Quick Guide to Moulton Falls Regional Park
Portland’s hot July has had me dreaming of cool water and shady forests. Only an hour away, Washington’s Moulton Falls Regional Park is one of the best places near the city to escape the heat, complete with a crystal clear river, two waterfalls, an elegant wooden arch bridge, and hiking trails through the woods. Although Portlanders overlook it, Moulton Falls is no secret on the other side of the Columbia. My friend who grew up in Vancouver, WA, calls it the go-to swimming hole of her childhood. Perfect for year-round hiking and summer wading, here is everything you need to know about visiting Moulton Falls Regional Park.
East Fork Lewis River runs through Moulton Falls Regional Park
Know before you go
It’s free to visit Moulton Falls Regional Park. You don’t need a pass or permit.
Moulton Falls is most popular as a swimming hole. Arrive early to find parking on hot days, even on weekdays.
The park is open daily from 7 AM until dusk.
There are two parking lots for Moulton Falls Regional Park on NE Lucia Falls Rd. You’ll pass the main parking lot first. If it’s full, continue a short distance to the overflow lot. If both are full, there is more parking at Hantwick Rd Trailhead, but you’d need to walk 2.5 miles (one-way) to reach river access and see Moulton Falls.
Do not jump from the Moulton Falls Bridge. People get injured here every year.
Leashed dogs are welcome in the park.
Look for restrooms between the main parking lot and the Moulton Falls Bridge. Hantwick Rd Trailhead also has port-a-potties.
Moulton Falls
Navigating the park
Between the three parking lots and interconnecting trails, it’s easy to get turned around in Moulton Falls Regional Park. I suggest taking a picture of the trail map when you arrive. All the parking lots have them. Here is how to find the highlights.
You can go left or right starting from the main parking lot on NE Lucia Falls Rd.
About 0.1 miles to the right of this lot are:
Moulton Falls
River access and swimming spots
Picnic area
Head left of the main parking lot to reach:
Moulton Falls Bridge
Restroom building
Hiking trails
More swimming spots
If you go left, take the footbridge next to NE Lucia Falls Rd over Big Tree Creek. Then, either cross the road to start the hike to Yacolt Falls or keep right on the trail to reach the restrooms, river access, and the Moulton Falls Bridge.
Footbridge over Big Tree Creek
Swimming
Expect clear, cold water in the park
Moulton Falls Regional Park is most popular as a swimming destination. As the temperature climbs, so does the number of visitors. On hot days, arrive early to find a parking spot, especially on the weekend. My last visit was on a weekday with highs in the 90s. Parking was no problem when I arrived at 10 AM, but the main lot was full by noon. The water is cold, so swimming won’t be very appealing unless it’s hot out. I’d suggest trying out one of the hiking trails and having a picnic lunch by the river while waiting for the day to heat up.
East Fork Lewis River
You won’t find sandy beaches near Moulton Falls. The banks of the East Fork Lewis River are rocky with many sunny ledges for lounging. The park has a notorious reputation for safety, which has more to do with a lack of common sense than swimming conditions. With the usual disclaimers about swimming at your own risk, it’s a more sedate and predictable river than the Willamette or the Columbia. Don’t jump off the bridge or the cliffs and you’ll avoid the biggest hazards. On hot days, you’ll see people jumping. It looks unsafe, and it is. Injuries happen here every year. There is no lifeguard on duty, so be aware of your safety while you swim.
Moulton Falls Bridge
Hiking trails
Yacolt Falls Loop
Distance: 1-mile loop
Elevation gain: 100 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Trail to Yacolt Falls
The short loop to Yacolt Falls is my favorite hike in Moulton Falls Regional Park. With most of the crowds at Moulton Falls or its bridge, Yacolt Falls feels hidden and secret. The trail adds to this impression with thick greenery encroaching on either side. You’ll pass a couple of crumbling picnic tables that look like they’ve outlasted the human race. Once you reach Yacolt Falls, the trail becomes surprisingly developed, complete with steps, rails, and a metal bridge. The 35-foot waterfall tumbles gracefully over chunky basalt ledges in two streams. Toward the end of the hike, you’ll have a great view of the Moulton Falls Bridge from below.
Yacolt Falls
East Fork Lewis River Trail
Distance: 5 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
East Fork Lewis River Trail
A flat and gentle 2.5-mile hiking trail connects the Hantwick Rd Trailhead to Moulton Falls. The forest keeps it cool and shady on hot days. In summer, salmonberries and blackberries ripen along the trail. You’ll be following the East Fork Lewis River as you walk. Expect frequent glimpses of the water through the trees but no show-stopping viewpoints or river access. It’s a place to have a pleasant stroll through the woods without a focus on a particular destination.
