Hardy Falls
Skamania County, Washington
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 90 ft (27.4 m)
- Location
- Skamania County, Washington
- Access status
- Signed state park trail to a viewpoint above the falls; Discover Pass required
- The walk
- The Northwest Waterfall Survey gives 1.3 miles up the trail to the marked spur; WTA puts the side trail at about 1 mile
- Ground & access
- Well-graded trail that climbs steadily; the viewpoint spur is short and steep.
Hardy Falls is a 90-foot falls on Hardy Creek, the lower of the two major falls on the creek in Beacon Rock State Park on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. From the Hamilton Mountain Trailhead, climb the wide, well-built Hamilton Mountain Trail through old-growth forest. Watch for the marked side trail down to the Hardy Falls viewpoint; it is a short, steep pitch. The developed viewpoint is about 200 feet above the creek and trees partly block the view. Rodney Falls and the Pool of the Winds are a little farther up the main trail. Return the same way. The survey describes a steep, hazardous scramble to the base through vine maple and Oregon grape; it is not a trail.
Plan your visit
Hamilton Mountain Trailhead in Beacon Rock State Park, up the Hamilton Mountain Trail to the marked spur for the Hardy Falls viewpoint
The Northwest Waterfall Survey says to hike the Hamilton Mountain Trail for 1.3 miles to the marked spur, which leads shortly to the viewpoint. WTA says the trail down to the Hardy Falls viewpoint comes at 1 mile in. Neither source gives a round-trip figure for the falls alone.
Well-graded trail that climbs steadily; the viewpoint spur is short and steep.
Where to start
Hamilton Mountain Trailhead parking area in Beacon Rock State Park. From Highway 14 at the park entrance sign, pass the ranger station and turn left up the road signed with a hiking and camping symbol; the trailhead lot is on the right after 0.3 mile, with restrooms at the far side. If the lot is full, WTA says the day use area is another 0.1 mile up.
Timing & water
Park hours are 8 a.m. to dusk year round. The survey says the falls are most impressive in high water.
Before you go
A Discover Pass is required to park: $10 for one day or $45 for a year. WTA describes a self-serve fee payment station at the trailhead.
Visitor informationVisit sources
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Hardy Falls
- Northwest Waterfall Survey: Hardy Falls
- Washington Trails Association: Beacon Rock State Park, Hamilton Mountain
- Washington Trails Association: Beacon Rock State Park, Hamilton Mountain
- Washington Trails Association: Beacon Rock State Park, Hamilton Mountain
- Washington State Parks: Beacon Rock State Park
- Washington State Parks: Beacon Rock State Park
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Rodney FallsState park trail to the falls and the Pool of the Winds viewpoint45 ft (13.7 m) · Skamania County, WA0.1 miNE
- Upper Rodney Falls35 ft (10.7 m) · Skamania County, WA0.1 miNE
- Cedar FallsSkamania County, WA1.7 miNE
Elowah FallsEstablished trail to the base of the falls; broken footbridge at the creek213 ft (64.9 m) · Multnomah County, OR2.3 miSE
Upper McCord Creek FallsCliffside trail to a viewpoint of the falls64 ft (19.5 m) · Multnomah County, OR2.4 miSE- Wahe Falls80 ft (24.3 m) · Multnomah County, OR3.0 miSE
- Munra FallsShort walk on an established trail from the Wahclella Falls Trailhead68 ft (20.7 m) · Multnomah County, OR3.2 miE
- Upper Wahe Falls50 ft (15.2 m) · Multnomah County, OR3.4 miSE
- Duncan Creek FallsShort wildlife area loop past the falls; avoid the posted private parcel48 ft (14.6 m) · Skamania County, WA3.4 miW