Horseshoe Creek Falls
Skamania County, Washington
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 57 ft (17.4 m)
- Location
- Skamania County, Washington
- Access status
- National forest trail from the relocated Siouxon Trailhead; spur trail to the base
- The walk
- About 4.4 miles one way along the trail, per the Northwest Waterfall Survey
- Ground & access
- Forest trail with small creek crossings, including a rocky crossing that is harder in spring high water. Part of the route is in an area burned by wildfire, where post-fire debris partly obscures the spur trail.
Horseshoe Creek Falls is a three-tier, roughly 57-foot falls where Horseshoe Creek drops toward Siouxon Creek in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The road to the old trailhead is closed, so the hike now starts at the Siouxon Trailhead about 3 miles farther back. From the parking area, walk down the road past the vehicle barrier about 125 yards to where the trail leaves on the left. Stay right at the Huffman Peak Trail junction, keep left at the connector from the closed old trailhead, cross the West Creek footbridge and pass the Horseshoe Ridge Trail junction. At Horseshoe Creek you get a side view of the upper tier from the trail. Cross the footbridge; an unsigned spur trail drops to a bench with campsites and a fuller view of all three tiers. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Siouxon Trailhead on Forest Road 5701, along the Siouxon Trail (No. 130) past the old trailhead and the Horseshoe Ridge junction to the Horseshoe Creek footbridge, then the unsigned spur (No. 130B) to the base
The Northwest Waterfall Survey says the falls are 4.4 miles along the trail from the relocated Siouxon Creek Trailhead, with the spur to the base about 500 feet past the bridge. Oregon Hikers gives 9.8 miles round trip from the same trailhead to Siouxon Falls, which is beyond Horseshoe Creek Falls.
Forest trail with small creek crossings, including a rocky crossing that is harder in spring high water. Part of the route is in an area burned by wildfire, where post-fire debris partly obscures the spur trail.
Where to start
Siouxon Trailhead on Forest Road 5701: from NE Healy Road at Chelatchie, follow FR 54 and FR 57, then turn left on FR 5701 and drive about 0.75 mile downhill to a sharp 180-degree bend; pull off to the left. The road beyond is gated.
Timing & water
No season limits are stated. The falls are best in spring; at low water logs and bedrock channels can partly hide them.
Before you go
WTA lists a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful pass; Oregon Hikers says a pass is not required.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Siouxon FallsNational forest trail from the relocated Siouxon Trailhead28 ft (8.5 m) · Skamania County, WA0.3 miNE
- Lower Wildcat FallsPartial guide: long forest trail with creek crossings; partial trail view and no distance to this fallsSkamania County, WA1.3 miNE
- Wildcat FallsPartial guide: long forest trail with fords; no distance to this falls223 ft (68 m) · Skamania County, WA1.3 miNE
- Chinook FallsLong national forest trail; ford of Siouxon Creek required62 ft (19 m) · Skamania County, WA1.9 miE
- Middle Siouxon FallsPartial guide: steep national forest trail with a ford; no distance and only a partial trailside view37 ft (11.3 m) · Skamania County, WA2.3 miE
- Upper Siouxon FallsPartial guide: steep national forest trail with a ford; distance to the falls not stated16 ft (4.9 m) · Skamania County, WA2.7 miE
- Lower Siouxon FallsSkamania County, WA3.6 miW
- Black Hole FallsLong trail hike to a signed spur; Discover Pass requiredSkamania County, WA4.2 miNW
- Ole Creek Falls30 ft (9.1 m) · Skamania County, WA7.3 miNW