after slipping on the rocks. It's a sobering reminder that this beautiful place deserves caution and respect. There's also a rocky, pebble-covered area beside the falls that's perfect for laying out a towel and soaking up the sun. My dog loved splashing around in the water, although it was very cold. If you're bringing your own dog, consider a canine life jacket if they aren't a confident swimmer. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around. A few practical tips: there are restrooms near the entrance, but during my visit there wasn't a handwashing station, and toilet paper can run out. Bring your own toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and baby wipes just in case. The trail also gets muddy because everyone is walking back and forth from the water, so don't wear shoes you're trying to keep spotless. Parking requires a $5 day-use fee, either paid in cash on-site or purchased online before you arrive. Also, keep in mind that the Discover Pass is not valid here because this is a National Forest, not a Washington State Park. Lower Falls is absolutely worth the trip. The emerald water, the sound of the falls, and the surrounding forest make it feel like you've discovered a hidden corner of Washington. Just come prepared, respect the water, take the drive slowly, and you'll have an unforgettable day.

I came here by myself and did not know that you need to make the parking reservation online ($5)…read morethen get a day pass to use ($2), so $7 total. Thank gosh for the super duper helpful and kindhearted camp host who helped me out. Thankful for him! So much so!! I was truly so worried that I could not go here after having driven for 3 hours, but it was all good. I was still able to go and oh my goodness! So beautiful. Not a hard hike and only like 1/8 miles away of a walk from the parking site to the waterfalls. Be watchful of the slippery rocks because you can easily get lost in the rapid waters if you tryna get a super duper cool photo of the waterfalls. No signal when I was in the parking site and on the way to this location for a couple miles out. So, have your offline maps ready.

We came by on a Saturday afternoon on July 24th. It's easy to find following Google Map directions…read more I found out about this as it was part of a Challenge Ride location of the Bike Group. The mima mounds were formed some time after ice age glaciers began receding 16,500 years ago. It's origins have baffled many. You do need a Discover Pass but we always carry a pass on our bikes so it wasn't an issue. The day we came by, the mounds were covered with brown dried grass and weeds. Bummer! Some areas are ADA accessible. It's more of a nature walk but be forewarned, it is the least bit peaceful as it's near a gun range -- pew pew pew is all you hear. There are bathrooms on site but there are signs that states it's not maintained daily so use with caution. We rode around to the road leading to the Falls after to take a photo with my bike and the mounds behind me. It was quite uneventful but we enjoyed the ride on the roads to and from the area.

A peaceful, slightly mysterious and thought-provoking place. The perfect place for a contemplative…read morenature stroll.

We have camped at Porter creek several times over the years. It has always been an enjoyable time…read moreup until the past couple years. There has been no camp host for the last three years And the area is showing the results. People are leaving their trash behind, I won't even try to explain how the outhouses get and there has been multiple occasiona with people shooting guns at the sites #15 up through the off road sites past the campground. racing by on their atv's through out the night. I doubt my husband and I wI'll camp there again which is sad as I've said we had really enjoyed this campground over the years.

Always have a nice time it does fill up fast for the weekend I would go more if I lived clread more