Lower Lewis River Falls — Attraction in Hood River

The falls are absolutely stunning! Getting there is easy until you reach the parking area. Most of the drive is easy for any car to reach, just a few big bumps along the mostly paved road. The main reason I am leaving two stars is actually due to the forest service staff and management of the recreation area. Parking is extremely limited for day use (space for about 15-20 vehicles). When we arrived we were yelled at by very flustered and agitated park rangers. They shouted that parking was full and that we needed to proceed to park 3 miles away and walk. We asked if we could pull to the side to unload elders and children but they shouted that we need to MOVE!, MOVE!, MOVE! There was plenty of good space to park along the road, but it was prohibited for miles. There was one tiny back up parking area. A ranger drove around harassing people and threatening $85 tickets and towing to people who were doing their best to find a parking spot that met their standards. Parking problems this bad are usually only encountered in a downtown metropolitan area. Management of this area could be significantly improved to better protect nature and the people trying to enjoy it. Sending people miles away and making them walk along a dangerous curvy road to get to the site is irresponsible. Not having proper parking for a popular location is neglecting the environment because traffic will create their own parking areas which could damage the forest. Not having a loading and unloading area baffles me. That seems like an easy fix to me. Frustrating to see my tax dollars yelling at me that I'm prohibited from enjoying a...

Seasonal experiences. Road expectations below.

Spring: waterfall is in full force and at its peak flow. It looks like 1 continous fall. The river is high and currents are strong, therefore it is not worth trying to cross the river as the rocks are slick and will pull you down stream.

Summer: early summer the water is still high as the snow melt ends sometimes as late as may. Mid summer and during heat waves the waterfall will start to split and show several falls along its walls. The water is still high but warm and the current is significantly weaker. Late summer crossing the river is safe but still slipper, water your footing and it will be easy. Cross at the ledge nearest to the waterfall

Fall. Colour on the leaves are absolutely stunning. Water is at the lowest until rain season kicks into full force. The water fall is in my person opinion at its prettiest point. There are several narrow falls that make for some stunning pictures. Crowds are also nearly none exsistant which makes for better pictures and a nice drive. River is super easy to cross but if the weather is cold. Then crossing can he coldly painful (even to a Canadian).

Winter: have yet to see for myself and will add when I do.

The drive is mostly paved but there is a 2-3 mile gravel stretch. The rough is as rough as highway 90 is so be prepared for some bumps and hole along the way. The gravel will have alot of potholes and will have narrow roads. Make sure to take corners on your side of the road and slow. During peak crowd season (late spring and summer) be ready to pass several cars on your...

(TAKE SWIMMING SHOES if you want to swim in the lower falls area! )

We tried going to Lower Lewis falls 2 years ago only if to find that the road to get there was closed due to all the cars traveling to it. This year we tried again. We traveled about 3.5 hours to get there through the town of Carson (arrives at 10am). There’s camp grounds you can rent ahead of time if you want to spend more time exploring. The lower Lewis falls campground was closed which is the closest to the lower falls. We, however, just parked up to the high Lewis falls and did the 2 hour hike down through middle lewis falls and finally to lower Lewis falls then up through the road back to the high Lewis falls where we parked. The trail was very beautiful and fairly easy with not many obstacles in the way. I suggest seeing all the Water falls we only regrets not seeing the middle Lewis falls. My favorite was seeing the high Lewis falls. The hike down May take longer if you stope to look and take pictures as I suggest you do! When you get down to lower Lewis falls you can go down the many little trails to the falls and get your waterfall picture or go in for a cold swim. Personally I believe that the picture are far better than the falls are in person. But I am also a person that is not easily impressed. Please do not make the same mistake we did and take swimming shoes as the river floor is very rocky and slick. I fell a couple of times haha. Well enjoy and...