ELK CREEK FALLS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
ELK CREEK FALLS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
EVENT TYPE: Day hiking only
DISTANCE: varies, but about 2.5 miles
ELEVATION VARIES: in total about 652’
DIFFICULTY: easy with one semi steep trail and some hazards
MAPS: Clearwater N.F./ Palouse Ranger District, and the Elk Creek Falls National Recreation Area brochure.
GPS: Trailhead 46°44’39” N 116°10’ 52” W
RANGER DISTRICT: Palouse R.D. 208.875.1131
CLEARWATER COUNTY SHERIFF: CALL 911 FIRST or 208.476.4521
CLEARWATER NATIONAL FOREST/ ALERTS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices
DISTANCE: varies, but about 2.5 miles
ELEVATION VARIES: in total about 652’
DIFFICULTY: easy with one semi steep trail and some hazards
MAPS: Clearwater N.F./ Palouse Ranger District, and the Elk Creek Falls National Recreation Area brochure.
GPS: Trailhead 46°44’39” N 116°10’ 52” W
RANGER DISTRICT: Palouse R.D. 208.875.1131
CLEARWATER COUNTY SHERIFF: CALL 911 FIRST or 208.476.4521
CLEARWATER NATIONAL FOREST/ ALERTS
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices
DESCRIPTION:
WE HAVE ADDED THE AREAS SHERIFF’S EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS FOR EACH TRIP WRITE UP UNDER THE RANGER DISTRICT INFO. IF AN EMERGENCY OCURRS, EVALUATE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES AND CALL ONLY IF NEEDED.
The Elk Creek Falls area is a National Recreation Trail, located about 50 miles east of Moscow, Idaho. Altho it’s open year round, in the winter it’s about a 2 mile ski or snowshoe to the trailhead from Hwy 8.
At the trailhead, there is a pit toilet and ample parking. There are no fees to use the area.
From the parking area, hike Trail #740 for about a mile to a “Y” and a trail sign. First, go right at the Y, for about 1.25 miles down a semi steep trail to a viewpoint that looks at the areas Lower Elk Falls (pictured above).
For safety, stay inside the viewpoint structure.
The Lower Elk Falls gushes around a basalt wall and is about 50’ tall. Return back up to the trail sign, for access to the Middle and Upper Fall. About half way up to the sign is Trail #742 that takes you out to a viewpoint for great views of the Middle Falls, which are about 70’ drop down thru a narrow basalt gorge. The Middle Falls are by far the most beautiful. Continue up Trail #742 to a short spur trail to the viewpoint for the Upper Falls, which are about 20’ tall and 30+ feet wide. On a hot day, this is a good spot to go for a swim below the falls. But if you plan on swimming to cool off, take sandals or water shoes. That basalt is hard to walk on.
Back at the main trail, hike Trail # 740A back to Trail #740 back to the parking area.
The Elk Creek Falls area is a National Recreation Trail, located about 50 miles east of Moscow, Idaho. Altho it’s open year round, in the winter it’s about a 2 mile ski or snowshoe to the trailhead from Hwy 8.
At the trailhead, there is a pit toilet and ample parking. There are no fees to use the area.
From the parking area, hike Trail #740 for about a mile to a “Y” and a trail sign. First, go right at the Y, for about 1.25 miles down a semi steep trail to a viewpoint that looks at the areas Lower Elk Falls (pictured above).
For safety, stay inside the viewpoint structure.
The Lower Elk Falls gushes around a basalt wall and is about 50’ tall. Return back up to the trail sign, for access to the Middle and Upper Fall. About half way up to the sign is Trail #742 that takes you out to a viewpoint for great views of the Middle Falls, which are about 70’ drop down thru a narrow basalt gorge. The Middle Falls are by far the most beautiful. Continue up Trail #742 to a short spur trail to the viewpoint for the Upper Falls, which are about 20’ tall and 30+ feet wide. On a hot day, this is a good spot to go for a swim below the falls. But if you plan on swimming to cool off, take sandals or water shoes. That basalt is hard to walk on.
Back at the main trail, hike Trail # 740A back to Trail #740 back to the parking area.
DIRECTIONS:
FROM SPOKANE
From Spokane, drive east on I-90 over the 4th of July Pass to the Rose Lake exit, and State Hwy #3. Head south down Hwy 3 to St. Maries. Continue on Hwy 3 to to Bovill at about 44 miles. Turn left onto State Hwy #8 for about 10 miles, keeping an eye out for the Elk Creek Falls Road 1452 turn off. Turn right for about 2 miles to the parking area.
FROM MOSCOW
Head east on State Hwy #8 thru Troy, Deary and on to Bovill. At Bovill turn right for about 10 miles, watching for the Elk Creek Falls Road #1452.
From Spokane, drive east on I-90 over the 4th of July Pass to the Rose Lake exit, and State Hwy #3. Head south down Hwy 3 to St. Maries. Continue on Hwy 3 to to Bovill at about 44 miles. Turn left onto State Hwy #8 for about 10 miles, keeping an eye out for the Elk Creek Falls Road 1452 turn off. Turn right for about 2 miles to the parking area.
FROM MOSCOW
Head east on State Hwy #8 thru Troy, Deary and on to Bovill. At Bovill turn right for about 10 miles, watching for the Elk Creek Falls Road #1452.
COOL THINGS CLOSE BY:
Plan on a whole day in this area. There is a lot to see.
Morris Creek Cedar Grove, Elk River, and DO NOT MISS the Giant Western Red Cedar.
South of Fernwood is the Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area.
Further south from Elk Falls is the Dworshak Reservoir. See additional write ups of the two cedar groves listed above.
Morris Creek Cedar Grove, Elk River, and DO NOT MISS the Giant Western Red Cedar.
South of Fernwood is the Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area.
Further south from Elk Falls is the Dworshak Reservoir. See additional write ups of the two cedar groves listed above.
HAZARDS:
Using the trail system on a rainy or wet day can be hazardous.
While at any of the viewpoints, please stay within the viewpoint structure.
Keep your dogs on leashes and clean up after them.
ALSO, IF YOU HIKE WITH CHILDREN HERE, PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THEM.
PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION EVERY WHERE IN THIS AREA.
While at any of the viewpoints, please stay within the viewpoint structure.
Keep your dogs on leashes and clean up after them.
ALSO, IF YOU HIKE WITH CHILDREN HERE, PAY VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THEM.
PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION EVERY WHERE IN THIS AREA.
R & P:
NA
PHOTO GALLERY
LOWER ELK CREEK FALLS, 50'
SPOKANE MOUNTAINEERS OUTING, POSING IN FRONT OF THE LOWER FALLS
MIDDLE ELK CREEK FALLS 70'
