It is also one of the few falls we can link to a live USGS stream gauge, so you can check how much water is coming down before you leave home.
The draw here is the moment the sound reaches you before the water does. People plan whole days around falls like Curly Creek Falls: a walk through the woods, cold spray at the base, and a quiet spot to sit for a while.
Geology and background
What makes Curly Creek Falls special
Curly Creek Falls, also called Curly/Miller Falls, is an 86-foot waterfall that flows from Curly Creek just west of the Swift Reservoir, about 1,150 feet above sea level, in Washington. Shortly downstream, Curly Creek empties into the Lewis River. The height is the description’s figure, from Wikipedia, not a verified measurement on this page.
What sets it apart is the rock at the top. Curly Creek Falls is unusual in having two natural basalt arches at the top of the waterfall, a feature no other fall on this list shares. The fall sits in the heart of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, north of Interstate 84, and the ground around it is moss-covered rock under old-growth Douglas fir and hemlock. A hiking trail leads from a parking area to the falls.
Its neighbours are close. Miller Creek Falls is 0.1 miles away, Ipsoot Falls 1.5 miles away and Northwoods Falls 2.2 miles away, so this is a cluster of falls in the monument’s forest rather than a single stop.
The fall drops over basalt, and the two natural arches at its top are the clearest geology on the page: the creek has cut through the volcanic rock to leave standing arches where the water goes over. The monument around it is volcanic ground through and through, and the moss, the old-growth fir and hemlock, and the basalt all belong to the same story of a young volcanic terrain growing back green.
Navigate by coordinates rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream. Download an offline map before you lose signal: this is forest country, and signal is not guaranteed.
Best time and crowds
Flow may run dry in the late season, so time the visit for spring or after rain. A stream gauge is linked on this page: check the live flow before you go. Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain, and the least in a dry late summer.
Safety
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury. Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle. Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
A bag to pack out trash
Practical tips
Check the live gauge before you go: this fall can run dry late in the season.
Look for the two basalt arches at the top of the fall: they are what make this one different.
Pair it with Miller Creek Falls, 0.1 miles away.
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town: signal is thin out here.
Most waterfalls form where a stream crosses from hard rock onto softer rock. The soft layer wears away faster, the hard lip is left overhanging, and over thousands of years the fall slowly cuts its way upstream.
Water flow and seasons
The stream that feeds Curly Creek Falls is tracked by USGS gauge 14216000. A reading well above the seasonal median means a fuller fall, and usually a wetter, muddier trail.
Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same fall can look half the size.
We do not have a trail length for Curly Creek Falls yet. Some falls are a few steps from a parking area, others take a real hike, so check the park or a trail app before you set out.
Swimming is not listed. Treat the plunge pool as off-limits unless signs say otherwise: the water at the base is colder and stronger than it looks.
Facilities and amenities
We do not list a park for this fall, which often means a small trailhead or roadside pull-off with few or no facilities.
Plan as if there is no drinking water and no phone signal at the falls themselves. Use the restroom and fill your bottles before you start walking.
Fees, permits, and opening hours
No entry fee is listed. Parks may still charge for parking or day use, and federal lands often accept an annual pass instead.
Most falls are reachable from dawn to dusk. Gates, seasonal road closures and timed-entry permits are the usual surprises, so check the managing agency on the day.
How to get to Curly Creek Falls
Curly Creek Falls is in Washington. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (46.059, -121.973) rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream.
The final approach is usually the hardest part: narrow roads, small trailhead lots that fill early, and a walk that can be ten minutes or several hours. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Our Washington waterfalls page maps every fall in the state, which helps when you are planning a route.
For the fullest flow, visit Curly Creek Falls in spring or within a couple of days of heavy rain. For easier footing and warmer air, early summer is the compromise.
Light matters for photos: the base of a fall is often in shade by midday, and an overcast day evens out the bright water against dark rock.
Crowds and timing
Arrive early or late. The middle of a summer weekend is peak time almost everywhere, and small trailheads can be full by 10 a.m.
Holiday weekends and the first warm days of spring are the busiest of all. If the lot is full, do not park on the road shoulder: it is the most common reason for tickets and towing at trailheads.
How long to spend there
Without a listed trail length, plan for half a day: enough time to find the trailhead, walk in, spend an hour at the water and walk out without rushing.
If there are other falls nearby, they are often on the same road or trail system. Two or three in a day is very doable.
Where to stay near Curly Creek Falls
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Curly Creek Falls on Google Maps, so you can compare drive times from the trailhead.
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury.
Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle.
Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs. Only swim where it is allowed.
In canyons, rain upstream can raise the water in minutes. Leave if the water turns muddy or starts to rise.
Leave no trace: pack out trash, stay off fragile moss and plants, and keep drones grounded where they are banned.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
Practical visitor tips
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Keep your phone in a zip bag near the base.
Pack out everything, including food scraps.
Tell someone where you are going if the trail is long or remote.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Curly Creek Falls, Washington located?
Curly Creek Falls is in Washington. Its GPS coordinates are 46.059, -121.973.
What kind of waterfall is Curly Creek Falls, Washington?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Curly Creek Falls?
Its height has not passed a source check yet, so we do not show a number or include it in tallest lists.
How much does it cost, and when is it open?
No fee is listed, though parking or day-use fees may apply. Most falls are open dawn to dusk; check the managing agency for seasonal closures.
Is Curly Creek Falls good for families?
It depends on the trail, which we have not confirmed. Check the length and terrain first, and keep children well back from wet rock and the edge.
How do I know if it is flowing?
Check USGS gauge 14216000 for today’s streamflow, and the last three days of rain in the weather panel.
The bottom line
Curly Creek Falls is worth a detour, especially after rain. Go early, check recent rain, wear grippy shoes, and give yourself time to sit and listen once you get there.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
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