View of the East Fork Lewis River from the trail
To find the trail from the main parking lot, head left and cross the footbridge over Big Tree Creek. Keep right to follow the hiking trail down to the river. Cross the Moulton Falls Bridge and then take a right. You’ll pass a picnic area just across the bridge. Continue on the East Fork Lewis River Trail until you reach the Hantwick Rd Trailhead, which is a good place to turn around. You can continue to Lucia Falls but the route isn’t ideal (described below). I’d suggest driving there instead.
Alternatively, you can start at the Hantwick Rd Trailhead and save Moulton Falls for the hike’s finale.
Hike to Lucia Falls
Distance: 6 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 600 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Hantwick Rd Trailhead entrance
I’ll start by saying I don’t recommend hiking to Lucia Falls from Moulton Falls. At the end of the hike, you’ll need to walk along a road with no shoulders and the cars will be passing close to you. It’s safer and easier to stop at Lucia Falls on the drive to or from Moulton Falls Regional Park. I could have sworn I found hiking directions online before trying it, but now they appear to be a figment of my imagination. In other words, I don’t think anyone else recommends this route either.
You’ll need to walk along this road to reach Lucia Falls Regional Park on foot
That being said, the is hike doable, and even a nice time other than the stretch next to the fast-moving traffic. If you’re determined, here’s how to do it:
Take the East Fork Lewis River Trail to Hantwick Rd Trailhead as described above.
Leave the park and take a right onto Hantwick Rd.
Once you reach NE Lucia Falls Rd, take a left. This begins the unpleasant part.
Continue along NE Lucia Falls Rd for about 0.25 miles until you see the park entrance on your left. Once you’re in the park, follow the hiking trail another 0.25 miles to reach Lucia Falls.
Waterfalls close to Moulton Falls Regional Park
Lucia Falls
Lucia Falls
Pass required: None, free parking.
Swimming allowed: No
Dog-friendly: Yes, dogs can be in the park, just not in the water.
Amenities: Restrooms and picnic tables.
If you’re coming from Portland or Vancouver, you’ll pass Lucia Falls Regional Park on the way to Moulton Falls. It’s worth stopping here to see the peaceful, 15-foot Lucia Falls. A few miles downstream of Moulton Falls on the East Fork Lewis River, Lucia Falls tumbles over the same rugged volcanic rock. It falls as several streams, including an interesting sidewinding cascade. Unlike Moulton Falls, wading and swimming aren’t allowed at Lucia Falls. The goal is to protect migrating salmon, but a side benefit is that it gets much less crowded than the swimming holes in the area. I’ve never had trouble parking here.
Look for cool rock formations downstream of Lucia Falls
A short trail leads from the parking lot to a viewpoint overlooking Lucia Falls, about 0.25 miles long. From here, you can head down to the rocks to clamber along the banks or take the 1-mile easy loop trail through the woods. The park’s picnic tables are wonderful spots to linger near the falls.
Sunset Falls
Sunset Falls
Pass required: NW Forest Pass ($5/day) or America the Beautiful Pass
Swimming allowed: Yes
Dog-friendly: Yes
Amenities: Vault toilets and picnic tables.
Sunset Falls and its campground are about a 15-minute drive away from Moulton Falls Regional Park. Located at the edge of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Sunset Falls feels more remote and secluded than either Lucia Falls or Moulton Falls. The swimming hole beneath the waterfall looks idyllic amid the lush surrounding forest.
From the day-use parking, follow the paved trail about 0.1 miles to reach a viewpoint overlooking Sunset Falls from the side. Continue on the narrow, uneven dirt trail to get down to the river, another 0.1 miles. It’s a bit informal but nothing intense.
Sunset Falls
Getting there
Address: 27781 NE Lucia Falls Rd, Yacolt, WA 98675
To reach Moulton Falls Regional Park from Portland or Vancouver, take I-5 N until Exit 11. Take the exit onto WA-502 toward Battle Ground and continue for 4.2 miles. Turn left onto 92nd Ave, then, in one mile, turn right onto NE 239th St. Drive another mile, then turn left onto NE 112th Ave. Follow it to the right as it becomes NE 244th St. Turn left onto WA-503 W and continue for 4.4 miles. Turn right onto NE Rock Creek Rd. In 1.5 miles, make a slight left onto NE Lucia Falls Rd.
You’ll pass the entrance to Lucia Falls Regional Park in about 3 miles. Moulton Falls Regional Park is another few miles down the road on your right. You’ll reach the main parking lot first, then the road to the overflow parking.
The drive from Portland takes about an hour. The roads are paved and no problem with a low-clearance vehicle.
Enjoy your day at Moulton Falls!
With love,
Emma
Explore nearby
For another beautiful swimming hole, check out Washington’s Dougan Falls.
Check out the other best swimming holes near Portland.
Find shady hikes near Portland for hot days.
