WaterfallNear Me

Ladder Creek Falls

Whatcom County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
108 ft (33 m)
Location
Whatcom County, Washington
Access status
Short paved garden path and stairs from a Newhalem parking area
The walk
0.5 miles round trip, per WTA
Ground & access
Paved path with stairs and several benches; misty near the falls.
Washington Trails Association: Ladder Creek Falls
Ladder Creek Falls, WA
Ladder Creek Falls, WA
Photo creditPhoto: Feedmepaperr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ladder Creek Falls is behind the Gorge Powerhouse at the east end of Newhalem in Ross Lake National Recreation Area. J.D. Ross built a trail to the falls while the nearby hydroelectric project was under construction in the 1930s and 1940s, and the falls are lit with colored lights at night. Park across the river from the powerhouse, cross the river on the suspension bridge to the Ladder Creek Gardens, and follow the signed path and stairs along the creek to close views of the falls. WTA says a small suspension bridge offers a more direct way back to the car.

Plan your visit

Parking across the river from the Gorge Powerhouse in Newhalem, suspension bridge to Ladder Creek Gardens, path and stairs to the falls viewpoints

WTA lists the walk as 0.5 miles round trip.

Paved path with stairs and several benches; misty near the falls.

Where to start

East end of Newhalem on Highway 20 at milepost 120. Park across the river from the Gorge Powerhouse.

Timing & water

WTA says the falls flow year-round and the light show runs from dusk until 11 p.m. year-round.

Before you go

There is no fee to enter North Cascades National Park Service Complex, which includes Ross Lake National Recreation Area. WTA lists no parking pass.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Washington

Waterfall location

Whatcom County, Washington.

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